Terrorism Strikes America
September 16, 2001
Intro:
A. The events of this past week were some of the most chilling that any of us have encountered.
1. None of us have ever had to even consider the reality of blood shed on our own land.
2. It is always something that we thought of in some other part of the world.
B. There are many things about our society that changed suddenly.
1. Each of us have had to spend some time thinking about things we’ve never thought about before.
2. We’re also having to re-think some things that we thought we’d already figured out.
C. This morning I’d like to give you some Biblical perspectives on some of the most frequently asked questions about this event.
1. I have five initial questions and some scriptures for us to think about at this point in time.
2. I really don’t know right now whether I will preach more sermons on this subject or continue on with the series that I was preaching on the supremacy of Christ.
3. All I really know is what God has given me for today.
4. So the first question is…
I. Why did this happen?
A. God did not cause this to happen!
James 1:13-17, When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone;
1. God is not the author of evil.
2. God cannot even be tempted by evil.
B. Make no mistake about it, THIS WAS EVIL!
1. Hijacking a plane, stabbing people, sending the rest to the back of the plane, telling them to call their loved ones on the phone and say their good-byes because they are going to crash the plane into the World Trade Center or the White House—make no mistake: this was evil!
2. Recruiting 18 people to commit suicide for you—make no mistake: this was evil!
3. Make no mistake: That was the Devil and all his demons dancing on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon last Tuesday!
4. God is not the author of evil; God did not cause this to happen.
5. This was not a part of God’s plan.
C. So why did it happen?
1. There are many answers to this question and only God knows all of them.
2. One answer is because of the US’s relationship with Israel.
a. There are many in the Middle East that would like to get the US out of there so that they can fight Israel alone.
b. There are many in the Arab world that want to annihilate Israel.
c. They want to obliterate Israel because they want Jerusalem.
d. This is a sibling rivalry that goes all the way back to when Jacob (whose name was later changed to Israel) tricked his brother, Ishmael, out of his birthright.
e. This war has been going on ever since in the land that we now call the Middle East.
f. The US has chosen (rightfully) to be on Israel’s side and that has upset all of the Arab world.
g. Israel has some rough neighbors on Ishmael’s side of the family that live out there in the Middle East including: Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Usama Bin Laden (who is not really any country—although Afghanistan has been know to hide him there).
h. Any and all of those would like to see the US get out of Israel.
i. This attack was designed to get the US out of Israel and back on our own soil.
3. There are many reasons why this happened, but that is at least one of them.
D. So God did not cause this to happen, but He is still in control none-the-less.
Psalms 46:1-3, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, 3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.
Psalms 46:6, Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall; he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
1. God did not cause this to happen, but He is still in control none-the-less.
2. Even though the nations rage, God is still in control!
3. Even though mountains fall into the sea, God is still in control!
4. Even though buildings crumble, God is still in control!
5. God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
II. If God is in control, then why did He allow this to happen?
James 1:13-17, When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
A. It is not God who causes evil, but men.
1. God does not cause evil, but He sometimes allows us to reap the consequences of the evil behavior of men.
2. Evil is conceived when people take action on the evil thoughts that Satan puts into their heads.
3. God gives us a free choice and with that free choice comes consequences of those choices.
4. When we make good choices, there are good consequences.
5. When we make bad choices, there are bad consequences.
6. And God allows us the freedom to choose.
7. The trouble is that we want the freedom to chose, but we don’t want to reap the consequences that go with bad choices.
8. That is what abortion is all about: it is about not wanting to face the consequences of a bad decision.
9. And that mentality is all over America.
10. We want to take pills to take away the consequences of bad decisions, but it doesn’t work that way.
11. God doesn’t cause these evil things to happen—people do.
12. And if God stopped all evil, there would be no free will; we’d all be robots.
B. And America has made a lot of bad decisions that are coming back to haunt us.
1. We have chosen for too long to turn a blind eye to those who practice terrorism and it has come back to bite us.
a. We’ve known for a long time that Usama Bin Laden has been doing this kind of stuff and we haven’t done anything about it.
b. We’ve know for years that Sadam Hussein has been doing this kind of stuff and we haven’t done anything about it.
c. We’ve known for years that Iran has been doing this kind of stuff and we haven’t done anything about it.
d. We’ve known for years that Palestine wants to take over Jerusalem and we’ve not done anything about it.
e. Why? Any number of reasons. Different reasons for each country. But most of them come down to money.
f. We have made money more important than dealing with evil.
g. We have made oil and gasoline more important than dealing with evil.
h. We’ve turned a blind eye in many instances because we want to continue to buy oil at a cheap price.
i. It’s time we take a stand against evil and start drilling our own oil!
j. It’s time we take a stand against the evils of terrorism and start drilling our own oil!
k. It’s time we take a stand for Israel and start drilling our own oil!
2. Another thing we have done wrong is turning our backs on God and expecting Him to continue to protect us like He always has.
a. We cannot continue to shake a fist in God’s face and tell Him we don’t need Him and think that He is going to continue to protect us.
b. We cannot continue to shove God out of the schools and public places and expect Him to continue to protect us.
c. We can’t continue to think this silliness that we ourselves are invincible when we train the very people who want to annihilate us how to fly our own planes and kill our own people with them.
d. That’s pretty silly and we’re are going to have to do some serious rethinking about how we do a lot of things!
e. But first and foremost, we are going to remember who it is that is our real protection!
f. We should build and train the best military in the world, but we must never forget who is really our defender!
C. Now I have only scratched the surface, but I hope you can see that although God did not cause this, He is still very much in charge.
