"Bringing Division"
Luke 12:49-59
A sermon for 9/18/22 - Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
Pastor John Bright
Luke 12 49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Pause right there. Those words I just read; they were “Breathed by God”! God wants you to hear His Word right now! So, what is your response? Do you want to transformed by that Word or do you want to be informed about the words? You must choose.
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I recently purchased a used bread machine. It has been about 15 years since we had one around the house and I had forgotten you have to follow a certain sequence when putting in the ingredients. Before you do any of that, make sure you put the little paddle on the little post😊 First, put in the liquids – stuff like milk, water, oil. Second, put the dry ingredients on top of that without mixing them in – flour, salt, baking powder. Last, use your finger to make an indentation in the flour for your yeast. As I told you, that’s the worst time to find out you forgot the little paddle😊
Jesus is explaining a sequence of events for those in Israel at the end of Luke 12. After this, almost all the teaching will be to the Disciples. Since I believe that all of Scripture applies to the Church of today, we need to see how this sequence occurs in every season since the Resurrection and Glorification of Jesus Christ.
Jesus brings division, v.49-53
Luke 12 49 “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! 51 Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. 52 For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. 53 Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
Does this sound odd to you? It’s ok, we all grew up with Isaiah 9:6 being read in worship every Advent and Christmas:
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”
Christ did come to bring peace to the heart of every believer. Paul put it this way – Philippians 4:7 “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Got that? Good, let’s deal with the division part of this passage. Jesus starts off with bringing fire to the earth – no wonder it’s getting hotter! Old Testament prophets like Jeremiah warned that God’s Word is like a fire (5:14). The final judgement of all Believers in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 is like a fire that will reveal the work that was for the Kingdom. To make this possible, Jesus must be crucified and raised up – that is His baptism. Then, He will judge the world.
Jesus was already dividing families in that day and some believed Him to be the Messiah and others did not. Ever since there have been Believers, there has been division. How can I make that claim? Jesus told us it would be that way – Matthew 7 “13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
Is that so? What about today? We want most folks to be saved and fill up our churches, but that might not be God’s way in these days. We know for sure that Christianity is spreading in Muslim countries today. If a mother converts, she can be exiled from her family and village – or even killed. Children who convert have been separated from their families for years – no contact at all.
Following Jesus forces us to make decisions that can divide even the basic unit of our civilization – the family!
The signs of the times, v.54-56
“54 Then He also said to the multitudes, “Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. 55 And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. 56 Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time?”
When this time passes in Jesus’ ministry, the time will be passed for many to come to Him. In that day, they were presented with clear evidence that Jesus was exactly who He claimed to be – He turned water to wine, healed the sick, fed thousands with five loaves and two fish. They saw miracle after miracle, but soon the crowds would leave Him and the religious leaders would seek to kill Him. Even the crowd that yelled “Hosanna” on Palm Sunday would yell “Crucify Him” on Friday.
Today, we have the testimony of God’s Word so that we can believe – but so many deny it and try to lead others astray. What evidence do we see today of these verses?
Matthew 24:12 “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”
2 Timothy 4 “3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
Jesus is calling them to see what is right in front of them, just like the clues as to what weather will come. As a fisherman, I always remember – “Red at night, sailor’s delight. Red in the morning, sailor take warning.” The best time for fishing is just before a storm when the barometer changes. It will turn on the bite usually. If you looked around today, do you see trends in the culture that would mean folks might want to turn to Christ for the peace He can bring through the power of the Holy Spirit? In many ways, today looks like a great time for fishing! Only one problem… the church has forgotten how to fish with a net. We keep teaching evangelism in a way that looks like fishing with a rod and reel so you only catch one at a time.
Dr. Daniel B. Wallace has taught Greek and New Testament courses on a graduate school level since 1979. He wrote about this idea based on Matthew 4 “19 He said to them, “Follow me, and I will turn you into fishers of people.” 20 They left their nets immediately and followed him.” “It’s strange how we read the Bible: we filter everything through our own worldview, our own culture, our own life-setting. Then, when we discover that our perspective is not that of the Bible’s, we resist the truth. This even happens over simple interpretive issues—such as Jesus’ analogy of fishing. Even though passages like Matthew 4:18-22 are plain enough, we still often have blinders on our eyes. Many a preacher has elaborated on the analogy along the lines of a fishing pole, reel, line, and hook.”
“The imagery of using a lure and a line (and waiting for the fish to strike!) is thus foreign to this text. Jesus is not speaking about finesse (as in fly fishing), or using the right kind of bait. The imagery has nothing to do with “hooking” the unbeliever with the gospel. Further, the picture is not individualistic: the point is not one person being reeled in at a time. All of this has to do with line-fishing, but this is not the picture seen in this text.”
