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MATTHEW 5:9

"BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS"

Intro: Further result of being filled. Fallacy of putting beatitudes into practice. Takes a
       new man to live this new life   Shock to these Jews. They were looking for military
       power.

I. WHY DO WE HAVE ALL THESE WARS?
        A. International tension.
        B. Sin, Human greed; selfishness; self-centeredness.
        C. Why such problem finding peace?
                1. League of Nations failed.
                2. U.N. failing.
                3. Problem not Social, economic, political, academic.
                4. The trouble lies in the heart of man.
                        a. There must be a change of heart.
                        b. Attacking the problem from the wrong side.

II. WHAT IS A PEACEMAKER?
        A. Does not mean easy going person. Not peace at any cost.
                1. Avoidance of war does not make peace.
                        a. It is not appeasement.
        B. One who actively sets about to make peace.
                1. What does this involve?
                        a. First a new heart.
                        b. A new view of self.
                                1. Must not be defensive, sensitive, or touchy
                                2. Must hate natural self. "He that loveth his life shall
                                   lose it." "O wretched man that I am."
                        c. A new view of man.
                                1. Not why do they act like that.
                                2. They act that way because they are under the blinding
                                   control of the enemy.
                        d. New view of world.
                                1. Seeks glory of God above all else.
                                2. Some pursue peace for glory of self.
        C. How does this work in practice?
                1. One who holds his tongue.
                        a. Think of how much less discord there would be if we just had better
                           control of tongue.
                2. "If the enemy hunger feed him."

III. THEY SHALL BE CALLED (OWNED) CHILDREN OF GOD.
        A. Where do wars and fightings originate?
        B. "He is the God of peace."
                1. As a child I become as my Father, identified with Him.