SERMON: JESUS BRINGS DIVISION

JESUS BRINGS DIVISION
10 August 2008

I. Introduction
-- turn in Bibles to Luke 12

49. "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
50. But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!
51. Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.
52. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.
53. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."


-- the other day, a friend of mine came to me and asked me this question, "Why can't we all just get along?" -- he said he didn't understand why there was so much division and strife in the world today -- especially among Jews and Christians and Muslims
-- he pointed out that most of the conflicts going on right now were along religious lines -- the Iranians threatening to destroy Israel because the Muslims in Iran hate the Jews -- the Jews and the Palestinians fighting against each other because of land and territory and racial and religious differences -- the United States fighting the Muslim terrorists who look at us as the "Great Satan"
-- he said it even happens within the religions -- look at what's going on in Iraq right now as the Sunni Muslims battle the Shia Muslims in the streets of Baghdad and other places
-- he said that if you look back at history, almost every war that has ever been fought has been fought along religious lines -- and he said, "I don't understand this -- why are all of these religions fighting each other?"
-- he went on to tell me about a documentary that he had just watched on the foundation of the three major religions -- all three -- Jews, Christians, and Muslims -- trace their heritage back to the patriarch Abraham from the Old Testament -- all three trace their religion back to Abraham's God
-- the Jewish Torah -- the Christian Old Testament -- and the Koran all agree that Abraham's God was the God of life -- the Creator God who called Abram from the Land of Ur and sent him to the Promised Land
-- he finished his discussion by asking, "If all three of these religions have the same God -- have the same basis -- have the same original founder -- then why can't we all come together and unite in peace? -- Why does there have to be division and war and strife? -- Shouldn't religious people be able to get along?"

-- these are pretty good questions that learned men and women have struggled with throughout the centuries -- why is there so much strife between the Jew and the Muslim -- between the Christian and the Jew -- and between the Christian and the Muslim? -- if we have a common ancestor in the faith -- if we worship a common God -- they why are we constantly at war with one another?
-- the answer is, amazingly, simple -- the answer is Jesus

-- you see, it's not enough to believe in Abraham -- it's not enough to believe in the God who created the world -- you still have the question of how to obey and fulfill this God's righteous demands
-- all three religions confirm that God requires righteousness and holiness and obedience from us if we are to live in harmony with Him and eventually enter into eternal life with Him
-- the Jews teach that you must follow the Law to be saved
-- the Muslims teach that you must fulfill the five pillars of Islam
-- the Christians teach that you can't do either -- that fallen and sinful man is incapable of producing holiness and righteousness and obedience -- and that we must rely on Someone else to fulfill the Law's demands on our behalf -- and that Someone is Jesus
-- and it is because of Jesus that all three of the major monotheistic religions in the world just can't get along
-- Jesus is the stumbling block that causes division and strife in this world
-- in 1 Peter 2:6-8, we read: "For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." -- Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone, " and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for."

-- that is the message of Christ in this passage from Luke -- His presence leads to division and strife among religions -- among the nations -- even among families
-- so, this morning, as we continue our series on God as our math teacher, let's consider the concept that Jesus brings division

II. Scripture Lesson -- Luke 12:49-53
-- this passage from Luke 12 is a difficult passage -- it is a hard passage for us to understand -- we think of Jesus being the Light of the World -- the Prince of Peace -- but yet He tells us quite clearly that His presence was going to bring division and strife
-- in context, we have to remember when Jesus said these words to His disciples and why He said them -- Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem -- for most of His ministry, Jesus had been in the countryside -- going from town to town -- ministering to people's needs -- both physical and spiritual
-- great numbers of people had begun to follow Him -- and His disciples were beginning to whisper to themselves something that they had been hoping for in their heart
-- Perhaps Jesus was indeed the Messiah -- perhaps He was the anointed one of God who was coming to restore Jerusalem and Israel to its former glory -- perhaps He was the promised King who would bring in a utopian kingdom -- a kingdom of peace and prosperity and perfection unlike any that the world had ever known
-- Jesus knew what was in their heart -- Jesus knew what they were expecting Him to do and to be -- He knew they were still looking for an earthly king -- and He knew that His reception in Jerusalem would not be what they expected
-- so Jesus shares with them this teaching to prepare them for the division and strife and persecution that was going to come as He carried His ministry to Jerusalem -- He wanted them to understand that even though the people were going to cry out "Hosanna, Hosanna" when He rode in on Palm Sunday, His purpose was not to usher in a time of peace and a utopian kingdom -- but to force people to proclaim what they truly believed in their heart of hearts

