Teaching of Jesus (Part 23) Warnings about Trouble
Teachings of Jesus Seen in Luke (Part 23) Warning about Trouble
Isn’t it interesting how people are so opinionated? Some like one thing, others like another. Some even may even dislike or disapprove of what you like or believe.
Some wanted the Mets to win the series, others want the Royals, and even some don’t like baseball at all and could care less about who wins. Some like football some do not. Some like hunting and fishing, and Car Racing, and others do not. Some are strong republicans and will fight over issues with democrats. And still some are neither Republican nor Democrats. Many of us believe different things. Some differences matter and some don’t.
I would like to tell you this morning about a family, a typical family, a family similar to many of the families we have in the church. A family with a father, mother, and several children. They could be your family, they could be my family. This family sat around the dinner table one evening and a discussion was started. Ruth, in high school, began the conversation by telling of a friend at school. Her friend had told her that Jesus was the son of God and that salvation was free to all who would trust in Him. Ruth quoted her friend as saying, ” Jesus is the way the truth and the life”.
Immediately an argument started. Tom, an older brother said, “I don’t want any of that church stuff at supper.” The father agreed. There was a fellow at work who was always trying to “corner someone on religion.” He did not want any of that nonsense in his house.
The mother raised her voice saying, “A little religion might just do us some good. The least we could do would be to get a Bible and check it out.” She had a Bible that had been given to her as a child. She decided help Ruth look it up after supper.
Little Bill, the youngest one in the family, suggested that they ought to go to church and ask the preacher. He would know. After supper Mother, Ruth and little Bill gathered around the kitchen table with the Bible to look for some answers. After reading for a while, they decided they would go to church the following Sunday and talk with the preacher. The father and the older son left the supper table in a “huff’ to watch the football game.
The 3 did attend church the following Sunday. They talked with the preacher and in time they came to experience the love of Christ in their lives. They did find that Jesus was the way the truth and the life for them. These 3 became regular attendees in church. The other two? Well, still watching TV.” (Tim Zingale)
In Luke 12 51-53 Jesus says, “Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; “ READ 49-53 “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 what constraint I am under 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.”
But wait a minute, doesn’t the Bible say that Jesus is the “Prince of Peace?” In this passage, shouldn’t Jesus be saying, “Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? Yes! I have come to comfort families. I have come to bridge the chasms of silence that separate fathers and sons. I have come to heal the wounds of regret that drive apart mothers and daughters.” It would make sense for the passage to say something like that. Luke’s Gospel has all sorts of miracle stories about Jesus healing individuals and restoring family relationships. Perhaps that’s what the passage should say. Perhaps that’s what many of us would like the passage to say. But it doesn’t. Like it or not, this passage talks about division, not reconciliation.
This is another thing that Jesus warns us about here in Luke 12. Jesus already warned them about hypocrites, greed, worry, and being ready for His return. In this passage, Jesus is talking specifically about the division that happens as a direct result of a decision to follow Him. Chris Tiller
He wants us to know that as much as your family may love you, that will not, or does not mean that they will accept Jesus, or your faith in Him. You may even be ridiculed for your faith. You may have to stand apart and alone for the convictions you hold dear. And those convictions will dictate how you will live your life, and how you will treat others, and how they will treat you. Jesus is telling us this morning that He demands our loyalty despite this fact. And like it or not, it is a commitment that produces a cutting edge in one’s life. And He is also telling us that such a commitment just might cut across family ties, and how others see us. It will be a commitment that says, as a Christian you are different in this world, and some people will reject you for that.
Jesus did come to bring peace, but He wants us to know that the peace He brings is not like the peace people in the world want, rather the peace He brings is something far more profound and far richer in the grand scheme of things.
For many peace simply means absence of conflict, pressures, and turmoil in their life. And what does the absence of conflict usually require? It usually means that people have to make compromises in order to reach an agreement. World peace usually entails covering up some truths and making compromises concerning one’s beliefs just so that there won’t be any conflict.
But when it comes to Jesus and Christianity there simply can’t be any compromise, sidestepping, or watering down of truth.
We live in a time of compromise and watered down truth. We live in at time where some think everyone’s opinion should count; everyone has the right to believe whatever they want. If they think something is ok, then it is ok. And then they try to force their opinions and beliefs on others.
And yes, God did give us a well functioning decisive mind and the freedom to choose and make our own choices in life. But I believe He did so that we may freely choose Him and His way, not to pervert the truth and go off in our own self pleasing direction. But sad to say, most have.
Simply put, people want to do what THEY want to do, and many care less about what their Creator wants for them. This is simply wrong and foolish.
And so because of this Jesus lets us know that if you are going to follow Him you are going to have some problems with others who won’t approve of that decision; including some in your own household.
So how do you deal with this, knowing that you be rejected because you love Jesus? What will help us hold on to our faith and commitment to Jesus?
#1. You have to believe that your choice to follow Jesus is FAR more important than anything else, including seeking the approval of others in your life. You are aligning yourself with and seeking the approval of the one and only God and creator of this universe. He holds your eternal being and destiny in the palm of His hand. He is the source of all truth and everything that is good and offers the promise of a heavenly home for all eternity for those who are faithful to Him and His word.
And you must believe that if you water down or side step God’s truths, in essence you will be rejecting Him and all that He is offering you. Who else in this whole world can offer you so much for so little. I’ll tell you – NO ONE!
#2. Another thing that may help you deal with the rejection and persecution that may come, is knowing the fact that sometimes in order to have real and lasting peace, first you may have to stand your ground. How many even have had to go thru a war before they got to enjoy peace.
No soldier or nation really what’s to fight in a war against a crazed, violent adversary, but they do it hoping to put down evil, to protect their own families and nation, and to restore the peace even it cost them their lives.
The peace that Jesus offers is so much more than tranquility of life in the here and now. It’s peace of mind knowing that what you are doing and what you believe is right in God’s sight. It comes from knowing that God loves you for your decision, that you are His child, and He has made a place for you in Heaven. Peace like this doesn’t come without a price, but it worth the price in the end.
So realize beforehand that you will eventually have to stand your ground.
#3. Another thing that may help you deal with the rejections and persecution from others is knowing the fact that you are in good company; people did the same thing to Jesus. There will always be those who want to persecute those who are true, good and right.
In Matthew 5:10-12 Jesus said, “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
This wonderful gift of heave alone is a good reason to stand our ground when trouble comes our way. What can anyone give you compared to what God is offering you and me? The most they can give is money, things, praise, commendations, and favors.
Jesus condemned the Pharisees for seeking such things. In Matthew 6 He said, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.” Jesus lets us know that we are simply doing things in the sight of others to get their approval or a pat on the back from them, that’s the only reward you are going to get. And then He says…
5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full.”
All the honor that men can dish out to will never compare to what God has in store for you if you remain true to Him, and hold to your convictions when those test, taunts, and trials come your way. And believe me they will come.
I pray that when they do you remember exactly who you’ve given your allegiance to, and that is our mighty, all powerful God in Heaven.
I hope that you will remember the blessings and promises He made to you for remaining true. Know that you are doing what’s good and right, and you have a home in a heavenly paradise forever.
And finally, I hope that you remember the fact that you are not alone, and that our Lord alone holds our eternal destiny in His hands. If you can just remember these then I believe that you will understand and have that peace that goes beyond our worldly understanding like Paul talked about.
For more lessons click on the following link: http://granvillenychurchofchrist.org/?page_id=566
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