III. Is it ok for the US to retaliate?
Matthew 5:44, But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Romans 12:19, Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.
Romans 13:1-4, Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4 For he is God’s servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
A. The Bible makes it very clear that there is a distinction between private citizens of a country and the government of a country.
1. God gives one set of instructions to private citizens while giving a different set of instructions to civil government.
2. We must understand this distinction.
B. Let’s think about the government first…
1. The Bible makes it very clear that governments are established by God.
2. The Bible makes it very clear that governments are established by God to be God’s agents of wrath for those who do wrong.
3. The Bible makes it very clear that governments are established by God to hold terror over those who do wrong.
4. The Bible makes it very clear that governments are established by God to bear the sword against those who do wrong.
5. And today our swords may be lethal injections or electric chairs or bombs, but the principle is that the government has the God-given authority to put to death those who deserve to be put to death.
6. And make no mistake those who practice terrorism (usurping the God-given right of a government to hold terror), deserve death!
7. In plain English: The Bible gives governments the right of enforcing the death penalty.
8. That is the Biblical role of government.
C. But the role of the private citizen is different.
1. The role of the private citizen is: Thou shalt not murder.
2. The role of the private citizen is: Do what is right so you won’t have to fear the government.
3. The role of the private citizen is: Do not seek revenge.
4. The role of the private citizen is: Love your enemies.
5. The role of the private citizen is: Pray for those who persecute you.
6. Our attitude should be that we expect our government to protect us from evil doers while we love and pray for them to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
D. Is it right for the US to retaliate? Yes, but it is not right for our heart to want to seek to see anyone punished.
IV. Is this a sign of the last days?
Matthew 24:6, You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
Matthew 24:36, "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Matthew 24:42, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.
Romans 1:28-32, Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, he gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. 29 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; 31 they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.
A. Yes, but…
1. Yes this is a sign of the last days.
2. But Acts 2 tells us that the last days started right after Jesus returned to heaven.
3. The last days have been going on for over 2000 years.
4. They may go on for 2000 more or they may end tomorrow.
B. Romans says that men would "invent ways of doing evil."
1. Tuesday we certainly saw an inventive way to do evil.
2. There is no question that Romans describes the events of Tuesday.
3. There is no question that Jesus was describing the discussion of war this past week.
4. All of these are indeed signs of the end, but they may or may not be the signal of the end.
C. There will be a lot of people who will say this is it.
1. But the truth is that they don’t know!
2. Jesus said not even He knew.
3. Therefore, as Jesus said, we must always keep watch and be ready!
V. How can anything good come of this?
2 Thessalonians 3:2-3, And pray that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not everyone has faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.
2 Peter 3:3-15, First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4 They will say, "Where is this ’coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5 But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6 By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7 By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.
2 Chronicles 7:14, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
A. Our country has a lot of problems and this needs to be a wake up call to us!
1. But I want to make it very clear as to who first needs to wake up!
2. It is not the Democrats or the Republicans!
3. It is not the Arabs or the Muslims!
4. It is not the city people or the rural people!
5. God said the first people who need to wake up are His people!
6. If MY people…
B. If we want this country to turn around, it is God’s people who must humble themselves!
1. Those are God’s words!
2. God’s people must humble themselves!
3. God’s people must pray!
4. God’s people must seek His face!
5. God’s people must turn from their wicked ways!
6. Then God will heal our land!
C. This country is in a mess and we Christians share the blame!
1. We share the guilt of what happened on Tuesday.
2. We have not been what God has called us to be.
3. We have not loved our neighbors as we should.
4. We don’t even know our neighbors.
5. We haven’t shared the love of God with our co-workers.
6. They don’t even know we are Christians.
7. We have not been the light of the world!
8. We have not been the salt of the earth!
D. There are many things that need to change and I pray that the deaths of these thousands of people will not be in vain!
1. I pray that the deaths of these thousands of people will not be for nothing.
2. I pray that the deaths of these thousands of people will wake us up.
3. I pray that these deaths will cause us to learn and have the courage to make the changes that we need to make.
4. I pray that because of these thousands of deaths, we Christians and churches and Americans will learn to pray to God for protection from evil.
5. I pray that because of these thousands of deaths that we will learn that American is not invincible, but is utterly 100% dependent upon God!
6. I pray that because of these thousands of deaths that America will once again say, "In God we trust!"
7. I pray that because of these thousands of deaths that Christians will once again start to live Godly and holy lives.
8. I pray that because of these thousands of deaths that our government will once again look to God for direction and guidance.
9. But more than anything else, I pray that because of these thousands of deaths that Christians will start to form relationships with our neighbors and be salt and light to them again!
Conclusion:
A. I believe that I have given you a small taste of God’s perspective on all of this.
1. It is my prayer that I have given you a measure reassurance and comfort.
2. Let me assure you that there is a God and He does care!
B. Now I want to have a time of commitment.
1. 2 Chronicles 7:14, if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
2. In a few minutes, we are going to have a group prayer time, but right now I want you to ask God to search your heart individually and see how you need to respond.
3. My guess is that most of us need to do some praying today.
4. There are some that need to pray for God to toughen you up and give you more confidence and boldness to help you worry less and trust Him more.
5. There are some that need to repent and get yourselves right with God and start living a more holy life.
6. There are some that need to ask God to help you get out of your comfort zone and start forming relationships with others and start doing your part in being salt and light to our world.
7. I believe that all of us need to seek God’s face today.
8. Whatever commitment you need to make, I want to encourage you to act upon it as we stand and sing #387 "Have Thine Own Way, Lord."