-- so with that context in mind, let's look back at this passage and let's try to understand it together
-- verse 49

49. "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

-- in the Bible, fire always symbolizes three things -- judgment, purification, and the Spirit of God -- and in this verse, Jesus is referring to all three when He says, "I have come to bring fire on the earth"

-- first, Jesus had come to bring judgment on the world -- God had given us His law to point us to Himself -- to show us His way and His will and His purpose for our lives -- He told us quite plainly what we should and shouldn't do if we wanted to live in harmony with Him
-- but because of the sin that entered into the world in the Garden of Eden, we just can't live the lives of holiness and righteousness that He wants us to -- we disobey God every single day -- we sin against Him -- as Paul wrote in Romans 3:23, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God"
-- this sin -- these transgressions against God -- have to be dealt with -- the Bible tells us that at the end times, God is going to judge us for what we did and didn't do -- and we are going to have to pay the penalty for that sin -- we are going to have to go through the fire of judgment, and that is one reason Jesus came

-- secondly, Jesus came to purify the earth -- the Bible teaches and we know in our own lives that we can't live holy and righteous lives on our own -- we live in a fallen world -- corrupted by sin and the presence of evil
-- but just like fire is used to refine silver and gold by burning out all the impurities -- Jesus was teaching that He had come to purify the world through His presence and His life -- He was going to make all things new -- He was going to redeem the curse and to remove the sin through His death on the cross and His resurrection from the dead

-- third, Jesus came to bring the Holy Spirit to us -- as John the Baptist said, Jesus came to baptize us with fire -- and after we have been judged and purified through the fire of His word, He promised to send us the Holy Spirit to indwell us -- to fill us with His very presence -- as a sign and seal on our lives -- as a way to make us holy and fit for His kingdom

-- verse 50

50. But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!

-- this fire was being kindled through the presence of Jesus -- through the Word of God and the preaching that the kingdom of heaven was near -- but it wasn't a roaring fire yet
-- before it could be a raging flame, Jesus had to undergo a baptism of suffering and shame -- in verse 50, Jesus is referring to the passion of the cross -- Jesus was going to go to the cross on our behalf -- He was going to take our judgment on Himself -- He was going to pay our penalty for sin with His own body and blood
-- He was not coming to set up a utopian kingdom -- He was not coming to establish heaven on earth at this time -- He was coming to be baptized for us -- and after His death and resurrection, the fire He talked about would be turned into a raging fire when the Holy Spirit would come at Pentecost, indwelling the believers and empowering them to preach the gospel throughout the world

-- verse 51

51. Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.
52. From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three.
53. They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

-- the result of Jesus' coming is division and strife -- that is not the reason He came -- that is not why He went to the cross -- but it is a fact of life
-- Jesus came to take on Himself the judgment of the world -- to purify the world through His body and His blood -- and to send us the Holy Spirit as a refining presence in our lives
-- Jesus came to bring peace on earth -- when the angels appeared to the shepherds on that first Christmas night, they didn't sing, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth war and division and strife to men" -- no, they sang, "Glory to God in the highest, and earth peace to men on whom His favor rests"
-- the peace that Jesus brought was reconciliation between God and men -- rather than being objects of God's wrath -- rightfully waiting for His judgment to fall -- we are now at peace with God because Jesus paid the penalty of our sin
-- so why does He say in this passage that He came to bring division? -- it's because of us -- it's because of our hearts
-- salvation is a free gift from God -- it is offered by grace through faith because of what Jesus did for us on the cross -- but many, many people refuse to accept this gift -- they refuse to come to Jesus and receive forgiveness for their sins -- and so they separate themselves -- they divide themselves -- from Him and from those who follow Him
-- Jesus requires a decision -- either you choose to accept His forgiveness and follow Him -- or you choose to reject it
-- we always like to quote John 3:16, but we always take it out of context and never read the rest of Jesus' words in this passage -- if you would, hold your place here and turn over to John 3:16

16. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
19. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
20. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.
21. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God."

