1. Building Bridges
Matthew 5:9

2. 9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Matthew 5:9 (NASB)
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Proverbs 26:17 (RSV)
17 He who meddles in a quarrel not his own     is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

3. 4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Matthew 5:3-9 (NASB)
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5 “Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth.
6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

4. “Sons of God”: Fully-Grown Child of God - One who is identical in nature with God

5. Peacemakers
“Negotiating between conflicting parties is like crossing a river by walking on slippery rocks…. It’s risky, but it’s the only way to get across.”
Hubert Humphrey

6. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (NASB)
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as

7. Another term for Peacemaking is
though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Another term for Peacemaking is
“Building a bridge”

8. Romans 5:1 (NASB)
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

9. Peace is not the absence of trouble but the presence of God.
As Peacemakers we bring in the presence of God into the trouble, the problem, the issue.

10. Fully-Grown Children of God seek to build bridges for God’s presence to be brought into life so relationships are restored and those who were once enemies or at odds with each other are brought back together.

11. I will be a bridge of peace by . . .
Helping & come back together
Accepting and loving myself as God’s child.
Letting Jesus become my friend.