Qualifications: Hear Believe Repent Confess Be baptized You must then live faithful and fulfill your duties.

Responsibilities: 2 Tim 2:22 List of things to be pursued Key word “With” – In the company – Among You and I are to pursue these things

Our Demeanor Eph 4:1-6 Lowliness as opposed to high minded; not looking down on. Gentleness= not severe, rough, or violent; but mild… not too much or too fast; not harsh or extreme; but moderate. Long suffering=patience Bearing with=putting up with (takes love) Which of these are obstacles to peace?

Narrowing The List 1 Thess5:12-15 …be at peace among yourselves… …Always pursue good yourselves and all All above passages are: – Addressed to” brethren” – Commands to be at peace – A command to Always Pursue

Let’s look at some definitions Pursue: NT:1377 – Thayer … to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavor to acquire – World Book Dictionary – To follow to catch or kill; chase. The dogs pursued the rabbit. Lessons from the ant Prov. 6:6 Lessons from a Beagle

Definitions Peace NT:1515 (Occurs 93 times in NT; In every book but 1 John. (Thayer) – A state of national tranquility; exemption from the rage and havoc of war. – Peace between individuals, i. e. harmony, concord. Prov 6:16-19 Discord opposite to Concord

Definitions Peace NT:1514 (Thayer) – 1. To make peace: – 2. To cultivate or keep peace Peace World Book: – 1. Freedom from strife of any kind. Occurs 3 times in NT – Rom 12:18 – 2 Cor 13:11 – 1 Thess 5:13

Commands Rom 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. – If there is no Peace establish it – If there is peace, this command tells us to do those things that maintain the “peace” – If there is discord, this command tells us to do those things that will restore peace

Commands Heb 12:14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord Without peace NO ONE WILL SEE THE LORD – Just how important is; Winning the argument Setting the record straight Clearing my name Matt 16:26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

Love Foundation of Peace Rom 5:8-9 While we were yet sinners 1 Peter 1:22 Love Fervently John 15:12-13 Greater Love Consider a Judgment Scene – # 284 – Matt 18:23-35 The wicked servant

WHEN UNREST ARISES WE ARE IN DANGER Rom 14:19 (Edification is hindered if not lost) Gal 5:13-15 (We CAN consume one another) John 13:34-35 (You /We CAN lose our identity as Christ’s Disciples Heb 12:14 (Your eternal destiny is at serious risk)

A QUESTION FROM THE HOLY SPIRIT James 3:13-18 The question: Who is wise and understanding among you? The Opposing Answer: Verse 14 The Good Conduct: 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Gal 5:22-23 (The fruit of righteousness from above as revealed by the spirit) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. – If peace is the fruit of the spirit then discord is the fruit from some other source – Are we known by our fruits?

WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE WARNINGS Warnings Prov 25:8-10 (PROCEED WITH CAUTION) – James 1:19-20 – So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Prov 18:8 Tales tasty Prov 18:13 Jumping to Conclusions – Prov 18:17 First to plead Deut 1:16-17 (Some cases too hard)

WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE RULES Deut 19:15 (THE QUALITY OF EVIDENCE) Lev 19:17-18 (SUPERIORITY OF LOVE) – No Hate – Rebuke Sin – No Vengeance – No grudges – Love neighbor I AM THE LORD

The Way To RESOLUTION Matt 5:23-24 (you are the ALLEGED offender) The Command to the individual is “GO” No other person can fulfill your responsibility. – Your gift is useless if there is unrest – Heb 12:14 – 1 Sam 15:22 First be reconciled to your brother, – The intent of going to your brother is reconciliation – Reconcile: Then come and offer your gift. – When reconciled your offering is acceptable. Refusing to reconcile is walking disorderly and should be handled according to Matt 18:15-17

The Way To RESOLUTION Matt 18:15-17 (You are the offended) 15 Go alone 16 Go with witnesses 17 Bring it to the church – Refusal to reconcile is walking disorderly. – Three opportunities to reconcile are indicated Consistent with Titus 3:10—“Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition”

Conclusion The pursuit of Peace is your responsibility Your objective must be reconciliation Your demeanor -- Love The way is given in Scripture When a man's ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Proverbs 16:7