Beatitudes - Blessed - Peacemakers
February 18, 2021

Message Notes:

Pax Romana = “The

of Rome”

•This kept “peace” — but a

peace

Cancel Culture is a more contemporary method of “keeping peace.”

•“A modern form of

in which someone is thrust out of social or professional circles – either online on social media, in the real world, or both, simply because this person said or did something culturally unacceptable.”

Beatitude #7, Matthew 5:9 — “Blessed are the

, for they will be called children of God.”

Peacemakers are folks who are actively seeking to

people:

•to

— spiritual peacemakers
•to — social / relational peacemakers
•to — personal peacemakers

Peace (“shalom” in Hebrew) — “a broad term related to health, prosperity, harmony, and

.”

Makers — “It is a word bursting with energy. It mandates

and . Someone brings the combatants to the table and helps them see many good reasons to put down their arms. A peacemaker is never passive. They always take the initiative. They are up and doing.”

Peacemakers do not: (1) avoid all conflict, (2) seek

at any price, (3) try to make everyone happy, (4) over problems, (5) or control to bring peace.

There are over 400 references to peace in the Bible.

•our God is a God of peace
•our God

peace
•our God wants us to discover peace
•our God wants us to peace

There are four “layers” to peace in the Bible (and how God wants us to relate to it):

•Peace

God (Romans 5:1)
•Peace God (Philippians 4:6-7)
Peace (Ephesians 2:14-15; also Romans 12:18)
•Being a (Matthew 5:9)

Six Characteristics of Peacemakers:

•Humble & soft-

(not cynical / arrogant)
•Honest about their own
•Take responsibility for their contribution
•Willing to engage in conversations
•Refuse revenge — stop the cycle
•Refuse to