Blessed- Peacemakers Who Are Persecuted, Matthew 5:9-12
Icebreaker: Share an instance when you stepped in to settle a dispute like between your children. What was the outcome?
Blessed describes the state of what already exists. Blessed refers to the distinctive joy accrued to those who have salvation in the kingdom of God. It’s what you already are & what already exists. It is not a qualitative “If this; then this.” Blessed is what you are, not what you hope to be.
Read the 7th and 8th beatitudes of Jesus, Matthew 5:9-12
9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Blessed are the Peacemakers
Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Peacemaker – The word “Peacemaker” only appears here in the entire Bible. Jesus alludes that those who are his children are known by the effort to make healthy and relational peace like their Heavenly Father. Unique to the children of God. — Pastor Dave Flaig
Also watch: https://youtu.be/oLYORLZOaZE (optional)
1.Why is Christ the ultimate peacemaker? (Isaiah 9:6, Ephesians 2:11-18)
Isaiah 9:6, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Ephesians 2:11-18, “11Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)-12remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. 17He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.”
2. How does the figure of speech “a wall between us” expose a relationship that needs peace?
3. What did Christ accomplish according to Galatians 3:28, Romans 5:9-11? Why is it important?
Galatians 3:28, “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 5:9-11, 9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
4. What does “children of God” mean to the Jews and also to the gentile believers? (Hosea 1:10, Romans 8:14-17)
5. In Romans 8:14-17, as children of God, we are also co-heirs with Christ. How should having God as our Father direct our lives?
Hosea 1:10, “10Yet the Israelites will be like the sand on the seashore, which cannot be measured or counted. In the place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ “
Romans 8:14-17, “14For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. f And by him we cry, “Abba, g Father.” 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.”
6. What are we accomplishing by living out our identity and calling us peacemakers? (2 Corinthians 5:18-19)
2 Corinthians 5:18-19, 18All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
7. How can believers continually live in peace with God and with one another? (Romans 12:18, 21; 2 Corinthians 5:16)
Romans 12:18, 21 18If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
2 Corinthians 5:16 16So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.
Blessed are Those Who are Persecuted
Matthew 5:10-12 10″Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Righteous (dikaiosuné)– The condition acceptable to God – Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
Persecute (diókó)– to harass, trouble, molest one, – Thayer’s Greek Lexicon
8. In Pastor Dave’s sermon, he said, “Peacemaking is often rejected and persecuted.” Why is peacemaking often rejected and persecuted? (Romans 8:6–8)
Romans 8:6-8 6The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.
9. How will the encouragements Jesus gave in verse 12 counter the negatives in verse 11?
10. What is the significance of the phrase “because of me” between verses 11 and 12? (1 Peter 2:21-25, 2 Timothy 3:12)
1 Peter 2:21-25 21To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 22“He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” 23When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 25For “you were like sheep going astray,” f but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
2 Timothy 3:12 , everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted
11. What kind of blatant or subtle persecutions do we experience today for Christ?
12. How can we take hold of Matthew 5:12 to rise above the persecutions and become a testimony to the world?
Father forgive them they do not know what they are doing – Jesus Christ