Christian Politics – Part 6: War and National Security

 

Christian Politics –

Part 6: War and National Security

Pastor Bruce A. Shields

House of Faith Church | www.PS127.org | www.TruthDigest.org

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This Document is a Sermon Outline, you may hear the full audio of the actual sermon by following the link Online Audio Files located above for this, and other Full Sermon Audios.  For a complete list of Sermon Outlines, visit TruthDigest.org or Truth Digest on facebook; for our Official Church website, visit PS127.org, or find us on Facebook at House of Faith Church

 

SERMON INTRODUCTION

 

Over the last few weeks, we have discussed the following issues and shown where the bible stands.

Ø  Jesus, if a U.S. Citizen, would vote in elections to fulfill citizenship duties

 

Ø  What about the matters of life and death?

o   Healthcare – Miracles, modern medicine & personal control over decisions (not government/insurance/doctor control)

 

o   Suicide & Euthanasia – for reasons other than defense of self, family, property or country, the intentional killing of one’s self, or another is murder, and wrong according to God.

 

o   Abortion & Stem Cells – Abortion too is the intentional killing of an innocent, and considered murder since scripture show that life truly begins at the moment of conception when God begins to knit you in the womb where He also names you.

 

Ø  Crime and punishment and how the Lord would approve of the death penalty for certain offenses

 

Ø  War, defense, and national security

Ø  Guns and matters of defense

Ø  Immigration and matters of national security

Ø  Marriage

Ø  Education

Ø  Economy, budget, trade, campaign finances

Ø  Green Values

 

 

SCRIPTURE READING

Mark 13:1-8

 

“As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Look, Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings!”

 

2 “Do you see all these great buildings?” replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down.”

 

3 As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?”

 

5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.”

 

 

ILLUSTRATION

Some historians, looking through the last 5620 years of recorded history, discovered that in that time there have only been 292 years of peace.

The rest of the historical timeline has been riddled with over 14,000 wars around the world.

3.6 billion people have been killed in wars.

There is a financial cost to killing as well. During the time of Julius Caesar, it cost less than $1 to kill an enemy. During the time of Napoleon, it cost just under $2,000 per enemy.

By WWI it cost approximately $17,000 to kill a single enemy, WWII $40,000, and by the time of the Vietnam war, it cost the government around $200,000 to kill a single enemy.

Generically, we, as followers of Christ, may assume that we are to be anti-war, which in some ways we truly are. However, our personal feelings about the matter do not really count if we truly are followers of Christ.

What does the Old Testament say about war? What does the New Testament say about war?

What exactly is Jesus’ view on war?

 

                  I.            War in the Old Testament

a.      Does the bible say, “war is justified”?

                                                                         i.      The bible does not say anywhere, “war is justified”

                                                                      ii.      However, it does not say “was is never justified” either.

 

                                                                   iii.      This matter is what we call in theology, a matter of “inference”

1.      We must get our conclusion about the matter from the evidence in scripture and use our reason and judgment to come to an understanding.

2.      Basic hermeneutics or exegetical studies can solve this mystery

 

 

b.     The first war recorded in scripture

                                                                         i.      The first war recorded in scripture is the “Battle of Dan” in Genesis 14:9-20

 

                                                                      ii.      First, we need the setting

1.      We read that 4 kings from Shinar attacked Canaan.

2.      In Genesis 11:2 we see that Shinar is where the Tower of Babel was built, Shinar is modern day Iraq.

3.      So, the first war recorded in scripture was Iraq (Shinar) attacking Canaan (Israel)

 

                                                                   iii.      These 4 kings from Iraq made a few mistakes

1.      First, they were the aggressors against Israel (Canaan)

2.      Second, they took Lot and his family captive

                                                                    iv.      However, one of Lot’s servants escaped and told Abram (Abraham) what happened

 

c.      Israel’s response to being attacked by Shinar (Iraq)

                                                                         i.      Abram took 318 armed men and went to war (Battle at Dan) in modern day northern Israel against Shinar and won

                                                                      ii.      They rescued Lot and his family and pursued the 4 kings beyond Damascus (Modern Syria)

                                                                   iii.      But what did the Lord think about Abram taking Canaan (Israel) to war against Shinar (Iraq)?

 

 

d.     In comes Melchizedek

                                                                         i.      After the victory against Shinar, Abram set out for home passing Salem (later named Jerusalem) where Abram meets Melchizedek (meaning King of righteousness and peace) King of Salem (later Shalom, meaning peace)

 

                                                                      ii.      So, Abram meets Melchizedek, king of righteousness and peace.

 

                                                                   iii.      Many scholars believe, as I, that this is a pre-Jesus incarnation of the king of righteousness and peace, the Lord Himself. (Genesis 14:18 “Melchizedek, King of Salem brought out bread and wine, (He was the priest of God most High).”

1.      Today we know that Jesus is our High Priest, and He uses bread and wine as signs and seals of His broken body and shed blood for us.

