February 10, 2011 The Beatitudes 4

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness."

Good Thursday Morning, my dear brothers and sisters. It is still cold here at the Southern Location of the North Pole, but even though it is cold, the SON is out bright and helpful and the Sun is also out today. Want to start something to talk about today, tell folks we have two sun/Son s that shine on us. Today is families and schools day on the line... And today, speaking of schools, we have a prayer request to pray for the girls basketball coach at the Bible Baptist School, Mechanicsburg, Pa., to set better examples for the girls he coaches.

The Big Trip 9-4 The Beatitudes 4: Matthew 5:1 - Now when He saw the crowds, He went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to Him, and He began to teach them, saying.
9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness." (NIV)

I am really enjoying doing the Beatitudes for our Lord Jesus. I have a dear friend, Tom Stephenson, who told me years ago how he really loves them. Tom, I hope what God gives me from them is working on you this day. Let's look at Matthew 5:9 - "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God."

Let me point out first that it tells us peacemakers, not peacekeepers, and there is a difference in that. A peacekeeper, well that would be a police officer or our military, which are called upon to keep the peace, keep the law... Peacemakers need to be well ahead of the peacekeepers, in fact if we make peace in the first place, then it is much better to work on and keep. I would like to point out a four letter word that works well with being a peacemaker. It is called LOVE, and we should always remember to Love God and Love our neighbors, and when you love someone, I mean truly love them, then it easy to be a peacemaker. I will say that sometimes we must turn the other cheek and turn it more than once, and there are a lot of times we might also bite down hard on our mouth to keep it tight shut. Please remember that once something comes out over those lips you just cannot put it back in. Be sure of what you are saying before you say it. Let's look at

Romans 12:9 - Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be Joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. (NIV)

Look at that "Love must be sincere." I mean your dog knows if your love is not sincere, people also know it. Don't be a phony, when you say you are a Christian, please be one and walk with God. Some people seem to pat one another on the back, when the truth is they have a knife in their hand to stab you in the back. Love each other, and I mean brotherly love. The Bible tells us to not lack in zeal when serving the Lord. We are to be joyful and we are to share with God's people who are in need. Folks, there are a lot of people in need. They are in need of God's love on every level. Some of the people who have the most things, or money, are in the most need because they lack LOVE OF GOD.

Now lets look at

Matthew 5:10 - "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs in the kingdom of heaven." (NIV)

Ok, let's look at this. What is it telling us? To me it is telling or even giving us a warning that we will be persecuted if we really, really love Jesus. Don't let it worry you, don't let it trouble you, and DON'T JUMP SIDES. Brothers and sisters, in the end WE WIN!! In the words of Jesus, He is telling us if we are persecuted because of Him, or righteousness, we have the kingdom of Heaven... HOW ABOUT THAT???

Dear Father in Heaven, I love You and I would like to be speaking for all on the line and say WE love You, and I do pray that is a fact. I pray that this line will reach out to those who might not and they also come on board. I pray that today, we can be peacemakers wherever we trod, and we can and will speak out for You. Lord, bless that basketball coach and teach him respect. Show him about what comes out of his mouth stays out... Lord, bless our schools and families this day. And please by all means help us to help You to grow the family of God. Help us to teach them to LOVE. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Now go forth sharing Your blessings, telling others of the kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God, and share those blessings, Love Ya, Pastor Dan.