THE BEATITUDE SERIES
CHURCH OF ALL NATIONS
February 14, 2021
Verse of the week: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9
Look: This image is from Hyatt Moore
Coloring for the Children:
Listen:
Here is a song by Bethel Music, Called Peace | We the Kingdom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW6xcmqfiY4
Lyrics:
When my mind is like a battlefield
And my heart is overcome by fear
And hope seems like a ship that’s lost at sea
My enemies on every side
And I’m tempted to run and hide
Your gentle whisper reaches out to me
Peace
Holds me when I’m broken
Sweet peace
That passes understanding
When the whole wide world is crashing down
I fall to my knees
And breathe in
Your peace
Fiery arrows whistling
The terror of the night sets in
But I can feel Your angels all around
I am resting underneath
The shelter of Your mighty wings
Your promises are where my hope is found
All my hope, yeah
Peace
Holds me when I’m broken
Sweet peace
That passes understanding
When the whole wide world is crashing down
I fall to my knees
And breathe in
Your peace
Think and Engage:
This week the verse is “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called Children of God.” The song above is a stunning reminder of peace, and although it doesn’t name Christ outright, it is a song naming Christ as peace. The Christ who sat on top of the mountain telling His disciples about the Kingdom of Heaven, was and remains the Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Christ is the Prince of Peace, and so it makes sense that peacemakers are called Children of God too! This also means that we are messengers and advocates of peace. Jesus came to show us the way of peace and taught us how to love one another and move toward peace. The Kingdom of Heaven is a Kingdom that welcomes those who are peacemakers.
There is a difference between peacemaking and passivity. Peacemaking is not avoidance, or skirting conflict. Sometimes, navigating conflict and tough conversations is the road to peacemaking. Avoidance is peacekeeping, it is keeping the peace out of fear of conflict or the outcome of tension. If you watch the life and ministry of Jesus, he definitely created some conflict within people, and where he went, but he did this with truth and love, knowing that the outcome would be greater peace. Like Jesus, we sometimes have a difficult road of tension before we experience peace.
We are called to be peacemakers. Christ says that for those who are peacemakers, we will be called Children of God. This is an incredible initiation and response. We are heirs of God, brothers and sisters of the Prince of Peace. Our lives should be about peacemaking and creating communities where there is no strife, or war. Jesus has already invited us into the Kingdom of Heaven, where we are called to be peacemakers!
Questions to consider:
What part of this verse sticks out to you the most, and why?
Do you find that you are naturally a peacemaker?
Are there any areas in your life where you are peace-keeping, and maybe need to navigate a season of conflict in order to gain further peace?
Do you feel the Holy Spirit in your life, as an advocate of peace?
When you imagine the Prince of Peace, what do you see?
Spiritual Practices:
Individual Practice:
- Spend some time breathing really deep, as you breathe and sit in silence imagine the Prince of Peace, pay attention to how you feel.
- Write about your experience or lack of experience of peace in your family, community, church and any other places you find yourself in.
- Spend some time considering if there are people that you need to address issues or conflict with and have the courage to have these conversations. Usually hard conversations end in deeper and more peaceful relationships.
Community Practice:
As you spend time reflecting on who God is, and as you imagine the Prince of Peace, and Christs initiation into the Kingdom of Heaven, consider some communities and countries around the world that need to experience peace. Pray specifically for peace in these parts of the world throughout the week.