Prince of Peace Part 3: Life and Teachings of Jesus
The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5-7 teaches the peaceful path for the citizens in the Kingdom of God. They are love and pray for their enemies. When Jesus sends out peaceful soldiers in Matthew 10, they are to be as harmless as doves and as sheep among wolves to bear witness of God. The world will reject His messengers and persecute the followers of Christ. However, the church will be victorious in spreading the Gospel to all nations. In addition to the true Kingdom of God, a false kingdom that appears to be followers of Christ will also appear.
Kingdom of God Advances into a Earthly Kingdom
The Devil Sows a Counterfeit Kingdom
The Process Starts for Another Earthly Kingdom
Questions we must consider?
- Is participating in war against other Christians acceptable to God?
- What happens to the Christians that are in a minority in a nation when a Christian nation attacks it?
- From the teachings of Jesus, is a Christian nation even possible?
- Is the goal of the Kingdom of God to completely redeem one nation or completely redeem someone from every nation?
How answer the above question determines our view on when and how Christians participate in war and peace? If the nations of this world are filled with both believers and unbelievers, then can we justify killing our brothers and sisters in Christ? If the United States is not a Christian nation, then are we less likely to view her wars as just?
Discussion Questions
Review: Matthew 20:20-24, Matthew 26:39, John 18:11
1. What is the cup that Jesus is about to drink?
Review: Acts 12:1-2, Revelation 1:9
2. How will the sons of Zebedee drink from the same cup?
Review: Matthew 20:24-28
3. How does seeking leadership the way of the world cause division within the group?
4. How does leaders of earthly kingdoms rule over their subjects?
5. How is leadership in the kingdom of God different from the kingdoms of the world?
6. When does the verses in Matthew 20 fall into Jesus’ last week?
7. Luke 22:24-30 contain similar verses to Matthew, but when did they occur during Jesus’ last week?
8. What does this reveal about how the disciples struggled with leadership?
Review: Luke 22:35-38
9. Will 2 swords in the hands of fisherman be much help against the men coming to arrest Jesus?
10. According to verse 37, why did Jesus allow them to carry the swords?
Review: Matthew 26:50-54, Luke 22:51, John 18:11, John 18:36
11. How did He show disapproval of using the swords?
Summary
The Kingdom of God is different from the kingdoms of the world in many ways. The citizens, soldiers, and leaders are peaceful to nonbelievers, but wage war against the kingdom of darkness. The King has given us an example that we are to follow.
As we continue into the last two sessions, we will see how the early church and the church of the last days uphold with the teachings of the Prince of Peace.
Looking ahead: Romans Chapter 12:14-13:7 and 1 Peter 2:11-17
Exercises
- Pray to be open to whatever the Lord may reveal through His scriptures no matter the social, political, or economic cost.
- Continue working out your worldview pertaining to the Kingdom of God and war.
- If God required Israel do be dependent on Him military, do you think a kingdom established by the Messiah would demand more or less of its subjects to show the glory of God?
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Thoughts of War 