Blessed Are the Peacemakers

2 Corinthians 5:1-21

Our Heavenly Dwelling

5 For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. ² For in this tent we groan, longing to put on our heavenly dwelling, ³ if indeed by putting it on we may not be found naked. ⁴ For while we are still in this tent, we groan, being burdened—not that we would be unclothed, but that we would be further clothed, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. ⁵ He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who has given us the Spirit as a guarantee.

⁶ So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, ⁷ for we walk by faith, not by sight. ⁸ Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. ⁹ So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

The Ministry of Reconciliation

¹¹ Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience. ¹² We are not commending ourselves to you again but giving you cause to boast about us, so that you may be able to answer those who boast about outward appearance and not about what is in the heart. ¹³ For if we are beside ourselves, it is for God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you. ¹⁴ For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; ¹⁵ and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

¹⁶ From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. ¹⁷ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. ¹⁸ All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; ¹⁹ that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” (Matt. 5:9)

The goal of this series is this:

1. To help you have a God-Centered perspective on conflict.
2. To help you have a biblical understanding of the cause of conflict.
3. To help you resolve your own conflict.
4. To help you help others in their conflicts.

In the midst of conflict we want PEACE:

Please God in all I do, say, and think

Encourage myself in the hope of the gospel

Alter the worship of my heart and behavior

Confess my log planks to others

Extend Christlike love, grace, and forgiveness

Are you a peace-breaker, peace-faker, or a peace-maker?

 Our first goal in conflict is to _________________God. (5:9-10).

2 Questions to ask yourself in conflict:

• How can I please God in this conflict?
• How can I view this conflict as an act of worship?

2. God gives us the power to please him instead of _________________ in conflict. (v14-15).

3. The Gospel changes our ____________________on conflict. (V 16-17)

Conflict is now an opportunity to:

1. Know Jesus in greater measure and draw closer to him
2. Become more like Christ through the way we respond and treat others
3. To have our remaining sin exposed
4. Grow closer to the whole body of Christ
5. Increase our desire for the return of Christ

4. Through Christ, we have peace with God and a message of peacemaking for the world.

What is the gospel? The gospel is the good news that:

Reconcile means to exchange a hostile (fighting) relationship for a friendly (peaceful) relationship.

What 4 truths must be included a gospel presentation if you are actually sharing the gospel?

1. ______________ (Gen. 1:1; Ex. 34:6-7)

2._______________ (Gen. 1:26-27; Gen. 3; Rom. 3:23)

3.______________   __________________ (Rom. 3:25; 2 Cor. 5:21)

4.______________________