Introduction

Does anyone here today enjoy being at odds with their friends, family, or neighbors? Maybe you’re the type of person that looks forward to a good argument, or maybe you’re the type of person that would rather avoid an argument at any and all costs.

Whoever you are here today, I think we can all agree that it seems like our culture becomes more and more divided with every passing year. Maybe it’s just more evident with the rising popularity of social media and the internet, or maybe these technologies are fueling a growing animosity and division between people.

Whatever the truth may be about our current cultural crisis, we also know that division and disagreement isn’t a new thing… Adam blamed Eve for giving him the forbidden apple to eat, and Cain killed Abel because he was jealous of the attention his brother received…On and on it goes throughout human history all the way to present time.

In our passage today however, Jesus puts a new spin on potential dividing lines when He warns His disciples that following Him would be costly. But what does He really mean and how can the literal “Prince of Peace” be saying something so inflammatory? Does He really mean that I have to divide up my family?

It’s a difficult passage to digest, but underneath it all we can see the tender heart of the chief Shepherd for all His disciples as He tries to warn them of the potential suffering they may experience for following Him.

Jesus is an honest teacher, and a faithful savior. And that’s where we begin today.

Jesus is an honest teacher, and a faithful savior.

Main Teaching

I think we can all agree that Jesus was willing to share the truth about the Kingdom of God to anyone and everyone that would listen to Him. For many of the disciples that traveled with Him throughout His ministry, much of what Jesus said and taught only truly began to make sense after His death. He often spoke in parables, which weren’t always super clear at the time. Not to mention, His divine knowledge and understanding of the universe gave Him an added advantage that we simply don’t have.

With all that said, Jesus is quite clear in our passage today, and His warning is a difficult one to swallow.

The use of the term ‘fire’ here refers to judgment, and Jesus means eternal judgment. We know from other passages, like John 3:17-21 that Jesus came initially to save, redeem, and reconcile all who would believe.

But even after all that, there are still many who will stand condemned ... View this full sermon with PRO Premium