Farmerville Church of Christ

Sermon Outlines

Sermon on the Mount #9

By Bill Denton

INTRODUCTION

• A. Our study of the Sermon on the Mount has focused so far upon the beatitudes
• 1. The beatitudes serve as an introduction to the sermon -- a basic primer on the content to follow
• 2. The beatitudes are also a description of basic characteristics that the man or woman of God must possess
• 3. The beatitudes are very much a primer on faith
• a. how faith begins
• b. how faith grows
• c. how faith matures
• d. how faith is tested

B. Mt 5:9 -- Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God

• 1. In the over 3100 years of recorded world history, the world has only been at peace 8% of the time or a total of 286 years and 8000 treaties have been made and broken.
• 2. Peace often seems to elude us

C. Remember that the beatitudes build on one another

• 1. A peacemaker must first learn to practice the two other elements that indicate maturity of faith
• 2. Becoming merciful and pure in heart are essential to becoming a peacemaker

D. Tonight we will look at what it means to be a peacemaker and how it affects our lives

I. THE MEANING OF PEACEMAKER

• A. The biblical idea of peace
• 1. A positive force -- the presence of all that is good
• 2. Peace carries the idea of total well-being of mind and heart and body
• 3. It is not just the cessation or absence of war or conflict -- absence of of conflict does not insure any positive blessing
• 4. Peace is both relief from war and the possession of all that one needs for a full and satisfying life
• B. A peacemaker is a person who is actively seeking to establish and maintain peace
• 1. He is a person who does not make war or create conflicts with others
• 2. He is a person who seeks to resolve conflicts and eliminate all hostility
• 3. He is a person who tries to provide what others need for life
• 4. He is a positive force for good and all that is profitable for mankind

II. PEACEMAKERS ARE THOSE WHOSE LIFE DEMONSTRATES PEACE

• A. They are at peace with God
• 1. Rom 5:1
  Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, (NKJ)
• 2. James 4:1-4
  Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. (NKJ)
• 3. Sin makes us an enemy of God
• B. They are at peace with others
• 1. Rom 14:19
  Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. (NKJ)
• 2. 2 Cor 13:11
  Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. (NKJ)
• 3. Rom 12:18
  If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. (NKJ)
• C. They are at peace with themselves
• 1. Ps 122:8
  For the sake of my brethren and companions, I will now say, ""Peace be within you.'' (NKJ)
• 2. Prov 3:1-2
  My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life and peace they will add to you. (NKJ)
• 3. Col 3:15
  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (NKJ)

III. PEACEMAKING IS THE ULTIMATE WORK OF GOD IN THE WORLD

• A. Perhaps one of the reasons that making peace is a characteristic of mature faith is that peace is the ultimate work of God
• 1. Rom 15:33
  Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. (NKJ)
• a. what an all-encompassing statement
• b. when the God of peace is with us, conflict is eliminated and all the positive blessings for life are ours
• 2. Rom 16:20
  And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. (NKJ)
• a. it is the God of peace who defeats Satan, the enemy
• b. God resolves the war to bring peace to our lives
• 3. Phil 4:9
  The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (NKJ)
• a. the God peace is with those who do his will
• b. our trusting obedience in following his teachings will produce peace in our lives
• 4. 1Thes 5:23
  Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (NKJ)
• a. the God of peace sanctifies -- sets us apart to holiness
• b. the sanctification and peace have eternal consequences in our favor
• 5. Heb 13:20-21
  Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (NKJ)
• a. the God of peace equips us to do his will
• b. his peace does not leave us floundering or wondering how to please him

CONCLUSION

• A. We need to remember a few basics as we close
• 1. The source of peace is God -- that's why it's a matter of faith -- we must trust and obey him in order to receive and give peace
• 2. The enemy of peace is Satan and sin -- wherever there is discord, or conflict you can know that Satan is having his way
• 3. Christians reflect peace in their lives both as a quality they have within themselves and as a blessing they share with others
• B. Making peace requires a tremendous faith
• 1. It is always easier to create conflict
• 2. Peace demands that we turn to God and to his ways
• C. If we were to look at your life, what legacy would it be leaving?
• 1. One of peace
• 2. One of conflict
• D. Invitation

Copyright © 1995, Bill Denton. Permission granted to use sermon outlines for personal study and preparation of sermons, Bible classes or other teaching format. Sermons may not be reprinted in any form without written permission of the author.

Additional Resources

Sermon on the Mount Index Page
CrossTies Home Page

You can reach me at: BillDenton@crossties.org