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• Illustration: As a young Jewish boy growing up in a Bavarian Village during the time of Hitler, Henry Kissinger perfected the skill of using words to avoid conflict.
• Violence is not unique to our culture or to our era.
  -Illustration: Statistics from the Society of International Law reveal the presence of extreme violence throughout history.
• Jesus' words about are applicable to all people at all times because of the constant threat of conflict between human beings.

• The Bible is the story of God taking the initiative to reconcile man to himself.
  -Colossians 1:19-20
• God's peace (shalom) is a deep sense of well-being and tranquility in our spirit.
  -John 14:27.

• A peacemaker is someone who has made peace with God through salvation.
• A peacemaker leads others to make peace with God.
  -Ephesians 6:15
• A peacemaker builds bridges of peace and reconciliation to others.
• All of these characteristics are difficult to achieve because of our pride.
  (Transition: I want to use the word PEACE as an acronym for five biblical steps we can take in an effort to restore fractured relationships.)

• Plan a peace conference—intentionally take the initiative to resolve a conflict.
  -Matthew 5:23-24
• Empathize with the feelings of others.
  -Philippians 2:4
• Attack the problem, not the person.
  -Proverbs 15:1
• Cooperate as much as possible.
  -Romans 12:18
• Emphasize reconciliation, not retaliation.
  -Matthew 5:38-42
  -Illustration: Martin Luther King Jr. epitomized an emphasis on reconciliation, and chose never to retaliate.

• Are you in the middle of any conflict right now that couldn't be solved by using God's principles of peacemaking?
• Illustration: A quote from St. Francis of Assisi on becoming and instrument of God's peace.