WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.700
 Has anybody heard of Fiddler on the Roof?

00:00:03.240 --> 00:00:05.480
 It's a production, movie,

00:00:06.500 --> 00:00:10.900
 and I can't remember if all Tevye's daughters sing this,

00:00:11.080 --> 00:00:13.320
 but at least one of them does.

00:00:14.359 --> 00:00:16.660
 Matchmaker, matchmaker, make me a match.

00:00:17.820 --> 00:00:18.480
 You know what I'm talking about?

00:00:19.900 --> 00:00:22.500
 Well, over the last couple weeks,

00:00:22.580 --> 00:00:26.379
 as I've been kind of simmering on Matthew 5-9,

00:00:26.500 --> 00:00:27.820
 this isn't unusual to happen.

00:00:27.820 --> 00:00:31.019
 I will grab a song I know,

00:00:31.219 --> 00:00:39.299
 and I will rework it to meditate on the nature of the Scripture I'm thinking about.

00:00:40.179 --> 00:00:44.439
 So over the last two weeks, I've been singing this song in light of Matchmaker.

00:00:45.939 --> 00:00:49.780
 Peacemaker, peacemaker, make us some peace.

00:00:52.280 --> 00:00:56.600
 And so this past week, if you saw in your news feed or in the paper,

00:00:56.600 --> 00:01:01.840
 another ISIS suicide bomber who has killed 300 more people,

00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:06.799
 Peacemaker, peacemaker, make us some peace.

00:01:08.079 --> 00:01:14.879
 Friday morning, when I looked at my news feed and saw five dead Dallas police officers

00:01:14.879 --> 00:01:16.799
 who were killed by a sniper,

00:01:16.799 --> 00:01:23.280
 Peacemaker, peacemaker, make us some peace.

00:01:24.280 --> 00:01:30.280
 When I hear about some of the ridiculous things being said from political stump speeches,

00:01:30.679 --> 00:01:33.739
 Peacemaker, peacemaker, make us some peace.

00:01:33.739 --> 00:01:35.079
 How long is this going to last?

00:01:40.079 --> 00:01:41.539
 And what about typhoons?

00:01:43.060 --> 00:01:44.939
 Forest fires, famines and floods.

00:01:47.179 --> 00:01:50.719
 Peacemaker, peacemaker, make us some peace.

00:01:50.859 --> 00:01:52.340
 How long is this going to last?

00:01:52.340 --> 00:02:01.980
 I've got friends who've gone through horrendous fallout from a heroin addiction.

00:02:03.859 --> 00:02:06.200
 Peacemaker, peacemaker, make us some peace.

00:02:06.980 --> 00:02:08.520
 Heroin dealers in hospitals?

00:02:08.659 --> 00:02:09.439
 Are you kidding me?

00:02:09.439 --> 00:02:15.240
 That's local.

00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:18.139
 And we all know what I'm about to say.

00:02:19.319 --> 00:02:23.060
 All of us in this room have experienced relational strain.

00:02:24.620 --> 00:02:25.020
 Hardship.

00:02:26.680 --> 00:02:27.079
 Trouble.

00:02:28.419 --> 00:02:30.659
 Maybe it's with your parents, whether you're a teenager,

00:02:30.819 --> 00:02:35.139
 or maybe you're a grown adult still struggling with fallout from what happened with your parents.

00:02:37.139 --> 00:02:39.419
 Peacemaker, peacemaker, make us some peace.

00:02:39.419 --> 00:02:42.199
 Trouble with your children.

00:02:42.359 --> 00:02:43.719
 Trouble with your spouse.

00:02:46.019 --> 00:02:47.739
 You have a dysfunctional family.

00:02:47.819 --> 00:02:48.839
 You know what that really means?

00:02:50.479 --> 00:02:51.539
 We lack peace.

00:02:53.139 --> 00:02:55.239
 Peacemaker, peacemaker, make us some peace.

00:02:59.919 --> 00:03:01.839
 And then what goes on inside of you?

00:03:03.699 --> 00:03:06.299
 There are people in this room who are angry.

00:03:06.300 --> 00:03:09.480
 And given the opportunity, they rage.

00:03:09.480 --> 00:03:10.620
 In this room.

00:03:12.760 --> 00:03:13.439
 Fearful.

00:03:14.340 --> 00:03:15.439
 Verging on paranoid.

00:03:16.460 --> 00:03:17.180
 Anxious.

00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:18.600
 Can't sleep.

00:03:18.740 --> 00:03:19.780
 I have been there.

00:03:21.380 --> 00:03:22.040
 Insecure.

00:03:23.320 --> 00:03:24.740
 Maybe you've been diagnosed with OCD.

00:03:25.500 --> 00:03:26.340
 Maybe you're depressed.

00:03:26.980 --> 00:03:28.060
 Maybe you have cancer.

00:03:28.460 --> 00:03:31.000
 It all leads to a lack of peace.

00:03:33.159 --> 00:03:36.260
 Maybe disappointments have just piled up in your life,

00:03:36.360 --> 00:03:38.100
 so you just reach the point where it's like,

00:03:38.240 --> 00:03:39.659
 this life stinks.

00:03:42.520 --> 00:03:44.800
 Peacemaker, peacemaker, make me some peace.

00:03:44.800 --> 00:03:48.260
 Do you feel trapped?

00:03:51.260 --> 00:03:52.660
 You're singing the song.

00:03:54.580 --> 00:03:58.560
 This creation, under the bondage of sin,

00:03:59.140 --> 00:04:02.060
 sings a longing song for peace.

00:04:03.160 --> 00:04:05.960
 All of us, whether redeemed or not,

00:04:06.040 --> 00:04:07.200
 we all sing it.

00:04:08.320 --> 00:04:10.700
 Peacemaker, peacemaker, make us some peace.

00:04:10.699 --> 00:04:11.179
 Peace.

00:04:14.179 --> 00:04:17.199
 Here's what's amazing about the God of the Bible.

00:04:19.279 --> 00:04:21.500
 Jesus Christ, God incarnate,

00:04:21.620 --> 00:04:22.839
 the Prince of Peace,

00:04:23.579 --> 00:04:27.719
 entered into this hostile,

00:04:28.060 --> 00:04:30.759
 troublesome mess of a creation

00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:32.980
 that we made.

00:04:32.980 --> 00:04:37.080
 And He came to make peace.

00:04:39.500 --> 00:04:41.240
 What's more amazing is how He did it.

00:04:42.540 --> 00:04:45.660
 He hung on a cross and shed His blood

00:04:45.660 --> 00:04:47.439
 in order to make peace.

00:04:48.300 --> 00:04:49.319
 And now here's what He does.

00:04:50.680 --> 00:04:53.680
 He takes naturally born rebels

00:04:53.680 --> 00:04:57.319
 and transforms them by His grace.

00:04:57.319 --> 00:05:03.899
 He rebirths them into supernatural peacemakers.

00:05:06.819 --> 00:05:08.939
 You may be asking yourself the question,

00:05:09.139 --> 00:05:10.399
 where are the peacemakers?

00:05:13.139 --> 00:05:14.219
 Sitting in this room.

00:05:16.100 --> 00:05:18.939
 By God's grace, we're the peacemakers.

00:05:20.759 --> 00:05:22.360
 Blessed are the peacemakers.

00:05:23.300 --> 00:05:26.120
 For they shall be called sons of God.

00:05:26.120 --> 00:05:27.560
 Matthew 5.9

00:05:29.780 --> 00:05:31.540
 I'm not sure if you know this,

00:05:32.019 --> 00:05:34.500
 but God is on a glorious,

00:05:35.560 --> 00:05:38.480
 eternal, international,

00:05:38.959 --> 00:05:40.840
 peacemaking mission.

00:05:44.220 --> 00:05:45.639
 And at your conversion,

00:05:45.819 --> 00:05:47.100
 brother and sister in Christ,

00:05:47.100 --> 00:05:48.399
 you were commissioned

00:05:48.399 --> 00:05:51.000
 to be His peacemaker.

00:05:53.040 --> 00:05:54.540
 Blessed are the peacemakers.

00:05:54.540 --> 00:05:59.220
 For they shall be called sons of God.

00:06:00.140 --> 00:06:00.819
 And so this morning,

00:06:00.939 --> 00:06:03.080
 as we turn to Matthew 5.9,

00:06:03.160 --> 00:06:05.040
 we're back in the Gospel of Matthew,

00:06:05.439 --> 00:06:06.820
 back in the Sermon on the Mount,

00:06:07.020 --> 00:06:08.960
 back into the Beatitudes.

00:06:11.480 --> 00:06:13.220
 I want you to see two things.

00:06:13.379 --> 00:06:14.800
 It's going to come out later in the sermon,

00:06:14.920 --> 00:06:16.640
 but I want you to see two things this morning.

00:06:18.120 --> 00:06:20.439
 You need to know what the Bible says about peace.

00:06:20.920 --> 00:06:21.620
 You really do.

00:06:21.620 --> 00:06:25.939
 And then you need to know what it means

00:06:25.939 --> 00:06:27.939
 to be a peacemaker for God.

00:06:29.079 --> 00:06:31.379
 So you need to know what the Bible says about peace,

00:06:31.459 --> 00:06:32.840
 and you need to know what Jesus means

00:06:32.840 --> 00:06:33.939
 by being a peacemaker.

00:06:34.519 --> 00:06:35.840
 His peacemaker.

00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:38.480
 Brother and sister in Christ,

00:06:38.759 --> 00:06:40.079
 God has called you

00:06:40.079 --> 00:06:43.879
 on a peacemaking mission with Him.

00:06:43.879 --> 00:06:48.899
 So what does the Bible have to say about peace?

00:06:53.259 --> 00:06:54.699
 Well, the first thing you know is,

00:06:55.279 --> 00:06:57.680
 what does it mean by peace?

00:06:58.360 --> 00:07:00.699
 What is biblical peace?

00:07:02.100 --> 00:07:03.980
 Well, since ancient times,

00:07:04.120 --> 00:07:07.019
 Jews would greet one another with shalom.

00:07:07.959 --> 00:07:09.180
 And it's a little different than,

00:07:09.259 --> 00:07:09.860
 yo, what's up?

00:07:09.860 --> 00:07:13.540
 It's a pronouncement of blessing.

00:07:14.480 --> 00:07:15.520
 Shalom means peace.

00:07:16.100 --> 00:07:17.480
 And so when one Jew would greet another,

00:07:17.620 --> 00:07:18.139
 they would say,

00:07:18.460 --> 00:07:18.980
 they're saying,

00:07:19.460 --> 00:07:21.639
 may the peace of God be upon you.

00:07:22.060 --> 00:07:25.100
 May you be experienced the goodness of God

00:07:25.100 --> 00:07:26.800
 in ever-creasing measure

00:07:26.800 --> 00:07:28.960
 in every area of your life.

00:07:29.100 --> 00:07:30.220
 Shalom to you.

00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:31.879
 Peace.

00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:32.120
 Peace.

00:07:32.120 --> 00:07:36.620
 When we talk about peace,

00:07:36.740 --> 00:07:37.420
 biblically,

00:07:37.660 --> 00:07:39.100
 you've got to realize

00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:41.259
 it's always connected to God.

00:07:42.060 --> 00:07:42.639
 Always.

00:07:43.459 --> 00:07:44.879
 Peace comes from God.

00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:45.899
 He's the God of peace.

00:07:46.459 --> 00:07:48.379
 And so what we deal with in our world

00:07:48.379 --> 00:07:51.459
 is a world trying to make peace without God.

00:07:51.459 --> 00:07:51.519
 But.

00:07:55.639 --> 00:07:57.459
 As brothers and sisters in Christ,

00:07:57.680 --> 00:07:58.459
 born of God,

00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:00.800
 we make peace,

00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:02.360
 first and foremost with God.

00:08:02.920 --> 00:08:03.860
 He is our peace.

00:08:05.420 --> 00:08:06.800
 So what is peace?

00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:08.780
 Biblical peace

00:08:08.780 --> 00:08:11.100
 is the experience

00:08:11.100 --> 00:08:13.960
 of God's goodness

00:08:13.960 --> 00:08:16.300
 in relationship to others.

00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:18.980
 Biblical peace

00:08:18.980 --> 00:08:21.220
 is the experience of God's goodness

00:08:21.220 --> 00:08:24.620
 in relationship to others.

00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:25.819
 And oftentimes we tend to,

00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:26.960
 we think about peace

00:08:26.960 --> 00:08:28.939
 as to what it is not.

00:08:29.080 --> 00:08:30.340
 The absence of something.

