A Time to Kill? - Part B

Raise the flag of concern. What about law, what about love.

The law of love Jesus and love your enemies in the Old Testament even said how can I love my enemy and then take up arms against a tough one.

There is an answer. Here is the same answer change. The Bible makes the difference between murder and killing.

Not all chilling. According to the Bible is murder today uncritically Skip weekend edition Skip budget continues and engaging look at the 10 Commandments as he continues her series, God stopped to this series opens up all 10 commandments and shows us of a Melanie matter to the people of their time, but how they matter to what today will be touching an intriguing issue that is been debated in the church for centuries.

Should believers fight in wars where they may have to kill someone, and should the death penalty be allowed does the Bible have much to say about this. Well, fortunately yes it does will see more just a moment right now. Skip would like to invite you to join them on social media hey Pastor Skip here if you want to stay up-to-date on the latest from this ministry followed at Skip Heitzig sick on Facebook, twitter and Instagram that's Skip HEITZI will be focused on several different passages today, including Matthew chapter 5 in Romans chapter 13 so hope you get your Bibles ready as we began.

Now here Skip Heitzig with her teaching today. Martin Luther said these words without armaments.

Peace cannot be kept. Wars are waged not only to repel injustice, but also to establish a firm piece violent means must sometimes be used to preserve the life and health of the body politic. Just as a physician must at times amputate an arm or leg in order that the whole body may not perish, and this said Luther can be a work of Christian love." In other words, if I may paraphrase from Martin Luther. He said I love peace and I love peace enough to fight for if need be. So there have been the wrangling's from the early church onward and the just war tradition.

The question is, is any of this biblical is there a biblical precedent will sure you can look through all the history of all the way back to Abraham member Abraham by the way is called the father of faith in the New Testament when five kings under King Kennerly, Omar, waged war against the people of the South and stole a lot his nephew. The Bible says that Abraham had 318 trained militiamen that he had paid for and he sent them out to battle for a just cause God used Joshua to rid the land of the Canaanite purges. They were wreaking havoc on people of that region. David was called to go to war and the book of Judges know when you think of a judge in the Old Testament, don't think of a guy with a robe and a gavel or like Justin Sanders from South Carolina. The judges in the book of Judges were fighters. They were warriors/delivers and did you know that the New Testament in looking back to the Old Testament, and some of these judges actually commends them for their warrior activity listen to Hebrews chapter 11, through faith. They subdued kingdoms. They works righteousness out of weakness. They were made strong, they became valiant in battle, they turned to flight the armies of the aliens they were slain with the sword also gotta know that in the New Testament, there is no mandate for people in the military to quit the military to not be involved in the to resign metal John the Baptist was down at the Jordan River baptizing people from Jews in Jerusalem to Roman soldiers and you remember that each of the different groups was asking John what should we do your telling us that we need to repent and show forth works that speak of the fact that we have repented what we do and the soldiers asked him what we do know John set, John the Baptist said don't intimidate anyone, don't bring any false accusations against anyone and be happy with your paycheck.

So he said, Luke, chapter 3 content with your wages.

He did not say well if you want to follow Christ. You have to quit the Roman military.

You cannot be a soldier and be saved. At the same time he to said don't intimidate anybody don't falsely accuse people and be happy with her paycheck. Furthermore, in the New Testament. Some of the greatest people were centurions officers in the Roman army centurion came to Jesus and said, Lord, I have a servant's sick. I know all you have to do is say his name and he'll be healed.

He didn't even have to be here. What Jesus said is that I haven't found this kind of faith even among any of the Jews in Israel is this centurion has and what about the centurion in acts chapter 10 named Cornelius he was of the Italian regimen. Here's his description. He was a devout man, one who feared God with all of his household and he prayed so clearly, the Bible does not forbid any military Association nor is the Bible promoting pure pacifism that's the case, and I hate even to use that term asserted hard from a pulpit is one of the points to say a case for killing. So there are concerns with that people will raise the flag of concern.

What about law, what about love. The law of love. Didn't Jesus said love your enemies in the Old Testament even said love your enemies, how can I love my enemy and then take up arms against. That's a tough one but there is an answer. And here is the same answer hadn't changed. The Bible makes the difference between murder and killing. Not all chilling. According to the Bible is murder and there's a lot of bit different Bible text we could point to.

