Welcome to this edition of the Weekend Sermon. I hope and pray that each of you is having a good day. As always, I thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to post this message.
Today, we will conclude our series on the Bible and Social Justice. I want to say a few things about what the Bible has to say about peace and making peace.
War is a terrible thing. It brings with it death, devastation and heartache. Right now there are many areas of active conflict in the world. It seems as if war has been part of the human condition since humans existed. I live in the United States. Since the United States became an independent nation, it has been involved in numerous wars. Many nations have a history of almost constant warfare. What is the Christian's response and responsibility in all of this?
We've been studying what the Bible has to say about social justice. I've posted messages about helping the poor, standing up for the oppressed and caring about the world that the Lord has made. All of this is much harder to do if there is conflict in the world.
As believers in Jesus Christ, we are called to work for peace in this world. Jesus said in the Sermon on the Mount that peacemakers are blessed. We are instructed in I Peter 3:11 to seek peace and to pursue it.
First of all we need to be those who seek to bring peace within the hearts of those who we know do not have a relationship with Jesus. Jesus is the one who came to bring peace to the hearts of those who would call upon Him as Savior and Lord. True and ultimate peace comes through knowing the Lord Jesus.
Christians are those who ask what Jesus did and what He would do in any given situation. Jesus was for peace, and we must follow His peaceful example. We need to work in the world to help bring a resolution to the conflicts of the world. This can take many different forms. One way that Christians can be peacemakers and work for peace is to stand against injustice. Violence and struggle in the world often comes when people feel as if they are being abused and discriminated against. Often, the oppressed will rise against the oppressor. Those who believe in Jesus need to stand with those who are marginalized and work for justice in the world. By helping to improve the lives of others, we can be those who promote the cause of peace.
Another way that we can be those who promote peace is to support those politically who seek peaceful and just solutions to the problems that face this world. It is important who we elect to office. Some world leaders seem bent towards violence and greed. This will not bring peace and harmony to the world.
I believe that the best way that we can promote peace in this world is to exalt the Lord Jesus who is the Prince of Peace. Throughout His life, He demonstrated the way of peace and non-violence. His teachings in the Sermon on the Mount have inspired Christians and those of other religions to make a difference for good and for peace in the world.
Often, people do not have peace within their own hearts. They are troubled and in turmoil. Jesus is the one who can bring peace to the troubled heart. Jesus loves you. He wants you to trust in Him and find peace that passes all understanding.
Now, I've written about ways that Christians can promote peace. What should Christians not be doing? Christians throughout history have often been some of those who were most involved in warfare. I've just finished watching some programs about Christians in the Middle Ages. Some of these people were engaged constantly in brutal wars with other Christians and those of other faiths. They were all killing each other in the name of God. This has no place in the life of a follower of Jesus. Jesus would in no way condone such behavior, and He taught the opposite.
Christians also must not be engaged in activities that promote discrimination and social injustice. These are things that bring violence. We must be those who speak for unity, inclusion , hope and justice.
One day, this world will know total peace that will have no end. One day, Jesus will come in power and great glory. He is the Prince of Peace whose reign will have no end. The Bible says that when Jesus returns, people will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will no longer rise against nation. War will be studied no more. I look forward to that great and glorious day. Amen.
Prayer Requests And Other Matters
I want to thank the Lord for providing me with a lot of writing work this week. I have been feeling well, and I thank the Lord for this.
I would ask that you pray for my uncle. He has been in the hospital with some heart problems.
In other prayer requests, please continue to pray for those who are dealing with fires. Australia is really suffering right now. California and the Amazon region also need our prayers.
Please continue to pray for those who are in the Bahamas. Many still need help as a result of the hurricane damage.
Continue to pray for an end to the Ebola outbreak in Congo. Pray for those working to help others in this nation.
Let us all continue to pray for peace in the troubled areas of this world. Pray for peace in Syria, Afghanistan, Libya, Yemen and Somalia. There is also unrest in Bolivia, Hong Kong and Colombia. Please pray for peace.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us pray for those in the nations of Guinea and Bhutan. Pray that people will hear the message of the love of Jesus.
Next week, we will have a message based on thanksgiving. It is the Thanksgiving Day holiday here in my country this week, and I hope everyone has a great day. After next week's sermon that I will post on Saturday, we will start a new series of messages on the book of II Peter. I will take one or two weeks for Advent messages. On Monday, I will post the verses, and I will have another music post on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen.
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