This is the seventh lesson in Mike’s series on the Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5.
Reading 2 Corinthians 5, we learn that God brings peace to His creation through Jesus Christ. How then can we bring peace to the world?
The Message says it this way: “God uses us to persuade men and women to drop their differences and enter into God’s work of making things right between them (2 Corinthians 5:21).
In this lesson, Mike explores the mission, the task, of becoming peacemakers in this world.
Lesson Texts:
For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
Colossians 1:19-20 (NIV)
“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them.
He said: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’”
Matthew 5:1-12 (NIV)