WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning. It's good to see you all. Will you join me in prayer as we go to God's Word?

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 O Lord, this morning we come to your Word.

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 Lord, I pray this morning that we would tremble before it.

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 Lord, your thoughts are not our thoughts and your ways are not our ways.

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 Lord, how much we need to learn from you.

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 O Lord, have mercy on us this morning.

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 As we look into your Word, God, give us humble hearts.

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 Lord, help us to submit to your Word.

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 And by your Spirit, will you search our hearts to help us see if there be any wicked way in us.

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 Lord, I pray that for me this morning.

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 And Lord, I pray that the truth of your Word, by the power of your Spirit,

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 would move us to know you more and to be like you.

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 We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen.

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 Amen.

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 He's a chip off the old block, so the saying goes.

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 Meaning, he's kind of like where he came from.

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 Literally, this phrase comes from back in the 1600s,

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 the idea that a chip off of a block of wood or stone would be made of the same substance

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 and have the same character.

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 And it is often used to describe a family resemblance.

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 I have been told that my family has a strong family resemblance.

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 You can see it in baby photos.

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 If you look at my grandfather's baby photo and my brother's baby photo

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 and my nephew's baby photos,

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 they have remarkable similarities to them.

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 My mom used to say that when we would call her on the phone,

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 she would pick up the phone and we would say,

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 Hi, Mom.

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 And this was before cell phones and caller ID.

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 So she would often have to say,

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 Hello, it's good to hear from you.

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 Now, which one are you?

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 Because she didn't know.

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 Because we sound alike.

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 And rumor has it that though my brothers and I

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 don't physically resemble each other that much,

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 when the four of us together,

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 everyone says,

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 Oh, yeah, they're brothers.

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 They sure are.

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 The Bible has a similar language

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 to describe this family resemblance,

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 and it's the language of the son of.

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 So in Matthew 8, verse 12,

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 Jesus talks about sons of the kingdom,

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 those who resemble the kingdom.

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 In Matthew 9, 15,

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 the ESV will use the words wedding guests

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 to describe the sons of the wedding hall,

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 which is a very interesting phrase.

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 In Matthew 13, Jesus will talk about and contrast the sons of the kingdom

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 and the sons of the evil one.

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 And later in Matthew 23,

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 he will say,

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 The sons of those who killed the prophets.

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 Now, let's just be clear.

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 This is not a gendered term in the way it's being used.

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 This is a resemblance term.

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 This is sonship in the first century would be the characteristic family resemblance relationship.

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 We can broaden it to just say children,

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 but I want you to understand how the Bible communicates this idea of family resemblance.

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 And it raises a question for us today.

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 As the church of Jesus,

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 whose son do we look like?

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 Do we look like the son of Jesus?

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 Or are we the chip off another block?

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 Certainly in our world today,

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 the public perception of the church

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 is that we tend to be self-righteous,

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 smug,

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 judgmental,

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 and maybe even more recently,

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 angry,

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 scary,

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 violent,

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 and intolerant.

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 Is this the Jesus that we see in the Bible?

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 And is this the kingdom that he proclaims?

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 This is what brings us to our passage this morning.

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 We're in the Beatitudes.

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 That is Matthew 5,

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 the first teaching section in the Gospel of Matthew,

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 where Jesus is explaining and expounding on what he came to do,

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 and particularly in this section,

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 what kind of kingdom he has come to bring.

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 And it's in contrast,

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 in many ways,

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 as we have seen over this series,

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 contrast to what the expectations of the day were.

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 And it's talking about present,

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 inbreaking of the kingdom,

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 and the future fullness of the kingdom

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 that he will bring

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 as the one who is bringing the kingdom of God.

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 So, this is our passage.

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 We're going to read Matthew 5,

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 verses 1 through 11.

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 And I didn't get the page number.

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 740?

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 759?

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 759.

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 There we go.

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 Thank you for your help.

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 759 is where it is

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 if you want to use the Pew Bible.

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 Matthew chapter 5.

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 I'm going to read this whole section.

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 We're going to be focusing on verse 9 today.

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 So, Matthew chapter 5,

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 starting in verse 1.

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 Seeing the crowds,

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 he went up on the mountain,

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 and when he sat down,

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 his disciples came to him.

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 And he, that is Jesus,

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 opened his mouth

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 and taught them,

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 saying,

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 Blessed are the poor in spirit,

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 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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 Blessed are those who mourn,

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 for they shall be comforted.

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 Blessed are the meek,

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 for they shall inherit the earth.

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 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst

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 for righteousness,

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 for they shall be satisfied.

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 Blessed are the merciful,

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 for they shall receive mercy.

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 Blessed are the pure in heart,

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 for they shall see God.

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 Blessed are the peacemakers,

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 for they shall be called sons of God.

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 Blessed are those who are persecuted

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 for righteousness' sake,

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 for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

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 Blessed are you,

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 when all others revile you

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 and persecute you

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 and utter all kinds of evil

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 against you falsely on my account.

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 This is God's word.

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 Blessed are the peacemakers,

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 for they shall be called

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 the sons of God.

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 To live in God's kingdom

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 is to be one who makes peace

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 like our Father in heaven.

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 So we're going to look at this

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 in three steps this morning.

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 First, we're going to look at

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 the context of peacemaking.

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 Secondly, we're going to look

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 at the meaning of peacemaking.

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 And finally, we're going to look

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 at the power of God's peacemaking.

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 So if you're taking notes,

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 there's our outline for this morning.

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 First, the context of peacemaking.

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 If you remember in the first century,

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 Israel was an occupied territory

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 by an oppressive Roman empire.

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 Now, the Romans wouldn't have

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 thought of that.

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 The Romans thought they were

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 bringing them in to bless them

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 and to help them be a part

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 of a great civilization.

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 But Israel probably didn't see it

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 that way, did they?

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 And particularly, there were those,

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 the zealots in the first century,

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 who were fomenting and working

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 towards active military rebellion.

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 And beyond all of this,

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 there seemed to be this assumption

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 that when God's Messiah would come,

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 he would bring a military conquest

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 to overthrow Roman rule

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 and to establish the kingdom of heaven.

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 And so there was,

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 at least in certain circles at least,

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 an expectation that the kingdom of heaven

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 would come with war

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 and with violence.

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 Friends, it's not that hard

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 to see that this is true today as well.

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 Certainly, we see in the world

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 there is much war and violence,

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 whether it be in Gaza

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 or in Ukraine

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 or in Myanmar

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 or South Sudan

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 or other places.

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 We live in a world

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 that has much war and violence.

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 Certainly, we see it in our politics.

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 For heaven's sakes,

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 a couple of weeks ago,

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 we had an attempted assassination

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 of one of the presidential candidates.

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 We see it in our society.

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 If you go to YouTube

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 and type in road rage incidents,

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 you will be there

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 for the rest of your life

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 watching YouTube videos

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 about road rage

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 and the way that it's happening

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 being filmed by dash cams.

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 We see it in our homes

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 as we see domestic violence increase.

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 And we see it even in our own hearts.

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 James chapter 4 verse 1

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 has a very insightful statement.

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 It says,

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 what causes quarrels

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 and what causes fights among you?

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 Is it not this,

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 that your passions

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 are at war within you?

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 You desire and do not have,

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 so you murder.

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 You covet and cannot obtain,

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 so you fight and quarrel.

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 You do not have

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 because you do not ask

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 and you do not…

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 you ask and do not receive

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 because you ask wrongly

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 to spend it on your passions.

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 Friends, peacemaking

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 is such a need

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 because our hearts

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 are so sinful.

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 We are driven by ego,

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 selfishness, envy.

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 We have a desire for power,

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 possessions, prestige.

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 We want to win.

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 We want to get revenge.

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 We want to punish.

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 Sometimes we experience conflict

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 because others come at us

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 with these attitudes.

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 Other times we initiate this

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 with others.

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 And in the midst of it,

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 the question is,

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 do we even…

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 even when we are

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 the recipients of this

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 and not the initiators,

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 do we respond

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 with a spirit of peacemaking?

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 These are the questions

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 that rise up in our mind

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 about what's the context

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 of peacemaking?

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 Is it out there in the world?

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 Is it here?

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 Is it in our hearts?