00:08:30.800 --> 00:08:31.420
 You know,

00:08:31.460 --> 00:08:32.460
 when you don't experience

00:08:32.460 --> 00:08:33.680
 tension in a relationship

00:08:33.680 --> 00:08:34.779
 or there's no threats,

00:08:34.919 --> 00:08:36.480
 no walking on eggshells,

00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:38.080
 no division,

00:08:38.299 --> 00:08:38.980
 no shame,

00:08:39.080 --> 00:08:39.919
 no awkwardness,

00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:40.279
 you're just like,

00:08:40.320 --> 00:08:41.039
 oh, this is nice.

00:08:42.379 --> 00:08:43.860
 No troubles here.

00:08:44.340 --> 00:08:45.519
 You can think that's peace.

00:08:45.700 --> 00:08:46.240
 But you know what?

00:08:47.000 --> 00:08:48.440
 That's not biblical peace.

00:08:48.700 --> 00:08:50.080
 That's an aspect of it.

00:08:52.919 --> 00:08:54.019
 But peace,

00:08:54.639 --> 00:08:55.139
 shalom,

00:08:55.960 --> 00:08:57.399
 is fullness

00:08:57.399 --> 00:08:58.779
 of goodness.

00:08:58.779 --> 00:08:59.819
 Not just the absence

00:08:59.819 --> 00:09:00.360
 of something.

00:09:01.079 --> 00:09:02.240
 It's fullness.

00:09:03.220 --> 00:09:04.279
 It's the experience

00:09:04.279 --> 00:09:05.939
 of God's fullness.

00:09:06.579 --> 00:09:07.819
 Fullness of trust.

00:09:08.279 --> 00:09:09.299
 Fullness of love.

00:09:09.679 --> 00:09:11.120
 Fullness of understanding

00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:11.980
 and affection

00:09:11.980 --> 00:09:12.879
 and acceptance

00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:13.879
 and safety.

00:09:14.980 --> 00:09:15.279
 Unity.

00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:20.840
 Peace

00:09:20.840 --> 00:09:23.319
 is the experience

00:09:23.320 --> 00:09:25.460
 of God's goodness

00:09:25.460 --> 00:09:26.720
 in relationships.

00:09:28.980 --> 00:09:30.060
 So let me tell you

00:09:30.060 --> 00:09:31.020
 the story of peace

00:09:31.020 --> 00:09:31.540
 in the Bible.

00:09:33.660 --> 00:09:34.640
 In your Bible

00:09:34.640 --> 00:09:36.060
 from Genesis

00:09:36.060 --> 00:09:37.000
 to Revelation,

00:09:37.660 --> 00:09:38.680
 there is a theme

00:09:38.680 --> 00:09:39.360
 running through it.

00:09:39.740 --> 00:09:40.780
 It's the theme of peace.

00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:43.160
 Peace begins

00:09:43.160 --> 00:09:44.440
 in the garden, right?

00:09:45.080 --> 00:09:45.600
 God

00:09:45.600 --> 00:09:46.680
 at peace

00:09:46.680 --> 00:09:47.560
 with Adam and Eve

00:09:47.560 --> 00:09:48.740
 in the garden.

00:09:48.740 --> 00:09:50.220
 And then,

00:09:50.840 --> 00:09:51.580
 Revelation

00:09:51.580 --> 00:09:52.519
 ends

00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:54.180
 with the redeemed

00:09:54.180 --> 00:09:54.899
 of God

00:09:54.899 --> 00:09:56.000
 in the presence

00:09:56.000 --> 00:09:56.740
 of God

00:09:56.740 --> 00:09:58.159
 in the city

00:09:58.159 --> 00:09:58.840
 of God.

00:09:59.000 --> 00:09:59.419
 The new

00:09:59.419 --> 00:10:00.000
 Jeru.

00:10:01.440 --> 00:10:02.000
 Shalom.

00:10:03.480 --> 00:10:04.279
 The city

00:10:04.279 --> 00:10:04.779
 of peace.

00:10:09.620 --> 00:10:10.519
 What I'm about

00:10:10.519 --> 00:10:11.120
 to tell you

00:10:11.120 --> 00:10:11.560
 is what

00:10:11.560 --> 00:10:12.600
 the Bible

00:10:12.600 --> 00:10:13.159
 says

00:10:13.159 --> 00:10:14.299
 is where we live.

00:10:15.480 --> 00:10:16.460
 The story

00:10:16.460 --> 00:10:17.080
 of peace.

00:10:18.740 --> 00:10:19.919
 Original peace

00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:21.060
 starts in the garden.

00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:22.139
 God created

00:10:22.139 --> 00:10:22.919
 the heavens and earth.

00:10:23.000 --> 00:10:23.200
 You remember

00:10:23.200 --> 00:10:24.100
 Genesis 1?

00:10:24.299 --> 00:10:24.899
 He kept on

00:10:24.899 --> 00:10:25.639
 repeating something.

00:10:25.940 --> 00:10:26.639
 Oh, this is good.

00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:28.000
 This is good.

00:10:28.180 --> 00:10:29.379
 Good, good, good.

00:10:29.700 --> 00:10:30.240
 Good, good.

00:10:30.379 --> 00:10:31.299
 Fullness of goodness.

00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:31.879
 Goodness.

00:10:32.820 --> 00:10:33.399
 And then God

00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:34.320
 drops Adam and Eve

00:10:34.320 --> 00:10:34.899
 in the garden

00:10:34.899 --> 00:10:36.060
 and they're loving it.

00:10:36.139 --> 00:10:36.899
 It's good.

00:10:37.620 --> 00:10:38.039
 They experience

00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:39.279
 goodness with God.

00:10:40.680 --> 00:10:41.039
 Adam,

00:10:41.180 --> 00:10:42.379
 think about this.

00:10:43.019 --> 00:10:43.860
 Adam had

00:10:43.860 --> 00:10:45.039
 a crystal clear

00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:45.759
 conscience.

00:10:47.320 --> 00:10:48.200
 He slept

00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:48.740
 great.

00:10:50.340 --> 00:10:51.480
 No fears.

00:10:52.460 --> 00:10:53.340
 Full delight.

00:10:54.300 --> 00:10:55.379
 All is great.

00:10:55.980 --> 00:10:56.460
 Relationship

00:10:56.460 --> 00:10:57.259
 with God.

00:10:57.900 --> 00:10:58.180
 I mean,

00:10:58.360 --> 00:10:59.400
 if Genesis 3,

00:10:59.480 --> 00:11:00.220
 8 is any hint,

00:11:00.879 --> 00:11:01.400
 Adam and Eve

00:11:01.400 --> 00:11:02.720
 would hang out

00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:03.700
 with God

00:11:03.700 --> 00:11:04.700
 in the cool

00:11:04.700 --> 00:11:05.200
 of the day

00:11:05.200 --> 00:11:05.759
 in the garden.

00:11:07.940 --> 00:11:08.700
 That's awesome.

00:11:09.700 --> 00:11:09.900
 So,

00:11:10.000 --> 00:11:10.420
 all was good

00:11:10.420 --> 00:11:10.879
 with God.

00:11:11.000 --> 00:11:11.620
 All was good

00:11:11.620 --> 00:11:13.040
 within oneself.

00:11:13.820 --> 00:11:14.379
 And Adam

00:11:14.379 --> 00:11:15.080
 and Eve

00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:16.800
 experienced marriage

00:11:16.800 --> 00:11:18.040
 like it was

00:11:18.040 --> 00:11:18.620
 meant to be

00:11:18.620 --> 00:11:19.180
 experienced

00:11:19.180 --> 00:11:19.860
 from the beginning.

00:11:20.940 --> 00:11:21.500
 God

00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:23.400
 pulled Adam's

00:11:23.400 --> 00:11:23.759
 rib out,

00:11:23.900 --> 00:11:24.900
 created Eve,

00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:26.480
 and handed Eve

00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:27.460
 to Adam.

00:11:27.580 --> 00:11:28.080
 And Adam

00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:28.560
 said,

00:11:29.280 --> 00:11:29.900
 Whoa,

00:11:30.040 --> 00:11:31.000
 man!

00:11:31.000 --> 00:11:34.400
 And they began

00:11:34.400 --> 00:11:34.780
 to dance

00:11:34.780 --> 00:11:35.300
 the dance.

00:11:36.460 --> 00:11:37.400
 The dance

00:11:37.400 --> 00:11:38.340
 of marriage.

00:11:39.060 --> 00:11:39.920
 Adam leading,

00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:41.540
 Eve following.

00:11:41.539 --> 00:11:42.139
 And they were

00:11:42.139 --> 00:11:42.939
 delighted.

00:11:43.120 --> 00:11:43.860
 They were happy.

00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:44.740
 At the end of

00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:45.360
 Genesis 2,

00:11:45.419 --> 00:11:45.719
 do you remember

00:11:45.719 --> 00:11:46.439
 what it says?

00:11:46.799 --> 00:11:47.679
 They were both

00:11:47.679 --> 00:11:48.539
 naked

00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:50.099
 and not ashamed.

00:11:50.399 --> 00:11:51.139
 They knew each

00:11:51.139 --> 00:11:51.839
 other fully.

00:11:53.480 --> 00:11:54.480
 They were united

00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:55.519
 at peace.

00:11:57.000 --> 00:11:58.360
 No wrongs.

00:11:58.819 --> 00:11:59.719
 No weirdness.

00:12:00.219 --> 00:12:01.099
 No hostility.

00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:02.059
 No trouble.

00:12:03.819 --> 00:12:04.839
 Original peace.

00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:07.899
 And then

00:12:07.899 --> 00:12:10.060
 lost peace.

00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:11.480
 Genesis 3

00:12:11.480 --> 00:12:12.060
 rolls around.

00:12:13.139 --> 00:12:13.540
 The serpent

00:12:13.540 --> 00:12:14.220
 shows up.

00:12:14.860 --> 00:12:15.480
 Adam and Eve

00:12:15.480 --> 00:12:16.480
 sin.

00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:17.600
 And you know

00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:18.000
 what happens

00:12:18.000 --> 00:12:18.780
 for the first time?

00:12:19.780 --> 00:12:20.300
 You see this

00:12:20.300 --> 00:12:21.379
 in Genesis 3,

00:12:21.480 --> 00:12:22.240
 8, 9, and 10.

00:12:22.600 --> 00:12:22.940
 Do you remember

00:12:22.940 --> 00:12:24.060
 what Adam did

00:12:24.060 --> 00:12:25.379
 after he sinned?

00:12:25.639 --> 00:12:26.680
 God comes down

00:12:26.680 --> 00:12:27.519
 walking in the

00:12:27.519 --> 00:12:27.980
 cool of the day.

00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:28.860
 Adam, Adam,

00:12:28.900 --> 00:12:29.379
 where are you?

00:12:29.440 --> 00:12:29.720
 Do you remember

00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:30.340
 what Adam did?

00:12:31.540 --> 00:12:32.480
 Why did he hide?

00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:35.139
 He was ashamed.

00:12:36.659 --> 00:12:38.200
 For the first time,

00:12:39.180 --> 00:12:41.039
 internal trouble,

00:12:41.940 --> 00:12:43.420
 lack of peace,

00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:45.820
 internal disintegration

00:12:45.820 --> 00:12:47.560
 began Genesis 3.

00:12:47.820 --> 00:12:48.440
 And we've all been

00:12:48.440 --> 00:12:48.940
 dealing with it

00:12:48.940 --> 00:12:49.440
 ever since.

00:12:52.940 --> 00:12:54.360
 And it just didn't

00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:56.279
 end internally.

00:12:57.779 --> 00:12:59.000
 When God comes

00:12:59.000 --> 00:13:00.399
 to hold Adam

00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:01.100
 and Eve accountable,

00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:01.480
 he says,

00:13:01.480 --> 00:13:02.300
 Adam, what happened?

00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:03.139
 And he's like,

00:13:03.300 --> 00:13:04.580
 that woman

00:13:04.580 --> 00:13:05.340
 made me do it.

00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:07.060
 And then Eve said,

00:13:07.279 --> 00:13:08.519
 that serpent thing

00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:09.259
 made me do it.

00:13:11.320 --> 00:13:12.379
 And when God

00:13:12.379 --> 00:13:14.300
 speaks consequences

00:13:14.300 --> 00:13:15.960
 on Eve and Adam,

00:13:16.340 --> 00:13:17.180
 He introduces

00:13:17.180 --> 00:13:18.399
 hostility into,

00:13:18.740 --> 00:13:19.279
 He doesn't,

00:13:19.659 --> 00:13:20.460
 they introduce

00:13:20.460 --> 00:13:21.379
 hostility into

00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:22.100
 their relationship.

00:13:22.560 --> 00:13:23.159
 And God says,

00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:24.019
 here's a consequence

00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:24.539
 for it.

