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