Christian Living

Making Peace in the Midst of Conflict

Pastor Tan Thai · Mar 1, 2025

Matthew 5:9Hebrews 13:20Isaiah 9:6Numbers 6:24-26Romans 16:17-18Psalm 133:1Ephesians 4:29-312 Corinthians 12:20Psalm 34:14Romans 14:19Ephesians 4:31 Thessalonians 5:13Psalm 120:6-7Psalm 122:6-8Proverbs 12:20Proverbs 16:7Isaiah 52:7John 14:27Acts 9:31Romans 12:181 Corinthians 7:152 Corinthians 13:11Colossians 3:15James 3:18Ephesians 2:14-17Ephesians 2:3Ephesians 6:152 Corinthians 5:18Ephesians 4:25Matthew 7:3-5Luke 19:8Colossians 3:5-141 John 1:8-9Proverbs 28:13Proverbs 19:11Matthew 18:15-201 Corinthians 6:1-8Galatians 6:1-22 Timothy 2:24-26James 5:9Matthew 5:23-24Matthew 6:12Matthew 7:12Ephesians 4:1-3Ephesians 4:32Philippians 2:3-4Matthew 25:14-21John 13:34-351 Peter 2:191 Peter 4:19Romans 8:28-291 Corinthians 10:31-11:1James 1:2-4Psalm 37:1-6Mark 11:25John 14:15Romans 12:17-211 Corinthians 10:31Philippians 4:2-9Colossians 3:1-4James 3:17-18James 4:1-31 Peter 2:12Luke 6:27-36Galatians 5:19-262 Thessalonians 3:16

This sermon explores Jesus' beatitude in Matthew 5:9 about peacemakers. The author distinguishes three types of people: peace breakers, peace fakers, and peacemakers. The sermon emphasizes that peace must be actively pursued and built, not merely the absence of conflict.

The sermon opens with humorous examples of conflict prevalent in everyday life, from diplomatic disputes to family conflicts. The author points out that conflict has existed since Adam and Eve, beginning with Cain and Abel. Amid this scene of continuous conflict, Jesus gave blessings on the mount, in which the blessing of peace is recognized as the ninth beatitude.

The author explains that peace in the Bible is not the absence of something bad but the presence of something good. The Hebrew word "shalom" describes a state of wholeness and harmony in all relationships. The Bible is a book about peace, with the word "peace" appearing over 400 times, and God is called the "God of peace." The sermon distinguishes three types of people: peace breakers who cause division and conflict; peace fakers who try to avoid conflict by not addressing issues; and peacemakers who actively build peace amid conflict.

The sermon presents 12 principles about peace from Scripture, including that peace must be pursued, must be prayed for, and that those who promote peace find joy. The author emphasizes that pleasing God is a prerequisite for peace, and Jesus is the model of peace, who broke down the barrier between Jews and gentiles. The peacemaker not only builds from the stones of conflict but also reflects the character of the Father in heaven.

The conclusion of the sermon presents four action steps: first, ensure that you are at peace with God; second, lead others to be reconciled with God; third, be at peace with those around you; and fourth, help others who are in conflict. The sermon concludes with a commitment to resolving conflict in a biblical way, based on four principles: honoring God, taking the plank out of your own eye, true reconciliation, and genuine repentance. The author uses the story of Telemachus, a fourth-century monk, to illustrate the power of peaceful action even at great personal cost.