1. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n What is peace? (Mt 5:9)

2. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n (Matthew 5:9 NKJV) “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.”

3. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n What is peace? (Mt 5:9) n Peace is from Gr. G1515 - eirene 1) a state of national tranquillity 1a) exemption from the rage and havoc of war 2) peace between individuals, i.e. harmony, concord 3) security, safety, prosperity, felicity, (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous)

4. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n The primary peace is being right with God. (Jn 14:27; Rom 5:1)

5. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n (John 14:27 NKJV) “”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.”

6. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n (Romans 5:1 NKJV) “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”

7. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n The primary peace is being right with God. (Jn 14:27; Rom 5:1) n We also must "make peace" which involves bringing God's will to others.

8. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n Jesus is called the "prince of peace," but how did He accomplish it? (Isa 9:6; Jn 16:31-33)

9. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n (Isaiah 9:6 NKJV) “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

10. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n (John 16:31-33 NKJV) “Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? {32} “Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. {33} “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.””

11. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n Jesus is called the "prince of peace," but how did He accomplish it? (Isa 9:6; Jn 16:31-33) n The children of the kingdom are to follow after peace (Rom. 14:19; 1 Thess. 5:13; 2 Tim. 2:22)

12. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n (Romans 14:19 NKJV) “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another.”

13. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n (1 Thessalonians 5:13 NKJV) “and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.”

14. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n (2 Timothy 2:22 NKJV) “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

15. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n We must do more than to think about peace!

16. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n "We are to be peacemakers, not just lovers of it, or a eulogizer of its merits. We must do something positive to bring it about. Rather than angered prejudice, nurtured suspicions and animosities, a peacemaker creates understanding, harmony, sympathy and love among all men." - Jimmy Tuten

17. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n "How sad to see the tragedy of conflict and separation in the church in the form of unbrotherliness, rancor and bitterness (1 Cor. 3:3)

18. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n (1 Corinthians 3:3 NKJV) “for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?”

19. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n Why is it that some brethren accentuate our differences rather than our similarities to the point of holding in contempt all who differ with them? He who shuts the door on honorable dialogue between conflicting ideas and concepts is not a peacemaker." - Jimmy Tuten

20. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n How far should we seek this peace?

21. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n How far should we seek this peace? n It is to be pursued (1 Pet. 3:11)

22. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n (1 Peter 3:11 NKJV) “Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.”

23. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n How far should we seek this peace? n It is to be pursued (1 Pet. 3:11) n We are to be zealous for it (2 Pet. 3:14)

24. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n (2 Peter 3:14 NKJV) “Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;”

25. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n "The three words, "seek," "pursue," and "zealous" in the above Scriptures are important to our study: "Seek" (Zetein) means to make peace the object of our endeavour. "Pursue" (Diokein) means to hunt down as a hunter stalks a quarry.

26. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n "Zealous" (Spoudazein) means to seek a thing with burning enthusiasm. Peace in relationships does not come easily or automatically. We must desire it with our whole heart, seek it with our whole mind, and strain every faculty to find it and maintain it. THEN GOD OPENS HIS HAND AND ABUNDANTLY GIVES!" - Jimmy Tuten

27. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n There are some who do not want peace! Your actions to bring peace will be hated!

28. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n There are some who do not want peace! Your actions to bring peace will be hated! n “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” (Mt 5:9)

29. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n There are some who do not want peace! Your actions to bring peace will be hated! n “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” (Mt 5:9) n I must be like God! (Mt 5:43-35)

30. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n (Matthew 5:43-45 NKJV) “”You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ {44} “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, {45} “that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”

31. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n There are some who do not want peace! Your actions to bring peace will be hated! n “Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God.” (Mt 5:9) n I must be like God! (Mt 5:43-35) n Our God is a God of peace. (Rom 15:13; 16:20)

32. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n (Romans 15:13 NKJV) “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

33. The work of God within us --- Peacemakers n (Romans 16:20 NKJV) “And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.”

34. The Christian's reception from the world -- persecuted for righteousness sake n (Matthew 5:10 NKJV) “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” n A. What is persecution? n 1. dioko - 1) to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away 2b) to pursue n (in a hostile manner) 3) in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one n 3a) to persecute 3b) to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of n something" n 2. If you are a Christian there will be many things that will happen to you that are n unfair! (1 Thess 3:2-3; 2 Tim 3:12)

35. The Christian's reception from the world -- persecuted for righteousness sake n (Matthew 5:10 NKJV) “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

36. The Christian's reception from the world -- persecuted for righteousness sake n What is persecution?

37. The Christian's reception from the world -- persecuted for righteousness sake n What is persecution? n dioko - 1) to make to run or flee, put to flight, drive away 2b) to pursue (in a hostile manner) 3) in any way whatever to harass, trouble, molest one 3a) to persecute 3b) to be mistreated, suffer persecution on account of something”

38. The Christian's reception from the world -- persecuted for righteousness sake n If you are a Christian there will be many things that will happen to you that are unfair! (1 Thess 3:2-3; 2 Tim 3:12)

39. The Christian's reception from the world -- persecuted for righteousness sake n (1 Thessalonians 3:2-3 NKJV) “and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, {3} that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.”

40. The Christian's reception from the world -- persecuted for righteousness sake n (2 Timothy 3:12 NKJV) “Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”

41. The Christian's reception from the world -- persecuted for righteousness sake n How will you respond to your God given appointment? Jesus wants you to know about it ahead of time so you can think about it and be prepared. (Jn 15:18-21)

42. The Christian's reception from the world -- persecuted for righteousness sake n (John 15:18-21 NKJV) “”If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. {19} “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

43. The Christian's reception from the world -- persecuted for righteousness sake n {20} “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. {21} “But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.”

44. The Christian's reception from the world -- persecuted for righteousness sake n "Prosperity has often been fatal to Christianity, but persecution never."