Gun Violence & Gun Control
Engaging Our Culture • Sermon • Submitted
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· 19 viewsWe must show those involved with gun violence the love of Jesus and think as Christians first about the issue of gun control.
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I was thinking about which topic we would tackle this week and then news came out that there was a shooting just an hour from where my family used to live in Texas…
There are very few people, if anyone, who have not been affected in some way, directly or indirectly, by gun violence, so it is important that we, as Christians, know how to respond to these issues.
And first, we want to think about how to show God’s love.
Gun Violence
Gun Violence
When I was 16 I went on a mission trip to France. I may have told y’all about this before. I bought a laser pointer from a street vender while we were there and that night I was pointing it at people as they came into our hotel. Now I’m pretty sure that it’s illegal to carry a gun in France, but when I shined that laser on one dude he did this… My room mate and I dove back in the room and we didn’t shine that laser any more! That was scary!
I laugh about that now, but having a gun pulled on you or someone you care about is scary. Guns can be used to do terrible things. So how should Christians respond?
Victims
Victims
We should love those affected. We should remind them that God loves them.
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.
We should pray for them…
We should empathize…
If possible, we should point them to the Gospel…
The shooter
The shooter
Remember, sometimes the shooter is also the victim...
Even if they are the attacker, we must remind ourselves and them that God loves them.
We should pray for their repentance…
If possible, we should point them to the Gospel…
Where is God?
Where is God?
This is an honest and understandable question in the face of some of the great tragedies we have seen in our country over the last few years.
It’s a question that we don’t have time to completely answer tonight, but I want to briefly address it.
Why does it happen?
Humanity is sinful and evil. Some more than others.
And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.
Evil hearts choose to commit evil actions. Murder, as with any evil action, happens because sinful people choose to do sinful things.
Evil hearts choose to commit evil actions.
Why does God allow it?
He has chosen to give humanity an ability for free choice.
Scripture is clear that we make choices and we are responsible for them.
Though He could stop people, and maybe He does sometimes, He doesn’ always.
This is difficult, but we must trust that God is good and we will one day see that and understand it in all his goodness.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
We have to remember that ultimately, the only answer and cure for not only gun violence, but any kind of violence is Jesus Christ. He is the one who will ultimately and finally do away with sin and evil .
We must keep that in mind as we consider as a culture what to do, if anything, about guns.
Gun Control
Gun Control
Where should we stand with this? With this and any issue, Christians must begin with Scripture. How does the Bible inform us on this topic?
It doesn’t directly. So we have to consider what Scripture does tell us…
The closest the Bible gets to addressing this is to know that Jesus’ disciples carried swords and He never told them not to. In one situation He may have instructed them to carry swords...
And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.” And they said, “Look, Lord, here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”
And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one. For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’ For what is written about me has its fulfillment.”
Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.” And he said to them, “When I sent you out with no moneybag or knapsack or sandals, did you lack anything?” They said, “Nothing.” He said to them, “But now let the one who has a moneybag take it, and likewise a knapsack. And let the one who has no sword sell his cloak and buy one.
Jesus’ point here is that the world will be hostile towards them because they are followers of Jesus and they need to be ready for that.
We know this isn’t a general, every situation statement because just a few verses later Jesus gets on to Peter for pulling his sword out and cutting off a guy’s ear!
Jesus says to turn the other cheek if someone slaps you on your right cheek, but this is about revenge, not self defense.
No where does the Bible tell us not to defend ourselves.
“You shall not murder.”
Jesus also says if our hand is causing us to sin we should cut it off, we’re told to flee from temptation. So should we get rid of guns to keep the temptation away?
That won’t keep the temptation away, and we are personally told to go to great lengths to get away from sin, not for the government to do it.
Taking guns away doesn’t prevent people from wanting to murder. Sinful hearts are the problem, whether it’s a gun or knife or car or a microphone stand!
Maybe it prevents some murders, but is that worth the cost? Couldn’t not having guns also allow some more murders to happen?
Thanksgiving is next week. What is the best Thanksgiving food? Should we eat Thanksgiving food at other times of the year? People have strong feelings about this stuff, but it’s all opinion!
Scripture does not directly address this issue, so we take biblical principles and apply them to this issue and form an opinion. And it will be different than other peoples’.
But be thoughtful about it.
Don’t stand in hatred toward those who disagree.
Don’t stand in hatred toward those who disagree.
One thing Scripture is very clear about is loving others.
For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
If you feel so strongly about your position on gun control that you can not love those who disagree with you, your priorities are wrong.
You can love those you disagree with.
Don’t stand in opposition to Scripture.
Don’t stand in opposition to Scripture.
1 Timothy 2:1-2
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.
Even if you disagree with your leaders.
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.
If you disagree with our laws now, if they change and you disagree with them then, I think this is our command as Christians. We must trust God.
And remember the governments that we around when Paul wrote all this.