Isn’t it interesting that our heroes are not peace-makers, but they are the fighters, the soldiers, and the warriors? The people who make the history books and the news are the people who fight the battles, win the wars, and conquer the enemy. Then, Jesus comes along and said, “Blessed are the peace makers. For they shall be called the children of God.” What we are going to learn today from Jesus is simply this - when we make peace with God, we can then make peace for God. This statement leads us to answer four questions about peace and peace making. Let’s dive into answering those questions together.

The word “pure” from today’s key verse is translated from the Greek word “katharos.” It means “to purify by cleansing from dirt, filth and contamination.” The reality is that we were all born with dirty hearts. That is why a king named David who was a man after God’s own heart asked God to create in him a pure heart. But what does that mean? Well, the idea of a pure heart is a heart that is pure in its motives, in its thoughts, and in its desires. It’s the kind of heart Jesus is encouraging His followers to have according to the Sermon on the Mount. With this in mind, today’s message is going to be all about what it looks like to have the kind of pure heart Jesus was talking about.

Both character and conduct are important when it comes to following Jesus. Conduct without character is meaningless. And character without conduct is useless. You have to have both. As you study the Sermon on the Mount, you realize that what Jesus is saying is, “You are not a Christian because you act like one; you act like a Christian because you are one.” With all of this in mind, today’s message summed up in a sentence is this - when you truly experience the mercy of God, you will freely extend mercy to others. So let’s look at what our responsibility is when it comes to showing others the same mercy God has shown us.