Living in Division: Embracing Christ's Call to Faith

 

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound and often challenging teachings of Jesus as found in Luke chapter 12. We began by acknowledging the false gods that vie for our attention and the need for Jesus to be the center of our lives. The Holy Spirit's role is not to condemn but to convict us, guiding us to live in readiness for the times we are in. Jesus' words in this chapter remind us that He did not come to bring peace, but division, a concept that can be difficult to grasp. This division is not about conflict for its own sake but about the inevitable separation that occurs when one chooses to follow Christ in a world that often opposes Him.

Jesus speaks of bringing fire to the earth, which symbolizes judgment. This is a call to recognize the urgency of aligning our lives with God's will. The baptism Jesus refers to is His impending death on the cross, a sacrifice that underscores the gravity of His mission. The division He speaks of is rooted in the enmity between the offspring of Eve and the offspring of the devil, a spiritual battle that has been ongoing since Genesis. This division manifests in families and communities when faith in Jesus disrupts the status quo, challenging us to live differently.

We are reminded that faith in Jesus can create rifts, as those who are lost may not understand the transformation in those who are found. This calls for humility and love, avoiding pride in our salvation, which is a gift from God. Jesus' teachings also challenge us to discern the times we live in, urging us to be spiritually aware and ready for His return. The call to settle with God before meeting the ultimate Judge is a powerful reminder of the importance of reconciliation and peace with God through Jesus Christ.

Key Takeaways:

1. Judgment as Fire: Jesus' reference to bringing fire is about judgment on unrighteousness. This fire is a call to recognize the urgency of aligning our lives with God's will, as the prince of this world, the devil, is actively working against us. We must be vigilant and aware of the spiritual battle we are in. [28:45]

2. Baptism of the Cross: Jesus' baptism refers to His death on the cross, a profound act of love and sacrifice. Understanding this helps us grasp the depth of His mission and the constraints He felt knowing His fate. It challenges us to consider our own willingness to bear our crosses in following Him. [30:12]

3. Enmity and Division: The division Jesus speaks of is rooted in the enmity between the offspring of Eve and the offspring of the devil. This spiritual battle is evident in the world today, as faith in Jesus often disrupts the peace between the lost and the found. We must navigate these divisions with love and humility. [31:13]

4. Spiritual Discernment: Jesus challenges us to interpret the times we live in, just as we interpret the weather. We must be spiritually aware and ready for His return, recognizing the battle between righteousness and unrighteousness. This discernment is crucial for living a life aligned with God's will. [40:14]

5. Reconciliation with God: Settling with God before meeting the ultimate Judge is essential. This involves surrendering to Jesus and living in His grace, ensuring that our minds are governed by the Spirit rather than the flesh. True peace comes from being reconciled with God through Christ. [46:40]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [21:51] - Opening Prayer and Introduction
- [22:45] - Fear of Man vs. Fear of God
- [23:49] - The Rich Fool and Preparedness
- [24:58] - Jesus Brings Division
- [28:45] - Judgment as Fire
- [30:12] - Baptism of the Cross
- [31:13] - Enmity and Division
- [32:30] - Faith Disrupts Peace
- [33:16] - Humility in Salvation
- [34:52] - Conversion and Family Tensions
- [39:00] - Faith vs. Weather Predictions
- [40:14] - Spiritual Discernment
- [42:50] - Jesus as Adversary of the Unsaved
- [46:40] - Reconciliation with God
- [51:28] - Final Reflections and Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Luke 12:49-59
- John 12:30-33
- Genesis 3:15

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Observation Questions:

1. What does Jesus mean when He says He has come to bring fire on the earth in Luke 12:49? How does this relate to the concept of judgment? [28:45]

2. In Luke 12:50, Jesus refers to a baptism He must undergo. What is this baptism, and how does it relate to His mission? [30:12]

3. How does the division Jesus speaks of in Luke 12:51-53 manifest in families and communities according to the sermon? [32:30]

4. What does Jesus criticize about people's ability to interpret the weather versus their ability to interpret the times in Luke 12:54-56? [40:14]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the concept of judgment as fire challenge or affirm your understanding of Jesus' mission on earth? [28:45]

2. What does Jesus' willingness to undergo His baptism of death reveal about His character and His understanding of His mission? [30:12]