I want to give you just wonder puts it all together in first Kings chapter 2, King David is dying his son Solomon is there is briefing his son on what to do, is the next King. And David knows his cabinet members very well and he knows that Solomon is young and inexperienced. So this venerable King in the briefing says to Solomon. You know what Joab did to Abner, the son of Nur and Ama saw the son of Jeff there whom he killed. Listen to this and he shed the blood of war in peacetime and he put the blood of war on his belt that was around his waist and on his sandals that were on his feet. David in that verse to his son Solomon makes the difference between personal murder and national war between righteously administered judicial execution during a time of war and killing for personal reasons, part of loving people is to protect them is to defend them during World War II when Hitler was coming to power. There are a lot of Christians that were discussing these variations in churches like we are on and if they were doing it publicly because the Nazi machine was quite intimidating, but some of the more there came a time when the Christians in Europe just wanted peace at any price. They didn't want to stand up and fight against this tyrant and make any kind of waves they were just sick of Lord World War I.

The just passed. They were fearing another one. They just wanted peace at any price shock a little observed this, he was a French philosopher this what he said concerning Christians after 1937 he said it was too late. The fate of the world was already sealed but those in those years, the Christians full of good intentions were thinking only of peace and loudly proclaiming pacifism in matters of that kind Christians. Good intentions are often disastrous. They didn't want to fight against Hitler. They just wanted to go home and happy nourishes what about the sermon on the Mount, what about the sermon on the mount when Jesus himself said, if you have evil coming against you. Don't resist evil. Now I bring that up because every pacifist wants to quote the Bible will quickly go to the sermon on the Mount. So let's look at it. Matthew chapter 5 I promise you return there. Matthew chapter 5 verse 38 you have heard that it was said, and I for an eye and a tooth for a tooth but I tell you not to resist an evil person, but whoever slaps you on your right cheek turned to him the other also if anyone wants to sue you take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also whoever compels you to go 1 mile, go with them to give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you. Do not turn away.

The point is pretty straightforward when evil comes at you don't follow the world's evil ways in dealing with don't follow the violent ways of the world that there was a novelist.

Some years ago. Very famous.

Some of you heard of him and read him name Leo Tolstoy. Some of you had to read his great book called war and peace and Tolstoy called for based on what we just read. He called for the elimination of the military, the elimination of the police force. The elimination of the court system and judges because all of these resist evil and Jesus said don't resist evil well if we are to follow Tolstoy's philosophy based on his missed interpretation of this verse, we are giving a permission slip to every thug on planet earth to do whatever he wants because were not going to do anything about will. So what what is Jesus mean in verse 39 when he says, do not resist an evil person to listen carefully. This is what he's talking about personal retaliation, personal retaliation, Jesus is neatly dealing with national issues. Formal judicial actions, or national defense. That's not his topic. He's not dealing with protecting your household or protecting your neighbors or protecting your country. He's referring to our personal relationships, not our public citizenship and there is a difference between people who come at me personally and how I deal with that versus people who deal with the society and explain Francis Schaeffer. I would recommend you dig up some of his writings.

He's in heaven now, he was a great thinker. He said this, I am not a pacifist because pacifism in this fallen world means that we desert people that deserve our greatest help I gives an example you're walking on the street you see some big fog big Rippon muscles older guy beating up on a five-year-old little girl. She's innocent noting to do what I will do anything on the pacifist. I don't believe in it, but it's happening what unit it well. I'll negotiate good do that first goal over an approach that thug and say Mr. thug, would you please stop beating that helpless little girl.

Shame on you. Did your mother teach you manners and maybe help snap out of your right. I feel super, or maybe you'll have to further negotiate and converse and coerce him but but what if the fog decides not to listen to your language, but lays into that little girl harder and meaner and laughs at you in the process.

Here's the question, what does love mean to you at that point love means if you love that little girl that you stop him anyway you can, including using force to stop because she's innocent okay one other verse of Scripture. And here's where we end it puts it all together puts it all together so it all works. Romans chapter 13 let's turn there and then will close in prayer. Romans 13 because I got to the turn. Romans 13 I begin in chapter 12 because I'm a preacher and I love context.

Verse 17 of Romans chapter 12 is where the thought begins repay no one evil for evil have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it's possible as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men, beloved, do not avenge your selves, but rather give place to wrath, for it is written, vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.

Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him if he is thirsty given to drink for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Then let every soul be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority to what is good and you will appraise from the same for he is God's minister to you for good.

But if you do evil, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain.

