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Lessons from a True Peacemaker – Genesis 13:1-12 Keep the Lord first in all you do – Gen. 13:4

Lessons from a True Peacemaker – Genesis 13:1-12 Keep the Lord first in all you do – Gen. 13:4 Keep eyes open to recognize troubles early – 13:5-7 Be the one to initiate the making of peace – 13:8 Value relationships over possessions or power – 13:8

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Lessons from a True Peacemaker – Genesis 13:1-12 Keep the Lord first in all you do – Gen. 13:4

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  1. Lessons from a True Peacemaker – Genesis 13:1-12 • Keep the Lord first in all you do – Gen. 13:4 • Keep eyes open to recognize troubles early – 13:5-7 • Be the one to initiate the making of peace – 13:8 • Value relationships over possessions or power – 13:8 • Be truly humble, let others have their way – 13:9 • Be content with what you have, even when others have it better (perhaps at your expense) – 13:10-12

  2. Christians Are Not Just Interested in Any Peace • The peace of God/Jesus/Christianity is different than any peace the world knows or understands • Jesus is the Prince of Peace – Isa. 9:6 • At the birth of Jesus: “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” – Luke 2:14 • “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” – John 14:27 • “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

  3. Christians Are Not Just Interested in Any Peace • The peace of God/Jesus/Christianity is different than any peace the world knows or understands • “For God is not the author of confusion but of peace…” – 1 Cor. 14:33 • “…And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” – Phil. 4:7 • “The God of peace will be with you.” – Phil. 4:9 • “Let the peace of God rule in your hearts…” – Col. 3:15 • “Now may the God of peace…make you complete” – Heb. 13:20-21

  4. “Blessed Are the Peacemakers…” – Matthew 5:9 • A true peace-maker is more than a: • Peace-lover • Peace-hoper • Peace-wanter • Peace-wisher • Peace-talker • Peaceful person

  5. “Blessed Are the Peacemakers…” – Matthew 5:9 • A peace-maker understands that peace is more than: • The mere absence of trouble, difficulty or strife • The simple cessation of conflict • Sitting in silence, tolerating each other • Simply being contented or resigned to difficulties • A true peace-maker: • Truly desires peace & does all he can to maintain it • Is forgetful of self, self-interest and self-concern • Is actively involved in bringing people together (not passive) • Searches for peace by going to the right/only source for it

  6. The Peace-Makers Challenge (from God) • MAKE PEACE with our fellowman & brethren • Promote harmony among men (and between men & God) • “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” – Rom. 12:18 • “Be at peace among yourselves.” – 1 Thess. 5:13 • “But God has called us to peace.” – 1 Cor. 7:15 • “Let him seek peace and pursue it.” – 1 Pet. 3:11 • “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” – Heb. 12:14 • “Let us pursue the things which make for peace.” – Rom. 14:19

  7. Areas Where We Need to Be Peace-Makers • Promote & pursue harmony/peace with God • This is where it must start! • Jesus came to make reconciliation between God & man • He signed the peace treaty with His own blood – Eph. 2:13-17 • When we each have peace with God, it will impact: • Our homes, • Our congregations, • Our community, • Our nation, • Our lives, etc. • Man’s greatest realization of peace (his only basis for real peace among men) is found in a right relationship with God!

  8. Areas Where We Need to Be Peace-Makers • Promote & pursue harmony/peace in the home • Between husbands & wives • Between parents & children • Between brothers & sisters • Too many homes are characterized by fighting, fracturing, tension, uneasiness, unhappiness • “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, Than a fatted calf with hatred.” – Prov. 15:17 • “Better to dwell in a corner of a housetop, Than in a house shared with a contentious woman.” – Prov. 21:9 • “He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind.” – Prov. 11:29 • Where is God in the home? Where are the peace-makers?

  9. Areas Where We Need to Be Peace-Makers • Promote & pursue harmony/peace in the church • What the church needs: • “…With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” – Eph. 4:2-3 • What the church doesn’t need: • “If you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!” – Gal. 5:15 • “One who sows discord among brethren.” – Prov. 6:19 • The Lord’s church needs peacemakers, not troublemakers. • The Lord’s church needs bridge builders, not bridge burners. • The Lord’s church needs forgivers, not grudge-holders.

  10. Areas Where We Need to Be Peace-Makers • Promote & pursue harmony/peace in the church • We need to remember who the real enemy is – 1 Pet. 5:8 • When we forget and fight among ourselves: • Sinners are not being converted • Brethren are being discouraged • Satan is winning all around • Harmony & peace in the church does not mean that we compromise the truth or the purity of the church! • “The wisdom that is from above is first pure.” – James 3:17 • We are not interested in peace at any price! • The church must pray for peace, preach peace, pursue peace and perpetuate peace.

  11. Areas Where We Need to Be Peace-Makers • Promote & pursue harmony/peace in our community • Our “community” includes our workplace, our neighborhoods, our nation, our world, etc. • Jesus brought a peace for Jews & Gentiles, Jews & Samaritans, Greeks & Barbarians, etc. • True peace between fractured peoples comes by removing sin and breaking down walls of separation and bringing men into equal relationships with God – Eph. 2:11-18; 2 Cor. 5:18-21; Col. 1:20 • The Good News of Jesus is the greatest peacemaking message – Rom. 10:15; Eph. 6:15 • All of this is only possible through the peace of God!

  12. How Can I Be a Peace-Maker? • “A man of understanding holds his peace.” – Prov. 11:12 • “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” – Prov. 16:7 • “Great peace have those who love Your law.” – Psa. 119:165 • The antithesis of peace: • “For where envyand self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.” – James 3:16

  13. How Can I Be a Peace-Maker? • God’s key to true peace: • “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then • peaceable, • gentle, • willing to yield, • full of mercy and • [full of] good fruits, • without partiality and • without hypocrisy. • “Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” – James 3:17-18

  14. Lessons from a True Peacemaker – Genesis 13:1-12 • Keep the Lord first in all you do – Gen. 13:4 • Keep eyes open to recognize troubles early – 13:5-7 • Be the one to initiate the making of peace – 13:8 • Value relationships over possessions or power – 13:8 • Be truly humble, let others have their way – 13:9 • Be content with what you have, even when others have it better (perhaps at your expense) – 13:10-12

  15. The Lesson for Us to Learn • The number one need in our world, our community, our home and our congregation is peace. • Peace begins with us and within us. • It begins when men submit to the rule and reign of Christ in the heart. • Christians must be promoters of peace in every area of life. We must remember we are Christians first. • This is not a peace at any cost, but a peace with a purpose – to bring all into peace with God through Christ. • Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” – Matt. 5:9

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