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<v SPEAKER_00>This week we're back in the Gospel of Matthew as one of our scriptures, and it's the Sermon on the Mount again.

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<v SPEAKER_00>It's where Jesus gives a lot of blesseds.

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<v SPEAKER_00>And one of the ones that I have always loved but have encountered in a new way recently is Blessed are the peacemakers.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I think the first time I read this, I thought peacemakers like end to war, or those people that go into a large argument and are able to bring two sides of a large group of people together.

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<v SPEAKER_00>But the more I spend time with people, the more I realize that all of us are lacking peace somewhere in our lives.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Some relationship is strained or broken.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Maybe it's at work, maybe it's in a social setting, maybe it's even at home.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I shared before about my parents.

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<v SPEAKER_00>They both unfortunately have passed away because of cancer.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I was extremely close to my mom.

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<v SPEAKER_00>She modeled Jesus for me in ways that you've heard at length if you've been in worship with us.

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<v SPEAKER_00>My dad I've spoken of a few times.

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<v SPEAKER_00>My father and I had a very difficult relationship, and near the end of his life, I was able to go up into his hospital room with my young boys, and I was able to finally make peace with who he was, who I was.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Both of us broken, both of us desperately in need of love, both of us desperately in need of the love of our Savior.

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<v SPEAKER_00>We sat together and we cried together and we prayed together.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I learned in that moment that peace takes courage.

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<v SPEAKER_00>I think sometimes we forget that.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Courage to trust that God's got you in a tough conversation.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Courage to trust that if you're pursuing truth, God will provide for you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Courage to trust that peace is worth having.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Church, my encouragement to you today is to make that phone call, is to write that letter, is to have that difficult conversation, trusting that God is with you and that peace as an ultimate end is what God requires of us.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Blessed are the peacemakers, our Savior says, because they will change the world and show the world a new way to live.

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<v SPEAKER_00>A world that lives like Christ.

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<v SPEAKER_00>As always, we're praying for you.

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<v SPEAKER_00>Love and peace.