3. How can the enmity between the offspring of Eve and the offspring of the devil, as mentioned in Genesis 3:15, be seen in today's world? [31:13]

4. What does it mean to have spiritual discernment in the context of interpreting the times we live in, as Jesus discusses in Luke 12:54-56? [40:14]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on the "false gods" in your life that might be vying for your attention. How can you ensure that Jesus remains the center of your life? [21:51]

2. Jesus' baptism refers to His death on the cross. What personal sacrifices might you need to make to follow Jesus more closely? [30:12]

3. Have you experienced division in your family or community because of your faith? How did you navigate those tensions, and what might you do differently in the future? [32:30]

4. How can you develop better spiritual discernment to understand the times we live in? What practical steps can you take to be more spiritually aware and ready for Jesus' return? [40:14]

5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of reconciliation with God. Have you settled with God, and what does that look like in your daily life? [46:40]

6. How can you avoid pride in your salvation and instead approach others with humility and love? [33:16]

7. Think of a specific area in your life where you need to surrender more fully to Jesus. What steps can you take this week to live more in His grace? [51:28]

Devotional

Day 1: Urgency of Aligning with God's Will
In Luke 12, Jesus speaks of bringing fire to the earth, symbolizing judgment on unrighteousness. This fire is a call to recognize the urgency of aligning our lives with God's will, as the prince of this world, the devil, is actively working against us. The spiritual battle we face requires vigilance and awareness. Jesus' words remind us that the time to act is now, to live in readiness and to be spiritually prepared for His return. The urgency is not just about avoiding judgment but about living a life that reflects God's righteousness and love. [28:45]

"For the time has come for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?" (1 Peter 4:17, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you feel the urgency to align more closely with God's will? How can you take a step today to address this?


Day 2: Embracing the Cross
Jesus' reference to His baptism in Luke 12 is a profound reminder of His impending death on the cross, an act of ultimate love and sacrifice. This baptism challenges us to consider our own willingness to bear our crosses in following Him. Understanding the depth of Jesus' mission and the constraints He felt knowing His fate invites us to reflect on our own lives. Are we prepared to embrace the sacrifices required to follow Christ fully? The call to bear our cross is not just about enduring hardship but about living a life of love and service, mirroring Jesus' example. [30:12]

"And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38, ESV)

Reflection: What does bearing your cross look like in your daily life? Identify one specific way you can embrace this call today.


Day 3: Navigating Spiritual Division with Love
The division Jesus speaks of in Luke 12 is rooted in the enmity between the offspring of Eve and the offspring of the devil. This spiritual battle is evident in the world today, as faith in Jesus often disrupts the peace between the lost and the found. Navigating these divisions requires love and humility, recognizing that faith can create rifts even within families and communities. The challenge is to remain steadfast in faith while extending grace and understanding to those who may not yet see the truth. This division is not about conflict for its own sake but about the inevitable separation that occurs when one chooses to follow Christ. [31:13]

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." (Matthew 10:34, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a relationship where your faith has caused tension. How can you approach this person with love and humility, seeking to bridge the gap?


Day 4: Spiritual Discernment in Our Times
Jesus challenges us to interpret the times we live in, just as we interpret the weather. Spiritual discernment is crucial for living a life aligned with God's will, recognizing the battle between righteousness and unrighteousness. This discernment involves being spiritually aware and ready for His return, understanding the signs of the times, and responding accordingly. It calls for a deep connection with God, seeking His wisdom and guidance in navigating the complexities of our world. By cultivating spiritual discernment, we can better align our actions with God's purposes and be prepared for whatever lies ahead. [40:14]

"But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil." (Hebrews 5:14, ESV)

Reflection: How can you practice spiritual discernment in your daily life? Identify one way to deepen your awareness of God's presence and guidance today.


Day 5: Reconciliation and Peace with God
Settling with God before meeting the ultimate Judge is essential, as emphasized in Luke 12. This involves surrendering to Jesus and living in His grace, ensuring that our minds are governed by the Spirit rather than the flesh. True peace comes from being reconciled with God through Christ, a peace that surpasses all understanding. This reconciliation is not just about avoiding judgment but about experiencing the fullness of life that comes from a restored relationship with God. It invites us to live in the freedom and joy of being His children, fully embraced by His love and grace. [46:40]

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you need to seek reconciliation with God? What step can you take today to experience His peace and grace more fully?

