IN JUST A FEW VERSES IN JAMES THE GREAT CONTRAST BETWEEN PEACE AND WAR IS SHOWN, AND THEIR SOURCE!

1. The Amos of the N.T. is greatly concerned about faith working itself out- social realities
2. He is not only interested in bettering social conditions, but also concerned about motivations
3. We will be hearing many promises (its a political year), we need to examine how & why too!

There will be a big difference between the peace talkers and peace makers!

I. THE SOURCE OF PEACE AND WAR! 3:18,41

The Jews were a troublesome people, insurrection against Rome; also intrigue against other Jews

A.- WARFARE IS THE NATURAL STATE OF MAN, "BY NATURE CHILDREN OF WRATH" - HATING AND HATEFUL

1. James asked "From whence come wars" 4:1, and he answered it -from the war in your own hearts
2. Whether 2 children, Dagwood neighbors, neighborhoods, states, nations- War is the rule of life
3. When "Peace" is enforced (Law & Order) people turn to gossip- 4:11, 3:8-busybodies, meddling

B.- PEACE, WHEN IT EXISTS ON EARTH EVEN FOR A SHORT TIME, HAS TO COME FROM A POWER ABOVE MANKIND

1. James notes that the Wisdom from above (not earthly -v.15) is peace loving- v.17
2. The Angel cried out "Peace on earth"-Luke 2:14- then ran, wise men fled, Jesus dragged-Egypt.
3. Jesus spoke to the troubled sea- Mark 4:39- "Peace, be still" only He can speak to your heart

C.- MEN PROMISE PEACE, AND GIVE WAR: BUT GOD CAN DEMAND RIGHTEOUSNESS, PERFECTION - & GIVE PEACE

1. Jer 8:11 the men cried Peace, Peace, when there was no peace Saying it does not make it true
2. Jer 8:15 They sought peace- and found trouble- When I have sought peace-I've been bullied!
3. Heb 13:20-21 - The God of Peace wants to make you perfect- only through Blood of Christ!

When I say "Shalom" I mean- "God give you peace". - For you- "Be right, be strong"!

II.- WHEN MEN CRY PEACE !

Words are dangerous- James cried out against men saying things that they did not mean with deeds

A.- THE BIBLE TELLS OF A TIME WHEN A GREAT PEACE OFFENSIVE WILL BE LAUNCHED BY THE ANTICHRIST

1. Daniel had a great vision of the end of time- 8:23-27 A great and terrible man would arise
2. His offensive will be strange, powerful,- "By Peace shall destroy many"- Understand this?
3. Ezekiel, contemporary of Daniel- Ezek 13:10, Seduce people-build a wall-untempered mortar!-

B.- JEREMIAH 6:14 WARNED OF MEN WHO CRIED PEACE, HEALED THE HURT SLIGHTLY, AND WHAT HAPPENED

1. God was trying to call Jerusalem to repent and warned her of Assyria and Babylonia -but!
2. The false prophets cried peace instead of warning! They too were deep in sin, luxuries
3. They healed the hurt slightly- for a moment: smoothed things over like salve on cancer!-then#

C.- PAUL WARNED ALL AGES OF AN ETERNAL PRINCIPLE, AND A GREAT PROPHECY* I Thess 5:3 SUDDEN DESTRUCTION

1. The final day of doom- Tribulation- will come when Satan deceives people with peace & safety
2. When this happens- the false prophet will be the first to fall Jer 6:15-Communism-kills agents
3. Peace and safety are strangers to this world only brief moments-all history-conflict

It has been Man against man, against nature, against God, against himself, since Fall of Man

III. ONLY GOD CAN GIVE REAL PEACE !

God's Word promised a prince of Peace Isą 9:6- And the earth cannot have any peace without Him

A.- THERE ARE THREE KINDS OF PEACE DESCRIBED IN THE BIBLE, AND THEY ALL COME FROM GOD ALONE!

1. Peace with God- Rom 5:1- Through Jesus Christ- His shed blood- you can be saved-stop fighting
2. Peace of God- Phil 4:7- Through obedience, submission to Him- here is an inner peace of heart
3. Peace on Earth- Isa 2:4 - When men will learn war no more!- Only when "He" comes to lead us.

B.- WE CAN HAVE BRIEF PERIODS OF PEACE TODAY WHEN WE PUT INTO PRACTICE GOD'S RULE OF GOVERNMENT

1. There are men who are called "Peacemakers" - The crop grows from wisdom from above!
2. This involves the "Peace officers"-cf. Romans 13:1-4 - being free to use "Peacemakers"-
3. The sign- "Peace is our Profession" is found on the wall of "Alert City" Strategic Air Command! - strong!

C.- UNTIL JESUS COMES, DO NOT BE FOOLED BY ANYONE WHO PROMISES PEACE AND SECURITY, IT IS FALSE

1. You are told to seek peace- I Pet 3:10,11- but this is in your own heart first! then others
2. Peace is costly - for you to gain peace with God will cost Him the blood of His son: -
3. For you to have the peace of God will cost you the sacrifice of obedience in righteousness!

Then through great struggle, turmoil, and conflict with "world, flesh, devil"- you get peace

DO YOU HAVE THE WISDOM TO SEEK REAL PEACE? IF YOU DO, YOU WILL FIND IT IN JESUS CHRIST!

1. Take all your hopes you have placed in men, and place them in Jesus Christ-
2. Confess Him as your own personal Savior, plead His Blood, cease your war with God! then you have peace.
3. Then sign up on God's side, and become a soldier of the cross-