the christian in time of war. distraction from spiritual duties –individuals (1 cor. 7:25-26; acts...

The The Christian Christian in Timein Time

ofof

WarWar

The Christian in Time of WarThe Christian in Time of War

• Distraction from spiritual duties– Individuals (1 Cor. 7:25-26; Acts 9:31)

Spiritual DangersSpiritual Dangers

1 Corinthians 7:25-261 Corinthians 7:25-26“Now concerning virgins: I have no

commandment from the Lord; yet I give judgment as one whom the Lord in His mercy has made trustworthy. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress; that it is good for a man to remain as he is.”

Paul worried about the Paul worried about the distraction of marriage, and distraction of marriage, and the temptation of a man to the temptation of a man to neglect his wife in time of neglect his wife in time of tribulationtribulation

Acts 9:31Acts 9:31“Then the churches throughout all Judea,

Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.”

In contrast, Peace is In contrast, Peace is conducive to growth (absent conducive to growth (absent Saul’s efforts to persecute, Saul’s efforts to persecute, they thrived).they thrived).



– Congregations (Eph. 4:11-12)


“The North American Mission Board (NAMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention, which coordinates disaster responses, placed feeding units on standby within an hour of the attack. The denomination is also accepting donations to support relief in New York City…. According to Baptist Press, other disaster relief units may be mobilized by the end of the day.

“...the National Council of Churches and Church World Service.... Spokesman Carol Fouke said staff members held a noontime prayer service at the organization's chapel today, and may also hold a blood drive. Staff members are also trying to coordinate housing for those unable to get home.”

(“Churches, Agencies Respond to Attacks,” by LaTonya Taylor, posted 9/12/01http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2001/137/3- 3.0.html)

“During World War II a Chicago radio station aired an interview with three well-known denominational preachers, on `What the Church Can Do in these Grave Times.’ The three so-called `Reverends’ suggested bandage making, meeting troop trains with coffee, gathering books for the U.S.O., and the like. When the time was about up, the man interviewing said something to this effect. `I am not a religious man, but I thought the Church was and had something special to offer. Civic Clubs, school children, and others can to the things you have mentioned. But I am disappointed in not hearing of some function peculiar to the Church.’”

(Robert F. Turner, The Cogdell-Turner Debate, p. 88-89)

Ephesians 4:11-12Ephesians 4:11-12““And he gave some And he gave some to beto be apostles; and some, prophets; and apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; forfor the the perfecting of the saints, perfecting of the saints, untounto the work of ministering, the work of ministering, untounto the building up of the body of Christ:”the building up of the body of Christ:”

APOSTLESAPOSTLESPROPHETSPROPHETSEVANGELISTS EVANGELISTS PASTORSPASTORSTEACHERSTEACHERS

““for”for” prospros““with with a view a view to”to”

Perfecting Perfecting (equipping) (equipping) of the of the saintssaints

““for” for” “unto”“unto”

eiseis

Work of Work of ministeringministering diakoniadiakonia

Service - Ministry - Diakonia Service - Ministry - Diakonia Benevolence:Benevolence: Acts 6:1; 11:29; 12: Acts 6:1; 11:29; 12: 25; Rom. 15:31; 2 Cor. 9:12,1325; Rom. 15:31; 2 Cor. 9:12,13Evangelism:Evangelism: 1 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 4: 1 Tim. 1:12; 2 Tim. 4: 5; Acts 20:24; 2 Cor. 11:85; Acts 20:24; 2 Cor. 11:8

““to” “unto” to” “unto” eiseisBuilding upBuilding up

of the bodyof the body



– Congregations (Eph. 4:11-12)


• That we develop a mere “form” of Godliness– 2 Timothy 3:1-5

“Hall had changed completely. He was advocating strongly the Southern cause and, all in all, acted more like a fiend than a Christian gentleman. He rode a fine mule, had a splendid rifle, and expressly requested of all friends that if a `Yankee’ appeared, please let him get his share. During the conversation with Graham and Baxter, Hall mentioned not one word about the church, about the gospel, or what one might ordinarily expect of a preacher, but spoke only of his rifle and how many Yankees he hoped to kill….Hall advocated catching every Yankee soldier, cutting off their right hands and sending them back home with the hand tied to the saddle. Graham asked Hall how he could feel this way toward his brethren in the North, and Hall replied that he had no brethren in the North; they were all infidels.”

(Earl West, Search for the Ancient Order, Vol. 1, pp. 326-327)

2 Timothy 3:1-52 Timothy 3:1-5“But know this, that in the last days perilous

times will come: 2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, 4 traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!


• Prayer– Acts 12:5; Matthew 5:44

Our Duty during WarOur Duty during War

Acts 12:5Acts 12:5“Peter was therefore kept in prison, but

constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church.”

Matthew 5:44Matthew 5:44“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless

those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.”

The practice of love (seeking the The practice of love (seeking the highest good) is necessary for the highest good) is necessary for the Christian, even in time of war!Christian, even in time of war!




• Sobriety– 2 Timothy 4:5

2 Timothy 4:52 Timothy 4:5“But you be watchful in all things, endure

afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”





• Suffer Hardship– 2 Timothy 4:5

2 Timothy 4:52 Timothy 4:5“But you be watchful in all things, endure

afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”





• Suffer Hardship– 2 Timothy 4:5

• Faithfully carrying out our duties as Christians

the christian in time of war. distraction from spiritual duties –individuals (1 cor. 7:25-26; acts...

Documents