00:13:25.000 --> 00:13:25.899
 Now, instead of

00:13:25.899 --> 00:13:27.019
 dancing the dance

00:13:27.019 --> 00:13:27.759
 in unity,

00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:28.759
 they're going to be

00:13:28.759 --> 00:13:29.639
 stepping on each

00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:30.279
 other's does.

00:13:30.840 --> 00:13:31.340
 They're going to be

00:13:31.340 --> 00:13:32.120
 arguing about who's

00:13:32.120 --> 00:13:33.100
 leading the dance.

00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:35.480
 Conflict,

00:13:35.620 --> 00:13:36.000
 hardship,

00:13:36.580 --> 00:13:37.159
 frustration.

00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:38.700
 Adam is going

00:13:38.700 --> 00:13:39.120
 to be tempted

00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:40.159
 to either abdicate

00:13:40.159 --> 00:13:41.019
 or he's going

00:13:41.019 --> 00:13:41.720
 to be a tyrant.

00:13:42.100 --> 00:13:42.519
 Eve is going

00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:42.940
 to be tempted

00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:43.679
 to either take

00:13:43.679 --> 00:13:44.779
 the reins from Adam

00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:46.580
 or just be a doormat.

00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:47.580
 peace lost.

00:13:47.580 --> 00:13:48.580
 Peace lost.

00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:49.580
 Peace lost.

00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:51.520
 Peace lost.

00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:55.259
 And then there's

00:13:55.259 --> 00:13:55.759
 the relationship

00:13:55.759 --> 00:13:56.340
 with creation.

00:13:56.460 --> 00:13:57.200
 Before the fall,

00:13:58.220 --> 00:13:59.440
 God's green earth

00:13:59.440 --> 00:14:00.500
 gave in abundance

00:14:00.500 --> 00:14:01.660
 and gave freely.

00:14:02.200 --> 00:14:03.020
 Oh, it was good.

00:14:04.200 --> 00:14:04.820
 It was good.

00:14:06.320 --> 00:14:07.280
 Boysenberry trees,

00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:09.720
 oh, full of berries.

00:14:10.180 --> 00:14:11.460
 Drop right in your hands,

00:14:11.640 --> 00:14:12.600
 succulent, wonderful.

00:14:12.600 --> 00:14:15.440
 After the fall

00:14:15.440 --> 00:14:16.440
 came the curse

00:14:16.440 --> 00:14:17.399
 on the earth.

00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:19.659
 Creation subjected

00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:20.600
 to frustration.

00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:22.480
 And now Adam and Eve

00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.159
 would experience

00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:24.779
 life on this planet

00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:26.899
 in sweat,

00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:29.580
 toiling for their food.

00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:31.139
 And threat!

00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:33.320
 Now grizzly bears

00:14:33.320 --> 00:14:34.040
 became an issue.

00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:35.879
 Threat!

00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:39.340
 natural disasters

00:14:39.340 --> 00:14:39.899
 were real.

00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:44.600
 Worst of all,

00:14:46.759 --> 00:14:47.299
 Adam and Eve

00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:47.860
 were kicked out

00:14:47.860 --> 00:14:48.700
 of the presence of God.

00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:51.320
 Out you go

00:14:51.320 --> 00:14:52.379
 from my presence.

00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:54.439
 And we've all been

00:14:54.439 --> 00:14:55.379
 living east of Eden

00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:56.100
 ever since.

00:14:57.679 --> 00:14:58.799
 Out of the presence

00:14:58.799 --> 00:14:59.399
 of God.

00:15:01.639 --> 00:15:02.639
 Original peace,

00:15:03.159 --> 00:15:04.360
 lost peace,

00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:07.600
 this is good news

00:15:07.600 --> 00:15:08.340
 I'm about to tell you.

00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:11.480
 In Genesis 3,

00:15:12.120 --> 00:15:14.560
 when God is speaking

00:15:14.560 --> 00:15:15.279
 to the serpent,

00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:16.860
 He says something.

00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:19.200
 He says,

00:15:19.300 --> 00:15:19.759
 there's going to be

00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.639
 enmity between

00:15:20.639 --> 00:15:22.700
 your offspring

00:15:22.700 --> 00:15:23.419
 and the offspring

00:15:23.419 --> 00:15:24.039
 of the woman.

00:15:24.200 --> 00:15:24.899
 And then He starts

00:15:24.899 --> 00:15:25.600
 saying something

00:15:25.600 --> 00:15:26.360
 really interesting.

00:15:26.620 --> 00:15:27.399
 He starts talking

00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:28.139
 about an offspring

00:15:28.139 --> 00:15:28.860
 from Eve

00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:29.539
 that will come

00:15:29.539 --> 00:15:30.920
 and crush

00:15:30.920 --> 00:15:32.779
 the serpent's head.

00:15:34.360 --> 00:15:35.220
 though He

00:15:35.220 --> 00:15:36.200
 will bruise

00:15:36.200 --> 00:15:36.659
 His heel.

00:15:37.279 --> 00:15:37.860
 That's called

00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:40.139
 the proto-evangelium.

00:15:40.820 --> 00:15:42.240
 The first gospel.

00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:45.440
 The first speaking

00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:46.740
 of Jesus coming

00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:48.639
 to crush

00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:49.500
 the head

00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.899
 of Satan

00:15:50.899 --> 00:15:52.899
 to bring peace.

00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:55.560
 And so the Old Testament,

00:15:55.680 --> 00:15:56.220
 you know what it is?

00:15:56.500 --> 00:15:57.080
 We see the

00:15:57.080 --> 00:15:58.240
 disintegrating effects

00:15:58.240 --> 00:15:58.879
 of sin

00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:00.059
 while there's

00:16:00.059 --> 00:16:00.919
 this anticipation

00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:03.360
 for this offspring

00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:03.799
 of Eve

00:16:03.799 --> 00:16:04.419
 who will come.

00:16:04.939 --> 00:16:05.559
 The Messiah.

00:16:06.100 --> 00:16:06.740
 And with Him

00:16:06.740 --> 00:16:07.700
 will bring peace.

00:16:08.299 --> 00:16:09.240
 And so we enter

00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:10.919
 into the coming

00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.500
 of Jesus.

00:16:13.340 --> 00:16:13.980
 Christmas.

00:16:15.559 --> 00:16:16.539
 The incarnation

00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:18.879
 of the second person

00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:19.600
 of the Trinity.

00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:22.279
 The Prince of Peace

00:16:22.279 --> 00:16:23.059
 has come.

00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:25.320
 And what we learn

00:16:25.320 --> 00:16:25.940
 from passages

00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:27.100
 like Colossians 1,

00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:28.800
 19-23 is this.

00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:29.879
 He came,

00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.040
 lived a perfect life,

00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:31.639
 died,

00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:32.580
 shed His blood,

00:16:32.680 --> 00:16:33.860
 was raised from the grave

00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:35.560
 to make peace.

00:16:37.680 --> 00:16:38.759
 To make peace

00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:40.259
 with the biggest problem

00:16:40.259 --> 00:16:40.879
 we got.

00:16:41.940 --> 00:16:43.100
 Being separated

00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:43.700
 from God.

00:16:44.540 --> 00:16:45.399
 Jesus came

00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:46.279
 and died on a cross

00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:48.320
 to reconcile us

00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:48.700
 to God

00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:49.139
 through the blood

00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:49.800
 of the cross.

00:16:50.440 --> 00:16:51.660
 And with His coming,

00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:53.019
 He makes it now

00:16:53.019 --> 00:16:53.580
 possible

00:16:53.580 --> 00:16:54.580
 for us

00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:55.520
 to experience

00:16:55.520 --> 00:16:57.400
 unity internally.

00:16:58.020 --> 00:16:59.300
 Unity with other people.

00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:00.420
 And eventually,

00:17:00.540 --> 00:17:01.520
 He puts a hope in us

00:17:01.520 --> 00:17:02.780
 for experiencing

00:17:02.780 --> 00:17:04.259
 unity with this planet.

00:17:08.740 --> 00:17:09.660
 What I love

00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:10.340
 about the coming

00:17:10.340 --> 00:17:10.799
 of Jesus

00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.360
 is this.

00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:12.100
 Our God

00:17:12.100 --> 00:17:13.759
 just didn't stand around

00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:16.559
 and throw a pity party

00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:17.559
 and huff and puff.

00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:19.419
 He entered

00:17:19.419 --> 00:17:20.379
 our mess

00:17:20.379 --> 00:17:24.039
 to make peace.

00:17:27.240 --> 00:17:27.879
 And so,

00:17:28.000 --> 00:17:28.679
 here we are living

00:17:28.679 --> 00:17:30.720
 after the first coming

00:17:30.720 --> 00:17:31.200
 of Jesus.

00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:33.220
 And those of us

00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:33.940
 who have bowed

00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:34.639
 our knee to Jesus,

00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:36.440
 who by faith

00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.500
 believed,

00:17:37.779 --> 00:17:38.179
 trusted

00:17:38.179 --> 00:17:40.539
 in the finished work

00:17:40.539 --> 00:17:41.200
 of Christ,

00:17:41.859 --> 00:17:42.279
 we're at peace

00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:42.740
 with God.

00:17:43.659 --> 00:17:44.500
 It's what Ben read.

00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:45.619
 Romans 5.1.

00:17:45.619 --> 00:17:46.699
 Therefore,

00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:48.799
 since you've been

00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.939
 justified by faith,

00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:52.119
 you have peace

00:17:52.119 --> 00:17:52.679
 with God

00:17:52.679 --> 00:17:53.179
 through our Lord

00:17:53.179 --> 00:17:53.839
 Jesus Christ.

00:17:56.919 --> 00:17:57.699
 But it's

00:17:57.699 --> 00:17:58.839
 a partial peace.

00:18:00.219 --> 00:18:00.899
 Though we're

00:18:00.899 --> 00:18:01.719
 at peace with God,

00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.419
 we still deal

00:18:02.419 --> 00:18:04.500
 with our own stuff,

00:18:04.779 --> 00:18:05.399
 we still deal

00:18:05.399 --> 00:18:05.919
 with the stuff

00:18:05.919 --> 00:18:06.399
 of others,

00:18:06.619 --> 00:18:07.419
 and we still feel

00:18:07.419 --> 00:18:08.619
 threat from this world.

00:18:11.419 --> 00:18:11.759
 So,

00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:13.659
 reconciled peace

00:18:13.659 --> 00:18:14.759
 is a partial peace.

00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:16.479
 But there's

00:18:16.479 --> 00:18:17.159
 a perfect peace

00:18:17.159 --> 00:18:17.459
 coming.

00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:18.779
 So,

00:18:18.859 --> 00:18:19.079
 we've seen

00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:19.659
 original peace,

00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.399
 lost peace,

00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:21.659
 reconciled peace

00:18:21.659 --> 00:18:22.259
 in Jesus.

00:18:22.899 --> 00:18:23.899
 Perfect peace

00:18:23.899 --> 00:18:24.579
 is coming.

00:18:25.699 --> 00:18:26.759
 And perfect peace

00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:28.399
 is unrestricted.

00:18:29.039 --> 00:18:29.719
 Perfect peace

00:18:29.719 --> 00:18:31.319
 is a fullness

00:18:31.319 --> 00:18:33.159
 of God's goodness

00:18:33.159 --> 00:18:34.179
 in relationship

00:18:34.179 --> 00:18:34.819
 to Him,

00:18:35.119 --> 00:18:35.579
 in relationship

00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.299
 to yourself,

00:18:36.659 --> 00:18:37.119
 in relationship

00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:37.759
 to others,

00:18:38.099 --> 00:18:38.599
 in relationship

00:18:38.599 --> 00:18:39.500
 to this planet.

00:18:40.459 --> 00:18:41.259
 When Jesus

00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.199
 comes back,

00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:43.599
 He's bringing

00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:44.059
 with Him

00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:44.939
 perfect peace.

00:18:44.940 --> 00:18:45.080
 peace.

00:18:49.080 --> 00:18:49.700
 Resurrected body

00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.100
 for you,

00:18:50.220 --> 00:18:50.420
 brother.

00:18:51.100 --> 00:18:51.799
 Resurrected body

00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:52.259
 for you,

00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:52.660
 sister.

00:18:53.200 --> 00:18:53.920
 No sinful

00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:54.440
 inclination

00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:55.059
 whatsoever.

00:18:56.120 --> 00:18:56.860
 You're united

00:18:56.860 --> 00:18:57.519
 internally.

00:18:58.960 --> 00:18:59.440
 And then you're

00:18:59.440 --> 00:18:59.759
 in the midst

00:18:59.759 --> 00:19:00.460
 of people

00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:00.880
 who have

00:19:00.880 --> 00:19:01.840
 resurrected bodies,

00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:02.420
 the redeemed

00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:03.039
 of God

00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:04.519
 from the ages,

00:19:04.660 --> 00:19:05.220
 every tribe,

00:19:05.320 --> 00:19:05.500
 tongue,

00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:05.960
 and nation,

00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:06.980
 all together

00:19:06.980 --> 00:19:08.400
 with resurrected

00:19:08.400 --> 00:19:08.940
 bodies.

