Sermon on the Mount 4
JASON MARTIN
Jesus in the Gospels / Matthew 5:9–12
The Preface
Let’s begin with a reminder that the Beatitudes are not a bunch of separated ideas, but the beginning of what is considered to be the greatest sermon ever preached. It’s the introduction, or the preface.
Jesus is explaining the Kingdom and what the citizens of that Kingdom look like. In the first 3, He describes their social and spiritual state. In the second 3, He describes their character and He finishes by describing their conduct.
1. Poor in spirit and recognize their need for God (Matthew 5:3)
2. Mourning and sorrowful for their own sins and the sins of the world around them (Matthew 5:4)
3. Meek and humble - willing to submit to authority, which comes from God - the Ultimate Authority (Matthew 5:5)
4. Craving righteousness both out in the world, and especially in our own lives (Matthew 5:6)
5. Merciful and forgiving to others, acknowledging God’s surpassing mercy and forgiveness to us (Matthew 5:7)
6. Pure in heart (not sinless, but forgiven), leading to a closer relationship with God (Matthew 5:8)
That brings us to our Scripture for today: Read Matthew 5:9-12
Blessed are the peacemakers
Matthew 5:9 “9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
1. Peacemakers
a. God takes peace very seriously. He even identifies Himself with peace
i. Isa 9:6 - Prince of Peace
ii. Romans 15:33 “33 May the God of peace be with you all. Amen.”
b. A peacemaker can either be;
i. A third party mediating a conflict between other parties
ii. A party choosing to end a conflict they are involved in
c. Peacemaking is active, not passive. It is a decision that we make
i. The world is in a state of constant war and conflict because humans by nature aren’t peacemakers
1. It’s near the end of the Beatitudes after things like desiring righteousness and being merciful, pure in heart, and poor in spirit.
a. Psalm 85:10 “10 Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.”
i. How could we have one without the other?
ii. If we find ourselves struggling here, we need to back up to the previous verse and see if that is true about us. Go back as far as necessary to get back on track
d. How can I be a peacemaker?
i. First, we MUST make peace between ourselves and God (this is accomplished through Jesus)
1. Colossians 1:19–20 “19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”
a. Jesus did the work and made the peace with us. Our role is to repent of our sins and wickedness and believe that He is Lord.
i. James 3:17 “17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”
1. Looks a lot like the definitions of love and the fruit of the Spirit!
ii. Then, we can strive to make peace between us and others and God
1. 2 Corinthians 5:18 “18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;”
a. Now that He has reconciled us to Himself, He gives us a ministry job
i. Reconciliation between others and God
1. Sharing the Gospel so people can recognize their need for God and deal with their sin
a. This can often cause conflict because people don’t want to address their sins
ii. Reconciliation between us and others
1. Peace isn’t just to stop attacking - a cold war is still a war
a. Hebrews 12:14 “14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”
i. Are we striving for peace with everyone?
1. Ephesians 6:15 “15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.”
a. We are to wear the gospel peace everywhere we go like shoes on our feet
2. Peace is reconciliation, and Jesus contrasts it with hatred and murder in our heart
a. Matthew 5:21–24 “21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.”
i. He doesn’t even want our offering until we seek reconciliation
2. The peacemakers will be called Sons of God
a. People that actively pursue peace are given the title ‘sons of God’
i. Matthew 5:44–45 “44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
3. We never make peace with sin or wickedness
a. James 4:4 “4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
b. Matthew 18:15–17 “15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.”
i. Does that mean hate them?
1. Matthew 5:43–48 “43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
a. Pray for them and love them from a distance. Remove them until repentance. The goal is peace and reconciliation.
i. 1 Corinthians 5:6 “6 Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump?”
4. Peace doesn’t come at the cost of truth
a. Hearing about Jesus forces every person into 2 groups
i. Didn’t repent and believe
ii. Did repent and believe
1. Matthew 10:35 “35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
2. Luke 12:51 “51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.”
5. But the same Gospel of Peace that reconciles man and God when accepted > can create persecution when rejected
Blessed are the persecuted
Matthew 5:10–12 “10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
1. Persecuted
a. This beatitude is repeated and personalized for emphasis
i. The only beatitude that speaks directly to the listener (blessed are YOU!)
b. If we don’t compromise, we should fully expect persecution to happen in some way
i. James 1:2 “2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds,”
ii. 1 Peter 5:10 “10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
iii. 2 Timothy 3:12 “12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,”
iv. Philippians 1:29 “29 For it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ you should not only believe in him but also suffer for his sake,”
1. Persecution is a gift that leads to great rewards
a. But we can avoid it!
c. The ways of the world;
i. The world is focused on ‘pride’ instead of being poor in spirit or humble
ii. The world doesn’t turn from sin, it either celebrates or ignores it. Jesus did neither.
iii. The world hungers and thirsts for the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.
iv. They don’t show mercy because they don’t acknowledge the mercy shown to them
v. They don’t seek purity and peace, they want to be the main character and so remain in rebellion against God
d. All we have to do for fake peace is to compromise righteousness;
i. Laugh at the inappropriate joke at work
ii. Look along at the pictures or videos the world shoves in our face
iii. Smile and nod while people blaspheme God
iv. Only do ‘little sins’ so we can be friends with people and reach them that way.
v. Jesus is the greatest example of a peacemaker in history, and they tortured Him and hung Him on a cross.
e. The Romans were one of the most accepting and tolerant cultures in human history
i. They would allow basically any type of worship with 1 rule above all else. Every year, every person had to bow in front of a statue of Caesar, burn a pinch of incense, and declare Caesar to be lord.
1. Exodus 34:14 “14 (for you shall worship no other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God),”
f. We belong to a different Kingdom and Jesus is telling us what citizens of that Kingdom look like, and the more we look like the first 7 beatitudes, the more we will see persecution
i. John 15:18–19 “18 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. 19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”
1. He chose us out of the world to be part of a holy nation. A Royal Priesthood. (1 Peter 2:9)
2. Kingdom of Heaven
a. The “blessed are those” begin and end with the promise of inheriting the Kingdom of Heaven
b. Your reward is great in Heaven!
i. We’ve already seen a sampling of them in this list
The Beatitudes
Jesus explains His eternal Kingdom, and what the citizens of that Kingdom look like. They are;
1. Poor in spirit and recognize their need for God (Matthew 5:3)
2. Mourning and sorrowful for their own sins and the sins of the world around them (Matthew 5:4)
3. Meek and humble - willing to submit to authority, which comes from God - the Ultimate Authority (Matthew 5:5)
4. Craving righteousness both out in the world, and especially in our own lives (Matthew 5:6)
5. Merciful and forgiving to others, acknowledging God’s surpassing mercy and forgiveness to us (Matthew 5:7)
6. Pure in heart (not sinless, but forgiven), leading to a closer relationship with God (Matthew 5:8)
7. People that actively pursue peace between themselves and God and others (Matthew 5:9)
8. Persecuted for righteousness, not the consequences of sinful actions (Matthew 5:10-12)
Exported from Logos Bible Study, 7:09 AM October 1, 2026.