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 Is it in our relationships?

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 And I think the answer

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 is probably all of the above.

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 Interestingly,

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 when you look through

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 the New Testament,

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 the concept of peace

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 with regard to human relationships

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 is most often applied

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 to relationships

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 within the church

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 and with not easy subjects either.

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 Think about how much conflict

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 we have in our own churches

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 about these topics

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 that the Bible addresses.

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 So in Ephesians 2,

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 it talks about God

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 bringing peace

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 between ethnic divisions.

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 In Romans 14,

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 it talks about bringing peace

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 into situations

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 where people disagree theologically

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 and in practice

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 about how to deal with food

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 offered to idols.

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 In 1 Corinthians 14,

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 it's how to bring peace

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 into situations

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 where spiritual gifts

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 are getting out of control

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 and people want it

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 to be this way

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 or that way

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 and to lift themselves up

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 and put others down.

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 In 1 Thessalonians 5,

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 peace comes from

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 honoring leadership,

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 those who are raised up

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 to be servants among you.

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 So we need to recognize

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 that church,

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 if we are going to think

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 about being peacemakers,

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 we need to start at home

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 in our own church.

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 And I'm thankful.

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 I'm thankful for this church.

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 We have certainly had seasons

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 of conflict and difficulty.

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 But I'm thankful

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 for God's sustaining grace.

00:12:08.419 --> 00:12:10.620
 And I pray that God

00:12:10.620 --> 00:12:12.000
 will continue to help us

00:12:12.000 --> 00:12:12.539
 with this.

00:12:14.899 --> 00:12:16.799
 There are some other passages

00:12:16.799 --> 00:12:18.039
 that talk about peacemaking,

00:12:18.159 --> 00:12:19.419
 not just within the church,

00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:20.319
 but more broadly

00:12:20.319 --> 00:12:21.899
 as Christians in the world.

00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:23.479
 So Romans 12

00:12:23.479 --> 00:12:25.000
 is maybe the clearest one

00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:26.399
 that we see

00:12:26.399 --> 00:12:28.519
 where Paul encourages

00:12:28.519 --> 00:12:29.620
 the church there,

00:12:29.719 --> 00:12:30.979
 repay no one for evil,

00:12:31.099 --> 00:12:31.519
 for evil,

00:12:31.659 --> 00:12:32.500
 but give thought

00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:34.659
 to do what is honorable

00:12:34.659 --> 00:12:35.980
 in the sight of all.

00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:37.399
 If possible,

00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:39.319
 so far as it depends on you,

00:12:39.500 --> 00:12:41.759
 live peaceably with all.

00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:42.759
 Beloved,

00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:44.039
 never avenge yourselves,

00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:46.120
 but leave it to the wrath of God,

00:12:46.199 --> 00:12:46.860
 for it is written,

00:12:47.360 --> 00:12:48.259
 Vengeance is mine,

00:12:48.360 --> 00:12:49.120
 I will repay,

00:12:49.299 --> 00:12:50.079
 says the Lord.

00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:51.679
 And to the contrary,

00:12:51.819 --> 00:12:52.759
 if your enemy is hungry,

00:12:52.959 --> 00:12:53.480
 feed him.

00:12:53.539 --> 00:12:54.379
 If he is thirsty,

00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:56.500
 give him something to drink,

00:12:56.939 --> 00:12:58.299
 for by so doing,

00:12:58.419 --> 00:13:00.120
 you will heap burning coals

00:13:00.120 --> 00:13:00.840
 on his head.

00:13:01.220 --> 00:13:03.259
 Do not overcome by evil,

00:13:03.259 --> 00:13:06.079
 but overcome evil with good.

00:13:07.399 --> 00:13:08.840
 So friends,

00:13:08.939 --> 00:13:09.939
 in the broader world,

00:13:10.039 --> 00:13:11.159
 this is our call.

00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:12.559
 This is our call

00:13:12.559 --> 00:13:14.679
 to entrust ultimate justification

00:13:14.679 --> 00:13:15.879
 to God,

00:13:16.340 --> 00:13:17.939
 ultimate vindication to God,

00:13:18.039 --> 00:13:19.299
 and to do good

00:13:19.299 --> 00:13:21.600
 and to seek peace with all

00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:23.579
 as much as we are able.

00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:26.360
 So this is the need

00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:27.519
 and this is the call

00:13:27.519 --> 00:13:29.120
 for peacemaking.

00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:30.620
 But,

00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:32.659
 you may be asking,

00:13:33.019 --> 00:13:33.779
 what is it?

00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:35.480
 What does it look like

00:13:35.480 --> 00:13:36.740
 to be a peacemaker?

00:13:37.539 --> 00:13:38.000
 Well,

00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:40.100
 it's easy to understand,

00:13:40.220 --> 00:13:41.000
 so I want to clarify

00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:41.700
 a few things.

00:13:41.860 --> 00:13:42.200
 One,

00:13:42.659 --> 00:13:43.560
 being a peacemaker

00:13:43.560 --> 00:13:45.620
 isn't seeking for inner peace

00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.460
 in your own heart.

00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:49.019
 Though it is true

00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:49.980
 that knowing God

00:13:49.980 --> 00:13:51.259
 brings peace in the world,

00:13:51.539 --> 00:13:53.120
 this is not about

00:13:53.120 --> 00:13:54.799
 your soul care

00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:55.759
 and inner self.

00:13:56.559 --> 00:13:57.559
 Peacemaking is about

00:13:57.559 --> 00:13:58.460
 relationships,

00:13:59.059 --> 00:14:00.100
 first and foremost,

00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:01.720
 vertically with God

00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:02.819
 and then secondarily,

00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:04.620
 horizontally with others.

00:14:05.939 --> 00:14:07.259
 In those contexts,

00:14:07.740 --> 00:14:07.960
 then,

00:14:08.159 --> 00:14:08.539
 secondly,

00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:10.439
 it is not the absence

00:14:10.439 --> 00:14:11.779
 of all conflict.

00:14:13.620 --> 00:14:14.720
 I'm just going to make

00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:15.399
 a few statements

00:14:15.399 --> 00:14:16.399
 without defending them all

00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:17.080
 because we'd be here

00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:17.519
 all morning

00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:18.299
 if I tried to,

00:14:18.419 --> 00:14:19.939
 but I don't believe

00:14:19.939 --> 00:14:21.460
 that this beatitude

00:14:21.460 --> 00:14:23.819
 calls us to pacifism,

00:14:23.820 --> 00:14:25.340
 where we would never,

00:14:25.720 --> 00:14:26.620
 ever be involved

00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:29.140
 in international war,

00:14:29.280 --> 00:14:30.240
 serving in the military,

00:14:30.400 --> 00:14:31.220
 or that sort of thing.

00:14:31.300 --> 00:14:32.180
 I don't believe

00:14:32.180 --> 00:14:34.060
 that Christians

00:14:34.060 --> 00:14:35.420
 are excluded

00:14:35.420 --> 00:14:36.400
 from those things.

00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:37.660
 Though some may have

00:14:37.660 --> 00:14:38.340
 that conviction

00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:39.600
 and I want to honor them

00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:40.020
 and give them

00:14:40.020 --> 00:14:41.080
 the freedom of conscience

00:14:41.080 --> 00:14:41.560
 in that,

00:14:41.800 --> 00:14:42.580
 I don't believe

00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:43.520
 it is the call

00:14:43.520 --> 00:14:44.480
 for all believers

00:14:44.480 --> 00:14:44.960
 in that.

00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:47.940
 Secondly,

00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:48.800
 we need to recognize

00:14:48.800 --> 00:14:49.360
 that the Bible

00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:50.500
 talks about conflict

00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:51.500
 in the fact

00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.400
 that we will always

00:14:52.399 --> 00:14:53.860
 have a spiritual conflict

00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:55.779
 because in Ephesians 6,

00:14:55.879 --> 00:14:57.000
 there is a conflict

00:14:57.000 --> 00:14:58.419
 in the spiritual realms

00:14:58.419 --> 00:14:59.379
 between the enemy

00:14:59.379 --> 00:15:00.299
 of our souls

00:15:00.299 --> 00:15:01.980
 and those who serve him

00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:02.899
 and us.