00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:09.900
 No fights,

00:19:10.340 --> 00:19:11.000
 no divisions.

00:19:12.340 --> 00:19:12.660
 Unity.

00:19:12.660 --> 00:19:15.100
 We live in

00:19:15.100 --> 00:19:15.759
 the New Jerusalem,

00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:16.980
 the city of peace.

00:19:18.019 --> 00:19:18.940
 No sweat,

00:19:19.080 --> 00:19:19.580
 no threat.

00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:20.320
 It's sweet

00:19:20.320 --> 00:19:21.000
 and a treat.

00:19:24.800 --> 00:19:25.779
 And of course,

00:19:25.900 --> 00:19:26.300
 the greatest

00:19:26.300 --> 00:19:27.300
 all aspects

00:19:27.300 --> 00:19:28.720
 of the perfect

00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.680
 peace is that

00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:30.500
 we will actually

00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.620
 be with the

00:19:31.620 --> 00:19:32.300
 Prince of Peace.

00:19:32.680 --> 00:19:33.340
 We will see Him

00:19:33.340 --> 00:19:34.180
 face to face.

00:19:34.440 --> 00:19:34.940
 He will wipe

00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.620
 away tears.

00:19:36.080 --> 00:19:36.640
 We're going to be

00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:37.120
 with Him

00:19:37.120 --> 00:19:38.120
 in His place

00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:38.819
 forever.

00:19:44.399 --> 00:19:45.139
 The story

00:19:45.139 --> 00:19:46.139
 of peace

00:19:46.139 --> 00:19:47.199
 in the Bible.

00:19:48.859 --> 00:19:49.399
 You know

00:19:49.399 --> 00:19:49.919
 what that means?

00:19:51.599 --> 00:19:52.159
 Here's what

00:19:52.159 --> 00:19:52.619
 that means.

00:19:54.879 --> 00:19:55.459
 Here's what

00:19:55.459 --> 00:19:56.239
 we need to be

00:19:56.239 --> 00:19:57.179
 crystal clear on.

00:19:59.179 --> 00:20:00.259
 The problem

00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:02.079
 that causes

00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:02.839
 all the trouble

00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:04.259
 in the world.

00:20:05.779 --> 00:20:06.079
 You know

00:20:06.079 --> 00:20:06.659
 where the Bible

00:20:06.659 --> 00:20:07.659
 identifies that?

00:20:07.660 --> 00:20:08.240
 You know

00:20:08.240 --> 00:20:08.759
 where the Bible

00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.580
 locates that?

00:20:09.700 --> 00:20:09.820
 You know

00:20:09.820 --> 00:20:10.279
 where God

00:20:10.279 --> 00:20:10.640
 says,

00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:11.160
 okay,

00:20:11.400 --> 00:20:12.279
 here is the

00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:13.240
 source of all

00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:13.720
 the troubles

00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.300
 that you are

00:20:14.300 --> 00:20:14.840
 experiencing.

00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:15.160
 Do you know

00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:15.600
 what the Bible

00:20:15.600 --> 00:20:16.420
 says about that?

00:20:18.860 --> 00:20:19.600
 God doesn't

00:20:19.600 --> 00:20:20.120
 couch it in

00:20:20.120 --> 00:20:20.700
 economics.

00:20:22.500 --> 00:20:23.240
 God doesn't

00:20:23.240 --> 00:20:23.759
 couch it in

00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.320
 education.

00:20:25.100 --> 00:20:26.220
 Not politics.

00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:27.840
 Not race.

00:20:29.200 --> 00:20:30.180
 God says

00:20:30.180 --> 00:20:31.060
 the problem

00:20:31.060 --> 00:20:32.980
 that this

00:20:32.980 --> 00:20:34.080
 world faces,

00:20:34.600 --> 00:20:35.380
 the source

00:20:35.380 --> 00:20:36.160
 of all the

00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:36.800
 hostility,

00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:39.259
 is sin

00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:41.700
 in the

00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.720
 human heart.

00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:46.180
 That's the

00:20:46.180 --> 00:20:46.619
 real problem.

00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.019
 I have a

00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:48.839
 friend who

00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.319
 went under the

00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.159
 knife years

00:20:50.159 --> 00:20:50.480
 ago.

00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:51.779
 His doctor

00:20:51.779 --> 00:20:52.200
 said,

00:20:52.539 --> 00:20:53.000
 we got to do

00:20:53.000 --> 00:20:54.019
 some surgery

00:20:54.019 --> 00:20:54.720
 on you

00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.980
 because we

00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.500
 think this is

00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:57.019
 the problem.

00:20:57.779 --> 00:20:58.259
 He went under

00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:58.740
 the knife.

00:20:59.740 --> 00:20:59.960
 It was

00:20:59.960 --> 00:21:00.740
 exploratory

00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.200
 surgery,

00:21:01.419 --> 00:21:01.759
 and so they

00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.339
 just kept on

00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:03.240
 cutting them

00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:04.279
 to try to

00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:04.779
 find out

00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:05.019
 what the

00:21:05.019 --> 00:21:05.400
 problem is.

00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:05.559
 You know

00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:05.819
 what they

00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:06.099
 found?

00:21:06.220 --> 00:21:07.160
 No problem.

00:21:08.359 --> 00:21:08.839
 They

00:21:08.839 --> 00:21:09.859
 misdiagnosed

00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:10.420
 the issue.

00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:12.079
 And so their

00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:13.339
 solution missed

00:21:13.339 --> 00:21:13.960
 the mark.

00:21:15.420 --> 00:21:16.359
 For those of

00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:16.759
 us who are

00:21:16.759 --> 00:21:17.240
 called to

00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:17.839
 peacemaking,

00:21:18.339 --> 00:21:19.240
 now at this

00:21:19.240 --> 00:21:19.620
 time,

00:21:20.620 --> 00:21:22.079
 we've got to

00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:22.819
 be laser

00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:23.640
 focused on

00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:24.359
 the problem

00:21:24.359 --> 00:21:26.799
 so that we

00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:27.480
 are laser

00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.299
 focused on the

00:21:28.299 --> 00:21:28.799
 solution.

00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:31.039
 we can't

00:21:31.039 --> 00:21:31.960
 misdiagnose

00:21:31.960 --> 00:21:32.500
 what's going

00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:32.859
 on.

00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.099
 And God

00:21:34.099 --> 00:21:34.559
 doesn't let

00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:34.819
 us.

00:21:36.599 --> 00:21:37.319
 God says

00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:37.720
 the greatest

00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.379
 problem we

00:21:38.379 --> 00:21:40.059
 face is sin

00:21:40.059 --> 00:21:40.619
 in our hearts

00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:41.460
 that separates

00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:42.159
 us from God,

00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.279
 that disintegrates

00:21:43.279 --> 00:21:43.859
 us internally,

00:21:44.220 --> 00:21:44.919
 that separates

00:21:44.919 --> 00:21:45.379
 us from our

00:21:45.379 --> 00:21:45.940
 friends and

00:21:45.940 --> 00:21:47.379
 family, and

00:21:47.379 --> 00:21:48.059
 that originated

00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:48.659
 the problem

00:21:48.659 --> 00:21:49.039
 with this

00:21:49.039 --> 00:21:49.399
 planet.

00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.659
 If you turn

00:21:51.659 --> 00:21:52.079
 in your Bible

00:21:52.079 --> 00:21:52.519
 to Mark

00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.240
 chapter 7,

00:21:54.919 --> 00:21:57.099
 Jesus says

00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:57.519
 this,

00:21:58.799 --> 00:22:00.299
 and Jesus

00:22:00.299 --> 00:22:00.779
 said what

00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.419
 comes out of

00:22:01.419 --> 00:22:02.059
 a person is

00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:02.839
 what defiles

00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:03.139
 him.

00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:04.259
 For from

00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:05.440
 within, out

00:22:05.440 --> 00:22:05.799
 of the heart

00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.960
 of man, come

00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.779
 evil thoughts,

00:22:08.099 --> 00:22:09.079
 sexual immorality,

00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:10.059
 theft, murder,

00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:11.220
 adultery, coveting,

00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:12.180
 wickedness, deceit,

00:22:12.299 --> 00:22:13.279
 sensuality, envy,

00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.200
 slander, pride,

00:22:14.379 --> 00:22:14.940
 foolishness.

00:22:15.359 --> 00:22:16.539
 All these evil

00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.480
 things come from

00:22:17.480 --> 00:22:18.680
 within and they

00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:20.700
 defile a person.

00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:21.859
 Martin Lloyd

00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:22.960
 Jones, preacher,

00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:24.259
 bygone era,

00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:25.720
 said this,

00:22:25.899 --> 00:22:26.819
 the explanation

00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:27.879
 for all our

00:22:27.879 --> 00:22:28.779
 troubles is

00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:30.160
 is human lust,

00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:31.440
 greed, selfishness,

00:22:31.519 --> 00:22:32.319
 self-centeredness.

00:22:32.680 --> 00:22:33.660
 It's the cause of

00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.500
 all the trouble

00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:35.440
 and the discord,

00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:36.160
 whether between

00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:37.399
 individuals or

00:22:37.399 --> 00:22:38.039
 between groups

00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.740
 within a nation

00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:39.980
 or between nations

00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.720
 themselves.

00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:42.079
 And only I would

00:22:42.079 --> 00:22:43.440
 add is even

00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.160
 within you.

00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:50.220
 What the story

00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:51.940
 of peace in the

00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:53.039
 Bible shows us

00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:54.519
 is the greatest

00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.899
 problem we face

00:22:55.900 --> 00:22:56.519
 peace.

00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.560
 Is sin in the

00:22:57.560 --> 00:22:58.180
 human heart.

00:22:58.780 --> 00:23:00.019
 Which means

00:23:00.019 --> 00:23:02.120
 the only solution,

00:23:02.820 --> 00:23:03.920
 the starting point

00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.580
 for peace

00:23:04.580 --> 00:23:06.880
 is the gospel

00:23:06.880 --> 00:23:08.580
 of Jesus Christ.

00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.980
 That's the greatest hope.

00:23:12.080 --> 00:23:12.960
 He alone

00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:14.500
 is able to

00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.780
 transform

00:23:15.780 --> 00:23:17.280
 a rebel heart

00:23:17.280 --> 00:23:19.140
 into a peace

00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:21.060
 loving heart.

00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:23.639
 Jesus is the

00:23:23.639 --> 00:23:24.679
 ultimate peacemaker.

00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.539
 He's the one

00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.519
 who is able

00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:28.359
 to change hearts.

00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:29.500
 That's the story

00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:30.139
 of peace.

00:23:30.559 --> 00:23:31.319
 That's what your

00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:32.299
 Bible has to say

00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.059
 about peace.

00:23:33.399 --> 00:23:34.099
 Now let's

00:23:34.099 --> 00:23:35.039
 address this.

00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.319
 What does it

00:23:37.319 --> 00:23:38.059
 mean to be a

00:23:38.059 --> 00:23:38.519
 peacemaker?

00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:42.899
 Matthew 5, 9.

00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:44.960
 Blessed are the

00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.059
 peacemakers,

00:23:46.059 --> 00:23:47.339
 for they shall be

00:23:47.339 --> 00:23:48.519
 called sons of God.

00:23:48.519 --> 00:23:51.359
 I just want to

00:23:51.359 --> 00:23:51.920
 remind you of a

00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:52.480
 couple things.

00:23:53.639 --> 00:23:54.720
 In order for you

00:23:54.720 --> 00:23:55.619
 to be a peacemaker

00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:56.279
 and know what a

00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:56.759
 peacemaker,

00:23:57.139 --> 00:23:57.759
 what it means,

00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:59.180
 first thing that it

00:23:59.180 --> 00:24:00.599
 means is you

00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.579
 never forget.

00:24:02.619 --> 00:24:04.639
 You never forget

00:24:04.639 --> 00:24:06.180
 that you,

00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.099
 Christian,

00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:09.319
 were a natural

00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:11.519
 born rebel.

00:24:12.440 --> 00:24:13.579
 You never forget.

00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:15.900
 You never forget.

00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:18.560
 In Ephesians 2,

00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.920
 Paul reminds

00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:21.840
 these Christians

00:24:21.840 --> 00:24:22.540
 in Ephesus

00:24:22.540 --> 00:24:24.440
 that they were

00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:25.980
 born

00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:28.340
 enemies of God.

00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:31.660
 Dead in their sin.

00:24:32.220 --> 00:24:32.980
 Following the prince

00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:34.040
 of the power of the air.

