Application Guide: “Blessed are the Peacemakers (Part 2)…”

Nov. 7^th, 2004: Kimber Kauffman, Sr. Pastor of College Park Church, presented his 20^th sermon on The Gospel of Matthew. Based on the seventh Beatitude (Matt. 5:9), Kimber spoke on what it means to be a peacemaker and provided some biblical illustrations of peacemakers. These illustrations emphasized that there is a sacrifice that comes with being a peacemaker.

1. This week, Eric talked about the fruit of the Spirit, patience (Gal. 5:22-23).
1. No doubt, we live in a fast-paced society, and patience is a rare virtue. What are areas in your life where you recognize that you are often impatient and need to start walking in the Spirit? (e.g. – With your family members, while driving, while in line at the grocery store or the fast-food drive-thru, with your co-workers…).
2. cf. Mt. 15:10-20; Col. 1:10-11; James 5:9-11. What does patience look like in these real life situations and how can we become patient people? Consider how much effect we would have on our culture if we merely contrasted their behavior by being people who exude patience…

2. Consider Ephesians 4:32
1. What should be our motivation for being people who striving for keeping peace?
2. If God has radically saved us from the depths of our sin and the consequences thereof by granting immeasurable amounts of mercy and grace, what is our only proper, logical, and biblical response those around us?!
3. If you are not pursuing peace with other people, what are the heart motives that you need to deal with (James 4:1-11)?

3. Kimber provided three powerful illustrations that ought to cause us to think how far we would be willing to go to seek peace with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
1. Phil. 1:12-18 – Are you willing to not care about your own reputation in order to keep peace with the brethren?
2. 1 Cor. 6:1-11 – Are you willing to give up your money and possessions in order to keep peace?
3. Rom. 12:18 & Mt. 5:44-47 – Are you willing to sacrifice your time & energy to do whatever it takes to seek peace – even with your “enemies”?

4. Jesus prayed that his followers “may all be one…so that the world may believe that You have sent me” (Jn. 17:11, 20-23). On the other hand, Kimber noted (based on Connie’s Bible study) that being a peacemaker does not necessarily equal compromising either. So, where is the balance between keeping peace and not compromising?
1. For instance, if we are to be a peace and unified with other believers (and other churches), what issues of doctrine have to be agreed upon and what can be put to the side (cf. Mark 9:38-41; 1 Jn. 4:1-3)? If someone claims Christ as God and Savior yet believes that the Bible isn’t inspired by God can we still have fellowship with them? What if they believe in the gifts of tongues and healings? What if they don’t believe in the Trinity? What if they don’t believe Jesus rose from the dead? What if they believe adultery is OK? What if they believe that the God of the Bible and the Koran are the same?
2. The point is this - seeking peace is not always a black and white issues. These questions are not meant to divide your group, but how are you going to work through these issues? What “essentials” have to be agreed upon?