Jesus: The Mission of Salvation Amidst Division

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound and often misunderstood words of Jesus: "I have not come to bring peace to the Earth." At first glance, these words may seem unsettling, but they hold a deeper truth about the mission of Christ. God has promised a future where peace will reign, a time when swords will be turned into plowshares, and nations will no longer engage in war. However, this peace will only come when God Himself judges the nations and settles disputes among peoples. This day, referred to as the "day of the Lord," has not yet arrived.

Jesus' birth as a baby, rather than appearing in a blaze of glory, signifies His mission not to judge but to save. He came to offer salvation, making a way for sinners to enter the future world of peace and joy. His first coming was not to replace worldly power structures or settle disputes but to redeem humanity through His sacrifice on the cross.

The statement "I have not come to bring peace but a sword" highlights the division that Jesus' presence can cause, even within families. This division is not a call to violence but a recognition of the spiritual conflict that arises when individuals choose to follow Christ. The sword represents the opposition and persecution believers may face, even from loved ones, as they commit to their faith.

Jesus calls us to make a crucial calculation: to weigh the cost of following Him against the cost of not following Him. While following Jesus may bring a cross to bear, it also promises eternal life and acknowledgment before the Father in heaven. The decision to follow Christ is not just about the present challenges but also about the eternal rewards.

Ultimately, Jesus came to save, not to condemn. He offers a path to salvation and a future in a world of peace and love. As we navigate the tensions and challenges of this life, we are encouraged to take up our cross and follow Him, trusting in His promise of eternal joy and peace.

Key Takeaways:

- Jesus' mission was not to bring immediate peace but to offer salvation. His birth as a baby signifies His purpose to save rather than judge, paving the way for sinners to enter a future world of peace. [11:26]

- The statement "I have not come to bring peace but a sword" reflects the spiritual conflict and division that can arise from following Christ. This division is not about violence but the opposition believers may face, even from loved ones. [19:42]

- Following Jesus requires a crucial calculation: weighing the cost of discipleship against the eternal rewards. While there may be a cross to bear, the promise of eternal life and acknowledgment before the Father is worth the sacrifice. [26:17]

- Jesus' coming into the world brought a sword that pierced even His mother Mary's soul, illustrating the deep personal cost of loving and following Him. This cost is a reality for all believers. [23:17]

- Ultimately, Jesus came to save, not to condemn. He offers a path to salvation and a future in a world of peace and love. Our decision to follow Him should be made in light of the eternal joy and peace He promises. [31:24]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [05:55] - The Promise of Peace
- [07:32] - When Will Peace Come?
- [09:27] - Why Jesus Was Born as a Baby
- [11:26] - Jesus Came to Save, Not Judge
- [13:00] - Engaging Conversations About Jesus
- [15:09] - Jesus' Alarming Mission
- [17:53] - Understanding the Sword
- [19:42] - The Effect of Jesus' Coming
- [21:21] - Division Within Families
- [23:17] - The Sword in Mary's Life
- [24:56] - The Crucial Calculation
- [26:17] - Counting the Cost of Following Jesus
- [28:23] - The Cost of Not Following Jesus
- [31:24] - Jesus' Promise of Salvation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Isaiah 2:4 - "He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide disputes for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war anymore."
2. John 12:47 - "If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world."
3. Matthew 10:34-39 - "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword."

Observation Questions:
1. What does Isaiah 2:4 promise about the future of peace on Earth, and who will bring about this peace?
2. According to John 12:47, what was Jesus' primary mission during His first coming? [11:06]
3. In Matthew 10:34-39, what does Jesus mean when He says He came to bring a sword, and how does this relate to His mission? [15:29]
4. How does the sermon describe the division that Jesus' coming can cause within families? [20:00]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the promise of future peace in Isaiah 2:4 shape our understanding of Jesus' mission on Earth?
2. What implications does Jesus' statement in John 12:47 have for how we view His role as Savior versus Judge? [11:26]
3. How should believers interpret the "sword" that Jesus mentions in Matthew 10:34-39 in the context of their own lives and relationships? [19:42]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the cost of following Jesus, and how should this influence a believer's decision-making process? [26:17]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when following Jesus caused tension or division in your relationships. How did you handle it, and what might you do differently now? [21:21]
2. Jesus calls us to weigh the cost of discipleship. What are some specific costs you have encountered or anticipate encountering in your journey of faith? [26:34]
3. How can you actively remind yourself of the eternal rewards promised by Jesus when facing challenges in your faith? [28:23]
4. In what ways can you demonstrate the peace and love of Christ in your interactions with others, even when facing opposition or misunderstanding? [19:42]
5. Consider the "sword" that Jesus brings into your life. How can you use this understanding to strengthen your faith and witness to others? [23:17]
6. How can you support a fellow believer who is experiencing division in their family due to their faith in Jesus? [20:00]
7. What steps can you take this week to deepen your commitment to following Jesus, despite the potential costs? [30:21]

Devotional

Day 1: Salvation Over Immediate Peace
Jesus' mission was not to bring immediate peace to the world but to offer salvation. His birth as a baby, rather than in a blaze of glory, signifies His purpose to save rather than judge, paving the way for sinners to enter a future world of peace. This future peace, promised by God, will come when He judges the nations and settles disputes among peoples. Until then, Jesus' first coming was to redeem humanity through His sacrifice on the cross, not to replace worldly power structures or settle disputes. His mission was to offer a path to salvation and a future in a world of peace and love. [11:26]

Isaiah 9:6-7 (ESV): "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this."