00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:04.079
 And so there is

00:15:04.079 --> 00:15:05.019
 spiritual warfare

00:15:05.019 --> 00:15:05.939
 that is ongoing

00:15:05.939 --> 00:15:06.879
 and we will always

00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:07.740
 be involved in it

00:15:07.740 --> 00:15:08.939
 until the end of the days.

00:15:09.360 --> 00:15:09.939
 And if you want

00:15:09.939 --> 00:15:10.779
 to know more about that,

00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:11.500
 go back and listen

00:15:11.500 --> 00:15:12.579
 to last year's sermons

00:15:12.579 --> 00:15:13.259
 on Revelation

00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:14.840
 and you'll get to see

00:15:14.840 --> 00:15:15.980
 that in full force

00:15:15.980 --> 00:15:17.500
 and we'll see all that.

00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:19.639
 But thirdly,

00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:21.240
 I want you to remember this.

00:15:21.240 --> 00:15:22.100
 These words

00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:23.639
 that Jesus spoke

00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:24.620
 in Matthew 10,

00:15:25.620 --> 00:15:26.240
 do not think

00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:26.960
 that I have come

00:15:26.960 --> 00:15:27.879
 to bring peace

00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:28.639
 to the earth.

00:15:29.360 --> 00:15:30.320
 I have not come

00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:31.180
 to bring peace

00:15:31.180 --> 00:15:32.060
 but a sword.

00:15:32.919 --> 00:15:33.700
 I have come

00:15:33.700 --> 00:15:34.600
 to set a man

00:15:34.600 --> 00:15:35.480
 against his father

00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:36.000
 and a daughter

00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:36.820
 against her mother

00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:38.100
 and a daughter-in-law

00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:39.259
 against her mother-in-law

00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:40.480
 and a person's enemies

00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:41.299
 will be those

00:15:41.299 --> 00:15:42.779
 of his own household.

00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:44.320
 Whoever loves

00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:45.360
 father and mother

00:15:45.360 --> 00:15:46.680
 more than me

00:15:46.680 --> 00:15:47.879
 is not worthy of me

00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.899
 and whoever loves

00:15:48.899 --> 00:15:49.700
 son or daughter

00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:50.940
 more than me

00:15:50.940 --> 00:15:52.200
 is not worthy of me

00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:53.400
 and whoever does not

00:15:53.400 --> 00:15:54.460
 take up his cross

00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:55.280
 and follow me

00:15:55.280 --> 00:15:57.400
 is not worthy of me.

00:15:58.100 --> 00:15:59.420
 Whoever finds his life

00:15:59.420 --> 00:15:59.960
 will lose it

00:15:59.960 --> 00:16:01.420
 and whoever loses his life

00:16:01.420 --> 00:16:02.740
 for my sake

00:16:02.740 --> 00:16:03.860
 will find it.

00:16:04.560 --> 00:16:05.140
 Now,

00:16:05.259 --> 00:16:06.500
 what Jesus is really

00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.540
 teaching here

00:16:07.540 --> 00:16:08.780
 has to do

00:16:08.780 --> 00:16:10.320
 with the wholehearted,

00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:12.300
 singular worship

00:16:12.300 --> 00:16:13.200
 of God

00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:14.759
 above all others.

00:16:14.759 --> 00:16:17.299
 and he is addressing

00:16:17.299 --> 00:16:19.299
 what is a very human pattern

00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:20.259
 where we love

00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:21.259
 our family

00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:23.620
 more than we would love God

00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:25.159
 and we would seek

00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:26.639
 to love God

00:16:26.639 --> 00:16:27.679
 only in as much

00:16:27.679 --> 00:16:29.039
 as it wouldn't provide

00:16:29.039 --> 00:16:29.779
 conflict

00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:31.319
 of loyalties

00:16:31.319 --> 00:16:33.600
 and God

00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:34.460
 and Jesus says

00:16:34.460 --> 00:16:35.720
 that's not what it means

00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:36.460
 to follow me.

00:16:36.819 --> 00:16:38.059
 I am either Lord of all

00:16:38.059 --> 00:16:39.379
 or I'm not Lord at all.

00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:40.399
 Right?

00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:41.919
 So that's what Jesus

00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:42.960
 is saying here

00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:43.980
 but recognize

00:16:43.980 --> 00:16:45.960
 that he's acknowledging

00:16:45.960 --> 00:16:48.019
 the coming of the gospel,

00:16:48.320 --> 00:16:49.100
 the conflict

00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:50.280
 of these values

00:16:50.280 --> 00:16:51.580
 when God says

00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:53.320
 you must worship me alone,

00:16:53.519 --> 00:16:54.740
 when we live in a world

00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:55.580
 that says worship

00:16:55.580 --> 00:16:56.740
 all these other things,

00:16:56.900 --> 00:16:58.740
 there's going to be conflicts

00:16:58.740 --> 00:17:00.259
 because of those things.

00:17:00.840 --> 00:17:02.280
 So we need to recognize

00:17:02.280 --> 00:17:04.200
 that this will be true

00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:05.559
 in our world.

00:17:08.600 --> 00:17:11.059
 And yet in the midst of that,

00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:13.480
 Jesus says

00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:14.919
 blessed are the peacemakers.

00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:16.720
 So knowing that

00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:17.480
 these conflicts

00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:19.019
 will happen inevitably

00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:20.740
 if we are faithfully

00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:21.639
 following the Lord,

00:17:21.919 --> 00:17:23.480
 how do we then live

00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:25.039
 as peacemakers

00:17:25.039 --> 00:17:26.659
 in the middle

00:17:26.659 --> 00:17:27.859
 of those contexts?

00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.179
 And again,

00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:30.099
 there is so much

00:17:30.099 --> 00:17:30.879
 we could say

00:17:30.879 --> 00:17:32.399
 on public discourse

00:17:32.399 --> 00:17:33.579
 and I'm going to say

00:17:33.579 --> 00:17:34.519
 very little about it.

00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:35.960
 I'm going to focus more

00:17:35.960 --> 00:17:38.019
 on relationships

00:17:38.019 --> 00:17:39.559
 and interpersonal conflict

00:17:39.559 --> 00:17:40.500
 just so you know.

00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:45.399
 So what does it look like

00:17:45.399 --> 00:17:46.779
 if it's not those things?

00:17:46.779 --> 00:17:48.159
 Well, passively,

00:17:48.339 --> 00:17:50.960
 peacemaking is not being quarrelsome

00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:52.460
 or easily provoked.

00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:55.419
 Proverbs 19.11 says,

00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:58.159
 good sense makes one slow to anger

00:17:58.159 --> 00:17:59.940
 and it is his glory

00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:01.539
 to overlook offense.

00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:06.079
 Colossians 3.12 and 13 say,

00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:08.439
 put on then as God's chosen one,

00:18:08.500 --> 00:18:09.259
 holy and beloved,

00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:11.019
 compassionate hearts,

00:18:11.740 --> 00:18:12.839
 kindness, humility,

00:18:13.079 --> 00:18:14.299
 meekness, and patience,

00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:16.599
 bearing with one another

00:18:16.599 --> 00:18:19.199
 and if one has a complaint

00:18:19.199 --> 00:18:20.019
 against another,

00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.299
 forgiving one another.

00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:23.460
 As the Lord has forgiven you,

00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:25.559
 so you must also forgive.

00:18:25.559 --> 00:18:29.319
 Have you ever met someone

00:18:29.319 --> 00:18:30.579
 who always seems to be

00:18:30.579 --> 00:18:31.679
 spoiling for a fight?

00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.599
 They're always looking

00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:35.379
 for the thing to disagree about.

00:18:36.039 --> 00:18:37.159
 They're always looking

00:18:37.159 --> 00:18:38.919
 for the ideal

00:18:38.919 --> 00:18:40.559
 that's being fallen short of

00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.919
 so that we can be critical

00:18:41.919 --> 00:18:42.779
 of others.

00:18:44.859 --> 00:18:46.519
 They're often sensitive,

00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:48.000
 easily offended,

00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:49.179
 and quick to anger.

00:18:50.240 --> 00:18:51.700
 Often they're insecure

00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:54.160
 and they're attacking

00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:56.279
 as a way of building someone up.

