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CHRISTIANS AS BRETHREN:

PERSONAL CHARACTER AND CONDUCT

LESSON SEVEN

INTRODUCTION:  

1.  God is the God of peace (I Thessalonians 5:23)

     a. Jesus, the Son of God, is our peace (Ephesians 2:14)

2. God is the ultimate peacemaker, for through Christ all men for all of eternity can be one with God and with each other.     (Ephesians 2:15-18).

3. Therefore, it follows that being a peacemaker, Christians would manifest this characteristic of their Father and “be         called the Sons of God” (Mathew 5:9)

    a. Jesus is not saying that making peace is how you become sons of God.

        (1). We have the right to become sons of God by believing on the name or authority of Jesus (Jn. 1:12)

        (2). We become sons of God through faith when baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).

    b. Jesus is saying that making peace will characterize one as truly being a son of God (Romans 8:14, Galatians 5:22)

        (1). Led by the Spirit – sons of God

        (2). Fruit of the Spirit – peace  

I. “PEACE” DEFINED:

A. The Greek word “EIRENE” denotes “at one” therefore indicating “tranquility,”

     “rest” or “quietness.”

     1. God’ miraculous power quiets a woman’s mind troubled for twelve years (Mark 5:25-34).

     2. God’s peace can quiet the anxious and troubled heart (Philippians 4:6-7).

B. God’s focus of peace is upon personal relationships, not upon national injustice.

     1. Personal peace with God (Luke 13:1-5)

     2. Christ’s peace rules the heart as individual members of Christ’s spiritual body, the church, interact with one another

         (Ephesians 4:1-3, Colossians 3:12-15)

C. The foundation of peace is purity

     1. Manifesting God’s Wisdom: First pure, then peaceable (James 3:17)

     2. Sin always prevents peace

         a. With God (Jeremiah 6:14-15, 7:16-20, I John 5:16)

         b. With one another (I Kings 18:17-18)

         c. No compromise with divisive error – time for the approved to be seen (I Corinthians 11:18-19, Titus 3:10-11)

         d. No “peace making” apart from the fruit of righteousness (James 3:18)

D. The truth of the gospel takes precedence over “peace” (Matthew 10:34-38, I Corinthians 7:15,23)  

II. THE PEACEMAKERS… SONS OF GOD (Matthew 5:9)

A. Resolving issue of sin troubling a peaceful relationship (Matthew 18:15, Matthew 5:23-24)

     1. Regarding yourself – be at peace with all men (Romans 12:18)

         a. It may not be possible to “change the mind” of another who has aught against you (cf. Matthew 5:24)

         b. Being peace makers does not mean you always achieve peace.

         c. However, I must seek it and pursue it (I Peter 3:11)

     2. Regarding others – help two be of the same mind in the Lord (Philippians 4:2-3)

B. Praying for our enemies – be like our Father (Matthew 5:43-48)

     1. Helpful benevolence extended (v. 45, Rom. 12:20)

     2. Love and greetings extended (v. 46-47)

     3. John Piper: “Peacemaking tries to build bridges to people” — "it does not want the animosity to remain. It                         wants reconciliation. It wants harmony. And so it tries to show what may be the only courtesy the enemy                      will tolerate, namely, a greeting. The peacemaker looks the enemy right in the eye and says, “Good                      morning, John.” And he says it with a longing for peace in his heart, not with a phony gloss of politeness to                      cover his anger.”      

QUESTIONS:

1. Is making peace how we become sons of God?

2. If true peace is present, what does it look like in your heart?

3. The Lord’s emphasis on “peace” seeks to

    a. correct social injustice – “no justice no peace”

    b. change the heart regarding sin – “repentance toward God”

    c. both “a” and “b”

4. According to God’s wisdom, __________________ must come first, then ______________________.

5. In the face of doctrinal error, God wants us to:

    a. ignore the error with meekness of silence

    b. compromise with the error for the sake of peace

    c. teach and practice the truth regardless of the circumstances.

 

6. Sin always prevents

    a. peace

    b. a solution for godly peace

7. What is the first step the “peacemaker” takes in restoring a troubled personal relationship?

8. If you do not achieve peace with another,

    a. you must have done wrong.

    b. you are not a “peace maker.”

    c. you were not “seeking peace.”

    d. none of the above

9. A Christian should never get involved to help two other brethren resolve their personal issues.  (T) (F)

10. We can be like God our Father when we

    a. pray to God to bless our enemies.

    b. benevolently help our enemies in need.

    c. greet our enemy with a genuine love for harmony.

    d. all the above