Prince of Peace Part 1: Life and Teachings of Jesus
Starting in 1981, the Central Intelligence Agency began publishing The World Factbook. It provides information on the history, people, government, economy, energy, geography, and military issues for 267 world entities. Ever wonder the population, type of government, border, number of adherents to a particular religion, path to citizenship, or military size of a nation? You would be able to find answers to those questions in the World Factbook. However, it left out one very important nation, the Kingdom of God. Your worldview on the Kingdom of God influences your worldview on war and peace.
If you were to create an entry into The World Factbook for the Kingdom of God, what would it look like?
Flag
Introduction
Geography
People and Society
Government
Economy
Energy
Communications
Transportation
Military and Security
Transnational Issues
From the Old Testament writings, we learn that the coming Messiah was to bring peace to the nations. Matthew, the first book of the New Testament, begins with the genealogy of Jesus. Matthew records Jesus being a descendant from Abraham showing He will be a blessing to all nations. Being a descendant of David, Jesus is the rightful king of Israel. The wise men come to symbolize, Jesus is the king worthy of worship from the nations. Matthew continues with quotes from the Old Testament to lay the case that Jesus is the prophesied Messiah. Jesus begins to preach a simple sermon, “repent, because the kingdom of heaven has come near.” We will review Jesus’ first sermon for ways that he brings peace between individuals.
Discussion Questions
Review: Matthew 5:1-12
1. How are the Beatitudes different from the way most people view the world?
2. Who persecuted the prophets? Peek at Matthew 23:37 for help
Review: Luke 6:20-26
3. Compare with Luke 6, how does Luke’s account add to Matthew’s?
Review: Matthew 5:21-26
4. How does Jesus’s teaching extend the law pertaining to murder?
5. How does calling a person a name lead to murder?
6. How is name calling done during times of war and conflict?
7. How does our relationship with others impact our relationship with God?
Review: Matthew 5:43-48, Romans 12:19-20, Luke 6:35
8. How do followers of Jesus love their enemies?
Review : Romans 5:10
9. Who is their example? How did God love His enemies?
Review: Matthew 7:13-14
10. How many people will choose this path?
11. How many people claim they are on the narrow path?
12. Why would potential disciples of Jesus choose not to follow the Sermon on the Mount?
Summary
Like Moses giving the nation of Israel the law from Mount Sinai, Jesus lays down the basics for being a citizen in the Kingdom of God. His kingdom is made of people who are poor in spirit, mourners, gentle, pure in heart, peacemakers, merciful, hunger for righteousness, and persecuted. As the nation of Israel was called to live to a higher standard, this new citizenship required a higher standard than the surrounding nations. Loving your enemies and praying for those that persecute does not seem logical or practical, but it is the example set by both the Father and the Son.
How do you view the interaction between the kingdom of man and the Kingdom of God?
Below are 2 circles labeled Roman Empire during the time of Christ and Roman Empire (400 A.D.) After Christianity had become the official religion of the Roman Empire. Fill in the circles with the number of the below symbols you believe represents the the population of the below groups.
? = Atheist, Muslim, Hindu, Animist
x = Christians in Name Only
t = Christians
Roman Empire during the time of Christ:
Roman Empire (400 A.D.):
Examples:
A nation without any Christians:
A nation where Christianity is just being started:
How do you think Christianity spread to other nations? Did the population become completely Christian? What did America look like in 1776? What does America look like today? What does China look like? How do Christians within these circles take part in war with Christians in other circles?
Looking ahead: Matthew 10, Matthew 24:9-14, Luke 21:10-19
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?
References
The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
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Thoughts of War 