Sword is the Makarios. The sort of execution that was his authority to minister for he is God's minister and avenger notice that to execute wrath on him who practices evil so here's here's how it all works. If it's possible, live at peace with everybody there's a problem it's not always possible boy be great if we could all hold hands and grab arms and swinging and say give peace a chance and all you need is love in the whole world will join in but they won't. It's not possible to live at peace with all men, so when people come against you personally notice that in verse 1921, don't avenge your selves.

That's personal because it says I will repay, says the Lord.

Vengeance is mine.

That's personal they come against me personally question how will the Lord take vengeance upon them, how will he repay them. You might select Judgment Day. Maybe perhaps ultimately yes, but it does say in chapter 13 verse four. He is God's minister and avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. God may use the government in his lifetime to execute wrath and bring vengeance.

So unwrap it all up to you. Is the bottom line murder is wrong. Suicide is wrong killing his awful war is horrible, but there are times were reasons for killing are justified to establish peace and to protect our innocent Tom Allen was at a cafeteria line. It as very seminary as he was going to the food line. There was a basket of apples with a sign that said take only one God is watching. At the end of the line. Some wise acre.

Put another sign in the peanut butter cookies. That said, take all that you want because God is busy watching the apples and here's why you're laughing at the because it's absurd to think that God can see both the apples and the peanut butter cookies. If God is God he doesn't see one and not the other, he sees it all and God sees all war all the anger all the abortion all the suicide all the euthanasia all the anger boiling up in every person in every country in every city in every generation he sees all, but we don't.

So were called to deal with only that which we see and if we see evil personally. We do what forgive, if we see evil societally what we do protect people come against me personally. I got to watch what I'll do to you in court. I forgive them.

I want to promote Christ and his kingdom. Vengeance is the Lord is not mine. I forgive on a personal level on a societal level. If we love. We at some point must protect no, here's the bigger truth, more than all of that the bigger truth. In this command as God loves life. He's for life is not for death. Jesus said, the thief doesn't come except to kill, steal and destroy. I have come that they might have life and have a more abundant soldiers die victims of murder die, murderers die judges die pastors die good people and bad people die.

There's a bigger issue.

What you do now what you do for eternity what next, 1981 and author William Saroyan a great American author died before he died. He was on the phone to the Associated Press and in his classic style. He said yeah I know everybody's going to die, but I always thought an exception would be made in my case and he ended the conversation. Now what now what I know when tragedies happen. I don't minimize it. We say they've died takes us by surprise, but not everybody dies at age hundred and 20 closing their eyes and falling asleep in a number of different ways. All people of all ages die what now do you know the author of life, has he given you everlasting life. Have you let all of your sins be taken upon Jesus Christ that you might enjoy ever lasting internal abundant life within the old script reminded us what happens after death.

Forgiveness and rest already for you today if you'd like to learn more about her relationship with Jesus.

We like to invite you to visit connect was Skip God, click no God, there's a complete description of what salvation is how you can take part today so hope you check that out in today's teaching was part of her current teaching series God's talk to you can get all 17 teachings bundled together is an audio CD package for only $39 plus shipping. Find out more in order today and connect was skip.com you can also find out about this month's special resource offer I've enjoyed watching the growth in the ministry of my friend Levi Lesko and now we are offering you is take back your life. Study guide and DVD. Here's Levi to tell you about it, it's all around this idea. Taking Dr. your life is a 40 day interactive journey is thinking right so you can live right. As can be really powerful and specializing some people to have this families in hardcover, which just makes me happy because I never had a booklist hardcover but has arisen.

So you really keep track of your progress through these 40 days. It would be an incredible gift to someone who is looking to grow in their faith or for any of us you want to maybe conduit and oil change for your heart. Check online on your wellness on where you're at pillow deal with internal difficulties and help you deal better with external circumstances that are challenging as we explore how we can get to the very best version of ourselves that we are meant to be. Get the book. Take back your life with a donation of $35 to connect with skip: 1-800-922-1888 were online and connectwithskip.com this hardcover book by Levi Lesko will help you take back your life. It's a 40 day interactive journey to thinking right so you can live right 1-800-922-1888 and come back next time here and connect with Skip weekend division Skip right to continue thinking. As for the 10 Commandments with this thinking leads of an faithfulness in the garden of love Mrs. next time here and connect with Skip weekend division of presentation of connection so connecting you to God's never changing and ever-changing time