Flourishing are the peacemakers because they will be called the children of God.
Flourishing are the ones persecuted on account of righteousness because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Flourishing are you whenever people revile and slander and speak all kinds of evil things against you on account of me.
Rejoice and be glad because your reward is great in heaven. In this same way people slandered the prophets who came before you.
Peacemaking : What do you think it is to be a peacemaker ?
Heres a list of things that peace making is not
Being nice, tolerance, softpeddling, bullying,
What would you add to this list ?
Peace is linked tightly to justice and rightness. It’s personal, internal, external and universal.
What is likely to happen if you get between these two dogs ?
Jesus promises persecution… It will not always go well. Can you think of some times it hasn’t.
In matthew 18 Jesus talks about dealing with conflict.
Read matt 18:15-17. Do we do this ?
How can we help each other do this ?
now read Matt 18:18-20. What does this say about the how important it is in how we deal with conflict.
Jesus know this is crucial. Paul will write in Colossians 1:19-20
Colossians 1:19-20 (NRSVue) For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Take some time to pray together about the places where you long to see peace.