00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.280
 They were under

00:24:36.280 --> 00:24:37.160
 God's wrath.

00:24:38.700 --> 00:24:39.180
 But

00:24:39.180 --> 00:24:39.900
 God

00:24:40.620 --> 00:24:42.600
 in His grace

00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:44.040
 made them alive

00:24:44.040 --> 00:24:44.759
 together with

00:24:44.759 --> 00:24:45.480
 Christ Jesus.

00:24:45.480 --> 00:24:45.839
 and

00:24:45.839 --> 00:24:47.059
 seated them

00:24:47.059 --> 00:24:47.620
 in the heavenly

00:24:47.620 --> 00:24:48.299
 places.

00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:52.200
 What does it mean

00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.960
 to be a peacemaker?

00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:55.220
 First and foremost,

00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:55.920
 it means

00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.819
 remembering

00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:58.660
 what you were

00:24:58.660 --> 00:25:00.259
 and what God

00:25:00.259 --> 00:25:01.579
 has done

00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:02.860
 for you.

00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:06.839
 You were dead.

00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:07.920
 Have you seen

00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:08.360
 those

00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:09.440
 9-11

00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:10.500
 stickers,

00:25:11.019 --> 00:25:11.539
 billboards?

00:25:12.339 --> 00:25:13.019
 Never forget.

00:25:14.019 --> 00:25:14.980
 Never forget.

00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:16.620
 I saw a guy

00:25:16.620 --> 00:25:17.360
 with a tattoo.

00:25:18.360 --> 00:25:19.220
 Twin towers,

00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.240
 9-11.

00:25:20.620 --> 00:25:21.360
 Never forget.

00:25:21.880 --> 00:25:22.700
 Never forget.

00:25:23.740 --> 00:25:24.420
 The Bible

00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.660
 never lets us

00:25:25.660 --> 00:25:26.140
 forget

00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:27.740
 who we were.

00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.980
 We were enemies,

00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:30.740
 rebels

00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:32.160
 in the flesh.

00:25:33.240 --> 00:25:33.839
 But God

00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:34.920
 by His grace

00:25:34.920 --> 00:25:37.200
 did something

00:25:37.200 --> 00:25:39.220
 miraculous.

00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:42.000
 brother and

00:25:42.000 --> 00:25:42.500
 sister in Christ,

00:25:42.579 --> 00:25:43.059
 I'm not sure

00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:43.440
 if you think

00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.279
 about yourself

00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:44.759
 this way.

00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:46.059
 But did you

00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:46.579
 know that you

00:25:46.579 --> 00:25:47.220
 are actually

00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:47.920
 a living

00:25:47.920 --> 00:25:48.839
 billboard

00:25:48.839 --> 00:25:49.960
 for the

00:25:49.960 --> 00:25:50.680
 supernatural

00:25:50.680 --> 00:25:51.640
 outworking

00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.380
 of God's

00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:53.079
 grace in the

00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:53.720
 life of a rebel?

00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:54.220
 Did you know

00:25:54.220 --> 00:25:54.460
 that?

00:25:56.180 --> 00:25:56.940
 You are

00:25:56.940 --> 00:25:57.779
 living proof

00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.960
 that God

00:25:58.960 --> 00:26:00.420
 is still

00:26:00.420 --> 00:26:00.819
 doing the

00:26:00.819 --> 00:26:01.240
 miraculous.

00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:01.480
 miraculous.

00:26:04.120 --> 00:26:04.839
 He was

00:26:04.839 --> 00:26:05.579
 able to

00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.799
 transform you,

00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.359
 a rebel,

00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:07.960
 into a

00:26:07.960 --> 00:26:08.500
 peacemaker

00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.000
 by the

00:26:09.000 --> 00:26:09.359
 blood of

00:26:09.359 --> 00:26:09.620
 Jesus.

00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:11.579
 It's a

00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:12.180
 supernatural

00:26:12.180 --> 00:26:13.660
 work of

00:26:13.660 --> 00:26:14.279
 God's

00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:14.680
 grace.

00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:15.500
 When Jesus

00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:16.019
 was talking

00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:16.660
 to Nicodemus

00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:17.279
 in John 3,

00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:17.700
 He talked

00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.000
 about it

00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:18.400
 like this.

00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:19.339
 You've

00:26:19.339 --> 00:26:19.599
 got to be

00:26:19.599 --> 00:26:20.059
 born again.

00:26:22.359 --> 00:26:22.980
 You need

00:26:22.980 --> 00:26:23.539
 to experience

00:26:23.539 --> 00:26:24.400
 the rebirth

00:26:24.400 --> 00:26:24.960
 that only

00:26:24.960 --> 00:26:25.500
 the Spirit

00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.579
 provides.

00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.019
 2 Corinthians

00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.700
 5,

00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:29.299
 the Apostle

00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:29.819
 Paul talks

00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:30.159
 about it

00:26:30.159 --> 00:26:30.599
 as we

00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:31.059
 are new

00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.759
 creations.

00:26:32.700 --> 00:26:33.139
 Old is

00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:33.440
 gone.

00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:33.940
 New has

00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:34.339
 come.

00:26:35.440 --> 00:26:36.180
 In God's

00:26:36.180 --> 00:26:36.619
 eyes,

00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.539
 when a

00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.039
 sinner

00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:39.159
 becomes a

00:26:39.159 --> 00:26:39.619
 believer,

00:26:40.259 --> 00:26:40.899
 the miraculous

00:26:40.899 --> 00:26:41.599
 happens.

00:26:44.419 --> 00:26:45.339
 Life is

00:26:45.339 --> 00:26:45.720
 given to

00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.180
 the dead.

00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:47.639
 Rebels

00:26:47.639 --> 00:26:48.240
 are made

00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:48.960
 peacemakers.

00:26:50.079 --> 00:26:50.480
 It's a

00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.319
 radical work

00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:51.759
 of grace.

00:26:51.899 --> 00:26:52.139
 It's a

00:26:52.139 --> 00:26:52.599
 miraculous

00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:53.559
 work of

00:26:53.559 --> 00:26:54.079
 grace.

00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.139
 It's a

00:26:55.139 --> 00:26:56.200
 spiritual

00:26:56.200 --> 00:26:56.839
 rebirth.

00:26:57.419 --> 00:26:57.839
 It's a

00:26:57.839 --> 00:26:58.559
 becoming

00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.480
 a son

00:26:59.480 --> 00:27:00.359
 or daughter

00:27:00.359 --> 00:27:01.179
 of God

00:27:01.179 --> 00:27:02.019
 most high.

00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:02.679
 Blessed

00:27:02.679 --> 00:27:03.019
 are the

00:27:03.019 --> 00:27:03.480
 peacemakers

00:27:03.480 --> 00:27:04.019
 for they

00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.399
 shall be

00:27:04.399 --> 00:27:04.720
 called

00:27:04.720 --> 00:27:06.019
 sons and

00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.419
 daughters

00:27:06.419 --> 00:27:07.059
 of God.

00:27:10.819 --> 00:27:11.339
 You

00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:12.139
 can never

00:27:12.139 --> 00:27:12.559
 forget,

00:27:12.759 --> 00:27:13.119
 brother and

00:27:13.119 --> 00:27:13.519
 sister of

00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:13.779
 Christ,

00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:14.319
 who you

00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:14.980
 once were.

00:27:17.919 --> 00:27:18.440
 It'll

00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:18.779
 help you

00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.200
 remember who

00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.519
 you are

00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:19.819
 now.

00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:22.700
 I'm a

00:27:22.700 --> 00:27:23.200
 peacemaker.

00:27:25.359 --> 00:27:25.980
 If you

00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.339
 opened up

00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:26.740
 your Bibles

00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.019
 to the

00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:27.279
 book of

00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:27.720
 Revelation

00:27:27.720 --> 00:27:28.000
 and you

00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:28.180
 just

00:27:28.180 --> 00:27:28.460
 paged

00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:28.680
 through

00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:28.799
 it,

00:27:28.880 --> 00:27:29.259
 don't

00:27:29.259 --> 00:27:29.600
 turn there

00:27:29.600 --> 00:27:30.019
 right now,

00:27:30.120 --> 00:27:30.480
 but if you

00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:30.740
 did,

00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:31.740
 and you

00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:32.140
 just paged

00:27:32.140 --> 00:27:32.579
 through it,

00:27:33.019 --> 00:27:33.339
 you know what

00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:33.539
 you would

00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:33.799
 read?

00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.000
 You would

00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:35.380
 see these

00:27:35.380 --> 00:27:35.620
 little

00:27:35.620 --> 00:27:36.380
 choruses,

00:27:37.420 --> 00:27:38.000
 little

00:27:38.000 --> 00:27:39.579
 choruses of

00:27:39.579 --> 00:27:40.140
 God's people

00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:40.920
 singing to

00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.299
 God.

00:27:42.140 --> 00:27:42.279
 And you

00:27:42.279 --> 00:27:42.400
 know what

00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:42.660
 they keep

00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:43.079
 on singing

00:27:43.079 --> 00:27:43.480
 about?

00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.620
 How their

00:27:45.620 --> 00:27:46.519
 great God

00:27:46.519 --> 00:27:47.600
 rescued them

00:27:47.600 --> 00:27:48.600
 over and

00:27:48.600 --> 00:27:48.920
 over and

00:27:48.920 --> 00:27:49.360
 over again.

00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:49.680
 It's a

00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.259
 great chorus

00:27:50.259 --> 00:27:50.559
 book.

00:27:52.059 --> 00:27:52.740
 The blood

00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.319
 of the Lamb

00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:54.200
 has delivered

00:27:54.200 --> 00:27:54.900
 me again and

00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:55.160
 again.

00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:58.620
 So the

00:27:58.620 --> 00:27:59.019
 first thing

00:27:59.019 --> 00:27:59.420
 of what it

00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:00.500
 means to

00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:00.920
 be a

00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:01.400
 peacemaker

00:28:01.400 --> 00:28:01.980
 is to

00:28:01.980 --> 00:28:02.580
 remember.

00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.120
 Remember

00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:04.600
 what God

00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:04.920
 has done

00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:05.320
 for you

00:28:05.320 --> 00:28:05.779
 in Christ

00:28:05.779 --> 00:28:06.140
 Jesus.

00:28:06.300 --> 00:28:06.600
 You were

00:28:06.600 --> 00:28:07.000
 a rebel,

00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:08.120
 made a

00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:08.640
 peacemaker

00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:09.480
 by the

00:28:09.480 --> 00:28:09.960
 grace of

00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:10.380
 Jesus,

00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:11.840
 the ultimate

00:28:11.840 --> 00:28:13.080
 peacemaker.

00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:14.779
 We'll never

00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.120
 forget.

00:28:15.800 --> 00:28:16.500
 That's why we

00:28:16.500 --> 00:28:17.140
 sing the songs

00:28:17.140 --> 00:28:17.620
 we do.

00:28:18.800 --> 00:28:19.420
 We'll never

00:28:19.420 --> 00:28:19.860
 forget.

00:28:20.180 --> 00:28:20.660
 We'll keep it

00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:21.120
 in front of

00:28:21.120 --> 00:28:21.400
 us.

00:28:21.840 --> 00:28:22.200
 We were

00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:22.700
 dead but

00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.340
 made alive.

00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:23.840
 It's something

00:28:23.839 --> 00:28:24.240
 to sing

00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.500
 about,

00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:24.839
 isn't it?

00:28:27.480 --> 00:28:28.179
 The second

00:28:28.179 --> 00:28:28.539
 thing you

00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:28.799
 need to

00:28:28.799 --> 00:28:29.159
 know what

00:28:29.159 --> 00:28:29.539
 it means

00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:29.919
 to be a

00:28:29.919 --> 00:28:30.339
 peacemaker

00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:31.379
 is being

00:28:31.379 --> 00:28:32.220
 a peacemaker

00:28:32.220 --> 00:28:33.359
 is part

00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:34.079
 of God's

00:28:34.079 --> 00:28:34.919
 supernatural

00:28:34.919 --> 00:28:35.539
 package.

00:28:35.899 --> 00:28:36.179
 It's a

00:28:36.179 --> 00:28:36.779
 package deal.

00:28:36.859 --> 00:28:37.099
 This is

00:28:37.099 --> 00:28:37.959
 one piece

00:28:37.959 --> 00:28:38.240
 of the

00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:38.720
 package.

00:28:40.199 --> 00:28:40.539
 Now this

00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:41.099
 is how

00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:42.319
 the Beatitudes

00:28:42.319 --> 00:28:43.339
 relate to

00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:43.720
 one another.

