Why do Wars Exist?

 
Why do Wars Exist? By Pastor Dan Kennedy © November 9, 2014 www.pastorkennedy.com Why talk about war in this message? • This is Veteran’s Day weekend, in honor of those who gave themselves to fight in war, for the freedom of our country. o In many lives of those living today, in this world, War has become a terrible reality for anyone wishing to live in freedom. • The 21st lesson in our message series on “The Story” (originally scheduled for today), from Ezra, Nehemiah and Malachi, is a lesson about the conflict that the Israelites faced in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, after the city was destroyed in 586 BC. o Following the exile of Israel, because of their sin, Ezra and Nehemiah had been given specific authorization and funding, by the king of Babylon, to rebuild the Temple and City of Jerusalem. o Official authorization and funding does not exempt leaders from ridicule and abuse from those resisting the progress of God’s work. The Old Testament books of Ezra, Nehemiah and Malachi clearly reveal this! What is the Reality of WAR in the Life of one seeking to follow God? Anyone who is seeking to follow God and His Word will discover that they will be facing conflict…sometimes out and out WAR! • In speaking to His disciples regarding the end of the age, Jesus told them to not be alarmed about continuing wars and rumors of wars. Matthew 24:6-7 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom…. War is interwoven into our modern world. Conflicts are found on every continent and some are regularly reported on in our daily news. Wars exist because of mankind’s innate and carnal desires; jealousy, hatred, lust for power and opposing philosophical and religious beliefs. 1 John 2:16 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. These carnal and depraved desires produce WARS of every kind. Primary Reasons for W-A-R in the World: an Acrostic • W-ealth – “the Love of Money” 1 Timothy 6:10 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. • A-ccumulation – craving for selfish gain o Covetousness, Jealousness and the Lust for Possessions and Pleasure Exodus 20:17 (NLT) 17 “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.” James 3:16 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. • R-eward - Longing for personal Power and Glory o R-evengeful Conflicts o I-deological and Religious Conflicts o P-ride, Power and Personality Conflicts Romans 12:17–21 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Key Verse - Grasping Lust for these things…brings WAR 1 John 2:16 16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. Wars Uniquely Separate Peoples of the World • War Defines Ideologies, Relationships and Belief Systems. • War Determines Separate Paths which people take. • War Divides Individuals and Nations into the reality of who they propose to be. WAR is not specific to the evil domains within this world… There has also been WAR in Heaven Revelation 12:7–9 War in Heaven 7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. There is a perpetual WAR between Good against Evil inbred into the deepest psyche of everyone in our world. • In virtually every book, every intriguing narrative, behind every compelling movie, every intriguing bedtime story, in the life of each inspiring person of hope, lies an indelible conflict, a pain, a debilitating problem… o A War between something good and something evil. Believers in Christ, who have been Born Again by God’s Holy Spirit, and are Children of the Most High God, have a WAR raging within! Romans 7:21–8:1 21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. In Judges 2:21-23, we see that God allows Battles and Wars with enemies within and without, to Test His Children and Teach Them. Judges 2:21–23 21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died, 22 in order to test Israel by them, whether they will take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their fathers did, or not.” 23 So the Lord left those nations, not driving them out quickly, and he did not give them into the hand of Joshua. Thankfully Romans 8:1-2 reveals the Hope that is in Christ Jesus – Those whose sin and guilt have been cleansed by the Blood of Christ and are set free by the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus! Romans 8:1–2 8 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. Let’s review four aspects of war that we have been considering: ¬ War on Earth. ¬ War in Heaven. ¬ War between Good and Evil. ¬ War in our Hearts. ¬ There is also War that can rise between those of opposing philosophies and faiths. Jesus tells us about the potential of that serious division. A Separation…a Division…a Sword, with those who do not Honor God and His Word. ¬ God Allows the Sword to come between those who Believe His Word and those who Deny the Truth of His Word, so do not be surprised if sparks fly from time to time. Matthew 10:32–39 32 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Not Peace, but a Sword 34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Although war is the defining Division in a Depraved World, Jesus Christ gives peace to the heart trusting in Him, revealing ultimate peace from our Creator! But, the individual heart seems to be the continuing originating place of turmoil. Hands by Dan Kennedy ©  1994/2011  I walked through marbled classroom halls, Where sages spoke and brilliance called; I searched for deepest truth and light, My opened mind refused no sight! But day by day and year by year, Confusion gained a growing fear. I looked at scholar's beckoning hands, That claimed to hold what truth demands... They were empty.  I studied them.  They were empty! The illumined guise, through haughtiness, Had washed from hearts true Godliness. The cynic with the flaming mind, Had torched the Truth that was Divine! They were empty!  Their hands were empty!  Their life was empty!  My life was too!  I climbed the ladder to success, To fame and wealth, with all the rest; I drank a hearty draught of mirth, My cars, my homes, my total worth! To sound investments I pledged my all, I gained prestige, my pride stood tall! The future swayed in golden hands, That opened tarnished, filled with sand... They were empty.  Life’s promising securities! They were empty! The crystal goblet in their grasp, Had fallen, drunkenly at last. The power of great success, it seems, Is vanquished in a night of dreams. They were empty!  Their hands were empty! Their life was empty!  My life was too!  I longed for pleasure's earthly toys, To give me everlasting joys! They came with soft, assertive cries, That brought me laughter, pain and lies. Demanding this, and that they claimed, My very soul they soon would stain! And then I closely held their hands, I opened them, to understand... They were empty.  I touched them. They were empty! Darkened lines of scarlet hue, Told countless tales of souls askew; At last in hell they drew them in, And made them pay for every sin. They were empty!  Their hands were empty! Their lives were empty!  My life was too!  I fled across the face of time, I searched for what my heart could find; I cried with all my soul toward heaven, "If God is there, am I forgiven... The haughtiness of the intellect, Success and wanton, with gross neglect?" And then I felt Christ's outstretched Hands, Atoning Blood – Redeemed, from sins! His Hands now washed my curs-ed wounds, Released me from the hidden tombs! Unlocked the mighty chains of sin That wretched my weeping soul within. Death, no more, will conquer life! No more consumed by satan’s strife, No more by flesh’s hideous face… My soul’s Redemption’s in Jesus’ Grace! I searched for minds with truth and light, You touched my heart and gave me sight; I grasped for wealth and peer success, You gave me purpose, peace and rest. I longed for joy through toys and shame, but, You empowered me with Your Matchless Name. Your Hands revived my listless soul, You raised me high into your Fold, Then wrapped me warmly to your heart, Called me Your Child…one “set apart”! All… With Your mighty Hands, Your noble Hands, Your nail-scarred Hands, Your life-redeeming Hands, Your precious, Divine Hands!  In those Eternal Hands, my weary soul, at last, will rest! The Earth is embroiled in a continuing age of WAR, but Christ can give His Children Peace, and one day there will be eternal Peace! The God of Peace John 14:27 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:1–3. 6 14 “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. 6 Jesus said…, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. Isaiah 9:6–7 6  For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7  Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this. “Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20–21 http://www.pastorkennedy.comshapeimage_1_link_0