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SEAL training handout Feb 1 2012
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.
One of the facts of human history is that peace has not characterized man’s earthly existence. Why?
We are engaged in a battle with the forces of darkness over who is in charge. God is calling us to peacemakers. We are called to restore peace that was lost at the Fall of Mankind. There is no such thing as a truce with Satan; he only knows victory or defeat, life or death.
James 3:13-18 If you are wise and understand God’s ways, live a life of steady goodness so that only good deeds will pour forth. And if you don’t brag about the good you do, then you will be truly wise! But if you are bitterly jealous and there is selfish ambition in your hearts, don’t brag about being wise. That is the worst kind of lie. For jealousy and selfishness are not God’s kind of wisdom. Such things are earthly, unspiritual, and motivated by the Devil. For wherever there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there you will find disorder and every kind of evil. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and good deeds. It shows no partiality and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of goodness.
God’s way to peace is through His righteousness. Two people cannot be at peace until they recognize and resolve the wrong attitudes and actions that caused the conflict between them.
Hebrews 12:14-17Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord…
Peace and holiness (living as a set apart people) are connected. Psalm 85:10 Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed. Matthew 10:34-39 Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
Is peace at any price true peace? To be a peacemaker on God’s terms requires being peacemakers in terms of Biblical truth and righteousness. The enemy of peace is SIN because it separates us from and God and causes hostility, disharmony with each other.
Jeremiah 17:9 –10 The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give every man according to his ways, According to the fruit of his doings.
Men are without peace only because they are without God who is the source of our peace.
Colossians 1:19-23For God in all his fullness was pleased to live in Christ, and by him God reconciled everything to himself. He made peace with everything in heaven and on earth by means of his blood on the cross. This includes you who were once so far away from God. You were his enemies, separated from him by your evil thoughts and actions, yet now he has brought you back as his friends. He has done this through his death on the cross in his own human body.
A peacemaker is one who himself has made peace with God.
Philippians 4:6-7Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
A peacemaker leads others to make peace with God: Acts 10:34-43Then Peter opened his mouth and said: In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ–He is Lord of all– that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him. And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.
A peacemaker helps others make peace with others.
Matthew 5:21-26You have heard that it was said to those of old, You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment. But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, Raca! shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you are thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means get out of there till you have paid the last penny.
Be devoted and give preference to one another Romans 12:10; Accept one another Romans 15:7 Care for one another 1 Corinthians 12:25; Carry each other’s burdens. Galatians 6:2; Forgive one another Ephesians 4:32; Encourage and build up one another 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Spur one another on to love and good deeds Hebrews 10:24; Confess and pray your sins to one another. James 5:16; Serve one another. 1 Peter 4:10; Love one another. 1 John 4:11
The church is a family to families and a place of family diversity. The church needs to become a place for small groups to develop where people can share their burdens and joys. The church needs to become a place where everyone has a role, ministry, place of service so that everyone feels at home.
Shalom: We are bringing Shalom (peace) into our community! Shalom is present when there is peace and justice. Shalom is usually translated peace. Peace is not seen merely as the absence of conflict but rather as the promotion of human welfare in both material and spiritual ways. Shalom denotes a culture characterized by justice and righteousness.
Isaiah 11:6-10In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard and the goat will be at peace. Calves and yearlings will be safe among lions, and a little child will lead them all. The cattle will graze among bears. Cubs and calves will lie down together. And lions will eat grass as the livestock do. Babies will crawl safely among poisonous snakes. Yes, a little child will put its hand in a nest of deadly snakes and pull it out unharmed. Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain. And as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the LORD.
Do you have SHALOM with the Lord? Why or why not?
What does the statement peace at any price mean to you?
In what ways have you learned to be a peacemaker at work and at home?
Men can stop fighting without righteousness but can man live peaceably without righteousness? Why or Why not?
What is righteousness and how does it bring peace?
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