GOD’S PEACE SURPASSES HUMAN UNDERSTANDING (Outline)
July 8, 2007 -
PENTECOST 6 -
Matthew 10:34-42
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INTRO: Almost everyone on earth desires peace. This peace can be quite local. Families desire peace on one’s household. A nation may desire peace within its borders. Of course, almost all desire world peace. So, it may sound strange to our ears in our text when Jesus says, I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Here was the Prince of Peace foretold by Isaiah the prophet. Yet he comes to bring a sword.
This statement is a paradox. A paradox reveals what seems to be a contradiction. Today we are going to learn that Scripture does not contradict itself. Rather, Scripture contradicts our human, worldly thinking. Jesus was headed to Jerusalem to face persecution and death. His disciples were not happy with this revelation from Jesus. They tried to stop Jesus from taking such a dangerous, deadly journey. "But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. ’Get behind me, Satan!’ he said. ’You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men’"(MARK 8:33). In the same situation we also would have tried to stop Jesus. All too often we have in our minds the things of men, not God.
May the Holy Spirit guide and direct us to more fully understand how
GOD’S PEACE SURPASSES HUMAN UNDERSTANDING.
I. God’s peace can cause conflict,
II. God’s peace desires dedication.
I. GOD’S PEACE CAN CAUSE CONFLICT
A. Chapter 10 of Matthew begins with Jesus calling the twelve apostles. Jesus sends them out.
1. Jesus warns the disciples about the opposition that they will face. Jesus encourages them.
2. Jesus equips his disciples with the power of his word. These verses conclude Jesus’ advice.
B. Verse 34 states the paradox: Jesus, the Prince of Peace, did not come to bring peace.
1. The Israelites were expecting a worldly peace. They felt Jesus would provide peace on earth.
2. The Jewish nation wanted Jesus to establish his peace without the rule of the Romans.
C. Jesus came not with worldly peace but eternal. Some would not believe, verses 35, 36.
1. The disciples left family and friends to follow Jesus. Their actions divided families.
2. The disciples’ actions left families with hurt feelings. They wondered what went wrong.
3. Jesus’ disciples found what was really, truly important, verse 39. God’s call changed them.
a. They gave up an earthly life and found eternal life. b. Worldliness was behind them.
D. You and I face a far greater challenge today than the disciples ever did. Sure, they knew the attractions and distractions of the world were all around them. But, today – today, those worldly attractions are far, far greater. We are daily bombarded with slick advertising campaigns. Our world makes it appear that we never, ever have enough. We are fooled into thinking that we need bigger houses, better vehicles, and faster computers than the day before. We are all too often distracted. All too often we may have in our minds and lives only the things of men. "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him"(1 JOHN 2:15).
E. This worldliness does not only attack us outside. The worldly thinking of men also makes it way into the churches of today. More and more fewer and fewer churches are willing to take their stand on the truth of God’ word. All too many church bodies have decided it is more important to be politically correct than scripturally truthful. Taking a stand against abortion, homosexuality, and immorality is hardly ever mentioned in the mega-churches. Everyone just wants to get along without conflict. "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear"(1 TIM. 4:3).
F. Are we to give up? Shall we throw up our hands in despair? No – we are reminded that God’s word is still the truth. Taking a stand on the Bible can cause conflict. Knowing God’s peace of forgiveness is all that matters. We cannot know the peace of forgiveness until we first recognize our sin. Our sin causes a conflict between our sinless heavenly Father and us. Jesus has resolved that conflict – freely. This is our hope and our blessed confidence. "May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world"(GALATIANS 6:14).
GOD’S PEACE SURPASSES HUMAN UNDERSTANDING.
God’s peace can cause conflict.
II. GOD’S PEACE DOES DESIRE DEDICATION.
A. One would readily agree that these twelve apostles already knew what dedication meant.
1. Jesus reminded them when they followed him they gave up everything else, verse 37.
2. The dedication of Jesus’ disciple would be a lifelong commitment, verse 38.
B. Today’s readings describe the dedicated – 1 Kings 19:14-21 and the not so dedicated in Luke 9:51-62.
C. Jesus’ disciples would enjoy the company of those who believed in Jesus and his Father, verse 40.
1. Verse 41 contains another paradox. The word reward can also mean punishment.
a. Receiving a prophet would bring reward. They would bring God’s word.
b. Punishment could also come from outsiders. Outsiders would persecute the believers.
2. Verse 42 reveals Jesus reminding the disciples of humble dedication in service to the Lord.
D. Humble service is not the way to get ahead in this world. This is thinking of men NOT God. Our world would have us believe that success is measured by wealth, power, and/or honor. All of these things pass eventually pass away. Even Jesus’ disciples quarreled about being great in God’s eyes. Jesus responds. "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all"(MARK 10:43,44). Here is another paradox.
E. Our Savior is not a Savior who necessarily brings worldly peace. Of course, when you and are given eternal peace our soul can be at peace in this life. God’s peace certainly does surpass human understanding. God’s peace goes far beyond quieting wars and rumors of war. God’s peace is his free gift to us. God’s peace is also our strength in and for this life. "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid"(JOHN 14:27). Jesus spoke these words to the first disciples as they were locked away in the upper room following Jesus’ death. For two Sundays in a row they hid themselves away for fear of Jesus’ enemies. Jesus provided them and now us with his divine peace that moves believers to take God’s gospel to the ends of the earth.
F. Yes, God’s peace desires dedication. To follow Jesus is not a hit-or-miss proposition. Thankfully our blessed Savior gives us the motivation to follow him. Thankfully our loving Father shows us what it takes to dedicate ourselves to him. "And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul" (DEUTERONOMY 10:12). We start here and continue to grow in our Christian faith. We start here and continue to add to our Christian dedication because of Jesus’ love.
CONC.: The peace of God truly does indeed surpass human understanding. As believers we are utterly amazed at how much God does for us to save us from ourselves. God sent his Son to die in our place. Jesus has taken away the power of Satan and destroyed death. There is no more conflict. The battle is won; utterly and completely. In this life God’s peace can cause conflict. Believers no longer walk in the wickedness of worldly thinking. God’s peace desires our dedication to follow the Savior – even unto death. One more paradox. "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you"(ROMANS 16:20). The God of peace is described as a destroyer. That is exactly what Jesus is. Now -- The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you". Amen. Pastor Timm O. Meyer
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PENTECOST 6 readings:
1 KINGS 19:14-21; GALATIANS 5:1,13-25; LUKE 9:51-62