00:18:58.700 --> 00:19:00.600
 The peacemaker is the opposite

00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:01.660
 of these things.

00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:05.059
 They will look for common ground

00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:07.100
 even in the midst of conflict.

00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:09.960
 They will extend grace

00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:11.819
 and overlook offense

00:19:11.819 --> 00:19:13.200
 where possible.

00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.799
 They're grounded

00:19:15.799 --> 00:19:17.700
 and able to endure slights

00:19:18.460 --> 00:19:20.180
 because they know

00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:21.600
 their identities in Christ.

00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.660
 So this is the passivity

00:19:25.660 --> 00:19:26.980
 of not being quarrelsome

00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:28.039
 or easily provoked.

00:19:28.220 --> 00:19:29.100
 It doesn't mean

00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:29.880
 that they won't ever

00:19:29.880 --> 00:19:30.860
 stand up for right.

00:19:31.000 --> 00:19:31.880
 It doesn't ever mean

00:19:31.880 --> 00:19:33.340
 that they would address

00:19:33.340 --> 00:19:36.759
 wrongdoing or conflict,

00:19:37.460 --> 00:19:39.740
 but still doing those things

00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:41.779
 with a peaceable heart

00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:43.620
 and a peacemaking heart.

00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:47.480
 Remember that this beatitude

00:19:47.480 --> 00:19:48.680
 is not in isolation,

00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:50.820
 that this beatitude

00:19:50.820 --> 00:19:51.779
 is one of many,

00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:52.980
 that we are to be those

00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.920
 who hunger and thirst

00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.660
 for righteousness

00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:56.820
 and do so with meekness

00:19:56.820 --> 00:19:58.240
 and with mourning

00:19:58.240 --> 00:20:00.120
 and with a purity of heart

00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:00.480
 and with…

00:20:02.180 --> 00:20:04.140
 Which one did I forget?

00:20:04.380 --> 00:20:05.700
 That's all I can remember.

00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:07.860
 So off the top of my head.

00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:10.840
 That it's all of these

00:20:10.840 --> 00:20:11.480
 characteristics together

00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:13.299
 that characterize

00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:15.380
 the kingdom of God.

00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:19.200
 So actively,

00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:20.320
 what does it look like

00:20:20.320 --> 00:20:21.800
 to seek reconciliation,

00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:23.180
 particularly in

00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:24.440
 interpersonal conflict?

00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:26.440
 These are passages

00:20:26.440 --> 00:20:27.500
 you've probably heard.

00:20:27.620 --> 00:20:29.660
 Matthew 5, verse 23,

00:20:29.840 --> 00:20:30.420
 Jesus says,

00:20:30.520 --> 00:20:31.420
 So if you are offering

00:20:31.420 --> 00:20:32.460
 your gift at the altar,

00:20:32.840 --> 00:20:33.780
 but remember that

00:20:33.780 --> 00:20:35.300
 your brother has something

00:20:35.300 --> 00:20:36.020
 against you,

00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:37.820
 leave your gift there

00:20:37.820 --> 00:20:38.840
 before the altar

00:20:38.840 --> 00:20:39.400
 and go.

00:20:39.600 --> 00:20:40.920
 First be reconciled

00:20:40.920 --> 00:20:41.620
 to your brother,

00:20:42.320 --> 00:20:43.120
 and then come

00:20:43.119 --> 00:20:44.399
 and offer up your gift.

00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:47.239
 And then Matthew 18, 15,

00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:47.539
 says,

00:20:47.679 --> 00:20:49.139
 If your brother sins against you,

00:20:49.219 --> 00:20:50.519
 go and tell him his fault

00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:52.679
 between you and him alone,

00:20:52.719 --> 00:20:53.959
 and if he listens to you,

00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:55.559
 you have gained a brother.

00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:58.179
 So in both of these,

00:20:58.459 --> 00:20:59.919
 whether you know someone

00:20:59.919 --> 00:21:01.219
 has something against you

00:21:01.219 --> 00:21:02.339
 or whether you have

00:21:02.339 --> 00:21:04.519
 something against someone,

00:21:05.559 --> 00:21:07.479
 the Bible calls us

00:21:07.479 --> 00:21:08.279
 as peacemakers

00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:10.459
 to address these situations.

00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:13.000
 What does it look like?

00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.559
 Well, friends,

00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:16.279
 we could do seminars on this.

00:21:16.620 --> 00:21:17.380
 I'm going to point you

00:21:17.380 --> 00:21:18.079
 to a book

00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:19.380
 and a website,

00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:21.700
 Peacemakers by Ken Sandy.

00:21:22.140 --> 00:21:23.259
 This is a great

00:21:23.259 --> 00:21:25.779
 biblically informed book

00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:26.920
 to help think through

00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:29.299
 how do we address conflict.

00:21:29.880 --> 00:21:30.660
 They have a website

00:21:30.660 --> 00:21:32.960
 that's Relational Wisdom 360

00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:34.299
 that's connected

00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:35.360
 to the peacemakers

00:21:35.360 --> 00:21:37.240
 that you can find easily

00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.640
 through a Google search

00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:41.200
 that has lots of practical wisdom

00:21:41.200 --> 00:21:41.900
 and advice

00:21:41.900 --> 00:21:44.259
 about how to go about

00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:46.800
 addressing personal conflict

00:21:46.800 --> 00:21:48.460
 in a helpful way.

00:21:49.320 --> 00:21:50.320
 I'm going to give you

00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:53.660
 four quick to-dos,

00:21:53.820 --> 00:21:54.780
 so to speak,

00:21:54.840 --> 00:21:55.940
 on what it looks like

00:21:55.940 --> 00:21:57.500
 to be a peacemaker.

00:21:58.440 --> 00:22:00.060
 And these come pretty much

00:22:00.060 --> 00:22:02.160
 straight from the website

00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:05.220
 and from the book.

00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:07.740
 So the four G's

00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.539
 of reconciliation,

00:22:08.880 --> 00:22:09.460
 the first one

00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:10.720
 is to glorify God.

00:22:11.220 --> 00:22:12.079
 As Christian,

00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:13.539
 when we seek reconciliation,

00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:15.779
 our first view

00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.980
 is to God Himself,

00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:18.640
 not to the other person.

00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:20.640
 And what that means is

00:22:20.640 --> 00:22:23.740
 we go looking at Him

00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:26.039
 and seeking to please Him.

00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.720
 Peacemaking is not seeking

00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.860
 to please other people

00:22:29.860 --> 00:22:31.100
 just to please other people.

00:22:31.180 --> 00:22:32.380
 And some of us like that

00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:34.339
 and we want to be people pleasers,

00:22:34.339 --> 00:22:35.119
 and so that's what

00:22:35.119 --> 00:22:36.279
 we're tempted to do.

00:22:36.619 --> 00:22:37.639
 Some of us don't care

00:22:37.639 --> 00:22:38.519
 about it at all

00:22:38.519 --> 00:22:39.519
 and we want to be

00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.659
 more antagonistic

00:22:40.659 --> 00:22:41.299
 towards others.

00:22:41.379 --> 00:22:42.959
 And both of these attitudes

00:22:42.959 --> 00:22:46.000
 disappear before

00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:47.199
 the throne of God.

00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:49.919
 And we go and we pray

00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:51.359
 that God would be at work

00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:52.379
 in our hearts

00:22:52.379 --> 00:22:54.059
 and in the hearts of the other

00:22:54.059 --> 00:22:55.519
 and that He would help us.

00:22:58.039 --> 00:22:59.240
 It allows us,

00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:00.500
 as we seek God,

00:23:00.599 --> 00:23:01.599
 to trust Him,

00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.899
 to feel like we don't need

00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:04.840
 to win because we can believe

00:23:04.840 --> 00:23:08.340
 that He will make it clear.

00:23:09.400 --> 00:23:11.060
 We will let His love

00:23:11.060 --> 00:23:12.660
 and grace fill us

00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:14.880
 as we go to the other person.

00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.500
 The second step,

00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:17.380
 the second G,

00:23:17.440 --> 00:23:19.019
 the first one is glorify God.

00:23:19.080 --> 00:23:20.019
 The second one is

00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:22.580
 get the log out of your own eye.

