1. Why are there wars? TEXTS: Psalm 2:1-4 James 4:1-4
Why do the nations rage?
Why are there wars?
TEXTS:
Psalm 2:1-4
James 4:1-4

2. History = War
From the beginning of recorded history – wars have been a major part of life
Exception – Pax Romana (Latin for Roman Peace) – 27 BC through 180 AD
There were no major wars during this period
Christ's ministry, establishment of the church, and rapid spread of Christianity

3. Psalm 2:1-4
1 Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, 3 "Let us break Their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us." 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision.

4. James 4:1-4
1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

5. Answers from Yahoo Why are there wars?
That person has something I want and they won't give it to me
I hate those people so lets get rid of them
Those people are standing in the way of progress
His great-great-great grandfather killed my great-great-great grandfather
I'm not going to get picked on any more by anyone. I'll do the picking no now.

6. Answers from James 4 Desires / Lust / Greed / Covet (1-2)
Most wars are caused by desire, lust, greed
Hitler – WWII
Gulf War in Kuwait
Vietnam War
Korean War

7. Answers from James 4 Desires / Lust / Greed / Covet (1-2)
Don't get what we want – fail to ask (2)
I want it – He won't give it to me
Child grabbing toys from others
Ahab wanted Naboth's vineyard – 1 Kings 21

8. Answers from James 4 Desires / Lust / Greed / Covet (1-2)
Don't get what we want – fail to ask (2)
Ask amiss; for wrong purpose or reason (3)
Selfish motives
Revenge motives
God looks at WHAT and WHY

9. Answers from James 4 Desires / Lust / Greed / Covet (1-2)
Don't get what we want – fail to ask (2)
Ask amiss; for wrong purpose or reason (3)
Friendship with the world (4)
Are we more loyal to world or to God?
Seek righteousness of God 1st – Matthew 6:33

10. Answers from Psalm 2 Plot a vain thing
Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? (1)
Plan, devise, organize – something worthless

11. Answers from Psalm 2 Plot a vain thing
Think you are strong / powerful / invincible
The kings of the earth set themselves, And the rulers take counsel together, (2)
Daniel 4 – Nebuchadnezzar
2 Corinthians 12 – Paul's thorn in the flesh

12. Answers from Psalm 2 Plot a vain thing
Think you are strong / powerful / invincible
Take counsel (advice) against the Lord
And the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, (2b)
Fail to seek God's wisdom in the matter
Learn God's will – then ignore it
Figure out how to work against God's will

13. Conclusion The same answers apply in all “wars” (conflicts)
Family, Social, Work
Church, Moral, Doctrinal
Seek God and His will FIRST
Seek God, Pray for God's will to be done
Obey God