A QUESTION OF WAR

1. Political vs. Spiritual

          A. II Cor. 10:3-4

          B. I Timothy 1:18

          C. I Peter 2:11

          D. II Cor. 10:3

2. "Thou shalt not kill [do no murder]."

          A. Kill animals vs. humans

                    1. I Tim. 4:3-5

                    2. Gen. 9:3-5

          B. Abortion

                    1. Ex. 21:22-25

                    2. Greek "brephos" = baby - born or unborn

          C. Capital punishment

                    1. Gen. 9:5-6

                    2. Rom. 13:1-4

                    3. Ex. 21:12

          D. Be a policeman, soldier

                    1. Rom. 13:1-4

                    2. Luke 3:14

          E. Self-defense

                    1. Exodus 21:13

                    2. Exodus 21:28-32

          F. Cities of Refuge

                    1. Numbers 35:11-15; 22-28; 32

                    2. Deut. 4:41; 19:2-10

                    3. Joshua 20:1-9

3. Old Testament vs. New Testament

          A. New Testament - Greek words

                    1. Strong's #4753 - 8 times - Matt. 22:7; Lk. 23:11; Ac. 23:10, 27; Rev. 9:16, 19:14, 19

                    2. "An armament, an army, soldier, man of war"

                    3. Strong's #4754 - 7 times - Lk. 3:14; I Cor. 9:7; II Cor. 10:3; I Tim. 1:18; II Tim. 2:4; Ja. 4:1; I Pet. 2:11

                    4. "To serve in military campaign, go to war, warfare"

                    5. Strong's #4171 - warfare, battle, fight

          B. Old Testament - Hebrew words

                    1. Strong's #4421 - "A battle, war, warfare"

                    2. Strong's #3898 - "To consume, to fight, prevail, overcome"

4. War and God

          A. God ordered war - Why?

                    1. Exodus 15:3

                    2. Exodus 17:16

                    3. Numbers 31:3-7

                    4. Deut. 1:41

          B. Is there a "holy war?"

          1. God is not concerned with politics, boundries of nations, oil, UN resolutions

          2. God is concerned with the salvation of souls, teaching of error, false worshippers

          3. A "holy war" would be one that opposes error, sin, immorality and false religions, i.e., Roman persecution.

          4. See number 1. Political vs. Spiritual.

5. War in heaven

          A. Rev. 12:7

          B. Rev. 19:11

          C. Rev. 17:14

6. Jesus = Prince of Peace

          A. Brought a sword

                    1. Matt. 10:34

                    2. Lk. 12:49, 51

          B. Divided families

                    1. Matt. 10:35-37

                    2. Lk. 12:52-53

7. Isaiah 2:4; Micah 4:3

          A. United Nations cornerstone

          B. "Nations learn war no more"

          C. Rom. 12:18  As much as lies in you - live peaceably

8. Romans 12:18 - 13:8

          A. No vengeance, live peaceably

          B. Government bears sword, is God's minister

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Is war right or wrong?

2. Are some wars justified and others not justified?

3. If there a difference between defending and attacking?

          A. Personal - self-defense vs. attack

          B. Political - friend, allies, important to our interests (oil, economic, etc.)

4. What if it was in our best interest to take over another nation to get a vital resource (oil)?

5. Discuss the emotional side:

          A. How many of you know someone in the Persain Gulf?

          B. "War is Hell."  Many innocent people will be hurt, maimed and killed because of the war.

          C. Prisoners of War.  Their treatment, abuse, torture.

6. Is there such a thing as a "Holy War?"  Are there times that we should fight a war for God?

7. Is peace always better than war?  Discuss the idea of "peace at any price."

          A. Did Jesus come to bring peace or war?

          B. Should the church seek peace or war?

8. Should the church be involved in war?  take sides?