00:23:23.240 --> 00:23:24.680
 You guys know Jesus said this

00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:26.519
 in He said,

00:23:26.860 --> 00:23:27.920
 before you go to a brother

00:23:27.920 --> 00:23:29.320
 and try and take a speck

00:23:29.320 --> 00:23:30.060
 out of his eye,

00:23:30.120 --> 00:23:31.100
 you have to get the log

00:23:31.099 --> 00:23:32.740
 out of your own eye.

00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:35.259
 We need to ask ourselves

00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:35.740
 the question,

00:23:35.899 --> 00:23:37.319
 have we been critical?

00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:39.319
 Have we had a negative

00:23:39.319 --> 00:23:41.399
 or overly sensitive attitude

00:23:41.399 --> 00:23:42.919
 towards the other

00:23:42.919 --> 00:23:43.719
 that has caused

00:23:43.719 --> 00:23:45.159
 unnecessary conflict?

00:23:46.439 --> 00:23:48.559
 Have we actually sinned

00:23:48.559 --> 00:23:50.039
 against the other person

00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:51.519
 in word or in action?

00:23:52.899 --> 00:23:53.819
 And friends, listen,

00:23:53.939 --> 00:23:55.339
 we often don't see it.

00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:57.039
 We have blind spots.

00:23:57.139 --> 00:23:58.359
 That's a part of our sin nature

00:23:58.359 --> 00:23:59.919
 is we like to justify ourselves

00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.840
 and so it's hard to see

00:24:00.840 --> 00:24:01.580
 when we sin.

00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:03.740
 But hopefully,

00:24:03.860 --> 00:24:04.539
 we are connected

00:24:04.539 --> 00:24:05.980
 with other brothers and sisters

00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:08.340
 that we can ask for their input

00:24:08.340 --> 00:24:09.259
 and say,

00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:10.980
 this is what I've done.

00:24:11.080 --> 00:24:11.920
 What do you see?

00:24:12.160 --> 00:24:13.380
 What do you think I've done?

00:24:13.820 --> 00:24:14.779
 Ask for help

00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:16.480
 so that you can get this log

00:24:16.480 --> 00:24:18.420
 out of your own eye

00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:20.080
 so you can take

00:24:20.080 --> 00:24:21.460
 an objective look at yourself

00:24:21.460 --> 00:24:22.279
 and face up

00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:23.320
 to your contribution

00:24:23.320 --> 00:24:24.340
 to a conflict.

00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:27.619
 The third G

00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:30.639
 is to gently restore

00:24:30.639 --> 00:24:31.779
 the brother.

00:24:31.919 --> 00:24:33.079
 Galatians 6.1

00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:34.000
 says,

00:24:34.159 --> 00:24:34.359
 Brothers,

00:24:34.519 --> 00:24:35.339
 if anyone is caught

00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:36.159
 in transgression,

00:24:36.419 --> 00:24:37.319
 any transgression,

00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:38.619
 you who are spiritual

00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:40.079
 should restore him

00:24:40.079 --> 00:24:41.699
 in a spirit of gentleness.

00:24:42.299 --> 00:24:43.639
 Keep watch on yourself

00:24:43.639 --> 00:24:45.379
 lest you too be tempted.

00:24:46.259 --> 00:24:47.699
 How often does conflict

00:24:47.699 --> 00:24:48.399
 come about

00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:49.439
 because our desire

00:24:49.439 --> 00:24:50.319
 is to judge

00:24:50.319 --> 00:24:51.679
 rather than to restore?

00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:53.620
 And again,

00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:54.660
 it's not that we don't

00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:55.420
 have discernment,

00:24:55.500 --> 00:24:56.560
 but when we see

00:24:56.560 --> 00:24:58.100
 with eyes of discernment

00:24:58.100 --> 00:24:59.560
 sin that needs to be addressed,

00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:01.480
 our heart in going in it

00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:03.240
 is to bring restoration,

00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:04.880
 to bring reconciliation,

00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.920
 and to look at your own heart

00:25:06.920 --> 00:25:07.620
 to make sure

00:25:07.620 --> 00:25:08.900
 you aren't doing this

00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:09.580
 for yourself

00:25:09.580 --> 00:25:10.440
 but for the good

00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:11.560
 of the other person.

00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:17.120
 We're not just

00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:18.140
 confronting people

00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:19.240
 to give them a list

00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:20.220
 of their wrongs.

00:25:20.220 --> 00:25:21.759
 we're bringing

00:25:21.759 --> 00:25:22.680
 something to them

00:25:22.680 --> 00:25:23.420
 so that there might

00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:24.400
 be a restoration

00:25:24.400 --> 00:25:26.240
 of relationship

00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.160
 and of fellowship.

00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:29.940
 Our attitude

00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:30.640
 should be one

00:25:30.640 --> 00:25:31.259
 of gentleness

00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:32.299
 rather than anger

00:25:32.299 --> 00:25:34.700
 and our purpose

00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:35.640
 should be restoration

00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:37.180
 rather than condemnation.

00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.539
 And then the fourth one

00:25:39.539 --> 00:25:40.140
 is go

00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:41.740
 and be reconciled.

00:25:42.779 --> 00:25:43.559
 One of the most

00:25:43.559 --> 00:25:44.339
 unique features

00:25:44.339 --> 00:25:45.360
 of biblical peacemaking

00:25:45.360 --> 00:25:46.299
 is the pursuit

00:25:46.299 --> 00:25:47.779
 of genuine forgiveness

00:25:47.779 --> 00:25:49.180
 and reconciliation,

00:25:49.720 --> 00:25:50.359
 writes Sandy.

00:25:52.039 --> 00:25:53.279
 It means taking

00:25:53.279 --> 00:25:53.920
 the initiative.

00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:55.440
 It means starting

00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.399
 the conversation.

00:25:56.680 --> 00:25:57.579
 It means broaching

00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:58.660
 the awkwardness.

00:26:00.819 --> 00:26:02.779
 Go and be reconciled.

00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:05.119
 Now,

00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.619
 it's important to say

00:26:06.619 --> 00:26:08.279
 not all relationships

00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:10.220
 can be reconciled.

00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:12.200
 There are times

00:26:12.200 --> 00:26:13.900
 when in a fallen world

00:26:13.900 --> 00:26:15.900
 we can work

00:26:15.900 --> 00:26:16.500
 really hard

00:26:16.500 --> 00:26:17.100
 to do it

00:26:17.100 --> 00:26:18.900
 and still not come

00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:19.960
 to a good place.

00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:22.380
 Paul and Barnabas

00:26:22.380 --> 00:26:23.360
 came to a place

00:26:23.360 --> 00:26:23.920
 like this

00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:24.620
 in Acts,

00:26:24.759 --> 00:26:25.319
 I don't remember,

00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:25.779
 13,

00:26:26.000 --> 00:26:27.319
 about John Mark

00:26:27.319 --> 00:26:28.200
 and whether they were

00:26:28.200 --> 00:26:28.759
 going to take him

00:26:28.759 --> 00:26:29.539
 with him or not.

00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:31.620
 Friends,

00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:32.180
 this should be

00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:32.799
 an opportunity

00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:34.120
 for us to grieve

00:26:34.120 --> 00:26:35.059
 the fallenness

00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:37.179
 and to recognize

00:26:37.179 --> 00:26:37.759
 that we never

00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.419
 give up

00:26:38.419 --> 00:26:39.819
 on hoping for

00:26:39.819 --> 00:26:40.319
 and longing

00:26:40.319 --> 00:26:41.240
 for reconciliation

00:26:41.240 --> 00:26:42.220
 and for longing

00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.879
 for peace.

00:26:44.480 --> 00:26:45.700
 We always want

00:26:45.700 --> 00:26:46.500
 that to happen

00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.639
 but there are times

00:26:47.639 --> 00:26:49.460
 when the Romans 12

00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:50.480
 passage that we read

00:26:50.480 --> 00:26:51.500
 earlier comes to mind.

00:26:51.899 --> 00:26:53.159
 As much as you are able

00:26:53.159 --> 00:26:54.099
 or as much as you,

00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:55.639
 as have you done

00:26:55.639 --> 00:26:56.980
 everything you can do

00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:58.359
 to bring peace,

00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:00.019
 do this.

