Lessons from a True Peacemaker Genesis 13 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

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

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

“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 • 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 and 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

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 things which make for peace. ” – Rom. 14: 19

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 – 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 is found in a right relationship with God!

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?

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.

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 (2 John 9 -11; 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.

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!

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 envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. ” – James 3: 16

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

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

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