Being a Peacemaker by Paul Jacks (Matthew 5:9)

Devotional

Day 1: Blessed Are the Peacemakers Reflect God’s Character

To be a peacemaker is to actively pursue peace, not just possess it, and in doing so, reflect the very character of God as His children. Peacemaking is not a passive state but an intentional action that demonstrates inclusion in God’s family and mirrors His heart to the world. When we strive to bring peace into our relationships and communities, we show that we belong to God and are shaped by His love and patience. This calling challenges us to move beyond our comfort zones, to love even those who are difficult, and to let our lives be a testimony of God’s reconciling power. [12:32]

Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."

Reflection: Who is one person or situation in your life where you can actively pursue peace this week, even if it feels uncomfortable or undeserved?

Day 2: Peace Is a Gift from God through Faith in Christ

True peace begins with God’s initiative—He gives us peace through justification by faith in Jesus Christ, not as the world gives, but as a lasting, unshakeable gift. This peace is not earned or manufactured by our own efforts; it is received when we trust in Christ and are made right with God. Unlike the fleeting or conditional peace the world offers, God’s peace is complete and enduring, calming our fears and anxieties even in the midst of life’s storms. When we rest in this peace, we are freed from striving and can face each day with confidence in God’s love and sovereignty. [14:55]

Romans 5:1 (ESV)
"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to stop striving and instead receive the peace that God freely gives through Jesus?

Day 3: The Holy Spirit Brings Peace Within Us

God’s peace is not only given to us but also works within us through the Holy Spirit, transforming our minds and hearts so that we can experience calm and assurance regardless of external chaos. When we allow the Spirit to govern our thoughts, we are no longer dominated by fear, anxiety, or the desires of the flesh, but instead experience life and peace that surpasses understanding. This inner peace is a sign of God’s presence and a resource for us to draw on when the world feels overwhelming. Even when circumstances are difficult, the Spirit’s peace anchors us and enables us to respond with grace and patience. [18:42]

Romans 8:6 (ESV)
"For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace."

Reflection: When you feel overwhelmed or anxious, how can you intentionally invite the Holy Spirit to govern your thoughts and restore your peace?

Day 4: Prayer Is the Pathway to God’s Peace

Anxiety and fear are enemies of peace, but God invites us to bring every worry to Him in prayer, promising that His peace will guard our hearts and minds beyond what we can understand. Instead of letting our minds spiral into worry, we are called to turn to God first, presenting our requests with thanksgiving and trusting Him to handle what we cannot control. This act of surrender is not weakness but faith, and it opens the door for God’s supernatural peace to protect and steady us. Even practical steps, like pausing to break the cycle of anxious thoughts, can help us refocus on God’s presence and care. [24:47]

Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Reflection: What is one specific worry you can bring to God in prayer today, trusting Him to give you peace in return?

Day 5: Peacemaking Means Actively Loving and Blessing Others

Being a peacemaker means more than avoiding conflict; it requires us to actively love, bless, and seek harmony with everyone—including those who mistreat or oppose us—by the power of the Holy Spirit. God calls us to sincere love, to honor others above ourselves, and to refuse to repay evil for evil, even when it goes against our natural instincts or cultural norms. This upside-down way of living is only possible through the Spirit’s strength, as we choose to be non-conductors of bitterness and instead become agents of God’s peace in a divided world. Our willingness to bless those who curse us and to pursue peace with all people is a powerful witness to God’s transforming love. [32:27]

Romans 12:17-18 (ESV)
"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all."

Reflection: Is there someone you find difficult to love or bless? What is one practical way you can show them sincere love or pursue peace with them this week?

Sermon Summary

Today’s focus was on the call to be peacemakers, as found in Matthew 5:9: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called the children of God.” This is not just a call to enjoy peace, but to actively pursue and create it in our relationships and communities. The idea of being a peacemaker is deeply tied to reflecting the very character of God. In the Hebrew idiom, to be called a “son of God” is to bear His likeness—to be recognized as part of His family because we act like Him.

But before anyone can make peace, they must first possess it. God gives peace to us through justification by faith in Jesus Christ, as Romans 5:1 teaches. This peace is not like the world’s peace, which is temporary or conditional, but a deep, abiding peace that comes from being reconciled to God. Jesus gives us His own peace, a peace that calms troubled hearts and overcomes fear.

