4.  The World is full of violence!!

5. Nanking, China

7. University of San Diego

10. Noah’s World  13 And God said to Noah, “The end of all flesh has come before Me, for the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. (Gen. 6:13)  5 Then the L ORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Gen. 6:5-7).

11. The Bible on Violence  Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9  Hebrews 12:14 “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14  1 Peter 3:9-11 “Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing. For “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.” 1 Peter 3:9-11

12. Peace: the way of GOD  Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,” Galatians 5:22  Romans 14:19 “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.” Romans 14:19  Isaiah 32:17 “And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.” Isaiah 32:17

13. A Christians Choice  Psalm 34:14 “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” Psalm 34:14  James 3:18 “And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:18  James 4:1-2 “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.” James 4:1-2

14. Conclusion  Christians ought to be examples of God on Earth. (I Cor. 11:1)  Our fruits speak of our faith (Mat. 7:15-20).  15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.