00:27:00.019 --> 00:27:04.940
 So this is a basic

00:27:04.940 --> 00:27:06.019
 outline.

00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:09.160
 I want to take it

00:27:09.160 --> 00:27:10.019
 one step further

00:27:10.019 --> 00:27:11.079
 in peacemaking

00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.700
 because

00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:13.599
 further on

00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:14.480
 in the Beatitudes

00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.700
 Jesus says this.

00:27:16.200 --> 00:27:16.700
 He says,

00:27:16.779 --> 00:27:17.480
 you have heard it said

00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.420
 you shall love your neighbor

00:27:18.420 --> 00:27:19.639
 and hate your enemy

00:27:19.639 --> 00:27:21.519
 but I tell you

00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:23.460
 love your enemies

00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.680
 and pray for those

00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.779
 who persecute you

00:27:25.779 --> 00:27:27.759
 so that you may be

00:27:27.759 --> 00:27:29.200
 sons of your father

00:27:29.200 --> 00:27:30.380
 who is in heaven

00:27:30.380 --> 00:27:32.240
 for he makes his son

00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:33.400
 rise on the evil

00:27:33.400 --> 00:27:34.319
 and on the good

00:27:34.319 --> 00:27:35.500
 and sends rain

00:27:35.500 --> 00:27:36.380
 on the just

00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:38.779
 and on the unjust.

00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:41.299
 Friends,

00:27:41.500 --> 00:27:42.940
 peacemaking extends

00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:44.420
 even to our enemies

00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:46.660
 and we don't always

00:27:46.660 --> 00:27:47.299
 make enemies

00:27:47.299 --> 00:27:47.940
 our friends.

00:27:48.740 --> 00:27:49.779
 We can't always

00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.880
 change their perspective

00:27:50.880 --> 00:27:51.819
 or their motives

00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.759
 or their actions

00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:56.039
 but we must have

00:27:56.039 --> 00:27:56.620
 the peace,

00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:57.980
 the heart of a peacemaker

00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:59.420
 even as we address

00:27:59.420 --> 00:28:01.019
 those who hate us

00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:02.059
 and revile us.

00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:04.120
 We'll see this next week

00:28:04.120 --> 00:28:05.819
 in the last Beatitude

00:28:05.819 --> 00:28:07.380
 about those who hate

00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:08.240
 and persecute

00:28:08.240 --> 00:28:10.160
 and revile Christians

00:28:10.160 --> 00:28:11.700
 because they follow Jesus.

00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:15.099
 Even in that

00:28:15.099 --> 00:28:15.759
 we are called

00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.940
 to be peacemakers.

00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:19.900
 And I hope you see

00:28:19.900 --> 00:28:20.920
 through this

00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:22.779
 simple

00:28:22.779 --> 00:28:23.460
 and it's not

00:28:23.460 --> 00:28:24.420
 it is simple

00:28:24.420 --> 00:28:25.860
 it's a simple

00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:26.840
 outline for a very

00:28:26.840 --> 00:28:27.980
 complex situation

00:28:27.980 --> 00:28:28.980
 emotionally

00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:29.920
 and relationally

00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:31.320
 but it's a start

00:28:31.320 --> 00:28:31.880
 for us

00:28:31.880 --> 00:28:32.640
 to think about

00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:34.740
 am I a peacemaker

00:28:34.740 --> 00:28:36.120
 following these things?

00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:37.860
 And I hope you see

00:28:37.860 --> 00:28:39.259
 clearly that

00:28:39.259 --> 00:28:40.360
 peacemaking

00:28:40.360 --> 00:28:41.200
 is not

00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:42.820
 for weak people.

00:28:44.259 --> 00:28:44.700
 Peacemaking

00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:46.220
 is really hard.

00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:47.960
 It is costly

00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:50.480
 and it requires

00:28:50.480 --> 00:28:51.279
 a strength.

00:28:51.279 --> 00:28:53.139
 it requires

00:28:53.139 --> 00:28:54.339
 self-examination.

00:28:54.720 --> 00:28:55.839
 It requires

00:28:55.839 --> 00:28:56.960
 courageous initiative.

00:28:57.759 --> 00:28:58.460
 It means

00:28:58.460 --> 00:28:59.779
 seeking to understand

00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:01.059
 before being understood.

00:29:01.899 --> 00:29:03.079
 It will cost us

00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:03.500
 thought

00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:04.220
 and time

00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:05.220
 and the energy

00:29:05.220 --> 00:29:05.960
 of our heart

00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:07.660
 and it will cause us

00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:09.180
 call us to humility

00:29:09.180 --> 00:29:11.019
 to die to self

00:29:11.019 --> 00:29:12.339
 and to put

00:29:12.339 --> 00:29:13.500
 others first.

00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:16.339
 It is a high calling.

00:29:16.339 --> 00:29:20.740
 And friends

00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.259
 we don't

00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:22.579
 always

00:29:22.579 --> 00:29:23.220
 do it

00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:23.859
 perfectly.

00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.659
 I certainly

00:29:25.659 --> 00:29:26.299
 know that I

00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:27.079
 haven't always

00:29:27.079 --> 00:29:28.720
 in this church

00:29:28.720 --> 00:29:30.659
 but by God's

00:29:30.659 --> 00:29:31.179
 grace

00:29:31.179 --> 00:29:32.459
 may it be so

00:29:32.459 --> 00:29:33.240
 more and more.

00:29:34.839 --> 00:29:35.480
 Many of you

00:29:35.480 --> 00:29:36.159
 may be thinking

00:29:36.159 --> 00:29:37.259
 of the prayer

00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:38.220
 written by

00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:39.119
 Francis Assisi

00:29:39.119 --> 00:29:39.819
 long ago.

00:29:40.359 --> 00:29:40.839
 I know we're

00:29:40.839 --> 00:29:41.419
 going long

00:29:41.419 --> 00:29:42.099
 but I do want

00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:42.639
 to read this

00:29:42.639 --> 00:29:43.199
 because I think

00:29:43.199 --> 00:29:43.659
 it will be

00:29:43.659 --> 00:29:44.639
 helpful for us

00:29:44.639 --> 00:29:45.279
 that this would

00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:45.959
 be the prayer

00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:47.200
 that we would

00:29:47.200 --> 00:29:47.980
 pray as well.

00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:48.640
 Lord

00:29:48.640 --> 00:29:49.640
 make me an

00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:50.279
 instrument of

00:29:50.279 --> 00:29:50.900
 your peace

00:29:50.900 --> 00:29:51.940
 where there is

00:29:51.940 --> 00:29:52.360
 hatred

00:29:52.360 --> 00:29:53.100
 let me sow

00:29:53.100 --> 00:29:53.559
 love

00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:54.360
 where there is

00:29:54.360 --> 00:29:54.940
 injury

00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.960
 pardon

00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:57.059
 where there is

00:29:57.059 --> 00:29:57.500
 doubt

00:29:57.500 --> 00:29:58.559
 faith

00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:59.600
 where there is

00:29:59.600 --> 00:30:00.220
 despair

00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:01.380
 hope

00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:02.440
 where there is

00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:03.000
 darkness

00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:03.980
 light

00:30:03.980 --> 00:30:05.200
 where there is

00:30:05.200 --> 00:30:05.600
 sadness

00:30:05.600 --> 00:30:06.880
 joy

00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:08.380
 oh divine

00:30:08.380 --> 00:30:09.220
 master grant

00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:09.900
 that I may

00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:10.900
 not so much

00:30:10.900 --> 00:30:11.700
 seek to be

00:30:11.700 --> 00:30:12.880
 consoled

00:30:12.880 --> 00:30:13.340
 as to

00:30:13.340 --> 00:30:13.920
 console

00:30:13.920 --> 00:30:15.059
 to be

00:30:15.059 --> 00:30:15.600
 understood

00:30:15.599 --> 00:30:16.379
 as to

00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:17.059
 understand

00:30:17.059 --> 00:30:18.500
 to be

00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:18.859
 loved

00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:19.480
 as to

00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:19.879
 love

00:30:19.879 --> 00:30:21.559
 for it is

00:30:21.559 --> 00:30:22.019
 in giving

00:30:22.019 --> 00:30:22.480
 that we

00:30:22.480 --> 00:30:23.119
 receive

00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:24.240
 it is in

00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:24.699
 pardoning

00:30:24.699 --> 00:30:24.980
 that we

00:30:24.980 --> 00:30:25.939
 are pardoned

00:30:25.939 --> 00:30:26.740
 and it is

00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:27.259
 in dying

00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:27.659
 that we

00:30:27.659 --> 00:30:28.179
 are born

00:30:28.179 --> 00:30:29.519
 to eternal

00:30:29.519 --> 00:30:30.039
 life.

