Fw: Epistle for September 6, 2002
Posted by: info <info@...>
From: FreeWay Foundation <info@freewayfoundation.org>
To: e-pistle2equip@welovegod.org <e-pistle2equip@welovegod.org>
Date: Thursday, September 05, 2002 8:09 AM
Subject: Epistle for September 6, 2002
e-pistle
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Dr. Curt Scarborough, President FreeWay Foundation September 6, 2002
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In This Issue:
A Christian Response to "911" Terrorism
Personal Disciplines for Spiritual Growth
"Iron Sharpens Iron"
Fellowship of Christian Educators
Bible Study - Personal & Practical - Joel I
A Christian Response to "911" Terrorism
Romans 12:17-21
"Jews and Arabs should settle their differences in a Christian manner!" It is reported that a politician made this foolish remark several years ago during a discussion about the Middle East crisis. DUMB! But it does raise a valid question: "How should we apply Christian principles to the terrorist attack on America that occurred on 9-11-01?"
I. Consider Jesus' words in the Sermon on the Mount
1. Jesus said: "Do not resist an evil person," Matthew 5:39.
2. He illustrated by saying, "Turn the other cheek," Matthew 5:39.
3. The Lord taught: "Love your enemies," Matthew 5:44.
4. He summarized His non-violent principles by giving us the Golden Rule:
"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do you also to them,
for this is the Law, and the Prophets," Matthew 7:12.
II. However, we need to understand these basics about the Sermon on the Mount
1. Christ was talking to His followers, teaching them how to conduct themselves as His
disciples. To the lost masses of humanity, these words are nonsense. Christians cannot
expect non-believers to conduct themselves this way, and Christians should not attempt
to impose these rules and regulations upon others who are not followers of the Lord.
2. Jesus was teaching about how individual Christians are to treat those who mistreat
them. He spoke of thoughts and deeds, of attitudes and actions, which a believer
should exhibit toward another person. He was not discussing the proper response which
should be taken against aggressor nations or terrorist groups. This distinction must be made.
3. The Lord here does not rule out self-defense. The use of force (even deadly force) to protect
innocent human life is not prohibited in Christ's teachings or anywhere else in the Scriptures.
4. God's nature demands justice. This includes, for example, capital punishment administered by
the proper authorities for premeditated murder. This is not revenge! It is vengeance, and
"Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, says the Lord," Romans 12:19. The execution of a cold-blooded
murderer by the state magnifies the value of a human life by meeting out the only punishment
which matches the seriousness of the crime against the victim. The hunting down and punishing
of international terrorists is exactly the same thing, but on a far larger scale . . . with many more
victims and many more guilty perpetrators to be held accountable.
III. Old Testament examples of God-initiated action against aggressive terrorism
1. Abraham attacked and killed the raiders who had captured Lot and his family, Genesis 14:1-16.
2. Joshua fought against and killed the aggressive Amalekites (Exodus 17:8-16), and he carried
out an extended war against the wicked Canaanites, as described throughout the Book of Joshua.
3. David retaliated against the terrorists who raided his home city of Ziklag and kidnapped his family
and the families of all his men, I Samuel 30:1-19.
4. Perhaps the most dramatic account of divine retribution is the slaying by the Lord's death angel of the
firstborn of every family in Egypt on the night of the Passover before the Exodus, Exodus 12:29-30.
All these retaliatory strikes were endorsed by the Lord in response to wicked
"terrorist" nations who had aggressively attacked God's people.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Understand that nationalism (including patriotism for the United States) is not a sin. In fact,
God is the author of nations, Acts 17:26.
2. Be careful that love for God, love for the victims, and even for the enemy is our prevailing
motivation . . . not hate, Matthew 5:44. A military response to aggression is the lesser of
two evils, preferred above allowing ourselves to be terrorized and oppressed.
3. Resolve to take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, Ezekiel 33:11. A Christian's reaction to
victory over a vanquished human foe should be thanksgiving to the Lord for His deliverance,
mixed with sadness over the fate of those who were sent into eternity without knowing and
accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
4. While holding evil leaders accountable for their wicked, violent deeds, and while reflecting with
deep sorrow upon the great loss of human life and the unspeakable tragedies which have
happened to innocent people, examine myself and repent of my sins against God, Luke 13:1-5.
In the middle of the full text (Romans 12:17-21), note these words: "If it is possible, as much as
depends on you, live peaceably with all men," (v. 18). This implies that it may be impossible
to live peaceably, as is the case with our nation in 2001. Because some people and nations may
remain violently opposed to us and our heritage of freedom, there are times when all efforts toward
peace fail. However, Christians in the United States should take heart that in this case our nation
is not at fault and we are not the aggressors. Therefore, we can pray with a confident assurance
and a clear conscience: "GOD BLESS AMERICA!"
