1. Attitudes and actions that garner God’s blessings

2. What is this series about? An examination of 21 attitudes and behaviors identified in the New Testament as “blessed” A look at Christian conduct and characteristics that will enrich our lives with lasting joy A look at the condition of those who lack these qualities

3. Outline (Matthew 5:9) “Blessed are the peacemakers” “For they shall be called sons of God” The cursed life Alfred Nobel: a man who wanted to be remembered as a peacemaker…

4. Blessed are the peacemakers (Matt. 5:9) Peace – harmony, tranquility; absence of turmoil, conflict Peacemaker: a person who brings about peace, especially by reconciling adversaries Consider Abram’s peacemaking effort (Gen. 13:5-8) He engaged calmly, sought a solution, accepted the lesser gain A peacemaker actively seeks peace (Rom. 12:18) Reconciles with his brother (Matt. 5:23-24) Makes friends with his opponent (Matt. 5:25-26) Loves and greets even his enemies (Matt. 5:44-47) Accepts minor offenses (1 Cor. 6:7) “Pursue peace with all men” (Heb. 12:14) But not at the expense of purity! (Jms. 3:17)

5. Our role as peacemakers Peace does not happen automatically Peace must be pursued (Rom. 14:19) Peace must be defended, preserved (Eph. 4:3) Peace must characterize our way of life (1 Thess. 5:13) Pray for others so we may have peace (1 Tim. 2:1-2) Preaching peace between men and God We preach the Gospel of peace (Eph. 6:15) Friendship with the world makes one an enemy of God (Jms. 4:4) Peace with God is through Jesus’ blood (Col. 1:20) Peace with God requires the individual’s faith (Rom. 5:1)

6. Making peace in the local church (Eph. 4:2-3) Remember that we are one body (1 Cor. 12:25-27) Elders must be peaceable (1 Tim. 3:3) “pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another” (Rom. 14:19) Dealing with strife in the local church Peace is not achieved by tolerating troublemakers, yielding to bullies, or compromising with sin… Brethren should mediate between one another (1 Cor. 6:1-8) Sinners, false teachers and troublemakers must repent Sometimes the only way to make peace is to drive out the troublemaker (Rom. 16:17-18)

7. “For they shall be called sons of God” (Matt. 5:9) “I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be an everlasting covenant with them. And I will place them and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in their midst forever” (Ezek. 37:26) “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High” (Luke 6:35) “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing” (1 Pet. 3:8-9)

8. The cursed life: Cursed are the troublemakers, for they are children of Satan Peace-breakers cause discord and ruin relationships A short temper (Prov. 15:18) Gossip & slander (Prov. 16:28) Breaking confidentiality by repeating secrets (Prov. 17:9) Meddling in another’s affairs (Prov. 20:3; 26:17) Deceit in the heart (Ps. 28:3; 35:20) Arrogance/pride (Prov. 28:25) Seeking sordid gain (Titus 1:10-11) The one who spreads strife is an abomination to God (Prov. 6:16-19)

9. Summary God is a God of peace, and calls us to be peacemakers Peacemakers are children of God Troublemakers are an abomination to God and harmful to the pursuit of peace Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God!

10. Believe in Jesus Christ (John 14:1; Acts 16:30-34) That He died for your sins and was resurrected (1 Cor. 15:3-4) Repent of your past sins (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9) Commit yourself to holy conduct (Acts 26:30; Titus 2:11-12) Confess your faith (Matthew 10:32) Declare your belief that Jesus is God’s Son (Acts 8:37) Receive Baptism (Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12) Baptism puts you into Christ (Romans 6:3-5; Galatians 3:27) Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16) Baptism saves you (1 Peter 3:21) Be faithful until death (Revelation 2:10) Trust His grace and obey His commands (Hebrews 5:9) Or face the retribution due to those who do not obey 2 Thessalonians 1:8; Romans 2:8; John 3:36

11. Pray without ceasing…Practice what Jesus preached…Prepare for our next assembly