00:30:33.480 --> 00:30:34.159
 Friends

00:30:34.159 --> 00:30:35.299
 this is the

00:30:35.299 --> 00:30:36.119
 power then

00:30:36.119 --> 00:30:36.939
 finally

00:30:36.939 --> 00:30:38.079
 of God's

00:30:38.079 --> 00:30:38.659
 peacemaking

00:30:38.659 --> 00:30:39.179
 work

00:30:39.179 --> 00:30:40.759
 Francis of Assisi

00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.399
 gets it

00:30:41.399 --> 00:30:42.639
 this last

00:30:42.639 --> 00:30:43.259
 verse of his

00:30:43.259 --> 00:30:43.700
 prayer

00:30:43.700 --> 00:30:43.720
 prayer

00:30:43.720 --> 00:30:44.940
 is in

00:30:44.940 --> 00:30:45.200
 dying

00:30:45.200 --> 00:30:45.480
 that we

00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:45.839
 are born

00:30:45.839 --> 00:30:46.299
 to eternal

00:30:46.299 --> 00:30:46.619
 life

00:30:46.619 --> 00:30:47.099
 how do we

00:30:47.099 --> 00:30:47.640
 know that

00:30:47.640 --> 00:30:48.599
 because this

00:30:48.599 --> 00:30:49.220
 is what God

00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:49.720
 has done

00:30:49.720 --> 00:30:50.480
 for us

00:30:50.480 --> 00:30:52.099
 Colossians 1

00:30:52.099 --> 00:30:53.220
 verse 19

00:30:53.220 --> 00:30:54.000
 says this

00:30:54.000 --> 00:30:55.019
 for in him

00:30:55.019 --> 00:30:55.539
 that is in

00:30:55.539 --> 00:30:56.160
 Christ

00:30:56.160 --> 00:30:57.480
 in Christ

00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:58.119
 all the

00:30:58.119 --> 00:30:58.700
 fullness of

00:30:58.700 --> 00:30:59.140
 God was

00:30:59.140 --> 00:30:59.660
 pleased to

00:30:59.660 --> 00:31:00.039
 dwell

00:31:00.039 --> 00:31:00.960
 and through

00:31:00.960 --> 00:31:01.519
 him to

00:31:01.519 --> 00:31:02.059
 reconcile

00:31:02.059 --> 00:31:03.119
 to himself

00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:04.400
 all things

00:31:04.400 --> 00:31:05.359
 whether on

00:31:05.359 --> 00:31:06.099
 earth or in

00:31:06.099 --> 00:31:06.900
 heaven making

00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:07.920
 peace by the

00:31:07.920 --> 00:31:08.720
 blood of

00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.720
 his cross

00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:11.000
 and you

00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:11.319
 who were

00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:12.299
 once alienated

00:31:12.299 --> 00:31:12.880
 and hostile

00:31:12.880 --> 00:31:13.380
 in mind

00:31:13.380 --> 00:31:14.360
 doing evil

00:31:14.360 --> 00:31:14.799
 deeds

00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.819
 he has now

00:31:15.819 --> 00:31:16.720
 reconciled

00:31:16.720 --> 00:31:17.279
 in his

00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:18.019
 body of

00:31:18.019 --> 00:31:18.440
 flesh

00:31:18.440 --> 00:31:19.579
 by his

00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:20.079
 death

00:31:20.079 --> 00:31:21.220
 in order

00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:21.759
 to present

00:31:21.759 --> 00:31:22.519
 you holy

00:31:22.519 --> 00:31:23.319
 and blameless

00:31:23.319 --> 00:31:23.980
 and above

00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:24.500
 reproach

00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.319
 before him

00:31:25.319 --> 00:31:27.200
 if indeed

00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:27.819
 you continue

00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:28.380
 in the faith

00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:29.120
 stable and

00:31:29.120 --> 00:31:29.620
 steadfast

00:31:29.620 --> 00:31:30.279
 not shifting

00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:31.059
 from the

00:31:31.059 --> 00:31:31.559
 hope of the

00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:32.200
 gospel that

00:31:32.200 --> 00:31:32.819
 you heard

00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:33.220
 which has

00:31:33.220 --> 00:31:33.799
 been proclaimed

00:31:33.799 --> 00:31:34.200
 in all

00:31:34.200 --> 00:31:34.660
 creation

00:31:34.660 --> 00:31:35.339
 under heaven

00:31:35.339 --> 00:31:36.000
 and of

00:31:36.000 --> 00:31:36.460
 which I

00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:37.319
 Paul became

00:31:37.319 --> 00:31:38.120
 a minister

00:31:38.119 --> 00:31:42.179
 God came

00:31:42.179 --> 00:31:42.859
 to us

00:31:42.859 --> 00:31:44.119
 in Christ

00:31:44.119 --> 00:31:45.639
 and Christ

00:31:45.639 --> 00:31:46.559
 came and

00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:47.279
 laid down

00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:48.000
 his life

00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:49.179
 for us

00:31:49.179 --> 00:31:49.859
 and shed

00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:51.199
 his blood

00:31:51.199 --> 00:31:52.059
 for us

00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:54.619
 to make

00:31:54.619 --> 00:31:55.239
 peace

00:31:55.239 --> 00:31:56.939
 between us

00:31:56.939 --> 00:31:57.559
 and God

00:31:57.559 --> 00:31:59.619
 for we

00:31:59.619 --> 00:32:00.339
 in our sin

00:32:00.339 --> 00:32:00.779
 are full

00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.259
 of ego

00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:01.879
 pride

00:32:01.879 --> 00:32:02.719
 insecurity

00:32:02.719 --> 00:32:03.399
 greed

00:32:03.399 --> 00:32:04.219
 and envy

00:32:04.219 --> 00:32:06.319
 but God

00:32:06.319 --> 00:32:06.979
 comes to

00:32:06.979 --> 00:32:07.479
 free us

00:32:07.480 --> 00:32:08.039
 from these

00:32:08.039 --> 00:32:08.620
 things

00:32:08.620 --> 00:32:11.319
 in Jesus

00:32:11.319 --> 00:32:11.940
 incarnation

00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:13.559
 we see

00:32:13.559 --> 00:32:13.940
 God's

00:32:13.940 --> 00:32:14.400
 initiation

00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:15.400
 towards us

00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:15.940
 even when

00:32:15.940 --> 00:32:16.360
 we were

00:32:16.360 --> 00:32:16.960
 enemies

00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:19.660
 in the

00:32:19.660 --> 00:32:20.160
 shed blood

00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:20.740
 of Christ

00:32:20.740 --> 00:32:21.559
 we see

00:32:21.559 --> 00:32:22.360
 the way

00:32:22.360 --> 00:32:23.099
 that God

00:32:23.099 --> 00:32:23.779
 can offer

00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:24.200
 us the

00:32:24.200 --> 00:32:24.579
 forgiveness

00:32:24.579 --> 00:32:25.339
 of sin

00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:26.440
 by bearing

00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:27.019
 the penalty

00:32:27.019 --> 00:32:27.660
 for our

00:32:27.660 --> 00:32:28.140
 sin

00:32:28.140 --> 00:32:30.319
 by his

00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:30.960
 death

00:32:30.960 --> 00:32:32.599
 we see

00:32:32.599 --> 00:32:33.440
 his love

00:32:33.440 --> 00:32:34.180
 for us

00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:35.259
 and by his

00:32:35.259 --> 00:32:35.819
 resurrection

00:32:35.819 --> 00:32:36.639
 we see

00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:37.939
 the new

00:32:37.939 --> 00:32:38.500
 life

00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:38.960
 that he

00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:39.740
 gives us

00:32:39.740 --> 00:32:40.659
 the new

00:32:40.659 --> 00:32:41.039
 heart

00:32:41.039 --> 00:32:41.399
 and the

00:32:41.399 --> 00:32:41.599
 new

00:32:41.599 --> 00:32:42.119
 spirit

00:32:42.119 --> 00:32:44.419
 where we

