Jesus Brings Division

Wow!! Jesus is using a vivid description to show how there will be division in this world on account of Him. How it is important to stand on the truth so we don’t end up standing on the wrong side.

Division

Jesus speaks about how He will cause division.

A little different than we think. We call Him the prince of peace. When He was born the angels sang peace on earth good will to men.

Jesus bring peace between God and man, but as far as between man and man, well that’s a different story.

The first place we see separation is between the true followers of God, and those who aren’t true followers.

Fire

Two ways fire is used in scripture is 1) as judgement and 2) for refinement. I believe this to be the latter.

Jesus is coming to purify the people to separate the wheat from the chaff, the gold from the dross.

A separation between those who follow God with their hearts, and between those who follow a religious order.

Malachi 3:1-4

Malachi 3:1–4 ESV

1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. 2 But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears? For he is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers’ soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord. 4 Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

v.1 Messenger of the covenant, this is Jesus. He is coming.

v.2 He is a fire to refine the church. He is like the fullers soap.

v.3 Beginning with leadership then spreading down He will refine them.

v.4 Then the offerings will be pure again as they were before.

Malachi is saying that Jesus would come and He will and did reform worship. Jesus made it where it isn’t about our actions, making sure we are following the rules of man. But that it was about our hearts.

Is the Holy Spirit working in us? Is His fruit evident in our lives.

Christians Should Live Above Reproach

There is no neutrality with God. Right and wrong are clear. When we do what God asks, we will have division with people.

This doesn’t give us the right to be hostile towards others. If anything we should be outstanding citizens and neighbors.

Romans 12:17-21

Romans 12:17–21 ESV

17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

As much as depends on us, we live in harmony with others around us. We don’t take vengeance, we don’t start fights.

When someone tries to provoke us we handle it in a dignified manner not trying to stir the pot. As much as depends on us we live at peace.

Paul continues speaking about the government in the same way.

Romans 13:1

Romans 13:1 ESV

1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God.

This passage tells us that we need to obey those who are in authority. For God is the one who has placed them there.

Even if Biden gets elected, we obey unless we are told to do something that God forbids or forbidden to do something that God requires.

By doing so we are glorifying God by being the best citizens we can.

How does this cause division?

There are Key things that we as Christians stand for that will cause division.

Jesus is God

This is a key point of belief, that Jesus is God.

Still a point of contention today. People want to believe Jesus was a prophet, but not God.

John 10:30, John 14:9, John 17:11, 22

John 10:30 ESV

30 I and the Father are one.”

Jesus made the claim many times that He was God.

Jesus Is the Only Way

John 14:6

John 14:6 ESV

6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

No other way besides through Him.

Not a way, but the way.

This would cause division in a Jewish household because this was a very religious Jewish culture. Now they would have to tell their families “the sacrifice of lambs and ox won’t suffice. It’s the blood of the messiah, the lamb of God who can take away our sin.”

Huge point of contention.

Today the statement is the same. It is’t because you’ve been good enough. It isn’t about being a good person. it’s about knowing Jesus.

God Has Morals

There are things that are sin, God calls them sin and says they need to be repented of.

Homosexuality

Abortion

Causing Dissension

Gossip

All can be forgiven, but all need to be repented of.

Love Means Obedience

Many people might say that they know Jesus, or that they love Jesus. But their lives don’t reflect that knowledge.

John 14:15

John 14:15 ESV

15 “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

You don’t love Jesus and live like the devil.

We all make mistakes and fall.

Our sins hurt Jesus, we can’t claim to love Him and not care if we hurt Him.

Recognition of Messiah

v.54-56

The points that Jesus is making is that you know how to judge the times of the season, but you can’t even interpret the fact that the messiah is among you.

The things that Jesus has done have all been proof of Him being the messiah, and they have missed it.

How much more important is it for us to see the evidence laid before that Jesus is the messiah. That He was the one who we they were looking for.

Turn Before It’s To Late

v.57-59

Jesus uses an analogy of being brought to court to convey the point that when you stand before God, it’s to late. Turn to Him now before it’s to late.