Title: War is sometimes necessary Text: 1 Samuel 15:1-3 Samuel said to Saul, I am the one the Lord sent to anoint you king over his people Israel; so listen now to the message from the Lord. [2] This is what the Lord Almighty says: ’I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt. [3] Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.’ Very difficult text to read! God sometimes commands war. We must understand that war is sometimes necessary. Why would God command His people to go to war? I believe the answer is very simple: Because, there will not be peace without war in this world! I want to try and give you today A Biblical Perspective on War. But as Christians How can we justify war from our N.T. Christian faith? Doesnt the bible say: In one of the Ten Commandments “thou shalt not kill”? (Ex. 20:13). No, it doesn’t. In the original Hebrew, it says, “Thou shall not murder.” There is a difference between killing and murdering. But do O.T.& N.T. teach the same thing? Doesn’t the Sermon on the Mount say, Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called sons of God?” What about Jesus being called the “Prince of Peace”? Remember when Jesus said, in Mt. 5:39 Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also”? With all these calls for peace and non-violences! Can Christians in good faith ever take part in war without violating their beliefs? I believe these are some of the tough questions we need to answer & know! I believe the war against terrorism has caused Christians from all backgrounds and denominations to asked this question. Can war ever be just, or right in the eyes of a Holy God? So What Does God Think About War? First, let me say God doesn’t love war. God is not hungry for war. In some religions, you have a god, little “g”, that are war lovers. But you don’t find that in the Bible. It says in: Psalm 68:30 Punish that nation whose leaders and people are like wild bulls. Scatter those nations that enjoy making war. This says that there are some nations that enjoy war. There are some evil dictators that are always looking for a fight. We need to understand that War is simply the result of our fallen, sinful nature. America’s peace with Germany and Japan in WW11 are the direct result of America defeating them in war. Think about it! If good people would have simply looked the other way when evil people did terrible things. This world would be run by people like Hitler, Stalin and Isis! but let me say! There will be a day when war and bloodshed will be no more. Amen! That’s the day we are looking forward to. Amen! But we must understand!! There will never be a heaven on earth till Jesus comes again.Micah 4:1-3 Says:Now it shall come to pass in the latter days That the mountain of the LORD’s house Shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And peoples shall flow to it. 2 Many nations shall come and say, “Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, And we shall walk in His paths.” For out of Zion the law shall go forth, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. 3 He shall judge between many peoples, And rebuke strong nations afar off; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, And their spears into pruning hooks; Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, Neither shall they learn war anymore. Throughout the Old Testament, on many occasions, God directed the people of Israel to go to war. Especially when they crossed into the Promised Land. Notice in our text! God instructed them to completely remove the people of that land. Its hard sometimes to accept the fact that God gave the Israelites these instructions. QUSETION? What are some Good reasons that you might go to war! How about: freedom, defending ourselves, protecting our loved ones. The birth of our own nation involved war. Our freedom didn’t happen without war. The Bible, has many heroes of the faith who were warriors. Joshua, Gideon, Samson, Deborah, & King David, 20TH CENTURY: Douglas MacArthur, General Patton were all warriors. David fought many battles and killed thousands in combat! Yet he was not considered a murderer. In fact, he was called a man after God’s own heart. We are here today, sitting in this church, enjoying our freedom to worship because of pass wars! Because of men & women who have given their lives defending these freedoms. There are three facts about human life. #1) We live in a fallen world. #2) Every person is a sinner and has sinned. #3) Wherever there is sin, people hurt one another. There has to be laws to stop those who are evil. Remember what the Bible has to say in Romans 13:1-5 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. [2] Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. [3]For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. [4] For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. [5] Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. I believe as Christians Our number one priority should be to pray for our leaders and all those who are in authority. Pray that they might have guidance and wisdom from God to properly lead our nation and our troops. I thank God for freedom and for those who paid for it with their lives in wars. We may be called upon to take up the sword to protect, defend, ourselves. do believe especially as Christians we need to seek peace in the name of Jesus when ever possible. Lets remember the wisdom of King Solomon from Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verses 1-4 & 8. Listen “To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: [2] A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; [3] A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time to break down, And a time to build up; [4] A time to weep, And a time to laugh; A time to mourn, And a time to dance; [8] A time to love, And a time to hate; A time of war, And a time of peace.” But sometimes peace is not up to us. LET ME ASK YOU A QUESTION? How does Romans 12: 17 - 19 fit in? “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. [18] If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. [19] Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. The Apostle Paul in this passage is talking about our personal relationships. Hes talking about with others, such as family, co-workers, friends, etc. Did you listen to Vs 18: If it is possible! And sometimes, like in the case between nations God says were going to have to battle it out! Do you remember the news pictures, after Hurricane Katrina & In Missouri. We saw what happened in New Orleans & Ferguson when anarchy and chaos and peoples sinful nature took over. there was looting, raping, vandalism, murder. Governments, are usually mentioned in the Bible as kings or rulers, they are sanctioned by God to keep the peace! In closing we must never forget what (John 15:13) says: For, “greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Posted on: Sun, 28 Sep 2014 18:34:27 +0000