Sermon for 10/14/2001
Against Terror
Mark 12:13-17; Romans 13:1-5; 1 Corinthians 7:20-24
Adapted from an outline on Pastor’s Pastor
Introduction:
A. A Kentucky mountaineer fighting overseas in WW1 kept getting nagging letters from his wife back home. He was too busy fighting to write letters, even to his wife. At last, angered by his wife’s scolding letters, he sat down and wrote her: "Dear Nancy: I been a-gittin yore naggin letters all along. Now I want to tell ye, I’m tired of them. For the first time in my life I’m a-fightin in a big war, and I want to enjoy it in peace as long as it lasts."
B. Funny, but war is not a laughing matter. Not long after we left last Sunday a war against Afghanistan began with bombing.
C. Our current situation, America’s war against terrorism, reminds me of two kids sitting on a nursery floor, side by side. One mother gives her child a pacifier, then moves away to talk to a nursery worker. The child without a pacifier begins to eye the other; his face begins to contort. The other child is content to suck away while playing with a toy. The kid without the pacifier reaches over and pops the pacifier right out of the child’s mouth; immediately there are tears and wailing! The mother rushes over, physically removes the pacifier from the offender, picks up her baby, and takes him to a secure region of the nursery.
D. The moral? Sometimes aggression must be met with physical resistance by interested third parties in order to:
1. Maintain security for the threatened innocent
2. Restore peace to the region.
E. War can be viewed in this way on a bigger scale. However, what about the words of Jesus. Turn the other cheek. Take outer coat gives him inner coat as well. Etc.
F. Do not murder.
G. If we are for war, are we for people solving their disputes with a fistfight?
H. How should a Christian respond to the issue of war!
WBTU:
A. Old Testament there was such a thing as war that God ordered.
B. In the New Testament there is no mention of such a concept.
C. No war in our day is holy. Even in the Old Testament it was not holy. Holiness originates with God. God is not the author of war.
D. Responsible, thinking people around the world are concerned about where this conflict with evil and terror will go? Will the struggle against terror spiral into a global war?
E. Many questions for the Christian: What is the morality of war in general? Is war ever justified? And if so, under what circumstances?
Thesis: How should believers understand war?
For instances:
I. Mark 12:13-17. We must understand that God has given nations freewill concerning War!
A. Here people are trying to trap Jesus. If he says no, then we will report him to Pilate. If he says yes we will spread this among the people and they will not support this Messiah.
B. Calls for a coin and asks, "Whose head is that?" The currency of the country proclaims the leader of the country. To stamp his image on the coin is an act of sovereignty. This person controls the state.
C. Give unto Caesar, give unto God.
D. War is not the domain of or desire of a holy God.
E. War, by definition, is unholy and unnecessary and therefore the domain and property of Caesar!
F. War is a condition forced upon the righteous and unrighteous alike, by a sinful world.
G. Dr. Robert Page- World peace will come only when all mankind turns wholeheartedly to God in complete humility and voluntary unconditional surrender. Until human nature is changed, we’ll have war.
H. Those who advocate anarchy.
II. Read Romans 13:1-5. We must understand that God has given governments authority and the responsibility to punish evil!
A. Four principles of government:
1. Human government has a divine origin! Vs. 1
a. It has power from God.
b. Its power comes with divine sanctions! Can only go so far.
c. They are ministers. Called minister in vs. 4. Full time to governing. That is why you pay taxes.
2. Citizens of such an entity have special obligations!
a. To be obedient.
b. To submit. Vs. 5
c. Especially Christians.
d. Paul was talking about Caesar. Did not advocate anarchy or the overthrow of a government!
3. Government has two primary responsibilities
a. (Our government does more, but primary task. My primary task is to preach. What is the primary task of the government?)
b. To punish evil!
c. To promote good!
d. Different parties and people have different ideas how to do this, but this is the primary responsibility of government.
e. How well the government does this shows the effectiveness of the government.
f. This is where the question of mankind nature comes in. Is mankind basically good or basically evil? If mankind is basically good then we do not need government. However, mankind is prone to evil and so the government has to do its job. Without government we are plunged into evil and sin. No restraint!
g. God wants individuals to live as free as possible. Cannot if not a strong government.
4. How? One way: God gave "the sword" to bring "wrath upon the one who practices evil." Vs. 4
a. In these words, God’s word clearly establishes the principle of force as the basis for human law and order.
b. Those who argue against this role are in danger of arguing against God and His authority! Vs. 2
c. When a nation is threatened by aggression there are two views:;
1. Advocates for the use of war.
a) This is consistent with Romans 13.
b) Must be a just war.
Seven criteria of a just war:
1) A just cause (Only a defensive war is defensible!)
2) A just intent (Securing justice is only just intent!)
3) Must be a last resort!
4) Must be from a legitimate authority, a nation, and a government.