00:32:44.419 --> 00:32:44.759
 who were

00:32:44.759 --> 00:32:45.379
 once enemies

00:32:45.379 --> 00:32:45.799
 are now

00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:46.439
 welcomed as

00:32:46.439 --> 00:32:46.839
 family

00:32:46.839 --> 00:32:47.359
 and we

00:32:47.359 --> 00:32:47.759
 who are

00:32:47.759 --> 00:32:48.419
 far off

00:32:48.419 --> 00:32:48.759
 have been

00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:49.200
 brought

00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:50.139
 near in

00:32:50.139 --> 00:32:50.599
 Christ

00:32:50.599 --> 00:32:52.079
 and in

00:32:52.079 --> 00:32:52.720
 this new

00:32:52.720 --> 00:32:53.139
 heart

00:32:53.139 --> 00:32:53.720
 and new

00:32:53.720 --> 00:32:54.200
 spirit

00:32:54.200 --> 00:32:54.700
 in this

00:32:54.700 --> 00:32:55.240
 new life

00:32:55.240 --> 00:32:55.879
 we have

00:32:55.879 --> 00:32:56.659
 we are

00:32:56.659 --> 00:32:57.220
 able to

00:32:57.220 --> 00:32:57.679
 be in

00:32:57.679 --> 00:32:58.220
 increasing

00:32:58.220 --> 00:32:58.879
 measure

00:32:58.879 --> 00:32:59.939
 more and

00:32:59.939 --> 00:33:00.799
 more like

00:33:00.799 --> 00:33:01.279
 him

00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:02.879
 making

00:33:02.879 --> 00:33:03.539
 peace

00:33:03.539 --> 00:33:05.619
 for the

00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:06.240
 gospel that

00:33:06.240 --> 00:33:06.779
 we proclaim

00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.579
 is a

00:33:07.579 --> 00:33:07.980
 gospel

00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:08.940
 of peace

00:33:08.940 --> 00:33:10.379
 peace with

00:33:10.379 --> 00:33:10.899
 God

00:33:10.899 --> 00:33:11.559
 first and

00:33:11.559 --> 00:33:12.119
 foremost

00:33:12.119 --> 00:33:13.779
 and then

00:33:13.779 --> 00:33:15.000
 as peacemakers

00:33:15.000 --> 00:33:15.579
 in this

00:33:15.579 --> 00:33:16.019
 world

00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:18.659
 and friends

00:33:18.659 --> 00:33:19.159
 when we

00:33:19.159 --> 00:33:19.579
 are like

00:33:19.579 --> 00:33:20.099
 this

00:33:20.099 --> 00:33:21.759
 we are

00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:22.379
 called

00:33:22.379 --> 00:33:23.879
 chips off

00:33:23.879 --> 00:33:24.159
 the old

00:33:24.159 --> 00:33:24.559
 block

00:33:24.559 --> 00:33:26.480
 sons

00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.519
 of God

00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:29.519
 the God

00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:30.139
 who is

00:33:30.139 --> 00:33:30.700
 the one

00:33:30.700 --> 00:33:31.059
 who made

00:33:31.059 --> 00:33:31.539
 peace

00:33:31.539 --> 00:33:33.259
 blessed are

00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:34.019
 the peacemakers

00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:34.480
 for they

00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:34.799
 shall be

00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.079
 called

00:33:35.079 --> 00:33:35.619
 sons of

00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:35.819
 God

00:33:35.819 --> 00:33:36.160
 let's

00:33:36.160 --> 00:33:36.460
 pray

00:33:36.460 --> 00:33:38.440
 Lord

00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:38.759
 Jesus

00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:39.379
 we thank

00:33:39.379 --> 00:33:39.619
 you

00:33:39.619 --> 00:33:40.440
 for this

00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:40.879
 word

00:33:40.879 --> 00:33:43.900
 Lord

00:33:43.900 --> 00:33:44.279
 it is

00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:44.680
 searching

00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:45.720
 if we

00:33:45.720 --> 00:33:45.879
 are

00:33:45.879 --> 00:33:46.359
 honest

00:33:46.359 --> 00:33:48.460
 Lord

00:33:48.460 --> 00:33:49.000
 we pray

00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:49.420
 that you

00:33:49.420 --> 00:33:49.980
 would allow

00:33:49.980 --> 00:33:50.299
 it to

00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:50.539
 search

00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:50.700
 our

00:33:50.700 --> 00:33:51.039
 hearts

00:33:51.039 --> 00:33:51.940
 today

00:33:51.940 --> 00:33:53.660
 Lord

00:33:53.660 --> 00:33:54.079
 if there

00:33:54.079 --> 00:33:54.680
 are places

00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:55.299
 where we

00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:55.700
 need to

00:33:55.700 --> 00:33:56.119
 go

00:33:56.119 --> 00:33:57.160
 and

00:33:57.160 --> 00:33:57.820
 initiate

00:33:57.820 --> 00:33:58.779
 reconciliation

00:33:58.779 --> 00:33:59.779
 Lord

00:33:59.779 --> 00:34:00.120
 will you

00:34:00.120 --> 00:34:00.600
 show us

00:34:00.600 --> 00:34:00.900
 these

00:34:00.900 --> 00:34:01.360
 things

00:34:01.360 --> 00:34:04.320
 Lord

00:34:04.320 --> 00:34:04.680
 if there

00:34:04.680 --> 00:34:04.960
 are any

00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:05.500
 here this

00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:05.820
 morning

00:34:05.820 --> 00:34:06.340
 who don't

00:34:06.340 --> 00:34:06.840
 know peace

00:34:06.840 --> 00:34:07.519
 with you

00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:09.260
 who haven't

00:34:09.260 --> 00:34:09.579
 put their

00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:10.099
 faith in

00:34:10.099 --> 00:34:10.579
 Christ

00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.400
 I pray

00:34:11.400 --> 00:34:11.940
 this morning

00:34:11.940 --> 00:34:12.280
 that they

00:34:12.280 --> 00:34:12.820
 would know

00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:15.340
 that Jesus

00:34:15.340 --> 00:34:15.980
 your blood

00:34:15.980 --> 00:34:16.599
 is enough

00:34:16.599 --> 00:34:17.139
 and your

00:34:17.139 --> 00:34:17.480
 death

00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.059
 is enough

00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:19.180
 that by

00:34:19.180 --> 00:34:19.960
 trusting in

00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:20.400
 you

00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.599
 Lord

00:34:21.599 --> 00:34:23.059
 they can

00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:23.619
 have forgiveness

00:34:23.619 --> 00:34:24.280
 of sin

00:34:24.280 --> 00:34:25.159
 and eternal

00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:25.639
 life

00:34:25.639 --> 00:34:27.879
 and Lord

00:34:27.879 --> 00:34:28.359
 I pray

00:34:28.359 --> 00:34:28.900
 that as we

00:34:28.900 --> 00:34:29.339
 go from

00:34:29.339 --> 00:34:29.739
 here

00:34:29.739 --> 00:34:30.599
 in our

00:34:30.599 --> 00:34:30.980
 homes

00:34:30.980 --> 00:34:31.299
 and our

00:34:31.299 --> 00:34:32.019
 workplaces

00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:33.900
 Lord

00:34:33.900 --> 00:34:34.219
 will you

00:34:34.219 --> 00:34:34.659
 make us

00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:35.379
 peacemakers

00:34:35.379 --> 00:34:38.039
 that others

00:34:38.039 --> 00:34:38.699
 might see

00:34:38.699 --> 00:34:40.379
 a little

00:34:40.379 --> 00:34:40.779
 bit

00:34:40.779 --> 00:34:42.319
 of what

00:34:42.319 --> 00:34:42.699
 kind of

00:34:42.699 --> 00:34:42.940
 God

00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.460
 you are

00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:45.000
 we pray

00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:45.400
 this in

00:34:45.400 --> 00:34:46.039
 Jesus name

00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:47.159
 Amen