Manna on the Mountain
Dr. Curtis McClane is a Bible scholar with many years experience as a teacher, minister, and Christian counselor with a passion for the Lord and people who want to know God. These lessons average 30minutes in length and drop once a week.
Manna on the Mountain
Matthew Lesson 14: The Peacemakers
Matthew 5:9 is the text for this sermon entitled, "Seventh Beatitude: The Peacemakers."
This beatitude connects with our self-identity as sons of God! The term "peacemakers" is only used here in the entire Bible. Peace-making is intentional in nature and goes to the core of both covenant thinking and a ministry of reconciliation. The apostle Paul expresses it this way in Romans 12:18, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.”
This idea of peace is a Jewish Hebrew Bible concept: shalom. There were many instructions in the Hebrew Bible for "Peace offerings." The New Testament book of Romans has numerous references to living peaceably. The angels sang with joy for the peace on earth that the newborn child Messiah would bring.
Practical application for us today for being a peace-maker.
1. Violence and the sword are not the tools for peacemaking.
2. Peace begins with my heart right with God.
3. When my heart is right with God, and at peace, I can have peace with
you.
4. We pray for peace in the church, and local congregations.
5. We pray for and seek peace as ministers of reconciliation.
6. Our language, our thoughts, and our behaviors should all exhibit
peaceful offerings of the gospel.
7. Sometimes, we have to speak truth in the “prophetic voice” before
peace can come.
8. When we intentionally live out being a peacemaker as a ministers of
reconciliation, God is so please with this that He calls us one of his very
own children!
9. Think about how God is “with us” in the peacemaking process!