00:28:44.240 --> 00:28:44.659
 And as I've

00:28:44.659 --> 00:28:45.039
 been talking

00:28:45.039 --> 00:28:45.419
 to people

00:28:45.419 --> 00:28:45.720
 over the

00:28:45.720 --> 00:28:46.039
 last few

00:28:46.039 --> 00:28:46.319
 months,

00:28:46.859 --> 00:28:47.199
 what I'm

00:28:47.199 --> 00:28:47.579
 about to

00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:49.099
 say has

00:28:49.099 --> 00:28:49.879
 really helped

00:28:49.879 --> 00:28:50.199
 people.

00:28:50.879 --> 00:28:51.839
 Because if

00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:52.179
 you're like

00:28:52.179 --> 00:28:52.659
 me, you

00:28:52.659 --> 00:28:52.980
 used to

00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:53.619
 approach the

00:28:53.619 --> 00:28:54.339
 Beatitudes

00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:54.719
 kind of

00:28:54.719 --> 00:28:55.299
 like spiritual

00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:55.659
 gifts.

00:28:56.500 --> 00:28:56.639
 You know,

00:28:56.739 --> 00:28:57.639
 God apportions

00:28:57.639 --> 00:28:58.639
 spiritual gifts

00:28:58.639 --> 00:28:59.959
 each to a

00:28:59.959 --> 00:29:00.799
 particular Christian

00:29:00.799 --> 00:29:01.219
 for the

00:29:01.219 --> 00:29:01.919
 building up

00:29:01.919 --> 00:29:02.279
 of the

00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:02.579
 body.

00:29:03.039 --> 00:29:03.899
 And so we

00:29:03.899 --> 00:29:04.219
 tend to

00:29:04.219 --> 00:29:04.779
 approach the

00:29:04.779 --> 00:29:05.379
 Beatitudes

00:29:05.379 --> 00:29:05.939
 as, well,

00:29:06.500 --> 00:29:07.299
 Jim here

00:29:07.299 --> 00:29:07.959
 is, well,

00:29:08.439 --> 00:29:08.899
 you know what,

00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:10.219
 he definitely

00:29:10.219 --> 00:29:10.939
 is the mercy

00:29:10.939 --> 00:29:11.419
 guy.

00:29:12.439 --> 00:29:13.199
 And then

00:29:13.199 --> 00:29:14.119
 Lisa over

00:29:14.119 --> 00:29:14.659
 here, well,

00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.979
 she's definitely

00:29:15.979 --> 00:29:16.579
 the pure in

00:29:16.579 --> 00:29:17.179
 heart lady.

00:29:18.259 --> 00:29:18.819
 And then,

00:29:19.219 --> 00:29:19.519
 you know,

00:29:20.019 --> 00:29:20.619
 Ron, well,

00:29:20.679 --> 00:29:21.459
 he mourns a

00:29:21.459 --> 00:29:22.139
 lot over his

00:29:22.139 --> 00:29:22.879
 sins, so we

00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:23.240
 got that

00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:23.680
 covered over

00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.040
 there.

00:29:24.800 --> 00:29:25.320
 And then,

00:29:25.440 --> 00:29:26.280
 you know,

00:29:26.360 --> 00:29:27.220
 the peacemaking,

00:29:27.320 --> 00:29:28.700
 well, that's

00:29:28.700 --> 00:29:29.220
 rich because

00:29:29.220 --> 00:29:30.880
 everybody talks

00:29:30.880 --> 00:29:31.520
 to rich when

00:29:31.520 --> 00:29:31.860
 they get in

00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:32.300
 fights with

00:29:32.300 --> 00:29:32.700
 one another.

00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:35.580
 And so we

00:29:35.580 --> 00:29:36.000
 can approach

00:29:36.000 --> 00:29:36.740
 the Beatitudes

00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.340
 that way,

00:29:37.420 --> 00:29:37.900
 but that's

00:29:37.900 --> 00:29:38.260
 not what

00:29:38.260 --> 00:29:39.020
 Jesus intended.

00:29:40.400 --> 00:29:41.520
 The Beatitudes

00:29:41.520 --> 00:29:42.620
 are a

00:29:42.620 --> 00:29:43.200
 packaged

00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:44.940
 profile of

00:29:44.940 --> 00:29:45.660
 a citizen

00:29:45.660 --> 00:29:46.560
 of the

00:29:46.560 --> 00:29:46.920
 kingdom

00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:47.940
 of Jesus.

00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:50.299
 they're all

00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:50.920
 true of a

00:29:50.920 --> 00:29:51.240
 Christian

00:29:51.240 --> 00:29:52.500
 in growing

00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:52.860
 measure.

00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:56.440
 The Beatitudes

00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:57.980
 form a

00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:58.620
 profile,

00:29:59.620 --> 00:30:00.279
 and when you

00:30:00.279 --> 00:30:00.840
 look at them,

00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:01.720
 you can't help

00:30:01.720 --> 00:30:02.160
 but see

00:30:02.160 --> 00:30:02.700
 Jesus.

00:30:08.140 --> 00:30:09.799
 They reveal

00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:11.460
 spiritual

00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:12.120
 rebirth.

00:30:12.119 --> 00:30:14.439
 Let me put it

00:30:14.439 --> 00:30:14.839
 this way.

00:30:18.679 --> 00:30:19.819
 Blessed are

00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:21.019
 the poor in

00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:21.419
 spirit,

00:30:21.979 --> 00:30:22.559
 for theirs is

00:30:22.559 --> 00:30:22.859
 the kingdom

00:30:22.859 --> 00:30:23.319
 of God.

00:30:24.539 --> 00:30:25.239
 A sinner

00:30:25.239 --> 00:30:26.319
 doesn't recognize

00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.000
 their poverty

00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:27.539
 of spirit

00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.419
 without first

00:30:28.419 --> 00:30:29.000
 the spirit of

00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:29.559
 God showing

00:30:29.559 --> 00:30:29.879
 them.

00:30:31.339 --> 00:30:31.959
 Blessed are

00:30:31.959 --> 00:30:32.459
 those who

00:30:32.459 --> 00:30:33.119
 mourn their

00:30:33.119 --> 00:30:33.679
 sin.

00:30:35.059 --> 00:30:35.659
 Sinners don't

00:30:35.659 --> 00:30:36.039
 mourn their

00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:36.679
 sins unless

00:30:36.679 --> 00:30:37.239
 they're convicted

00:30:37.239 --> 00:30:37.759
 by the Holy

00:30:37.759 --> 00:30:38.099
 Spirit.

00:30:38.099 --> 00:30:40.899
 blessed are

00:30:40.899 --> 00:30:41.519
 the meek,

00:30:41.719 --> 00:30:42.459
 the gentle.

00:30:43.199 --> 00:30:43.819
 Gentleness is

00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.159
 the fruit of

00:30:44.159 --> 00:30:44.539
 the spirit.

00:30:45.699 --> 00:30:46.419
 Putting others

00:30:46.419 --> 00:30:46.779
 first,

00:30:46.899 --> 00:30:47.339
 God's agenda

00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:47.719
 first,

00:30:48.319 --> 00:30:48.759
 sinners don't

00:30:48.759 --> 00:30:49.059
 do that

00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:49.799
 naturally of

00:30:49.799 --> 00:30:50.240
 themselves.

00:30:50.399 --> 00:30:50.659
 That's a

00:30:50.659 --> 00:30:51.179
 work of

00:30:51.179 --> 00:30:51.779
 God's spirit.

00:30:52.879 --> 00:30:53.459
 Hunger and

00:30:53.459 --> 00:30:53.980
 thirsting for

00:30:53.980 --> 00:30:54.379
 righteousness,

00:30:54.939 --> 00:30:55.179
 what?

00:30:55.599 --> 00:30:55.919
 Are you

00:30:55.919 --> 00:30:56.359
 kidding me?

00:30:56.759 --> 00:30:57.319
 An appetite

00:30:57.319 --> 00:30:58.099
 for holiness,

00:30:58.779 --> 00:30:59.439
 that isn't

00:30:59.439 --> 00:31:00.719
 come up naturally

00:31:00.719 --> 00:31:01.279
 from a sinner.

00:31:01.759 --> 00:31:02.579
 That's born of

00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:03.099
 the spirit of

00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:04.059
 God doing a

00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:04.359
 work,

00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:05.959
 a glorious

00:31:05.959 --> 00:31:06.480
 work.

00:31:08.099 --> 00:31:08.980
 In someone

00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:09.419
 reborn.

00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:12.199
 Blessed are

00:31:12.199 --> 00:31:12.719
 the merciful.

00:31:14.000 --> 00:31:14.659
 Goodness and

00:31:14.659 --> 00:31:15.199
 kindness,

00:31:16.299 --> 00:31:16.799
 that's the

00:31:16.799 --> 00:31:17.139
 spirit of

00:31:17.139 --> 00:31:17.579
 God work.

00:31:17.879 --> 00:31:18.419
 Purity of

00:31:18.419 --> 00:31:18.799
 heart,

00:31:19.359 --> 00:31:20.059
 that kind of

00:31:20.059 --> 00:31:20.959
 cleansing is a

00:31:20.959 --> 00:31:21.839
 spirit cleansing.

00:31:22.879 --> 00:31:23.599
 A transformation

00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:24.679
 God does.

00:31:25.379 --> 00:31:26.119
 Peacemaking,

00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:28.839
 peacemaking isn't

00:31:28.839 --> 00:31:29.759
 something that

00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:31.500
 sinners can do.

00:31:32.059 --> 00:31:33.579
 Not in God's

00:31:33.579 --> 00:31:34.039
 way of

00:31:34.039 --> 00:31:34.799
 peacemaking.

00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:38.220
 naturally born

00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.579
 rebels don't

00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:40.680
 incline themselves

00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.440
 to peace,

00:31:41.599 --> 00:31:43.059
 but one born of

00:31:43.059 --> 00:31:43.539
 the spirit,

00:31:43.639 --> 00:31:44.159
 a child of

00:31:44.159 --> 00:31:44.460
 God,

00:31:44.879 --> 00:31:45.680
 they want

00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:46.899
 peace because

00:31:46.899 --> 00:31:47.960
 they take after

00:31:47.960 --> 00:31:48.639
 their father.

00:31:51.659 --> 00:31:52.319
 The Beatitudes

00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:53.480
 are a profile of

00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.079
 those born of

00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:55.359
 the spirit into

00:31:55.359 --> 00:31:56.220
 God's family,

00:31:56.419 --> 00:31:57.000
 into God's

00:31:57.000 --> 00:31:57.279
 kingdom.

00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:58.960
 It's a package

00:31:58.960 --> 00:31:59.919
 profile.

00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.440
 It's what's to

00:32:01.440 --> 00:32:02.319
 be true of each

00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:03.419
 of us Christians

00:32:03.420 --> 00:32:04.360
 in growing measure.

00:32:05.720 --> 00:32:06.720
 It's quite a call,

00:32:06.800 --> 00:32:07.100
 isn't it?

00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.500
 The other thing to

00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:10.980
 note is it's

00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:11.440
 progressive.

00:32:12.100 --> 00:32:13.000
 You can't be a

00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.840
 peacemaker without

00:32:13.840 --> 00:32:15.940
 first being poor in

00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:16.660
 spirit and mourning

00:32:16.660 --> 00:32:17.180
 your sin.

00:32:17.259 --> 00:32:17.820
 It just won't

00:32:17.820 --> 00:32:18.220
 work.

00:32:20.480 --> 00:32:21.300
 The Beatitudes

00:32:21.300 --> 00:32:22.519
 build on one

00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.460
 another and the

00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:24.360
 spirit of God is at

00:32:24.360 --> 00:32:25.400
 work in each of us

00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.460
 making us

00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:29.360
 beautiful in our

00:32:29.360 --> 00:32:30.180
 father's eyes.

00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:33.539
 we're taking on

00:32:33.539 --> 00:32:34.400
 the character of

00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:34.759
 Jesus.

00:32:40.440 --> 00:32:41.060
 That's what you

00:32:41.060 --> 00:32:41.759
 need to know to be

00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.340
 a peacemaker.

00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.779
 You can't forget

00:32:45.779 --> 00:32:46.720
 who you were so

00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:47.039
 that you can

00:32:47.039 --> 00:32:47.720
 remember who you

00:32:47.720 --> 00:32:48.779
 are, what God

00:32:48.779 --> 00:32:49.620
 has done for you

00:32:49.620 --> 00:32:50.440
 in Christ Jesus.

00:32:51.120 --> 00:32:51.500
 And you've got to

00:32:51.500 --> 00:32:52.460
 remember that being

00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.180
 a peacemaker is

00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:54.080
 part of this

00:32:54.080 --> 00:32:56.600
 packaged profile

00:32:56.600 --> 00:32:57.980
 of beauty that

00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:58.660
 God is seeking to

00:32:58.660 --> 00:32:59.400
 do in you by

00:32:59.400 --> 00:32:59.920
 his spirit.

