"In the name of Christ, forebear." Telemachus was a "peacemaker."

"In the name of Christ, forebear."

Telemachus was a "peacemaker."

Telemachus was a "peacemaker." He understood, better than most of us, that Jesus had called

his people to be peacemakers.

Telemachus was a "peacemaker." He understood, better than most of us, that Jesus had called

his people to be peacemakers.Jesus spoke this Beatitude to that extent.

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of

God."

Blessed are thePeacemakers

Jesus does not pronounce a blessing on those who love peace.

Jesus does not pronounce a blessing on those who love peace.This Beatitude refers to those who are actively working for

peace.


peace.God did not simply want peace, but he made peace through

Jesus Christ.



Jesus Christ.• "Through [Jesus God reconciled] to himself all things, whether on earth

or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross" (Col 1:20, ESV).



Jesus Christ.• "Through [Jesus God reconciled] to himself all things, whether on earth

or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross" (Col 1:20, ESV).• God acted for peace.

Christians are urged to make peace.

Christians are urged to make peace."Strive for peace with everyone" (Heb 12:14, ESV).

Christians are urged to make peace."Strive for peace with everyone" (Heb 12:14, ESV)."Let us pursue what makes for peace" (Rom 14:19, ESV).

This Beatitude certainly sounded strange to those who heard Jesus.

This Beatitude certainly sounded strange to those who heard Jesus.Many Jews were expecting an earthly kingdom.


• After Jesus fed the five thousand, we read that when Jesus perceived "that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself" (Jn 6:15, ESV).


• Jn 6:15. • The accusation Pilate heard about Jesus was that he was the King of

the Jews (Jn 18:33).



the Jews (Jn 18:33).• This strongly suggests that the Jews were nervous Jesus would "make

waves" with the Roman leaders.



the Jews (Jn 18:33).• This strongly suggests that the Jews were nervous Jesus would "make

waves" with the Roman leaders.• But, why would they have been nervous if they didn’t believe the Messiah—

whom Jesus claimed to be—would establish an earthly kingdom?

This Beatitude certainly sounded strange to those who heard Jesus.Many Jews were expecting an earthly kingdom.Even the disciples were expecting an earthly kingdom.


• Before Jesus went to Gethsemane, the disciples said to him, "Look, Lord, here are two swords" (Lk 22:38, ESV).



• When the disciples saw that Jesus was going to be arrested, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" (Lk 22:49, ESV).



• When the disciples saw that Jesus was going to be arrested, they said, "Lord, shall we strike with the sword?" (Lk 22:49, ESV).

• Before Jesus could answer, Peter gets out his swords & cuts off Malchus’ ear (Jn 18:10-11).

But, Jesus was aninstrument of peace.

The prophets had depicted a peace-striving Messiah.

The prophets had depicted a peace-striving Messiah."For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the

government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Is 9:6, ESV).

The prophets had depicted a peace-striving Messiah.Is 9:6. "He was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed

for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed" (Is 53:5, ESV).

The prophets had depicted a peace-striving Messiah.Is 9:6. Is 53:5. "I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war horse

from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off, and he shall speak peace to the nations; his rule shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth" (Zech 9:10, ESV).

The prophets had depicted a peace-striving Messiah.Jesus did bring peace upon the earth.


Jesus brought inner peace: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid" (Jn 14:27, ESV).


Jesus brought inner peace: (Jn 14:27).Jesus also brought peace with God: "Since we have been

justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ" (Rom 5:1, ESV).

How can we bepeacemakers?

Jesus mainly brought two kinds of peace: inner tranquility & peace with God.

Jesus mainly brought two kinds of peace: inner tranquility & peace with God.The only way we can bring such peace to people is to share

our faith.


our faith.We have an obligation to share our faith.



• "Go . . . . and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" (Mt 28:19, ESV).



• Mt 28:19. • "I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full

knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ" (Phile 6, ESV).

In order to bring peace, we must get rid of all strife & bitterness.

In order to bring peace, we must get rid of all strife & bitterness."While there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of

the flesh and behaving only in a human way?" (1 Cor 3:3, ESV).

