How to Be a Peacemaker Like Jesus

Hey, carpool crew. It's Pastor Justin, and I'm so glad you're here. As we keep going through week two of Advent, our week is all about peace. Now we've talked about how Jesus brings peace, how he calms storms, and how his peace is for everyone. Today we're gonna talk about what it means to make peace, to actually bring it into the world wherever you go, because peace isn't just something we wait for. It's something we create. Our verse today is from Matthew chapter five, verse nine. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. So what's behind this verse? Well, these words come from one of the most famous teachings Jesus ever gave, called the Sermon on the Mount. He was talking to a crowd of people who didn't have much peace in their lives. There were arguments, unfair rules, and people who didn't always get along. And right in the middle of all of that, Jesus said, blessed are the peacemakers. He didn't say, blessed are the ones who win every argument, or blessed are the ones who lobby their case like a lawyer to explain why they did what they did, even if it was against mom and dad's instructions. He said the ones who make peace are the ones who build bridges, calm things down, and choose kindness over fighting. They are the ones who truly reflect God's heart. See, if Jesus were sitting with you in the car today or just hanging out at your house, he might say, when you choose kindness and peace instead of fighting or arguing, you make my heart smile. He'd remind you that peace isn't about ignoring problems or just storming off and not handling things. It's actually about how you handle them. When everyone else wants to argue or gossip or get even, or just be loud and angry, saying mean things to each other, you can be the one who brings calm instead of chaos. You've probably seen what happens when people don't get along, right? At school, on a sports team, or even at home. When someone says something mean, someone else snaps back with a comeback, and before long everyone's upset. The peace is nowhere to be found. That's when you can make a difference. You can be the one who listens. You can be the one who says, hey, let's cool off for a second. You can be the one who refuses to add fuel to the fire, because a peacemaker doesn't just talk about peace, they bring it with them. So how can you live this out today? First, pause before reacting. We've talked about this before. It's one of the best things a peacemaker can do. If someone says something rude, take a deep breath before responding. Second, use kind words even when you're frustrated. You can still speak gently to others. Lastly, look for ways to help others make up. If two friends aren't getting along, you can help them talk things out instead of picking sides and seeing the argument get worse and worse. Being a peacemaker doesn't mean you're weak. It means you're strong, strong enough to stay calm when everyone else is upset, and when you choose peace, you're choosing to be like Jesus. So remember, no matter where you are, no matter how you're listening, God loves you. Now, before you go, answer this question together. What's one way you could bring peace if friends start to argue? I'll see you tomorrow on carpooling with Jesus.