Reflection: In what ways can you focus on the salvation Jesus offers rather than seeking immediate peace in your current circumstances?


Day 2: Spiritual Conflict and Division
The statement "I have not come to bring peace but a sword" reflects the spiritual conflict and division that can arise from following Christ. This division is not about violence but the opposition believers may face, even from loved ones. Jesus' presence can cause division within families and communities as individuals choose to follow Him. This spiritual conflict is a reality for believers, as they may face persecution and opposition for their faith. The sword represents the challenges and struggles that come with committing to Christ, but it also signifies the strength and courage needed to stand firm in faith. [19:42]

Matthew 10:34-36 (ESV): "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person's enemies will be those of his own household."

Reflection: How can you prepare yourself spiritually to face opposition or division in your relationships because of your faith in Christ?


Day 3: Weighing the Cost of Discipleship
Following Jesus requires a crucial calculation: weighing the cost of discipleship against the eternal rewards. While there may be a cross to bear, the promise of eternal life and acknowledgment before the Father is worth the sacrifice. Jesus calls us to consider the challenges and sacrifices involved in following Him, but also to remember the eternal rewards that await those who are faithful. The decision to follow Christ is not just about the present challenges but also about the eternal joy and peace He promises. [26:17]

Luke 14:28-30 (ESV): "For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’"

Reflection: What are some specific costs you have encountered in your journey of following Jesus, and how do you see the eternal rewards outweighing these costs?


Day 4: The Personal Cost of Following Jesus
Jesus' coming into the world brought a sword that pierced even His mother Mary's soul, illustrating the deep personal cost of loving and following Him. This cost is a reality for all believers, as they may experience pain and sacrifice in their commitment to Christ. The personal cost of following Jesus can be challenging, but it is also an opportunity to grow in faith and reliance on Him. Believers are called to take up their cross and follow Him, trusting in His promise of eternal joy and peace. [23:17]

Luke 2:34-35 (ESV): "And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, 'Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed (and a sword will pierce through your own soul also), so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.'"

Reflection: What personal sacrifices have you made in your walk with Christ, and how have they deepened your relationship with Him?


Day 5: The Promise of Eternal Joy and Peace
Ultimately, Jesus came to save, not to condemn. He offers a path to salvation and a future in a world of peace and love. Our decision to follow Him should be made in light of the eternal joy and peace He promises. As we navigate the tensions and challenges of this life, we are encouraged to take up our cross and follow Him, trusting in His promise of eternal joy and peace. This promise is a source of hope and encouragement for believers, reminding them of the ultimate goal of their faith. [31:24]

Revelation 21:3-4 (ESV): "And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.'"

Reflection: How does the promise of eternal joy and peace influence your daily decisions and actions as a follower of Christ?

Quotes


God has promised that one day there will be peace through Isaiah the prophet God speaks these words they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their Spears into pruning hooks Nation shall not lift up sword against nation and neither shall they learn War anymore a day will come God has promised when Wars and crime and violence will cease. [00:06:05]

If Jesus had come to judge between nations and settle disputes between peoples, he would never have been born as a baby. He would simply have appeared in a blaze of heavenly Glory surrounded by an army of angels. I mean the Earth shook when the presence of God came down on Mount Sinai in the time of Moses in the desert. [00:08:21]

He did not come to judge between nations or to settle many disputes between peoples. Now this was very clear throughout the life and the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. In fact, Luke records a remarkable occasion when someone in the crowd said to Jesus, teacher tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me. [00:09:41]

Jesus refuses to get involved. He said to him, man who made me a judge or Arbiter over you. Why does Jesus not step into settle this dispute? Because he has not come to judge between nations he has not come to settle disputes between many peoples. Why has he come? Well, he States this with wonderful Clarity. [00:10:41]

I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. This is why Jesus came in into the world and was born as a baby. This is why he went to the Cross he did not come into the world to judge the world but to save it. Peace will come on the day when he does Judge the world. [00:11:14]

Jesus never endorsed or promoted violence that is very clear throughout the gospels. We know that Peter carried a sword when he was in The Garden of Gethsemane and when Judas came with the armed guard to arrest Jesus John tells us that Simon Peter having a sword drew it and struck the high priest's servant and cut off his right ear. [00:15:52]

The gospel can never Advance by violence or by Conquest not by might nor by power but by my spirit, says the Lord and we can see the importance of this truth from the devastating effects of times when people have not understood it. I mean the whole history of the Crusades in the 11th 12th and 13th centuries. [00:16:47]

Jesus tells his disciples that those who oppose us will include some within our own Families Our Own loved ones he says this verse 35 I have come to set a man against his father and a daughter against her mother and a daughter-in-law against her mother in law and a person's enemies will be those of his own household. [00:20:00]

The coming of Jesus into the world brought a sword into the life of Mary loving Jesus as she did how she must have grieved over the hatred of the world towards him how her heart must have agonized when the brothers of Jesus said to him that he was out of his mind a sword will pierce your own heart too. [00:23:20]

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me and whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Now it's very clear as I hope you will see today from the context that Jesus is speaking here. [00:24:56]

There will be a cross if you follow Jesus there will be a sword it will pierce your soul God will bring a cross into the life of every follower of Jesus Thomas Boston said on one occasion God has one son without sin but no son without a cross and a cross will always be present in your life. [00:26:57]

Jesus did not come into the world to condemn the world Jesus came into the world that we might be saved he came so that when the day of judgment comes you might be able to enter into the world of peace and joy where God will dwell with his people and wipe all tears from our eyes. [00:31:24]

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Transcript
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