ANSWERS TO DIFFICULT QUESTIONS:
IS THERE A TIME FOR WAR?
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
(Note: Some of the material was gleaned from Jeff Armbrest’s sermon "What Does God Think About War" and from Rodney Buchanan’s sermon "A Christian Perspective of War and Peace." Thanks fellows.)
INTRODUCTION:
A. Since the act of terrorism against our country on September 11, 2001, our view of the world has changed
1. As the terror alert levels go up and down between yellow and orange we are reminded that there are people in the world that are working and conniving to shake us and to bring a sense of fear into our lives
a. While the world did not change dramatically on 9-11, our view of it most certainly did.
b. We realized that we are not as safe as we once thought
2. Today we see American soldiers losing lives in places like Afghanistan and Iraq
3. These wars have caused quite a bit of debate
a. Some believe we have no business being over there while others believe we should do more
b. Needless to say, there are strong feelings on both sides of the issue as debate takes place in the business offices, among friends and family and even in the church.
B. The message this morning does not try to answer all of the questions surrounding the war against terrorism or whether or not we should be in Iraq
1. I am not going to try to put an end to the debate or even change your view on the current war situation
2. But I do want to look at war from a Biblical perspective this morning
a. What does God has say about war?
b. As Christians, how should we feel when our country goes to war?
3. Ultimately, we have to look at what God says through His Word
a. What has He revealed to us?
b. READ: Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
I> THERE IS A TIME FOR PEACE
A. We need to be clear about one thing–one of God’s primary traits is peace
1. When prophesying concerning the coming of the Messiah, Isaiah (9:6) wrote that He would bear these names:
a. Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace
b. God longs for peace
2. The Apostle Paul emphasized this same point when writing to the Romans (12:18)
a. Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
b. As Christians, that is to be our goal–to live at peace with everyone
c. Of course, that does not mean that we shouldn’t stand up for what is right
That does not mean that we accept any philosophy or teaching that is floating around
That doesn’t mean that we are to be tolerant of any and every thing that our society says is okay
Neither does it mean that we should not voice our opinions even though we may be in the minority.
But it has a lot to do with your attitude
ILL> I have known some people who simply refuse to agree. It didn’t make any difference what they were talking about, if one said black, the other would say white.
Then there are some people in the world that always have to do one better than you. If you had a car that would do 120, their’s would do 125. If you got an A on a test, they got an A+. If you spent a fortune building your new house, they spent just a little more.
d. If it is possible, (and it always isn’t) as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
e. That should be our goal
II> THERE IS A TIME FOR WAR
A. While God’s ultimate desire is for peace, He is also a God of war which is evident in both the Old and New Testaments
1. When God led the Israelites out from under the bondage of the Pharaoh’s and Egypt, He showed that He is a warrior
a. The Israelites even sang about Him
b. Exodus 15:2-3
The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The Lord is a warrior; the Lord is his name.
2. Again, when the Israelites were about to enter into the Promise Land, the land of Canaan...
a. Numbers 33:51-52 - God spoke to Moses
"When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you."
B. When is it right to go to war?
1. When freedom needs to be defended
a. The Bible reminds us that governments have been established for our protection and the protection of freedom
b. Ultimately, though, we should realize that our protection comes from God
c. Proverbs 21:31
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord.
2. When evil needs to be restrained
a. Romans 13 tells us that the "government ruler is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." (Romans 13:4b NIV).
b. Did you hear that? The government is primarily to be the agent of wrath. It bears the sword.
c. The church is to be an agent of grace–its role church is to love and to show grace
d. However, God has established government to protect and to bring about justice–sometimes that means war
C. When the war is just.
1. What is a just war?
2. Well in the fifth century, Augustine a theologian developed this criteria for a just war.
3. It should be defensive - a response to an attack like Pearl Harbor or the World Trade Center.
4. It should be proportionate - you don’t drop a nuclear bomb for a terrorist attack that damages a ship in the harbor.
5. It needs to be declared by a legitimate authority - a few militias working separate from government authority have no right to attack another nation.
a. the purpose is not to destroy innocent people, but to subdue an aggressor army.
6. Last resort - It must take steps to resolve the conflict without war.
III> HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND?
A. Now we find ourselves in the midst of war–So, how are we, as Christians, suppose to respond in time of war? What can we do?
1. Pray
a. 1 Tim. 2:1-2
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- [2] for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
b. It is our responsibility to pray for world leaders–pray for our president and the huge decisions that are made
2. Trust God
ILL> Most of you will remember the happy go lucky message of the song which said "Don’t worry. Be happy." Bobby McFerrin
a. As Christians we aren’t to worry, even when our world situation is difficult
b. We are to trust God–worry comes from a lack of trust
c. Psalm 27:1b& 3
The Lord is the stronghold of my life--
of whom shall I be afraid?
[3] Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then will I be confident.
d. We can still have confidence even in times of war, because we know that we can trust God
e. We may not always understand everything that is happening
We may not always understand how God is working
But we can put out complete trust and faith in Him.
3. Seek Peace
a. Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
4. Support each other
a. Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
b. Nearly every person has been affected by the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq
c. You may know someone that is fighting right now
You may have a family member or friend in Saudi Arabia and Iraq or Kuwait or one who has been there
Bosnia or Kosovo
d. During times of crisis we need to pull together and support one another
e. Our military personnel need our support–their families need our support
f. Even if we may disagree on "why" or "if" we should be at war, we need to be there for one another.
5. Realize that Freedom Always Comes at a Cost
a. Revolutionary War - 4435 Americans died
WWI - 53,402
WWII - 291,557
Korea - 33,741
Vietnam - 47,415
Iraq - 863
B. But it is even more important for us to remember that One died for the entire world
1. Jesus went to the cross in order to pay the price for our sins–in order to set us free
a. So that we could be free from the bondage of sin
b. Free from the weight of sin, and more important, free from the eternal consequences of sin
2. However, freedom always comes at a cost.
IV> CONCLUSION:
ILL> After the Second World War came to a close, the German Lutheran pastor, Martin Niemoeller, wrote his now famous confession called "I Didn’t Peak Up." Perhaps it has relevance for our time. He wrote: "In Germany, the Nazis first came for the Communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, but I didn’t speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time there was no one left to speak for me."
A. Jesus speaks for me–and you
1. However, you need to surrender to Jesus Christ
