By: Wayne Wise
1 Timothy 2:1-2
• “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.”
• Supplications … to supply
– Wisdom, Courage, Patience
• Prayers
– Word denoting concern, Thought
• Intercessions
– Go-Between, One who intercedes
– James 5:16
• Giving of thanks
– Conscious of benefit received
– Appreciation
Government Recognized by God
• Romans 13:1 “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”Government Recognized by God
• 1 Peter 2:13-17 “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.”
What Is It Good For?
America’s Indifference to War
Since 1990 we have fought wars in Iraq, in Bosnia, in Yugoslavia, in Afghanistan
• Few even mention it at work
• Friends seldom discuss it
• Very few communities are hit home with it
• Always seems to be fought overseas
• Always understood we will be the victors
• If not for the political posturing it would be no news at all
But as followers of Christ …
We should be relatively concerned about the affairs of our nation and the affairs of the world.
Jesus expressed Concern with social issues of his day.
• He addressed prejudice in Jewish society.
• He talked about paying taxes to the government.
• He challenged the political leaders like Herod.
• He called Herod a fox.
• In Matthew 24 Jesus told his disciples to discern the political climate of his days to know his coming upon Jerusalem
• Paul instructs Titus that as followers of Christ we are to be good citizens.
• Compare w/ “Jay Walking”Issues of War are a
B I B L E T O P I C
• “For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” Acts 20:27I.
WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT WAR?
• God is not pleased with the necessity of war – Psalm 68:30 “… scatter thou the people that delight in war.”
• War is to be a last resort …
– Ecclesiastes 3:8 says, “There is a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."
• There comes a time when a nation must go to war
– Psalms 144:1 “Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight”
The Execution if Civility … Exodus 22:1-6
• “If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. 2 If a thief be found breaking up, and be smitten that he die, there shall no blood be shed for him. 3 If the sun be risen upon him, there shall be blood shed for him; for he should make full restitution; if he have nothing, then he shall be sold for his theft. 4 If the theft be certainly found in his hand alive, whether it be ox, or ass, or sheep; he shall restore double. 5 If a man shall cause a field or vineyard to be eaten, and shall put in his beast, and shall feed in another man's field; of the best of his own field, and of the best of his own vineyard, shall he make restitution. 6 If fire break out, and catch in thorns, so that the stacks of corn, or the standing corn, or the field, be consumed therewith; he that kindled the fire shall surely make restitution.
Romans 13:2-4
• “Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
II. THREE VIEWS ON WAR
• 1. HOLY WAR
• 2. PACIFISIM
• 3. JUST WAR
H O L Y W A R
Deuteronomy 20:10-20
• Drive out the Canaanites v.1
• Offer peace “along the way” v.10, 15
• Enemy has the option of accepting v.11-12
• If peace rejected … destroy the men v.13
• Then destroy the nations of the Promised Land– v.16-18
• No such command for God’s Church today– John 18:36
Many Wars Today Fought as HOLY WARS
• Islamic Jihadists – The term "jihad" is often rendered in western languages and non-Islamic cultures as “holy war”, the basic meaning is “struggle”
• The Hezbollah (Party of God) is a Lebanese organization and political party with a military arm and a civilian arm, One of Hezbollah's principal declared aims is to resist Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon
• Al-Qaeda ("the foundation" or "the base") is an internationl fundamentalist Sunni Islamist organization comprised of independent and collaborative cells that all profess the same cause of reducing outside influence upon Islamic affairs.
What is the Churches Role in Combating These Threats?
• John 18:36 “My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”
• The church can Pray
• Pray for our Government
• Pray for our Enemies Government & the Church …
Ordained of God
• The CHURCH is ordained as a messenger of Grace
• The GOVERNMENT is ordained for justice
• The New Testament sets forth the proper separation of Church & State
P A C I F I S I M
• Pacifism is the opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes. Pacifism covers a spectrum of views ranging from the belief that international disputes can and should be peacefully resolved, to absolute opposition to the use of violence, or even force, under any circumstances
• Many “seem to be” & “wanna be” pacifists
• Some true pacifists … Amish & Quakers Was Jesus a Pacifist?
• Luke 6:27-35
• “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”
• “Turn the other cheek”
• “Give him thy cloak also”
• Jesus was addressing the Individual and those who stand opposed to him, personal acquaintances
• Matthew 5:25-26 “Settle your differences BEFORE the judge will preside” Jesus Understood Personal Rights
• Matthew 24:43 “But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.”
• Jesus “penned” Romans 13
• The Bible makes a distinction between the actions of government and individuals.
• Matthew 8:5-13 Jesus commends the Centurion
J U S T W A R
In the fifth century, Augustine a theologian developed this criteria for a just war.
• It should be defensive
– A response to an attack like Pearl Harbor or the World Trade Center.
• It should be proportionate
– Don’t drop a nuclear bomb for a terrorist attack that damages a ship in the harbor.
• It must minimize civilian casualties
– The purpose is not to destroy innocent people, but to subdue an aggressor army.
• It must take steps to resolve the conflict without war.
God is concerned with Justice
• Psalms "Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy. Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.”
• Martin Luther King Jr. said, “It may be true that the government cannot make a man love me. But it can keep him from lynching me and I think that is pretty important.”
III. HOW CAN WE REACT TO WAR?
• 1. SUPPORT OUR TROOPS. Jesus said there is no greater thing a man can do than lay down his life for a friend.
• 2. PARTICIPATE IN THE GOVERNMENT PROCESS. We have an opportunity that not many people throughout the world have and we have a say in our government.
REMEMBER THE WORDS OF CHRIST
Matthew 24:44 Endure, Watch, Be Ready
• PRAY
– Pray for Leaders
– Pray for enemies … Saul of Tarsus
• REFUSE TO LIVE IN FEAR
– Proverbs 29:25 "The fear of man will prove to be a snare. But whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe."
• REMEMBER Romans 8 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?