In order to bring peace, we must get rid of all strife & bitterness."While there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of

the flesh and behaving only in a human way?" (1 Cor 3:3, ESV).

Strife is a work of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21).

In order to bring peace, we must overlook disagreements about judgment.

In order to bring peace, we must overlook disagreements about judgment.Paul & Barnabas had a serious disagreement about John

Mark.

"And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, ‘Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.’ Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches" (Acts 15:36-41, ESV).


Mark.• This wasn’t a disagreement about doctrine.


Mark.• This wasn’t a disagreement about doctrine.• It was simply a dispute about what Paul & Barnabas each deemed

wise.

But, Paul did not hold a grudge.

But, Paul did not hold a grudge."Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the

cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions-if he comes to you, welcome him)" (Col 4:10, ESV).

But, Paul did not hold a grudge."Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the

cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions-if he comes to you, welcome him)" (Col 4:10, ESV)—Paul wrote these words 13 years or so after his dispute with Barnabas.

But, Paul did not hold a grudge.Col 4:10."Is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from

working for a living?" (1 Cor 9:6, ESV).


working for a living?" (1 Cor 9:6, ESV). • Paul writes this 3-5 years after his dispute with Barnabas.


working for a living?" (1 Cor 9:6, ESV). • Paul writes this 3-5 years after his dispute with Barnabas.• Paul demonstrates no ill-will at the mention of Barnabas.


working for a living?" (1 Cor 9:6, ESV). • Paul writes this 3-5 years after his dispute with Barnabas.• Paul demonstrates no ill-will at the mention of Barnabas.• Does the fact that Paul says that Barnabas is working for a living

demonstrate that he was still in touch with him?


working for a living?" (1 Cor 9:6, ESV). At the end of his life, Paul even wants to see John Mark.



• "Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry" (2 Tm 4:11, ESV).



• "Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry" (2 Tm 4:11, ESV).

• Paul is certainly not holding a grudge against John Mark!

In order to be peacemakers, we must appropriately deal with wrongs committed against us.

In order to be peacemakers, we must appropriately deal with wrongs committed against us."If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault,

between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have

gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector" (Mt 18:15-17, ESV).

In order to be peacemakers, we must appropriately deal with wrongs committed against us.Mt 18:15-17.Why would Jesus rather we deal with wrongs privately?

Dealing with sins privately leads to

peace.

They shall be calledsons of God.

The Greek-speaking Jews borrowed several Hebrew idioms.

The Greek-speaking Jews borrowed several Hebrew idioms."Son of (whomever)" meant two things in Hebrew:


• One: The phrase meant that someone was so-and-so's descendant.


• One: The phrase meant that someone was so-and-so's descendant. Thus, "children of Abraham" means that the Jews were physically descended from Abraham.


• One: The phrase meant that someone was so-and-so's descendant. • Two: The phrase meant that someone acted like so-and-so.



• "He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well" (Rom 4:11, ESV).



• "He received the sign of circumcision as a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. The purpose was to make him the father of all who believe without being circumcised, so that righteousness would be counted to them as well" (Rom 4:11, ESV).

• How are those who believe without circumcision Abraham’s children? Because they act like Abraham!

Being called a "son of God" here means that we act like God.

Being called a "son of God" here means that we act like God.There can be no higher aim for the Christian than striving to

act like God.


act like God. • "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Mt

5:48, ESV).



5:48, ESV). • "Perfect" = "Mature."



5:48, ESV). • "Perfect" = "Mature."• But, let’s not lose sight of the fact that Jesus called upon us to be like God!



5:48, ESV). • "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God

in Christ forgave you" (Eph 4:25, ESV).

The blessing in this Beatitude will be more fully realized in heaven.

The blessing in this Beatitude will be more fully realized in heaven."The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be

his God and he will be my son" (Rv 21:7, ESV).

The blessing in this Beatitude will be more fully realized in heaven."The one who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be

his God and he will be my son" (Rv 21:7, ESV). Will you be a "son of God" in heaven?

Documents

"In the name of Christ, forebear." Telemachus was a "peacemaker."