Choosing to be a Peace Maker

July 23, 2015

Memory Verses: New International Version• Psalm 34:14 – “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”• Luke 10:5-7 – “ ‘When you enter a house, first say, “Peace to this

house.” If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.’ ” • Psalm 37:37 – “Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future

awaits those who seek peace.”

What does the word “Peace Maker” mean to you?• Give examples

• Definition of Peace Maker: “A person who helps to prevent or stop an argument, a fight, or a war.” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

• Synonyms of Peace Maker: broker, buffer, conciliator, go-between, honest broker, interceder, intercessor, intermediary, intermediate, interposer, middleman, mediator. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

• Antonyms of Peace Maker / Peace: Antagonist, bully/bullying, busybody, quarrelsome, instigator, tyrant/tyranny, wicked/wickedness, prideful, boastful, strife.

• Biblical References of Strife: Proverbs 20:3, Psalm 55:9, Proverbs 13:10, Proverbs 17:1, Proverbs 18:6, Proverbs 22:10, Proverbs 26:21

Well-Known Modern Day Peace Makers:

• Saint Francis of Assisi – thirteenth-century saint who authored the Christian prayer “Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace”.

• Abraham Lincoln – 16th President of United States who abolished slavery.

• Golda Meir – 4th Prime Minister of Israel (1969-1974) who promoted peace in the Middle East.

• John F. Kennedy – 35th President of the United States who established the Peace Corps

• Martin Luther King, Jr. – American Baptist Minister who led the African-American Civil Rights Movement and won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1964

• Mother Teresa – established Roman Catholic Religious Institute and Missions of Charity, won Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

• Nelson Mandela – President of South Africa (1994-1999) and revolutionary who was “devoted to democracy, equality and learning.”

• Ronald Reagan – 40th President of the United States who promoted prayer in public schools, declared a war on drugs and was instrumental in the End of the Cold War with Soviet Union.

• Pope John Paul II – Roman Catholic Pope who travelled extensively and met with believers from many divergent faiths. He was instrumental in bringing down Communism in Central and Eastern Europe.

Biblical Examples of Peace:• Moses – Exodus • Aaron – Exodus 32 (Don’t waver from obedience to be a peacemaker, Exodus 32:22-25)• Joseph – Genesis 37:1-11 (Not walking in peace)• Elijah – 1 & 2 Kings• Joshua – Joshua 9:15• Gideon – Judges 6:24, 8:28• Esther – Esther 5:7-8• Ruth – Ruth 1:14-16• Simeon – Luke 2:25-35• Stephen – Philippians 2:14-15, Acts 6:8-15, Acts 7:57 (Not walking in peace)• JESUS – Isaiah 9:6, John 3:16-17, Luke 24:36

What does The Word say?• Matthew 5:9 (NIV): “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”• Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV): “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”• Acts 10:36 (NIV): “You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the

good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.”• Romans 14:17-19 (NIV): “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but

of righteousness, peace and job in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” • Romans 15:13 (NIV): “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in

him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”• Romans 15:33 (NIV): The God of peace be with you all. Amen.”• James 3:18 (NIV): “Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”

What does The Word say (continued)?

• Philippians 2:3-5 (NIV): “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others about yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.”

• 1 Peter 3:8-12 (NIV): “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’”

• John 14:27 (NIV): “ ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’”

• John 14:21 (NIV): “ ‘Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.’”

• Hebrews 12:14 (NIV): “Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

• Isaiah 48:22 (NIV): “ ‘There is no peace,’ says the Lord, ‘for the wicked.’”

Challenges Walking in Peace with Someone?

• Romans 12:17-21 “ Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.• 2 Timothy 3:1-5 “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:  For men will

be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!”• 1 Corinthians 15:33 “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”• 1 John 1:6 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do

not practice the truth.”• John 1:5 “And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

Questions from Lesson:1. What does Philippians 2:3-5 ask you to do?2. In order to enjoy life and see good days, what must you do? 1 Peter 3:10-12, Psalm 34:143. How do you obtain the personal peace Jesus is talking about in John 14:27? John 14:21, Galatians 6:7?4a. According to Hebrews 12:14 what must you do to live in peace?4b. What do the words “strive or pursue” mean to you?5. What happens when you live in peace and others choose not to live in peace? Luke 10:5-76. Why does God want you to pursue peace and live in it? 1 Peter 3:107a. What situations or people tend to “steal” your peace?7b. What must you do with those situations to NOT allow your peace to be stolen?

Blessings for You!!!

• Philippians 4:7 (NIV): “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your mind in Christ Jesus.”

• Romans 15:33 (NIV): The God of peace be with you all. Amen.”