This peace is not only given to us, but it is also worked in us by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8 reminds us that a mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Yet, there are enemies of peace—sin and Satan. Satan sows division, especially through things like politics, race, and culture wars, making it hard to love those who are different or even hostile toward us. Sin, especially pride, unforgiveness, fear, and anxiety, also robs us of peace. Philippians 4:6-7 calls us to bring our anxieties to God in prayer, promising that His peace will guard our hearts and minds.

Once we have received and are living in God’s peace, we are called to let that peace flow through us to others. Romans 14:19 and Romans 12 challenge us to make every effort to live at peace with everyone, not just those who are easy to love. This means blessing those who persecute us, refusing to repay evil for evil, and being willing to be wronged for the sake of peace. A peacemaker is like a non-conductor, absorbing bitterness and anger rather than passing it on.

This upside-down way of living is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit. It goes against our natural inclinations and the culture around us, but it is the mark of those who truly belong to God. As we yield to the Spirit, we become living demonstrations of God’s peace in a world desperate for it.

Key Takeaways

1. Peacemaking Reflects God’s Character To be a peacemaker is to bear the family resemblance of God. It’s not enough to simply avoid conflict or enjoy personal peace; we are called to actively pursue reconciliation and harmony, even when it’s uncomfortable. This is how the world recognizes us as God’s children—by the way we bring peace into divided and hostile situations. [13:12]
2. Peace Must Be Received Before It Can Be Shared We cannot give what we do not possess. God first gives us peace through faith in Jesus, reconciling us to Himself. Only when we are at peace with God and have His peace within us can we genuinely extend peace to others, rather than just masking conflict or suppressing our true feelings. [14:55]
3. Sin and Satan Are the True Enemies of Peace Division, pride, unforgiveness, and anxiety are not just personal struggles—they are spiritual attacks that rob us of peace and hinder our witness. Recognizing these as enemies helps us to fight them with spiritual weapons: confession, forgiveness, prayer, and dependence on the Holy Spirit. [19:11]
4. Peacemaking Requires Active, Costly Love Living at peace with everyone means blessing those who curse us, refusing to retaliate, and sometimes being willing to be wronged. This is not weakness, but the strength of Christ in us. It is a radical, countercultural way of life that only the Spirit can empower, and it is the true evidence of God’s kingdom at work in us. [32:27]
5. The Holy Spirit Is Essential for Peacemaking Our natural instincts and cultural training push us toward self-protection and retaliation. Only the Holy Spirit can give us the power to absorb offense, diffuse conflict, and love sincerely. As we yield to Him, we become non-conductors of bitterness and agents of God’s peace in a broken world.

** [38:23]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:26] - Family Updates and Prayer Requests
[02:56] - Opening Prayer
[06:08] - Worship Through Giving
[09:22] - Upcoming Joint Service Announcement
[10:02] - Introduction to the Beatitudes Series
[10:23] - “Blessed Are the Peacemakers”
[12:12] - The Meaning of Peacemaking
[13:54] - How God Gives Peace: To Us, In Us, Through Us
[16:39] - Enemies of Peace: Sin and Satan
[19:38] - The Challenge of Loving Others
[22:27] - Sin, Pride, and Unforgiveness as Barriers
[24:15] - Overcoming Anxiety with God’s Peace
[28:19] - Becoming a Peacemaker
[29:39] - Living Out Peace: Romans 12
[33:25] - The Cost and Power of Peacemaking
[35:01] - Peacemakers as Non-Conductors
[38:23] - The Holy Spirit’s Role in Peacemaking
[39:04] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
[42:19] - No Shave November & Men’s Health
[44:18] - Benediction and Dismissal

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

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

Observation Questions

In Matthew 5:9, what does Jesus say is the reward for being a peacemaker?
According to the sermon, what is the difference between simply having peace and being a peacemaker? [[12:12]]
What does the phrase “sons of God” mean in the context of this verse and the sermon? [[13:12]]
What are some of the enemies of peace mentioned in the sermon? [[19:11]]