00:33:02.180 --> 00:33:03.060
 Let me summarize

00:33:03.060 --> 00:33:03.700
 it this way.

00:33:06.920 --> 00:33:07.480
 Brother,

00:33:09.080 --> 00:33:09.759
 sister in

00:33:09.759 --> 00:33:10.100
 Christ,

00:33:10.540 --> 00:33:11.300
 will you listen

00:33:11.300 --> 00:33:11.960
 carefully to

00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:12.220
 this?

00:33:15.460 --> 00:33:16.759
 Your conversion

00:33:16.759 --> 00:33:18.960
 to Christ

00:33:18.960 --> 00:33:20.759
 was your

00:33:20.759 --> 00:33:21.759
 commissioning

00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:23.180
 by Christ

00:33:23.180 --> 00:33:24.580
 to be a

00:33:24.580 --> 00:33:25.240
 peacemaker

00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:27.080
 for Christ.

00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:27.159
 Christ.

00:33:27.960 --> 00:33:29.039
 Your conversion

00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:29.819
 to Christ

00:33:29.819 --> 00:33:30.199
 was your

00:33:30.199 --> 00:33:30.960
 commissioning by

00:33:30.960 --> 00:33:32.000
 Christ to be a

00:33:32.000 --> 00:33:32.839
 peacemaker for

00:33:32.839 --> 00:33:33.279
 Christ.

00:33:33.919 --> 00:33:35.159
 God reconciled you

00:33:35.159 --> 00:33:36.359
 through Jesus so

00:33:36.359 --> 00:33:37.000
 that you would be a

00:33:37.000 --> 00:33:37.619
 minister of

00:33:37.619 --> 00:33:38.679
 reconciliation to

00:33:38.679 --> 00:33:39.099
 others.

00:33:41.759 --> 00:33:42.599
 That's who you

00:33:42.599 --> 00:33:42.879
 are.

00:33:44.519 --> 00:33:45.460
 What you need to

00:33:45.460 --> 00:33:46.740
 remember before we

00:33:46.740 --> 00:33:47.659
 get into the work

00:33:47.659 --> 00:33:48.359
 of peacemaking,

00:33:48.559 --> 00:33:48.899
 you've got to

00:33:48.899 --> 00:33:49.639
 remember who you

00:33:49.639 --> 00:33:51.000
 are as a

00:33:51.000 --> 00:33:51.359
 peacemaker.

00:33:52.099 --> 00:33:53.220
 God made you a

00:33:53.220 --> 00:33:54.159
 peacemaker by his

00:33:54.160 --> 00:33:54.540
 grace.

00:33:56.040 --> 00:33:57.340
 Now, I've only

00:33:57.340 --> 00:33:58.060
 got a few minutes.

00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:01.700
 I want to answer

00:34:01.700 --> 00:34:02.320
 this question.

00:34:02.519 --> 00:34:03.580
 What do you do as

00:34:03.580 --> 00:34:04.759
 a supernaturally

00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:05.740
 reborn peacemaker?

00:34:05.880 --> 00:34:06.440
 What do you do?

00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:09.000
 Well, I have four

00:34:09.000 --> 00:34:10.420
 things, but I can

00:34:10.420 --> 00:34:11.360
 only really focus on

00:34:11.360 --> 00:34:12.300
 two this morning for

00:34:12.300 --> 00:34:13.019
 the sake of time.

00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:15.440
 The first one I was

00:34:15.440 --> 00:34:16.200
 going to tell you is

00:34:16.200 --> 00:34:17.760
 to be a reminder of

00:34:17.760 --> 00:34:18.500
 God's peace.

00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:20.220
 That you remind

00:34:20.220 --> 00:34:21.180
 yourself that you're

00:34:21.180 --> 00:34:22.119
 at peace with God by

00:34:22.119 --> 00:34:22.880
 the blood of Jesus.

00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:23.039
 Jesus.

00:34:23.280 --> 00:34:23.960
 Peacemakers got to

00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:25.480
 remind themselves that

00:34:25.480 --> 00:34:26.180
 God has made peace

00:34:26.180 --> 00:34:26.700
 with them through the

00:34:26.700 --> 00:34:27.200
 blood of Jesus.

00:34:27.340 --> 00:34:28.320
 You've got to do it.

00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:29.119
 You've got to preach

00:34:29.119 --> 00:34:30.260
 the gospel to yourself.

00:34:32.660 --> 00:34:33.500
 The other thing I

00:34:33.500 --> 00:34:34.380
 want to tell you is

00:34:34.380 --> 00:34:36.579
 that on this side of

00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:37.599
 Jesus' second return,

00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:39.680
 we are prophesiers of

00:34:39.680 --> 00:34:40.380
 a perfect peace.

00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:42.800
 We tell a world that

00:34:42.800 --> 00:34:44.619
 is in mess that there

00:34:44.619 --> 00:34:45.720
 is a perfect peace

00:34:45.720 --> 00:34:46.640
 coming with the

00:34:46.640 --> 00:34:47.420
 coming of Jesus.

00:34:48.039 --> 00:34:49.840
 We're prophesiers of

00:34:49.840 --> 00:34:50.619
 a perfect peace.

00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:53.839
 In the meantime, we're

00:34:53.839 --> 00:34:54.679
 just living in the

00:34:54.679 --> 00:34:56.380
 reality of Matthew 24

00:34:56.380 --> 00:34:58.619
 where Jesus said, hey,

00:34:58.719 --> 00:34:59.279
 there's going to be

00:34:59.279 --> 00:35:00.719
 wars and rumors of

00:35:00.719 --> 00:35:01.000
 wars.

00:35:01.259 --> 00:35:01.759
 There are going to be

00:35:01.759 --> 00:35:03.319
 earthquakes and famines

00:35:03.319 --> 00:35:04.000
 and mess.

00:35:04.219 --> 00:35:04.599
 There's going to be

00:35:04.599 --> 00:35:05.839
 tribulation in mounting

00:35:05.839 --> 00:35:07.199
 measure for my followers.

00:35:07.739 --> 00:35:08.299
 That's where we're

00:35:08.299 --> 00:35:09.039
 living right now.

00:35:11.259 --> 00:35:12.519
 Perfect peace is coming.

00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:14.920
 But the two things I

00:35:14.920 --> 00:35:15.940
 wanted to really focus

00:35:15.940 --> 00:35:18.619
 on this morning is a

00:35:18.619 --> 00:35:20.700
 peacemaker is a

00:35:20.700 --> 00:35:23.440
 striver for peace.

00:35:24.599 --> 00:35:26.119
 A striver for peace.

00:35:30.440 --> 00:35:32.039
 I know three things are

00:35:32.039 --> 00:35:33.280
 true of every person in

00:35:33.280 --> 00:35:34.079
 this room right now.

00:35:35.700 --> 00:35:37.619
 I know every one of you

00:35:37.619 --> 00:35:38.880
 is experiencing what I'm

00:35:38.880 --> 00:35:40.659
 about to say in one of

00:35:40.659 --> 00:35:41.420
 three ways, okay?

00:35:41.420 --> 00:35:47.039
 Either you have experienced

00:35:47.039 --> 00:35:48.260
 personal strain and

00:35:48.260 --> 00:35:49.059
 trouble with someone

00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:49.460
 else.

00:35:50.240 --> 00:35:51.360
 You've experienced that.

00:35:52.059 --> 00:35:54.500
 Or you are presently

00:35:54.500 --> 00:35:56.960
 experiencing turmoil,

00:35:57.800 --> 00:35:59.860
 tension, distrust in a

00:35:59.860 --> 00:36:00.340
 relationship.

00:36:00.840 --> 00:36:03.099
 Or three, you will

00:36:03.099 --> 00:36:05.440
 experience this in a

00:36:05.440 --> 00:36:05.740
 relationship.

00:36:05.980 --> 00:36:06.860
 I know that's true of

00:36:06.860 --> 00:36:07.180
 everyone.

00:36:07.340 --> 00:36:08.240
 I know it's true of me.

00:36:08.239 --> 00:36:12.879
 What a striver of peace,

00:36:13.359 --> 00:36:14.799
 a peacemaker is seeking

00:36:14.799 --> 00:36:17.239
 to do is bring God's

00:36:17.939 --> 00:36:20.679
 goodness into relationships

00:36:20.679 --> 00:36:22.339
 with others.

00:36:25.159 --> 00:36:28.519
 And so, a peacemaker, a

00:36:28.519 --> 00:36:30.659
 striver for peace, you

00:36:30.659 --> 00:36:31.459
 know what that means?

00:36:32.719 --> 00:36:35.059
 If you are in discord with

00:36:35.059 --> 00:36:36.039
 someone else, whether a

00:36:36.039 --> 00:36:37.079
 Christian or a non-Christian,

00:36:37.079 --> 00:36:38.500
 if you are in discord with

00:36:38.500 --> 00:36:39.960
 someone else, the first

00:36:39.960 --> 00:36:41.679
 thing that you must do is

00:36:41.679 --> 00:36:43.619
 entrust yourself in that

00:36:43.619 --> 00:36:45.619
 situation to the prince of

00:36:45.619 --> 00:36:45.880
 peace.

00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:47.980
 And so, it looks like this.

00:36:48.739 --> 00:36:50.059
 God, there's something not

00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:50.579
 right here.

00:36:50.699 --> 00:36:52.119
 I'm picking up on a vibe or

00:36:52.119 --> 00:36:53.599
 God, did I do something with

00:36:53.599 --> 00:36:54.199
 this person?

00:36:54.279 --> 00:36:56.119
 Because it is awkward right

00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:56.480
 now.

00:36:57.000 --> 00:36:57.940
 Prince of peace, would you

00:36:57.940 --> 00:36:59.039
 bring peace to this

00:36:59.039 --> 00:36:59.579
 situation?

00:37:00.739 --> 00:37:02.259
 And in that praying and

00:37:02.259 --> 00:37:03.440
 entrusting yourself to the

00:37:03.440 --> 00:37:04.699
 prince of peace, you're going

00:37:04.699 --> 00:37:06.299
 to ask the prince of peace

00:37:06.300 --> 00:37:07.380
 something like this.

00:37:08.100 --> 00:37:10.620
 Oh, Lord Jesus, have I done

00:37:10.620 --> 00:37:11.539
 something here?

00:37:12.340 --> 00:37:13.980
 Have I wronged this person?

00:37:14.980 --> 00:37:16.820
 Is there something for me to

00:37:16.820 --> 00:37:18.160
 confess to this person?

00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:21.140
 Do I need to address in order

00:37:21.140 --> 00:37:23.039
 to remove an obstacle to the

00:37:23.039 --> 00:37:24.680
 peace you want for us?

00:37:25.000 --> 00:37:26.580
 Is that what you want for me?

00:37:26.940 --> 00:37:29.740
 Show me, Lord Jesus, what I

00:37:29.740 --> 00:37:30.400
 must do.

00:37:30.400 --> 00:37:32.579
 And it's okay if it's

00:37:32.579 --> 00:37:33.019
 painful.

00:37:35.660 --> 00:37:36.700
 Peacemaking is painful.

00:37:38.099 --> 00:37:39.280
 It's painful for Jesus.

00:37:39.400 --> 00:37:40.460
 It will be painful for us.

00:37:44.000 --> 00:37:46.380
 And then, after we ask him,

00:37:47.280 --> 00:37:48.440
 oh, Lord, what must we do?

00:37:48.519 --> 00:37:49.340
 Is there something for me to

00:37:49.340 --> 00:37:49.760
 confess?

00:37:50.039 --> 00:37:50.860
 Do I need to confront?

00:37:51.200 --> 00:37:52.059
 Do I need to bring somebody

00:37:52.059 --> 00:37:53.240
 else in and make peace?

00:37:53.460 --> 00:37:54.400
 What must I do?

00:37:54.400 --> 00:37:54.460
 Do I need to do?

00:37:58.139 --> 00:37:59.539
 Next thing you do is this.

00:38:00.539 --> 00:38:03.139
 God, help me to love.

00:38:04.400 --> 00:38:05.740
 Help me to love.

00:38:05.940 --> 00:38:08.079
 Do you know what drives peace?

00:38:08.599 --> 00:38:09.579
 Biblical peace?

00:38:10.000 --> 00:38:10.840
 God, peace?

00:38:11.440 --> 00:38:11.960
 Love.

00:38:12.820 --> 00:38:13.920
 Love drives it.

00:38:15.480 --> 00:38:17.619
 It's the stuff, it's the energy

00:38:17.619 --> 00:38:20.019
 that gives, compels us to make

00:38:20.019 --> 00:38:20.740
 peace with others.

00:38:20.739 --> 00:38:22.759
 That's what God did with us.

00:38:27.459 --> 00:38:28.179
 Here's the deal.