 

                                                                    iv.      So, how does Melchizedek respond to Abram going to war with Shinar?

1.      We read in Genesis 14 that Melchizedek blessed Abram for his “great” and “righteous” victory in vanquishing the aggressors and restoring justice.

 

                                                                       v.      So, Abrams return from his victory at the battle at Dan was blessed by Melchizedek, King of righteousness and peace, priest of God Most High.

 

 

 

 

                                                                    vi.      The Lord also spoke to Moses saying, “avenge the people of Israel on the Midianites.”…”So Moses spoke to the people saying, “arm men from among you for war, that they may go against Midian to execute the Lord’s vengeance on Midian.” (Numbers 31:1-4; Exodus 17:16; Deuteronomy 7:1-2; 1 Samuel 15:1-3)

 

 

               II.            What does the New Testament say about war?

a.      Aren’t we commanded to be peacemakers, to turn the other cheek?

                                                                         i.      Yes, Jesus tells us to be peacemakers, to “not resist evil”, and to turn the other cheek.

 

                                                                      ii.      However, these instructions were spoken by Jesus to individuals, regarding personal ethics, NOT to governing authorities.

 

                                                                   iii.      .Matthew 5:39 “I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.”

                                                                    iv.      What does Jesus mean here?

ILLUSTRATION:

            A man fatally stabbed his father and seriously wounded his mother and sister. His other sister, hearing the disturbance, comes from her bedroom to see her twin sister stabbed, does she then offer herself to be stabbed?

Is that what Jesus meant by turning the other cheek?

I believe what is being said here is that we are to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and live as much as possible in peace with everyone (Mark 9:50)

Canaan was minding their own business when the aggressors, Shinar, attacked. Canaan was living in peace. But an injustice was done, a man and his family were taken captive.

Canaan “responded” to an injustice to free the captives and restore justice.

 

                                                                       v.      Remember, we spoke over the last few weeks about the governing authorities and their rights and responsibilities in Romans 17:1-5

                                                                    vi.      Jesus makes clear He does not disapprove of war, not just in Genesis with Abram, but also in Luke 7

 

 

b.     Jesus and the Roman Soldier

                                                                         i.      Interesting things to note when Jesus was dealing with the Roman Centurion soldier.

 

1.      Jesus never told him it was morally wrong to be a soldier

2.      Jesus never told him he must leave the military

a.      Jesus did not have a problem telling the rich young man he had to sell all he owned to follow Jesus!

 

3.      In fact, what Jesus did say was He commended the soldier for his faith!

a.      Luke 7:9 “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith.”

 

 

c.      What Jesus didn’t say is important too

                                                                         i.      Jesus never told Rome they should abandon its military or there should be no police!

 

                                                                      ii.      Jesus DID however, clearly teach that the governing authorities were to use the sword to punish evil and maintain justice.

 

 

            III.            How do we act as princes of peace while still engaging in wars?

a.      War should always be a last resort

                                                                         i.      As a country we need to defend ourselves

                                                                      ii.      We need to protect our citizens and way of life

                                                                   iii.      We have a God given right to protect our families, property, and beliefs

 

 

b.     War should always be for righteousness and for the sake of justice

                                                                         i.      When Abram went to war with the aggressors, it was not for power, personal gain, just to flex, take over, etc.…

                                                                      ii.      Abram fought the Battle at Dan to set FREE the captives (Lot and his family) and to drive the evil aggressors back, out of Canaan.

 

c.      Unfortunately, war is sometimes necessary

                                                                         i.      “a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” Ecclesiastes 3:8

1.      Love (I Corinthians 13)

2.      Hate (Proverbs 6:16-19)

3.      A time for war, and a time for peace.

 

                                                                      ii.      In both cases, love comes before hate, and war before peace.

 

                                                                   iii.      I believe this teaches that we are to live in love, until the time we need to hate, and hate only that which God hates.

There are six things the Lord hates,

    seven that are detestable to him:

17         haughty eyes,

        a lying tongue,

      hands that shed innocent blood,

18         a heart that devises wicked schemes,

       feet that are quick to rush into evil,

19         a false witness who pours out lies

 and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

 

                                                                    iv.      And sometimes war is needed so that there may be peace.

                                                                       v.      Look at the order in the verse.

1.      We live in peace and love

2.      Something God hates takes place (i.e. shedding of innocent blood) as in the case of Shinar attacking Canaan.

3.      We respond with War

4.      So there can be a time of peace.

 

CONCLUSION – So, how would Jesus vote about war and the nation’s security?

 

I believe the Lord has made it clear in both the Old and New Testament.

 

War should never be sought, always a last resort, and sometimes necessary. One should always be ready to defend and protect.

 

I Corinthians 13:4-7 “4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

 

That is what love is!

 

 

NEXT WEEK: Part 7 – Guns and Defense

 

 

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