The Centrality of Christ 2

The Centrality of Christ

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

Holistic spirituality stresses the centrality of Christ and his relevance to every component of our lives. This biblical alternative to a compartmentalization mentality focuses on the implications of Christ’s lordship in such a way that even the most mundane components of life can become expressions of the life of Christ in us. This chapter stresses the cultivation of a heart of wisdom, which is the skill in the art of living life with each area under the dominion of God.

List most important 10 things in your life.

God

Family

Church

Luke 13 - story of leaven and bread

The Restless Heart

When Jesus said to the Twelve, “You do not want to go away also, do you?” Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life” (John 6:67–68). Peter understood that without Christ, there are no other options; there is nowhere else to turn.

John 6:67–68 KJV 1900

67 Then said Jesus unto the twelve, Will ye also go away? 68 Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.

The Cause of Division

49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?

50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!

51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:

52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.

53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.

Introduction

Growing up in the summer with a step brother and step sister that were roughly my age led us to drawing many lines that we would have to continually redraw. Don’t cross this line. Now don’t cross this line. Life is full of artificial lines. Some lines Jesus came and removed.

There is a line that came as a result of knowing Him that cannot be moved. It runs from here all the way through eternity. Some of you feel the consequences from being on the this side of the line.

Cause of division (vv. 49–53)

Luke 12:49-53 “49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! 51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division: 52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”

Purpose Statement: I have come

Luke 12:49-50 “49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled? 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!”

statements are designed to summarize his ministry.

Image of fire

The image of fire can refer to judgment (3:9) or to the Spirit (3:16).

The Old Testament image of fire describes the purifying message of the prophets (Jer. 5:14; 23:29).

Jesus’ message reveals the judging and purging work that his ministry represents: to provide the way for people to make decisions about where they stand and to offer them the opportunity to be repent (5:31–32)

Robert Fulghum tells the odd story of a fire crew that broke into a house with smoke pouring out of the window and found a man in a smoldering bed. After the man was rescued and the mattress doused, they asked, “How did this happen?” The man replied, “I don’t know. It was on fire when I lay down on it.”

That story strikes us as funny because it is so strange. Who in their right mind would lie down on a burning mattress? You can’t be passive about fire. You have to deal with it or it will consume you!

Jesus draws a line that forces us to take sides.The offer of the gospel necessarily divides people into two opposing camps. There is no neutral ground.

Line is drawn with the cross of Christ

Luke 12:50 “50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!”

Jesus is headed quickly to the cross. The joy set before Him but the realized of such agony.

He would be immersed under the flood of God’s wrath against sin.

The great agony of the cross was the reality of the sinless One becoming the sin-bearer. 2 Cor 5:21 “21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.”

Many will recognize their sinful state and embrace the message of the cross. Most will reject any message that says they are sinners and in need of a Savior. This separation runs along that line. It runs through families.

We have missionaries among us today. We will soon be separated from them by geographical lines. But we rejoice in knowing we are both clinging together on the right side of the line that will matter for all eternity.

Jesus creates a crossroads

Luke 12:51 “51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:”

No doubt, it is one of the most staggering phrases to come from Jesus’s lips.

Jesus knows that he forces choices, so he does not bring peace “but division.”

Every combination possible gets mentioned: father and sons, mothers and daughters, in-laws against in-laws

What are we to make of this?

Jesus who told us to love our enemies. Matt 5

One called Prince of Peace Isaiah 9

Jesus promised the world would know us by our love John 13

Now told to hate my wife, my children, and my parents? Luke 12:52-53 “52 For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. 53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.”

Elsewhere, I am told to love my wife Eph 5

I am told to love my children Eph 6

I am told to love my parents Exodus 20

How do we reconcile this?

Here is a key to understanding. Matthew 10:36-37 “36 And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. 37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

Crossroads

It is in moments like these that the crowds greatly thin out.

“It is not the Gospel which is to blame [for such divisions], but the rebellious heart of man.”

John 6:66 “66 From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.”

Jesus is proclaiming and demanding His rightful place to our all!

When the deacons text each other and say, let’s put off the meeting about the new building. The Pastor is saying the things again that people will not want to hear.

The contrast

“Let me tell you why you should not follow Jesus” was the title of a sermon David Platt says in his book Radical that his preaching professor preached. Many people responded to the Gospel that night. He tried preaching a few nights later and he must have done a better job because no one responded.

Our love for Christ should our love for all other things, including family, look as hate in comparison.

My love for him should be greater than any earthly possession. Jesus is the treasure in the field. When i find him I would be willing to sell all that I have to secure Him.

My loyalty to him is greater than my loyalty for my father. I remember attending my fathers funeral, very vividly. I cannot imagine anything that would have kept me from being there. Except if Jesus would have asked me to not attend as he did the man in Luke 9. - I expect this line of thinking make many uncomfortable,

My love for him should be greater than my love for my child. Children are a gift from God. No one knew this any better than Abraham and Sarah.

“Jesus offers himself as peace, but when supreme love for him is not shared in a family, he becomes a divider.”

Why talk like this?

Extreme nature of the statements it uncomfortable but very clear

Will we accept that his claim on us is a thousand times stronger than any other claim?

Will we, in the most extreme and difficult situations, accept the agonizing choices for Christ that make us look unloving?

Will we be willing to have our hearts misunderstood and slandered for his sake? 1 Peter 3:16 “16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.”