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus connect peacemaking with being called “children of God”? What does this say about God’s character and what He wants for His people? [[13:12]]
The sermon says we must first receive peace from God before we can share it with others. Why is it important to have God’s peace in our own hearts before trying to make peace in our relationships? [[14:55]]
The pastor mentioned that sin and Satan are the true enemies of peace, especially through things like pride, unforgiveness, and anxiety. How do these things practically disrupt peace in our lives and communities? [[22:27]]
The sermon describes peacemakers as “non-conductors” who absorb bitterness and anger instead of passing it on. What does this look like in real life, and why is it so difficult? [[35:01]]

Application Questions

The sermon says that peacemaking is not just avoiding conflict, but actively pursuing reconciliation, even when it’s uncomfortable. Is there a relationship in your life right now where God might be calling you to be a peacemaker? What would it look like to take the first step? [[12:12]]
The pastor talked about how we can’t give peace if we don’t have it ourselves. Are there areas in your life where you are lacking God’s peace? What is one step you can take this week to seek God’s peace through prayer or Scripture? [[14:55]]
Sin and Satan use things like pride, unforgiveness, and anxiety to rob us of peace. Which of these do you struggle with most? What is one practical way you can fight against it this week (for example, confessing, forgiving, or praying about your anxiety)? [[22:27]]
Romans 12 challenges us to “live at peace with everyone,” not just those who are easy to love. Who is one person in your life that is hard to love or be at peace with? What is one way you can bless them or show them kindness this week? [[32:27]]
The sermon says that peacemaking sometimes means being willing to be wronged for the sake of peace. Can you think of a time when you chose not to retaliate or “be right” in order to keep peace? How did that feel, and what did you learn from it? [[33:25]]
The pastor said that only the Holy Spirit can give us the power to be true peacemakers. What is one area where you need to ask the Holy Spirit for help to absorb offense or diffuse conflict, instead of passing it on? [[38:23]]
The world is desperate for peace, but often looks for it in the wrong places. How can you be a living demonstration of God’s peace in your workplace, family, or community this week? [[41:26]]

Sermon Clips

Peacemakers are those who bring about bringing peace. It's not a complicated verse, nor is this a complicated thought. But I do want to just point out a couple of things. Peacemakers are... This verse says, blessed are the peacemakers. Even in the verse, it talks about action. It's not saying, blessed are those who... who are filled with peace, for they will be the sons of God. It's saying the blessed are the ones that are peacemakers. That's a little bit different concept. Because if you're a peacemaker, you're pursuing and actively trying to bring about peace. [00:11:59]

When we're peacemakers, we're going to be called the sons of God, meaning we're going to reflect the character of God. This term son is often used to characterize a group for or individuals and show inclusion in a group. So when it says to be the sons of God, it means that we're going to be part of God's family and we're going to characterize and be like God. [00:13:23]

But in order to be a peacemaker, we got to first, we got to first have peace. We can't make something or we can't give something we don't have. God in the Bible extends peace to his people in three ways, in three steps, I should say. To us, in us, and through us. Just the same way as he does justice. His justice, he does to us, in us, and through us. [00:13:50]

He wants us to understand that peace is something he gives. Peace can't be obtained by any other way but through him. It's to us. It's to us. But it's to us. It's also in us. In us. In us. [00:16:39]

In other words, the Holy Spirit has come. When Jesus says he gave us his peace, in other words, he gave us his peace through the power of the Holy Spirit. That Holy Spirit is in us. And it says here, he says, That the mind governed by the flesh. The flesh is death. Verse 6, it says, But the mind governed by the spirit is life and peace. Peace is something that's in us. When the world is going crazy around us, peace should be in us because we have the Holy Spirit. [00:18:16]

The two things that are enemies of peace are sin and Satan. Let's talk about Satan first. Satan comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Satan has come to sow division among us. Satan comes that we won't be in one accord with each other. Satan comes that we will have disagreements and it will get so bad that we will split ways and not have peace with each other. [00:19:04]

The greatest commandment, love your God as yourself. I'm sorry. Love your God with all your heart, mind, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself. We think about that when Jesus responds, what is the greatest commandment? We think about that as 1A and then, or 1 and 2. But really, they're both linked. I can't say that I love God if I don't love my brother. I can't love my brother and say I love, I can't misuse, be mean to, or mistreat my brother and say I love God. [00:19:43]