-- Jesus makes it clear here that the world is divided into two kinds of people -- those who receive His free offer of salvation and those who do not -- those who live in the light and those who continue to live in the darkness
-- look back at Luke 12 -- division comes because of Jesus -- because people -- even people in the same family -- make different decisions about who Jesus is and whether they are going to trust and believe in Him or not

III. Application and Closing
-- so, what does this passage tell us? -- what can we take home with us today?

-- first, Jesus requires an active decision on our part -- you can't be a believer just by coming to church or by sitting in the pews every Sunday or just because your parents are believers -- you must choose
-- we've been studying the Book of Revelation -- and the purpose of this book is evangelistic -- God gave us the Book of Revelation to lead us to make a decision about Jesus -- that is the purpose of the seven-year tribulation period -- it's not just a time for God to pour out His wrath on the world through all the plagues and judgments -- no, God wants to use those plagues and judgments to force everyone on earth living at that time to finally make a decision -- either to choose Jesus or to choose the world -- at the end of the Tribulation Period, there won't be anyone who can say, "I didn't have a chance to make a choice" -- God is saying "choose now"

-- second, we need to expect opposition to the word of God -- when we witness to people about Christ, some are going to accept Him and put their trust in Him as Lord and Savior -- and others are going to reject it -- they are going to oppose it
-- we need to understand this and not get discouraged if people, even people in our family, don't respond to the gospel like we want them to -- Jesus said division would come about because of Him -- it is Him they are rejecting, not us -- all we can do is be faithful and proclaim the word of God and pray for our family and friends to receive it
-- this also means that we should expect to experience suffering and persecution because of Christ -- Jesus said that we shouldn't be surprised if the world hated us, because it hated Him first -- suffering and persecution is the normal life of the believer, and if you aren't experiencing this in some degree or the other, then you should examine yourself and find out if you are truly living as Christ intended
-- Satan wants to stop the word of God from going forth -- and He will do all he can to oppose it -- I remember hearing about a seminary student in Texas who bragged to his teacher that since he started seminary, his life was going great -- he never had any problems -- everything was perfect -- his teacher said, "That is the worst thing you could have told me -- because it tells me that Satan doesn't consider you a threat" -- the Christian who is living for God should expect division and strife in their lives, because they are coming against the evil of this world

-- and, finally, this passage makes it clear that we can't compromise the word of God -- Jesus said that He brings division -- in Matthew 10:34, He even said that He brings a sword because He is at war with the evil in this world -- Peace can only come through Jesus, but peace doesn't come by compromising His word
-- we must remain true to the teachings of Jesus even if they bring division -- there is common ground between us and the other two major monotheistic religions -- the Jews and the Muslims -- but

we cannot apologize or minimize the importance of Jesus and His death and resurrection for the sake of peace on earth -- what is more important is peace with God

-- my friend asked the question that Rodney King made famous during the riots of 1990 -- "Why can't we all just get along?"
-- because of Jesus -- Jesus is the only One who has the power to bring peace to this land -- but many, many people reject Him and His offer of salvation -- leading to division and strife between religions, nations, and even families
-- this morning as I close, I want you to think about any divisions that may exist in your family in regards to Jesus -- we all have loved ones who have refused to turn to Jesus -- we all have loved ones who refuse to accept His offer of forgiveness and eternal life -- and this may be causing division and strife in your life
-- as we close, I want to invite you to pray for your family and friends who are in this situation -- pray that their eyes and their ears might be opened to see and hear Jesus -- and pray that they would accept His offer of life rather than turn away from it
-- maybe this message was for you -- maybe you're the one who is divided from your family and your God because you have yet to turn to Jesus for salvation -- if so, then I want to invite you to come to Him now and to receive His forgiveness for your sins and your transgressions so that you might experience the true peace that He offers
-- whatever you need to do, I invite you to respond to God's word as you feel led
-- let us pray