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MATTHEW 5: 9

"BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS"

Intro: It is amazing how little Christ was really understood. He was often saying things that
       shocked.

I. "BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS."
        A. They were expecting their Messiah to make war on all their enemies.
                1. Overthrow Roman Empire.
                2. Set up Jewish empire.
        B. Peace is more than a passive state.
                1. Not lust absence of fighting.
                2. A person filled with hate is at war in his heart.
                3. Not just an end to evil.
                4. Positive state of good.
        C. When they greet "shalom" desire for good day.
                1. Not lust don't have a bad day.

II. WHAT IS A PEACEMAKER?
        A. One who is bringing good into others lives.
        B. This is not a peace at any price.
                1. Jesus as example.
                        a. His conflict with the Pharisees.
                        b. His conflict with corrupted religious system.
                        c. Jesus was a peacemaker when he was driving money changers out.
                                1. There are things that are mutually exclusive to peace.
                                2. The only way to peace is to drive them out, sometimes 
                                   force is necessary.
                2. Real peace can never be found in a compromise with evil.
                        a. Paul said, "Purge out the old leaven."
                3. You can never have peaceful co-existence with sin.
                        a. "The wicked are like the troubled sea."
                        b. "There is no rest (or peace. for the wicked."
        C. A peacemaker would be one who is bringing men to God.
                1. This is the starting point for peace.
                        a. Vertical and horizontal planes.
        D. Some people relish in strife.
                1. Try to get things going.
                2. Never willing to see strife die.
        E. Barnabas good example of peacemaker.

Ill. "THEY SHALL BE CALLED CHILDREN OF GOD."
        A. More literally "Sons of God."
                1. For they shall be like God in making peace.
                2. God's desire is "peace on earth, goodwill toward men."
        B. When Jesus comes again, He shall be called "Prince of Peace." Notice what must be
           done before there can be peace on earth.