He makes several points about net fishing and evangelism:
• They are both labor intensive
• Greater focus on the work than the skill
• The need for persistence and dedication to the task (often in spite of minimal results)
• the infinite value of the new “catch” (people)
• As the day approaches for Christ’s return - catching people is the opposite of catching fish: the fish would be caught, killed, cooked, and eaten; people would be caught so as to remove them from the eternal flames of hell and to give them new life.
https://bible.org/article/fishing-new-testament-misunderstood-analogy-evangelism
Time to settle accounts, v.57-59
“57 “Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right? 58 When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite.”
Here we find Jesus using an example from their culture. He describes a legal dispute over a debt that is owed. The same thing happens today – you can be taken to court over an unpaid bill or money that is owed on a loan. In that day, the judge would order the debtor to go to the officer in charge of a debtor’s prison.
Each and every human being is born with a debt – it is sin. That sin debt remains and is added to as we move forward and make sinful choices. You can never do enough good things to balance the scales – it’s impossible. Our only hope is the blood of Jesus shed on the cross of Calvary. This is the love and grace of God in a nutshell:
We owed a debt we couldn’t pay,
Jesus paid a debt He didn’t owe!
I have shared several resources from Seedbed Ministries with the congregation over the last few years. Everyone of their books includes an Invitation to Awakening. Here is how it ends:
“This is the gospel of Jesus Christ: pardon from the penalty of sin, freedom from the power of sin, deliverance from the grip of death, and awakening to the supernatural empowerment of the Holy Spirit to live powerfully for the good of others and the glory of God. Jesus asks only that we acknowledge our broken selves as failed sinners, trust him as our Savior, and follow him as our Lord. Following Jesus does not mean an easy life; however, it does lead to a life of power and purpose, joy in the face of suffering, and profound, even world-changing, love for God and people.”
“All of this is admittedly a lot to take in. Remember, this is an invitation. Will you follow Jesus? Don’t let the failings of his followers deter you. Come and see for yourself.”
“Here’s a prayer to get you started: Our Father in heaven, it’s me (say your name), I want to know you. I want to live an awakened life. I confess I am a sinner. I have failed myself, others, and you in many ways. I know you made me for a purpose and I want to fulfill that purpose with my one life. I want to follow Jesus Christ. Jesus, thank you for the gift of your life and death and resurrection and ascension on my behalf. I want to walk in relationship with you as Savior and Lord. Would you lead me into the fullness and newness of life I was made for? I am ready to follow you. Come, Holy Spirit, and fill me with the love, power, and purposes of God. I pray these things by faith in the name of Jesus, amen.”
This is a settling of your sin debt. It’s not settled by being born into a Christian family or going to church every Sunday. You can’t be nice enough or generous enough. There is one way and one truth and one eternal life – Jesus Christ. Today is your day to become His follower and disciple! Amen
TEACHING SHEET
"Bringing Division"
Luke 12:49-59
9/18/22
Jesus brings division, v.49-53
Does this sound odd to you? It’s ok, we all grew up with Isaiah 9:6 being read in worship every Advent and Christmas. Christ did come to bring peace to the heart of every believer. Paul put it this way – Philippians 4:7 “and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
Old Testament prophets like Jeremiah warned that God’s Word is like a fire (5:14). The final judgement of all Believers in 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 is like a fire that will reveal the work that was for the Kingdom. To make this possible, Jesus must be crucified and raised up – that is His baptism. Then, He will judge the world.
Few will make it into heaven - Matthew 7:14-14 Following Jesus forces us to make decisions that can divide even the basic unit of our civilization – the family!
The signs of the times, v.54-56
Today, we have the testimony of God’s Word so that we can believe – but so many deny it and try to lead others astray. What evidence do we see today of these verses?
Matthew 24:12 “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”
2 Timothy 4 “3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”
The church has forgotten how to fish with a net. We keep teaching evangelism in a way that looks like fishing with a rod and reel so you only catch one at a time. Dr. Daniel B. Wallace makes several points about net fishing and evangelism:
• They are both labor intensive
• Greater focus on the work than the skill
• The need for persistence and dedication to the task (often in spite of minimal results)
• the infinite value of the new “catch” (people)
• As the day approaches for Christ’s return - catching people is the opposite of catching fish: the fish would be caught, killed, cooked, and eaten; people would be caught so as to remove them from the eternal flames of hell and to give them new life.
https://bible.org/article/fishing-new-testament-misunderstood-analogy-evangelism
Time to settle accounts, v.57-59
We owed a debt we couldn’t pay,
Jesus paid a debt He didn’t owe!
“Our Father in heaven, it’s me (say your name), I want to know you. I want to live an awakened life. I confess I am a sinner. I have failed myself, others, and you in many ways. I know you made me for a purpose and I want to fulfill that purpose with my one life. I want to follow Jesus Christ. Jesus, thank you for the gift of your life and death and resurrection and ascension on my behalf. I want to walk in relationship with you as Savior and Lord. Would you lead me into the fullness and newness of life I was made for? I am ready to follow you. Come, Holy Spirit, and fill me with the love, power, and purposes of God. I pray these things by faith in the name of Jesus, amen.” (Seedbed Ministries)
Today is your day to become His follower and disciple! Amen