Personal Disciplines for Spiritual Growth
On September 12, 2002 we will meet at the FreeWay Foundation building, 3426 Bridgeland Dr., Bridgeton, MO to study the last of our series on "Personal Disciplines for Spiritual Growth." Rev. Jim Carter, Pastor of First Baptist Church Ferguson will be our guest presenter. The topic will be "Receiving and Journaling." If you have missed the other three seminars you have really missed a great blessing from God. We look forward to seeing you at 9:30 a.m. on September 12, 2002. The seminar will finish at 11:30 a.m. This is a free seminar and all you need to do is just show up! WE'LL BE LOOKING FOR YOU!!!
"Iron Sharpens Iron" Seminars
Join Dr. Curt Scarborough in three in-depth studies:
Date: Thursday, October 10, 2002
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Subject: "The Extra Blessing of Baptism"
Date: Thursday, November 7, 2002
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Subject: "The Extra Blessing of The Lord's Supper"
Date: Thursday, December 5, 2002
Time: 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Subject: "Meditations on Being Spirit-Filled"
Fellowship of Christian Educators
Pastors: please pass this information along to school teachers in your congregation.
In 1998 FreeWay Foundation launched a new ministry to encourage and affirm Christians who teach in public schools. The Fellowship of Christian Educators is a network of mutual support groups which get together weekly in their school building for a regular prayer-share time. We suggest that these FCE groups meet for a brief 20-minute devotional perod before or after school one day a week to pray for the administration, faculty, staff, students, and families of the community.
FCE is not a political action group nor is it an alternative labor union for teachers. It merely is a regular, ongoing group of professional educators who are committed to Christ. Ideally, on each Monday morning before the bell rings, these believers gather to worship the Lord, receive spiritual nourishment, share burdens, and pray for spiritual strength for the coming week.
FreeWay Foundation has a vision of thousands of Christian teachers all across Missouri joining together in love and discernment, praying for fruitfulness, character, and excellence, as seen in Philippians 1:9-11. Imagine the spiritual impact such concentrated intercessory prayer could make on the public school systems of this state.
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Detach Here
Fellowship of Christian Educators
Registration of a local school chapter
Name of School:______________________________________________________________________________
District:_______________________________________County;_________________________State:__________
FCE Volunteer leader or contact person:
Name:__________________________________________________________________________
E-mail adress:___________________________________________________________________
Official position in the school:_____________________________________________________
Approximate number of persons expected to meet as a FCE chapter weekly:___________
_______Please do not include us in the listing of the FCE State Directory
Fill out this form, enclose the $10.00 registration fee, and mail to:
FreeWay Foundation
3426 Bridgeland Drive
Bridgeton, MO 63044
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For more information please contact:
Dr. Curt Scarborough, CEO & President
drcurt@freewayfoundation.org
Call a Sacred Assembly!
(Joel 1:1-20)
I. Concentration: on Joel's call to lamentation
1. Joel ("Jehovah Is God") called the nation of Israel to a period of mourning about
800 B.C. because of God's destructive judgement, the likes of which had never been
seen before; judgment came through a 4-stage locust invasion, vv. 1-2, 4-7.
2. God's judgment came through a drought, vv. 9-12.
3. God's judgment came through a famine, vv. 16-18.
4. God's judgment came through a fire, vv. 19-20.
II. Meditation: on the persons who were called into mourning
1. Elders, because God's judgment affected their children, grandchildren, and all
future generations, vv. 2-3.
2. Drunkards and others who consumed wine, because they had nothing to drink, v. 5.
3. Newly-weds, because their honeymoon had been interrupted, forcing them to wear
sackcloth rather than wedding garments, v. 8. "Sackcloth" was rough, coarse
fabric worn to symbolize deep grief and contrition before God.
4. Priests, because they had no sacrifices to offer to God, vv. 9, 13.
5. Farmers and vinedressers, because they had no harvest to celebrate, v. 11.
6. Shepherds, because their animals were suffering and dying, v. 18.
III. Revelation: on the effects of God's judgment upon the nation of Israel
1. Their spiritual joy had withered away like their material prosperity, v. 12.
2. Because of the destruction of the crops and animals, no offerings were available
to worship the Lord, vv. 13, 16.
3. Joel called them to "consecrate" a fast, v. 14; they indeed were "fasting"
because of food shortages, but it was not a spiritually beneficial fast.
4. Joel called them to a "sacred assembly" . . . a time of national reflection,
repentance, and prayer for forgiveness and restoration, v. 14.
IV. Applications: as a Christian, I need to . . .
1. Realize that sin always brings God's judgment . . . upon individuals and
upon a nation.
2. Recognize that all persons are affected by a nation's rebellion against God . . .
the innocent as well as the guilty.
3. Reflect upon my situation and circumstances, seeking to discover the causes
of the "hard times" . . . seeking to understand the spiritual lessons being
taught by God.
4. Repent! . . . repentance is the vital spiritual element of any period of personal
or national fasting.