Elder Don Turgeon encourages us to examine ourselves to determine if we tend to wage “war” or “peace” with others when confronted with apparent disagreements and beliefs. Do we arrive at a judgmental conclusion without hearing the other side of the argument, as is common with the world, or can we wage peace?
Sermon Notes
Technology is changing so fast today.
Even though technology has changed, but our emotions haven’t changed over time.
Of all of things we deal with today, one of major problems we deal with is division. Our country is completely divided today, so much emotion and angst today. We are not impervious to that, it can rub off on us. We have to stand on our own principles and ideas. We sense unity slipping away.
Are we waging war or waging peace? As society changes, we have to remember to not change with it.
Josh. 22:
Time for these tribes to go back with their families.
Josh. 22:1
Josh. 22:11 → They built an altar and were ready to go to way based on hearsay.
Today we receive fragments of information that may or may not be totally true.
Josh. 22:16 → What treachery have you done against God?
Josh. 22:17 → Referencing of sin of Israel with Moabite women.
The Israelites were very zealous to go to war. They were accusatory. This is very similar to what is on TV today. How do we react?
Josh. 22:21 -> The Lord of Lords know our hearts and intentions.
Josh. 22:31 → Phineas didn’t go through with battle and saw the Lord was with them.
Josh. 22:34 → Realized that they have a relationship with the other tribes and with God. The story could’ve gone off the rails with war.
Both parties had a great zeal for God and desire for peace and unity.
James 3:15 → What is the source that rules our life? What is our source of wisdom? Do you have bitter envy and self seeking in our hearts?
What does God want from us? To know Him?
We have to have a willingness to yield and have mercy. As a congregation, we don’t have a lot in common - but, we should have a starting point.
MP3 Audio (11.43 MB) 