Satan is enjoying the fact that there's division among us. And we don't have peace. We worry more about what's going on in Washington than our neighbor next door to us that just love on them. We care more about what the president is doing than what we can be doing for our brothers. And I think it's all at the hand of Satan. It's hard to love people that don't like you. Just sowing division among us. [00:21:51]

Sin easily. God doesn't like sin. And when we sin, it creates a separation between us and God. He doesn't take us out and make us not part of his family, but he does break fellowship with us. That's why 1 John 1 and 9 are so important. It says, if we are faithful, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just. He will forgive us to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, meaning he will forgive us and cleanse us so that we can be back into fellowship with him. [00:22:28]

Fear and anxiety is a stealer, an enemy of peace. Philippians 4, 6 and 7. I want to park here just for a second if y'all don't mind. Philippians 4, 6 and 7. It says do not be anxious about anything. But in everything, by prayer and supplication or petition with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And here it is. And the peace of God, which surpasses all or transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and your minds in Christ Jesus. The peace of God will guard our hearts and our minds. [00:24:07]

Before we even get to anxiety, we should take it to God first. It says do not be anxious about anything. But everything in prayer and supplication or prayer and petition to God, make your request known to him and the peace of God will surpass all, transcend all understanding. What does that mean, new creation? Don't wait. Give it to him first. That's the problem. The problem is we get so focused on it and thinking we've got to solve it. We don't commit it to prayer and giving it to him. That will steal your peace. [00:27:09]

In order to have peace, he does it to us. We justify it. And when we justify it, we have peace. He wants to do it in us. He wants to give us peace in us that will guard our hearts and our minds, that will give us comfort and give us peace on a day-to-day. But then he also wants to do it through us. And this is where it means to be a peacemaker. [00:28:12]

God wants us, once we have peace, to do everything we can to keep the peace. Can I put it that way? Oh, yeah, okay. [00:29:16]

He tells us to live as our bodies are living temples. Or sacrifices to him. We should do this as a proper way to worship him. Give ourselves daily to him. And we will be able to understand what his will is for our life. [00:30:19]

It's easy to be at peace with people that like you. It's easy to be at peace with your family members you get along with. It's easy to be at peace with the people that like you, love you, and care about you and want your best interests. But this passage says we got to be at peace with everyone. We've got to be at peace with those who don't like us. We've got to bless them. We've got to bless those who curse us. We've got to not repay evil for evil because God's going to take care of that. [00:33:09]

I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of preaching these messages on this upside down kingdom because this goes against everything I feel and I want to do. Y'all, y'all are hearing them, but I got to study this and I get convicted when I study this because, because I don't like like not liking people that don't like me. I don't like the noise. them either. But the Holy Spirit has convicted me over and over again because our culture has trained us that it's okay. We can be justified in not liking somebody that don't like us. But God says, nah, not in my kingdom. My kingdom, we're going to love those who love us, don't love us. We're going to love our enemies. We're going to bless those who bless, don't bless us. They curse us. They want our destruction and our downfall. We want to live at peace with everyone. [00:33:41]

A peacemaker is a non-conductor of bitterness, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, and all malice. In other words, when those things come to us, they don't get passed through us to other people or to other situations or back to the person that gave it to us. It comes to us and it gets soaked up and insulated. It doesn't get passed through. That's what a peacemaker is about. [00:35:20]

A peacemaker is about actively pursuing those things that may cause harm and diffusing them, actively loving the people around us and keeping us from doing those things that may cause us to lose peace. A peacemaker is one that wants the best for others. [00:35:58]

Our love for others has to be sincere. If we want to have peace with them. Now, new creation, this upside down kingdom is hard. But everything has been leading up to this peacemaker. Because if we're merciful, if we're poor in spirit, if we're all these things that he's been talking about, that's going to bring about wanting to make peace with others. [00:37:22]

You know, there's a lot of people searching for peace. They're searching for the peace that we already have. And we're searching for the peace that we already have. Because we have the Holy Spirit. And the only way to do any of this is through the power of the Holy Spirit. [00:37:54]

A peacemaker is one that takes it and tries to diffuse the situation. That's tough. But only the Holy Spirit can give us the power to do it. [00:38:47]

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