BLESSED

“Blessed Are The Peacemakers”

Pastor Brandon Hovey | 07.28.2013

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

DEFINITIONS

•Blessed=fortunate or approved by God

•Peace=not just the absence of conflict, but the presence of wellbeing

°“Peace is a state of well being in every direction, and in every

relationship for the whole community.” - Dale Brunner

•Peacemakers=those who eagerly and earnestly strive to seek the presence

of wellbeing in the lives of everyone around them

PEACEMAKERS ACTIVELY MAKE PEACE

PEACEKEEPING VS. PEACEMAKING

•Peacekeepers AVOID conflict to keep the peace

•Peacemakers ENGAGE conflict to make peace

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Don not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:17-18,21)

THREE STEPS TO PEACEMAKING

1. LOG: Take the log out of your own eye

<<<How can I take responsibility for my part of the conflict?>>>

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:3-5)

Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. (James 5:16)

2. SPECK: Gently point out the speck in the other’s eye

<<<How can I lovingly help another take responsibility for their part in the conflict?>>>

First take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:5)

Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit, should restore that person gently. (Galatians 6:1-2)

We will speak the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. (Ephesians 4:15)

3. RELEASE: Let go of the burden and forgive

<<<How can I forgive and release the burden in this conflict?>>>

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Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13)

PEACEMAKER=CHILDREN OF GOD

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9)

PERSONAL REFLECTION QUESTIONS

1. What has God done to make peace with you?

2. Do you hope for peace or make peace?

3. Are you more of a peacemaker or a peacekeeper?

4. What are the things that cause conflict in your family? At work? Among your friends and enemies?

5. What concrete steps can you take this week to be a peacmaker?