Servant Portrait

1. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy– Matthew 5:7
1. The word for merciful means more than just sympathy or compassion.
2. James 2: 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good[a] is that?

1 John 3:17  But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?​

1. “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. - Matthew 5:8
2. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons[a] of God. - Matthew 5:9
1. Being a peacemaker does not mean:
1. Avoiding all conflict or confrontation
2. Laid back, easy-going and relaxed
3. A “peace at any price” philosophy
4. Passive and compromising when surrounded by those who would disagree
2. A peacemaker is one who:
1. At peace with himself
1. Not agitated and filled with inner turmoil
2. Not abrasive
2. Second, he works hard to settle quarrels…not start them
1. He is accepting and patient
2. He does not find pleasure in being negative.
3. Ephesians 4:3 – Peacemakers are those who are… “Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”
3. What do peacemakers do?
1. They build up.  The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down.Proverbs 14:1
2. “Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands.”
3. They watch their tongues…their goal is to heal and not hurt. Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath,  but a harsh word stirs up anger.
4. They are slow to anger.  Proverbs 15:18 A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.
5. They are humble and trusting.  Proverbs 28:25 “A greedy man stirs up strife, but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
3. What is the promise to peacemakers?They shall be called sons of God.
4. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” - Matthew 5:10
1. Those who genuinely desire to serve others soon find that being mistreated for doing what is right is not the exception, it is the rule.
2. There are times when the only way to get through persecution without becoming bitter is by looking at the promised reward.

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