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Taking the Taking the easy way easy way

out?out?

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Matthew Matthew 5:95:9““Blessed are the peacemakers, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of for they will be called children of GodGod” ” TNIVTNIV

““You're blessed when you can You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in you really are, and your place in God's family”God's family” Message Message

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StrengthStrengthInterpretationInterpretation Literal or figures of speech?Literal or figures of speech? Replace the Law or add to it?Replace the Law or add to it? Minimum standards; Minimum standards;

commandments or guidelines?commandments or guidelines? All cultures/ ages or a specific All cultures/ ages or a specific

period? period? ““I have come that they may I have come that they may have life, and have it to the have life, and have it to the full”full” John 10:10 (TNIV)John 10:10 (TNIV)

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Wise Wise WordsWords““If a leader can't get a If a leader can't get a message across clearly and message across clearly and motivate others to act on it, motivate others to act on it, then having a message then having a message doesn't even matter“doesn't even matter“Gilbert Amelio, former CEO of AppleGilbert Amelio, former CEO of Apple

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StrengthStrengthInterpretationInterpretation IncrementalIncremental Context & CultureContext & Culture

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StrengthStrengthPeace - ShalomPeace - Shalom Wholeness and completenessWholeness and completeness Well-being and healthinessWell-being and healthiness Harmony, serenity, Harmony, serenity,

peacefulness and tranquillitypeacefulness and tranquillity Prosperity and richness in Prosperity and richness in

relationships relationships ReconciliationReconciliation

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StrengthStrengthPrince of PeacePrince of Peace““Of the increase of his Of the increase of his government and peace there will government and peace there will be no end. be no end.

He will reign on David's throne He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever” from that time on and forever”

Isaiah 9: 7 (TNIV)Isaiah 9: 7 (TNIV)

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StrengthStrengthFamily likenessFamily likeness““Yet to all who did receive him , Yet to all who did receive him , to those who believed in his to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to name, he gave the right to become children of God – become children of God – children born not of natural children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of or a husband's will, but born of God”God” John 1:12-13 (TNIV)John 1:12-13 (TNIV)

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StrengthStrengthFamily likenessFamily likeness““So in Christ Jesus you are all So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith”children of God through faith”Galatians 3:26 (TNIV)Galatians 3:26 (TNIV)

““Therefore, since we have been Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have justified through faith, we have peace with God through our peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” Lord Jesus Christ”

Romans 5:1 Romans 5:1 (TNIV)(TNIV)

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StrengthStrengthFamily likenessFamily likeness A God of peace:A God of peace:

•Romans 15:33•Romans 16:20•Philippians 4:9•1Thessalonians 5:23•Hebrews 13:20

He’s a peacemakerHe’s a peacemaker•Colossians 1:20•2Corinthians 5:19

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StrengthStrengthFamily likenessFamily likeness““Through Christ, God made Through Christ, God made peace between us and himself, peace between us and himself, and God gave us the work of and God gave us the work of telling everyone about the telling everyone about the peace we can have with him” peace we can have with him”

2Corinthians 5:18 (NCV)2Corinthians 5:18 (NCV)

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StrengthStrengthIt depends on meIt depends on me““If it is possible, as far as it If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace depends on you, live at peace with everyone” with everyone”

Romans 12:18 (NIVUK) Romans 12:18 (NIVUK)

““Make every effort to live in Make every effort to live in peace with everyone”peace with everyone” Hebrews 12:14 (TNIV)Hebrews 12:14 (TNIV)

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StrengthStrengthThe ChallengeThe Challenge““Seek peace and pursue it” Seek peace and pursue it”

1Peter 3:11 (TNIV)1Peter 3:11 (TNIV)

““How beautiful on the How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, those who bring good news, who proclaim peace”who proclaim peace”

Isaiah 52:7 (TNIV)Isaiah 52:7 (TNIV)

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StrengthStrengthThe ChallengeThe Challenge““Make every effort to keep Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” through the bond of peace”

Ephesians 4:3 Ephesians 4:3 (NIVUK)(NIVUK)

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StrengthStrengthThe ChallengeThe Challenge Where have I taken the easy Where have I taken the easy

way and ignored the problem way and ignored the problem or avoided it?or avoided it?

In what areas do I need to In what areas do I need to pursue peace and what stops pursue peace and what stops me?me?

Where do I need peace in my Where do I need peace in my life?life?

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StrengthStrengthA Promise to ClaimA Promise to Claim““Do not be anxious about anything, Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”Jesus”

Philippians 4:6-7 (TNIV)Philippians 4:6-7 (TNIV)