Introduction: Today the conversative community all around the world is honoring the life of our brother, Charlie Kirk at his memorial Service in Glendale Az. Tens of thousands of people are packed into the State Farm Stadium with millions around the world are watching via television and streaming services.
What happened nine days ago exposed the great divide in our country and the fall out is all around us. Yes, the United States of America might be better be defined as the “Divided States of America.”
I can’t speak for you, but I believe that this tragedy is a tipping point in America, either one that will bring us together or further divide us. I want to be on that helps unite rather than divide us.
In preparation for this message, I was reminded of a documentary I watched a few years back called The Social Dilemma that warned of the days we are now living in. The premise of the documentary was for us to recognize the dangers of the internet and social media as it relates to division in our country and the world over.
VIDEO CLIP
- Political Scientists tell us that America has slipped from being the world’s greatest democracy to what now refer to as an anocracy. (a partial democracy (with free but not fair elections) moving us closer to civil war-not one with soldiers in uniforms on each side but with terrorist type groups that attack at will.
The Center of Systematic Peace in Virginia measures the political variances of the world’s democracies using a rating system of +10 to -10.
For most of American history our great nation has had a +10 rating (the exception was during the Civil War in 1860 and the Civil Rights period in the sixties. According to research America has dropped in the last decade to our worst rating ever: 2016 + 8, 2019+7, 2020 +5.
What’s interesting about this rating system is that when the variance drops between +5 and -5 on the scale a country is now defined as an ANOCRACY.
Anocracy is a hybrid political system that mixes democratic and autocratic features, often found in countries whose political climate is unstable. The term is used extensively in political science arenas by organizations such as the Center for Systemic Peace, which categorizes regimes on a scale from full democracy to full autocracy.
All this to say that as Christ followers, as it concerns us, we are to be at peace with all men as much as possible.
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:18
THIS MORNINGS TEXT:
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:9-16
I want to share three things that I think every peacemaker must know.
1. PEACEMAKERS THAT NEVER ENDS WELL.
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. Matthew 12:25
It matters not whether it’s family division, church division, political division, etc.… it never ends well. And the enemy knows this all to well and will exploit our differences to stir it up.
- HIS STRATEGY IS KNOWN AS DIVIDE TO CONQUEROR.
From the very beginning Satan has made division his game. Get people to compare themselves with others and make sure the end up of the better side of the comparison
- DIVISION IS COMMON AMONG THE HUMAN FAMILY.
One thing we can observe in the story of the “Chosen People” is all the dysfunction and division among them.
Yes, the Bible is filled with accounts of dysfunctional families, including Adam and Eve’s family with Cain murdering Abel, Abraham’s family with jealousy and forced separation, Jacob’s family with rivalry and the selling of Joseph, and King David’s family marked by incest, rape, murder, and rebellion. Other examples include Lot’s daughters, Noah’s sons, and the sons of Eli and Samuel, showcasing a pervasive pattern of conflict, abuse, deceit, and brokenness throughout biblical history.
- DIVISION RUINS FAMILIES, CHURCHES AND NATIONS.
2. PEACEMAKERS WILL HAVE BUT MUST TRY TO THEM RATHER THAN THEM.
Jesus said to the peacemakers, blessed are you when you are persecuted, blessed are you when you are insulted, blessed are you when you are mistreated.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:43-48
Tension in the Text: Yes, we should aim to be peacemakers, but we shouldn’t expect a godless culture to lay down their weapons.
Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. Luke 12:51-52
Truth isn’t hate speech, but it is often hated speech.
3. PEACEMAKERS AIM TO LIVE A THAT MAKES IT FOR PEOPLE TO US.
We are called to live BE SALT and LIGHT in a dark world.
- Salt makes things taste better i.e. adds flavor to a tasteless religion.
- Good deeds are expressions of God’s goodness and kindness.
Love your enemies and they won’t be your enemies for long.
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. Romans 16:7
CONCLUSION: Yes, in a country that is becoming more and more hostile towards Christians we must remember that we are to do our best to be peacemakers. Our post on social media should reflect truth and grace. Not hate and division.
I think we have the right to take our positions on political and social matters, but we must be wise in how we do so.
Resist the temptation to name call, make fun of and………
- May we love your neighbors like we are loving ourselves.
- May we do good to our neighbors.
- May we share the gospel with our neighbors.