Quotes



Heavenly Father, we come to you right now in the precious name of Jesus. And we ask that your Holy Spirit would guide us today. Father, today there are a whole bunch of false gods that will try to grab hold of us. Everything from money to cars to food. And Father, we just pray right now that Jesus would be the center of our lives. Lord, I pray that your Holy Spirit would convict us today. [00:21:04] (38 seconds)


Lord Jesus, you want our souls. We know that for eternity. And I pray, Father God, as we open your word today, we understand how important it is that we interpret the times we're living in. And that we are ready, Lord, for the days ahead. Holy Spirit, come and prepare us. Take away fear and faithlessness and replace it with faith in you, Lord Jesus. [00:21:51] (32 seconds)


And now today, we're going to talk about the fact that Jesus didn't come to bring peace. He was going to bring division on the earth. Now, if we look at the world, we can see, did you notice? Did you notice not everybody's getting along all right today? Verse 49, I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled. [00:24:16] (24 seconds)


Remember, these are the words of Jesus. Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you. Division. From now on, there will be five in one family, divided against each other. Three against two, and two against three. They will be divided. Father against son, son against father, mother against daughter, and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law. [00:24:48] (32 seconds)


And Jesus says, Jesus says I came to bring judgment look at the gospel of John chapter 12 alright the gospel of John chapter 12 is real chapter 12 and we're going to read verses 30 to 33 but if I set the scene for you a voice came from heaven Jesus said you know I'm going to the cross father glorify your name he says I have glorified it and then a debate broke out with the people some people said it thundered other people said no an angel spoke to him and Jesus clarifies it in verse 30 Jesus said this voice was for your benefit not mine now is the time for judgment on this world now the prince of this world will be driven out and when I am lifted up from the earth will draw all people to myself he said this to show the kind of death he was going to die so Jesus said I came to bring fire there's going to be fire on the earth there's going to be judgment and he says he came to deal with the prince of this world who is the devil I don't know if you guys know this but he's working overtime today [00:27:10] (76 seconds)


He knew he was going to die on the cross. He said it in the Gospel of John, what we just read. He said, when I'm lifted up, meaning I'm going to be on the cross. If you remember, James and John, they said, hey, his mom came and said, can each one of them sit on each side of you? And Jesus said, can they take the baptism that I take? [00:29:58] (25 seconds)


And they said, oh, sure, we can do that. Well, James was beheaded, and John was exiled to Patmos. Think about it for just a minute. But Jesus knew he was going to the cross. And then after he says this, he says, you think I came? Do you think I came to bring peace on the earth? Isn't it interesting? The Prince of Peace says, do you think I came to bring peace on the earth? I would go, well, logically, yeah. [00:30:23] (32 seconds)


I mean, if I show, you know, if you come from a Christian background and then you open your heart to Christ and you pass from death to life and you go from lost to saved and you put your faith in Jesus and you're forgiven and you know you're going to hell, heaven, if you come from a Christian family, everybody's happy. But you know what happens if you're not from a Christian family? Everybody thinks you've lost your mind. [00:32:08] (27 seconds)


The minute you commit to Jesus, the minute you open your heart, the minute you surrender, the moment you start living a sinless life or less sin in your life, the moment the people that are lost out there think you've lost it, you're crazy, you're one of those born-agains, you're a Bible thumper, you're a holy roller, Now, I have to caution all of you here, because I've experienced what I call Christian pride. [00:33:16] (46 seconds)


And Jesus says, if you can look at a cloud and say it's going to rain, you ought to see what's going on. And from last week's message, you should be ready when the Master comes. Because he could come any moment. and we don't know the day or the hour or the tick of the clock, but it could come at any moment. Are you ready? Are you ready for his return? Do you love him that much? Have you surrendered to Jesus? [00:41:08] (39 seconds)


See, I want to be settled with Jesus before I see the Father. I want to be at peace with God through my Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5, by whom also I have access into this grace in which I stand. Isaiah chapter 8 and verse 14. It's quoted over and over in Scripture. We're going to look at three places. It says, he will be a holy place for both Israel and Judah. He will be a stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall. And for the people of Jerusalem, he will be a trap and a snare. It's talking about Jesus. [00:46:40] (49 seconds)


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Transcript
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