5) Limit on objectives! (Total war is unjustified!)
6) Proportional outcome. (Will the cost justify the good?)
7) Immunity for noncombatants! (No war on civilians)
Or this quote from Thomas Aquinas. "For a war to be just, three things are necessary- public authority, just cause, right motive."
c) US are doing a good job on conducting a just war. Sending food rations to the people of Afghanistan, also distributing flyers why we are doing what we are doing.
2. Advocates opposed to war.
a) Not Biblically sound according to Romans 13.
b) The government has no right to use the sword.
c) If we listen to these individuals, we will be out of the will of God.
d) Peaceful resistance applies to the church when dealing with enemies of the cross. We are not sanctioned to go on a holy jihad. Be like Christ.
e) For the church, vengeance is mine says the Lord. Not to take matters into our own hands.
f) However, this does not apply to a government. Main job of government!
III. 1 Corinthians 7:20-24. We must understand that God has retained authority over man’s calling in peace or war!
A. We are to answer to a higher calling!
B. In this passage Paul is telling people that to marry is not more righteous than those who do not marry. As a matter of fact, Paul seems to indicate that to be unmarried is more righteous and holy.
C. However, in this section Paul is telling people to be the best married or unmarried person you can be for the Lord. In these verses he is telling slaves to be the best slaves for the glory of the Lord. In those days many people were slaves and had no way to get freedom, so Paul is telling them that this is their calling from the Lord to be the best slave, model slave for Christ.
D. What has the Lord called you to do? Many times it is what we are doing right now. If you are a construction worker, be the best construction worker for the Lord. If you are a medical worker, be the best nurse or doctor for the Lord. If you are a soldier, be the best soldier we can be for the Lord.
E. (Col 3:23 NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,
F. It is interesting to note that Jesus had dealing with soldiers. He did not tell them to leave their trade to follow Him. Many tax collectors followed Jesus and they left that trade to follow Him, but soldiers did not.
G. Those in Caesar’s household, Cornelius, they did not leave their calling to become Christians. Why? Because they were ministers of God in their positions already.
H. Most of us in here are not soldiers, some in reserves. Maybe in FBI or CIA. These positions are an arm of the government. Will the Lord hold these people accountable for deaths that are committed on the field of battle when they are doing their God given duty? Not a license for wholesale slaughter, but if they are being a good soldier, a position ordained by God, then sometimes they kill to be a good soldier.
I. The soldier terminology is used a lot in Scripture. Even many of our songs talk about Christian soldiers. It is a God ordained position.
J. WE have to be faithful in the position, calling where the Lord has placed us.
K. Some of us are misplaced. Paul tells the slaves if they can get their freedom, go ahead and do so. However, whatever station the Lord has put us, we need to be faithful there.
L. My calling, my station, is to be a preacher of the gospel. I do not feel a burning desire to go into the military. If I did go into the military, it would be as a chaplain. A few people have had that desire to go into the military. Great, be the best soldier you can be for God.
M. A few years ago people were drafted into military service. At that time for those people that was their calling from God!
N. Most occupations, callings are from God and are useful for society. Some exceptions would be bartender, prostitute, drug dealer, etc. However, most are holy, useful for God’s service already.
O. Many times God has authority over that calling, station in life.
P. We must ultimately accept responsibility for the character of the nations in which we live.
Q. Government is a reflection of society. If the church does its job, if people strive for excellence in the areas God has called them, and then we will have a strong nation with a strong and righteous government. When we have a wicked government, this causes many problems for the soldier and also for all of society. Many situations that are hard to know right from wrong.
Conclusion:
A. Nations or governments have God-given power over war and peace in the secular realm, not individuals, not the church; it belongs to Caesar!
B. Nations or governments have God given authority to punish evil within their sphere of influence!
C. Individuals are called of God to their labors; man responds to His calling! In war and peace! Some as soldiers, some not! Lieutenant Colonel in US Air Force, Dr. Tony Kern- Everyone I’ve talked to in the past few days has shared a common frustration, saying in one form or another I just wish I could do something! You are already doing it. Just keep faith in America, work with all your heart, and continue to support your President and military, and the outcome is certain. If we fail to do so, the outcome is equally certain.
D. As believers, we must understand that:
1. The reality of war is burden believers must bear.
a) We are not to seek it.
b) We are not to start it
c) We cannot avoid it
2. The purpose of war must be "just."
a) Israel’s driving out the heathen from the Holy Land!
b) The world’s struggle against Hitler, Mussolini, and Hirohito.
3. The conduct of war belongs to Caesar!
a) War has the image of Caesar on it, not of God!
b) God gave Caesar the sword to punish evil!
E. Don’t be confused as so many were in the 1960’s. If the purpose of a nation involvement in a war is just, it is not a sin to support that effort against evil.
F. Isaiah 2:4
