October 20, 2024

The Peacemakers and the Persecuted

Preacher:
Passage: Matthew 5:8-11, 1 Peter 3:8-18
Service Type:

Introduction

  • In the Bible – it is often the most peaceable people receive the most persecution
    • Example of Moses and David
  • v9 – speaking about peacemakers
  • v10 – speaking about the persecuted
    • How do these go together?
    • Often God’s word brings persecution – especially preaching holiness and good news
  • We like peace but we do not like persecution
    • There is one blessing for most beatitudes
    • But Christ gives a double blessing for persecution – v10 & 11
      • Example of Peter and John, Paul and Silas
      • Though we are weak, God strengthen us
        • Christ commands rejoicing, even in sorrow
  • Overview:
    • The Peacemakers

The Peacemakers

  • Example of Tony Blair – brokering the Good Friday Agreement and the Noble Peace Prize
    • The true and lasting peace – made at Good Friday 2000 years ago, signed in the blood of Christ
  • Christ mediated a peace between human beings and God – explanation
    • All that believe in Christ and repent of their sin might have peace with God
    • We must turn from our own ways and turn to Jesus Christ
    • Full forgiveness, peace with God and a home in heaven – for those that believe in Him
  • For those that have this peace – they become peacemakers
    • They also become sons of God
      • At the time/culture – the sons bore the characteristics of their father
    • We bear the characteristics of God
      • We preach a gospel of peace
      • Example of (the Apostle) Paul
      • Are we doing this as we ought?
  • We seek to alleviate tension and bring peace
    • Learning when to speak and when to be silent
      • Slow to speak, slow to anger, quick to listen
    • To help others
    • To forgive
    • To leave things in the past and move on
  • Reading 1 Peter 3:8-9
    • Example of Jesus and Judas
  • Not just a peace keeper or a peace lover but a peace maker
    • This requires being active
      • Sometimes words are not enough
    • Be reconciled – example
    • Be wise – example
  • It is a blessed work to make peace
    • This marks you out as a Christian
    • A peacemaker is meek and merciful

The Persecuted

  • We shy away from this topic – but it is true for all Christians
    • 2 Tim 3:12
  • It is not the rich and powerful … or the forceful who inherit the earth
    • The meek, the humble, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
    • The persecuted will inherit the kingdom of heaven – v3 and v10
    • Example
  • Christians face varied persecuted – examples of different countries and Nigeria
    • Psychological persecution – being sidelined, ridiculed, mocked, threatened
    • Defamation of character
  • Suffering for righteousness sake
    • Upholding the standards of God’s laws
    • 1 Pet 4:14-16 " If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this matter."

Closing Remarks

  • Those who bring peace will be persecuted
  • Example of Nehemiah
    • Persecution did not distract them from the work of God
    • They prepared but continued the work of God
  • Jesus says "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (v12)
    • Examples of those who suffered
  • Our faith is precious – it will be refined, but the fire will not burn us, the floods will not overwhelm us
    • Take courage in these beatitudes