00:38:29.119 --> 00:38:30.099
 And I know a lot of you are

00:38:30.099 --> 00:38:30.799
 here right now.

00:38:31.919 --> 00:38:32.619
 You're waiting.

00:38:34.179 --> 00:38:35.339
 You're waiting on peace.

00:38:37.239 --> 00:38:38.500
 But there's blessing in it.

00:38:38.619 --> 00:38:39.339
 There's joy in it.

00:38:39.399 --> 00:38:40.059
 Do you know what it is?

00:38:41.179 --> 00:38:43.319
 It's knowing that you've

00:38:43.319 --> 00:38:44.699
 entrusted it to the Prince of

00:38:44.699 --> 00:38:45.000
 Peace.

00:38:45.679 --> 00:38:46.799
 And he's going to do a work.

00:38:46.799 --> 00:38:49.000
 Either now or when he comes

00:38:49.000 --> 00:38:49.379
 back.

00:38:49.380 --> 00:38:53.160
 Peace is coming to that

00:38:53.160 --> 00:38:53.760
 relationship.

00:38:54.860 --> 00:38:55.539
 Wait on him.

00:38:56.220 --> 00:39:00.539
 A striver for peace is a

00:39:00.539 --> 00:39:01.539
 prayer for peace.

00:39:02.800 --> 00:39:04.079
 And so if you, there's no

00:39:04.079 --> 00:39:05.300
 other steps you can take right

00:39:05.300 --> 00:39:06.760
 now towards peace.

00:39:07.260 --> 00:39:07.800
 There is.

00:39:08.920 --> 00:39:09.539
 You pray.

00:39:10.820 --> 00:39:11.760
 You pray.

00:39:12.220 --> 00:39:13.820
 You pray God's blessing on

00:39:13.820 --> 00:39:14.559
 this other person.

00:39:15.480 --> 00:39:16.559
 You pray good for them.

00:39:16.559 --> 00:39:17.820
 God's goodness for them.

00:39:17.820 --> 00:39:19.780
 That they would delight more

00:39:19.780 --> 00:39:20.820
 and more in the living God.

00:39:21.320 --> 00:39:22.539
 Whether they're non-Christian,

00:39:22.680 --> 00:39:24.140
 oh God, bring them to faith.

00:39:24.760 --> 00:39:26.019
 If they're a believer, oh God,

00:39:26.080 --> 00:39:26.720
 bless them.

00:39:27.580 --> 00:39:28.539
 And bring peace.

00:39:29.820 --> 00:39:31.200
 I know of a story recently.

00:39:31.580 --> 00:39:35.000
 Ten years it took for a brother

00:39:35.000 --> 00:39:36.780
 to come around to another brother

00:39:36.780 --> 00:39:38.260
 to make peace.

00:39:38.620 --> 00:39:39.100
 It came.

00:39:39.100 --> 00:39:39.140
 It came.

00:39:39.139 --> 00:39:43.940
 Be a striver for peace.

00:39:44.019 --> 00:39:45.299
 I want to give you a couple passages

00:39:45.299 --> 00:39:48.859
 to be grist in your mill of peacemaking.

00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:51.039
 Hebrews 12.14.

00:39:51.559 --> 00:39:52.940
 Strive for peace.

00:39:53.519 --> 00:39:55.059
 Romans 12.18.

00:39:55.299 --> 00:39:57.779
 If possible, so far as it depends on you,

00:39:58.519 --> 00:40:01.039
 live peaceably with all.

00:40:02.879 --> 00:40:03.279
 Peacemaker.

00:40:03.280 --> 00:40:03.400
 Peacemaker.

00:40:04.460 --> 00:40:05.960
 You are a peacemaker.

00:40:07.019 --> 00:40:08.060
 Strive for peace.

00:40:08.240 --> 00:40:09.100
 Do what you can.

00:40:09.960 --> 00:40:11.720
 Trusting in the Prince of Peace.

00:40:14.860 --> 00:40:16.320
 Experience the joy of knowing

00:40:16.320 --> 00:40:18.040
 that He's in it and He's working for it.

00:40:24.840 --> 00:40:25.800
 The last thing

00:40:25.800 --> 00:40:29.420
 I wanted to tell you this morning.

00:40:29.420 --> 00:40:31.820
 The work of a peacemaker

00:40:31.820 --> 00:40:34.880
 is this.

00:40:40.639 --> 00:40:41.920
 Brothers and sisters in Christ,

00:40:42.039 --> 00:40:42.880
 we are ambassadors

00:40:42.880 --> 00:40:45.240
 of peace.

00:40:45.400 --> 00:40:46.079
 The peace of God.

00:40:47.300 --> 00:40:48.139
 We are ambassadors.

00:40:49.880 --> 00:40:51.680
 2 Corinthians 5.18-20.

00:40:51.980 --> 00:40:53.039
 Paul, the Apostle Paul,

00:40:53.139 --> 00:40:55.000
 talks about we were made new creations

00:40:55.000 --> 00:40:56.500
 and entrusted with the ministry

00:40:56.500 --> 00:40:57.300
 of reconciliation,

00:40:57.639 --> 00:40:58.340
 of peacemaking.

00:40:59.420 --> 00:41:01.440
 Do you know what

00:41:01.440 --> 00:41:02.519
 an ambassador does?

00:41:02.659 --> 00:41:03.680
 An ambassador lives

00:41:03.680 --> 00:41:04.659
 in a foreign land

00:41:04.659 --> 00:41:06.360
 and has hard conversations

00:41:06.360 --> 00:41:07.920
 with where he's at

00:41:07.920 --> 00:41:09.740
 to represent his country.

00:41:11.440 --> 00:41:12.180
 Don't forget,

00:41:12.300 --> 00:41:13.400
 we live in a foreign land.

00:41:13.860 --> 00:41:14.559
 We're exiles.

00:41:16.000 --> 00:41:17.500
 Our country is yet to come.

00:41:19.680 --> 00:41:20.740
 But here's what I want

00:41:20.740 --> 00:41:21.480
 to encourage you with.

00:41:21.539 --> 00:41:22.099
 Two things.

00:41:24.200 --> 00:41:25.680
 2 Corinthians 5.

00:41:25.740 --> 00:41:26.960
 I think this is verse 20.

00:41:26.960 --> 00:41:30.679
 When we speak the gospel

00:41:30.679 --> 00:41:31.679
 to somebody else,

00:41:31.820 --> 00:41:33.800
 when we speak the prince of peace

00:41:33.800 --> 00:41:34.760
 to a rebel,

00:41:36.139 --> 00:41:37.059
 Paul says,

00:41:37.720 --> 00:41:41.539
 it's God making His appeal

00:41:41.539 --> 00:41:43.659
 through us.

00:41:46.000 --> 00:41:47.740
 God making His appeal through us.

00:41:48.599 --> 00:41:49.220
 Brother, sister,

00:41:49.320 --> 00:41:50.240
 you are a peacemaker

00:41:50.239 --> 00:41:53.099
 and God wants to make an appeal

00:41:53.099 --> 00:41:54.399
 to peace to rebels

00:41:54.399 --> 00:41:55.479
 through you.

00:41:56.739 --> 00:41:57.739
 Be encouraged.

00:41:58.099 --> 00:41:58.879
 It's His work.

00:41:59.079 --> 00:41:59.919
 Here's the second thing.

00:42:03.099 --> 00:42:04.479
 God doesn't make mistakes

00:42:04.479 --> 00:42:05.299
 in placing people

00:42:05.299 --> 00:42:05.939
 where they're at.

00:42:07.079 --> 00:42:08.259
 When you leave this building,

00:42:08.339 --> 00:42:09.119
 either the front door

00:42:09.119 --> 00:42:09.799
 or the back door,

00:42:09.899 --> 00:42:10.939
 there's going to be a little thing

00:42:10.939 --> 00:42:11.879
 written above the doorway.

00:42:12.559 --> 00:42:13.619
 You are now entering

00:42:13.619 --> 00:42:14.519
 your mission field.

00:42:16.519 --> 00:42:17.659
 Ambassador of Christ,

00:42:17.659 --> 00:42:19.039
 you're going into

00:42:19.039 --> 00:42:19.920
 your mission field.

00:42:20.619 --> 00:42:21.559
 God has placed you

00:42:21.559 --> 00:42:23.019
 in your immediate family

00:42:23.019 --> 00:42:25.139
 and extended family.

00:42:25.319 --> 00:42:26.319
 That's not an accident.

00:42:27.319 --> 00:42:28.599
 He wants you there

00:42:28.599 --> 00:42:29.480
 as an ambassador

00:42:29.480 --> 00:42:30.420
 for His peace.

00:42:32.719 --> 00:42:33.279
 Neighborhoods,

00:42:33.339 --> 00:42:33.819
 workplace,

00:42:34.039 --> 00:42:34.639
 jazzercise,

00:42:34.779 --> 00:42:35.219
 class,

00:42:35.500 --> 00:42:36.359
 athletic team,

00:42:37.119 --> 00:42:38.099
 you're there for a reason.

00:42:39.099 --> 00:42:39.839
 You're an ambassador,

00:42:40.639 --> 00:42:41.179
 a peacemaker.

00:42:43.599 --> 00:42:44.960
 Blessed are the peacemakers

00:42:44.960 --> 00:42:45.960
 for they shall be called

00:42:45.960 --> 00:42:46.799
 sons of God.

00:42:47.659 --> 00:42:49.519
 Where are the peacemakers?

00:42:51.319 --> 00:42:52.699
 Here are the peacemakers.

00:42:54.239 --> 00:42:55.960
 God has called you

00:42:55.960 --> 00:42:56.679
 to Himself

00:42:56.679 --> 00:42:58.699
 to be a peacemaker.

00:42:59.319 --> 00:43:00.079
 Let's pray.

00:43:01.039 --> 00:43:02.519
 God, thank You so much

00:43:02.519 --> 00:43:03.199
 for Jesus.

00:43:03.799 --> 00:43:04.759
 Jesus, thank You

00:43:04.759 --> 00:43:05.659
 for the peace You've made

00:43:05.659 --> 00:43:06.299
 for us

00:43:06.299 --> 00:43:07.659
 through Your cross

00:43:07.659 --> 00:43:09.879
 and that we fear no more

00:43:09.879 --> 00:43:12.279
 because our biggest problem

00:43:12.279 --> 00:43:13.219
 has been solved.

00:43:14.399 --> 00:43:15.259
 And God, we would ask

00:43:15.260 --> 00:43:16.580
 that You would make us

00:43:16.580 --> 00:43:18.380
 peacemakers in this city.

00:43:18.860 --> 00:43:20.420
 That we would be ambassadors.

00:43:20.780 --> 00:43:22.340
 That we would strive for peace.

00:43:22.540 --> 00:43:23.880
 That we remind each other

00:43:23.880 --> 00:43:24.420
 of peace.

00:43:25.220 --> 00:43:25.980
 And of course,

00:43:26.040 --> 00:43:27.140
 that we would prophesy

00:43:27.140 --> 00:43:28.220
 of the peace to come.

00:43:29.400 --> 00:43:30.720
 Pray this in the name of Jesus.

00:43:30.720 --> 00:43:31.780
 Amen.

00:43:31.780 --> 00:43:31.900
 Amen.

00:43:43.080 --> 00:43:43.860
 Amen.

00:43:43.860 --> 00:43:43.920
 Amen.

00:43:43.980 --> 00:43:44.460
 Amen.

00:43:49.460 --> 00:43:50.540
 Amen.

00:43:50.620 --> 00:43:51.140
 Amen.

00:43:51.500 --> 00:43:52.620
 Amen.

00:43:52.660 --> 00:43:53.040
 Amen.

00:43:53.040 --> 00:43:53.260
 Amen.

00:43:53.260 --> 00:43:53.640
 Amen.

00:43:53.640 --> 00:43:54.060
 Amen.

00:43:54.060 --> 00:43:54.340
 Amen.

00:43:54.340 --> 00:43:54.480
 Amen.

00:43:54.560 --> 00:43:54.640
 Amen.

00:43:54.640 --> 00:43:54.720
 Amen.

00:43:54.900 --> 00:43:55.180
 Amen.

00:43:55.180 --> 00:43:55.440
 Amen.

00:43:55.440 --> 00:43:56.600
 Amen.

00:43:56.600 --> 00:43:57.000
 Amen.

00:43:57.080 --> 00:43:57.400
 Amen.

00:43:57.400 --> 00:43:57.460
 Amen.

00:43:57.460 --> 00:43:57.540
 Amen.

00:43:57.540 --> 00:43:57.600
 Amen.

00:43:57.600 --> 00:43:59.300
 Amen.

00:43:59.300 --> 00:43:59.400
 Amen.

00:43:59.400 --> 00:44:01.180
 Amen.