The Kingdom of Heaven is at Hand, 1:1-28:20
The Revelation of the King (Ch 1-11)
The Galilean Ministry, 8:1-18:35
The King’s Power And Credentials, 8:1-11:1
Into The Harvest, 9:35-11:1; Mar 6:6-13; Lu 9:1-6; 1Co 9:14
The Twelve Apostles Sent Out, 10:1-11:1
The Second Discourse, 10:5-11:1
PUTTING JESUS FIRST IN ALL IN OUR LIVES
Mat 10:34-39
Reading: Ep 4:1-3.
Songs: Peace Perfect Peace; Follow Me
Theme: It is easy become a Christian for it doesn’t usually require much, but much is required to live as a Christian.
INTRODUCTION
A. At the end of Matthew chapter 9 and moving into chapter 10, Jesus was readying his disciples (the twelve) to send them out on their own. In chapter 10:5-15, Jesus limited them on where they were to go and what they were to take. In verses 16-23, Jesus warned them of the dangers that they would inevitable face. In verses 24-33, Jesus charged them not to give in to the fear of men. In verses 34-39, Jesus
B. In a very practical sense, being Jesus' disciple means more than t just adding him to our lives. It also means allowing Jesus to become our lives! It means living every moment for his sake. It means living each day asking "What would Jesus do?" in every situation in life, and than doing what he would do. It means living above the level of the average believer. Losing ourselves in the lives of those we love is not difficult for us. Its not a chore. We do it willingly with, focusing all our energy and resources toward them. Besides everything else, we have a responsibility towards them, 1Ti 5:8. Jesus asked his disciple, he asks us, to also do the same with him only, to make him the number one focus. He doesn’t ask us to love our love ones any less, only that we love him most and to focus our lives in his, the most. Jesus has called us to a very distinct life, one completely different from the world around us. It is up to you and I to determine whether following Jesus closely is more important than the more comfortable life of just tagging along. With this text there is always the tendency to dismiss the presentation of it, because it calls for a change. As you consider the text, concentrate on what Jesus said and determine whether or not if the presentation and what Jesus declared are the same. Either way, let’s follow what Jesus said. As you consider Jesus words in our text, consider how and where those words might affect you if you apply them at all times in your life. What does it mean become a disciple of Jesus, to truly follow him. It deals with:
II. LOYALTY/ALLEGIANCE, 10:34-36
A. ... I came not to send peace, but a sword, 10:34.
ASV
34 Think <3543> (5661) not <3361> that <3754> I [am come - KJV] came <2064> (5627) to send <906> (5629) peace <1515> on <1909> the earth <1093>: I came <2064> (5627) not <3756> to send <906> (5629) peace <1515>, but <235> a sword <3162>.
1. How do we harmonize this passage with other which tell us Jesus was to be the “prince of peace”, Is 9:6-7; Mat 5:9; Lu 2:8-14?
a. Jesus did in fact bring peace.
(1) He brought us a peace with God. There is great hostility between fallen man and God, Ro 8:6-7.
(2) The hostility takes perceptiveness to notice it and doesn't seem so obvious when looking at those who are outside Christ because they have not obeyed the gospel, especially when we consider they have comparatively good lives, even god like lives, they may have a seemingly great desire to love God.
(3) That the hostility exists is more obvious in considering Hell. God is angry with sinful man and Jesus is the only way to remove that anger.
(4) It is his gracious love that sent Jesus as an offering for anyone who would accept it.
(5) Through accepting it we have not hostility but peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Ro 8:1; Co 1:19-22.
(6) It is important in reflecting on life, our own lives, to consider whether or not we have accepted God’s gracious gift and whether or not we are always living as though we have accepted it.
b. Not only did Jesus bring us peace with God but he also brought a peace within us, Ro 8:35-39.
c. Finally, Jesus brought us peace with others.
(1) All one need to is take a quick examination of the worldly to know that there is little peace between people.
(2) Only in the church, when we live as we are supposed to, do we find real peace between people and a refuge of peace from the world, Ep 2:11-16.
2. Yet Jesus clearly mentioned that he was sending a sword.
a. Do you think by his words, Jesus meant to bring physical change by force through a physical conflict?
b. Clearly the only sword that Jesus or his followers used (following Jesus speaking to Peter reaction on the Mt of Olives, ) in the conflict is the sword of the Spirit, Ep 6:11-17
3. Even so, Jesus went on to mention causing division.
B. I came to set a man at variance ... and a man's foes shall be they of his own household, 10:35-36.
35 For <1063> I [am come - KJV] came <2064> (5627) to set <1369> <0> a man <444> at variance <1369> (5658) against <2596> his <846> father <3962>, and <2532> the daughter <2364> against <2596> her <846> mother <3384>, and <2532> the daughter in law <3565> against <2596> her <846> mother in law <3994>.
36 [And - KJV] and <2532> a man's <444> foes <2190> shall be they of his own <846> household <3615>.
1. How would families come to be at variance with one another?
2. Do you think by his words, Jesus meant to incite inter-family feuds?
Transition: What did Jesus mean? He went on to explain it.
III. LIFE/APPLICATION, 10:37-39.
A. He that loveth father or mother ... son or daughter more than me, 10:37; cp. 8:21-22.
37 He that loveth <5368> (5723) father <3962> or <2228> mother <3384> more than <5228> me <1691> is <2076> (5748) not <3756> worthy <514> of me <3450>; and <2532> he that loveth <5368> (5723) son <5207> or <2228> daughter <2364> more than <5228> me <1691> is <2076> (5748) not <3756> worthy <514> of me <3450>.
1. It was not Jesus’ PURPOSE to drive a wedge between family members.
a. However, conflict/variance between family member is the effect that often results when one turns totally to follow Jesus but the rest do not.
b. It also true among friends.
c. In nearly all quarrels, except those about religion, the members of the same family often stand together.
d. With strong, religious differences, the family circle is can be broken and its parts left standing against one another.
2. How does one demonstrate a stronger love for others over Jesus? - by choosing others over following Jesus fully.
a. Having stronger ties to the world while trying to maintain faithfulness as a Christian is an utter impossibility. There can be no peace with the world for the faithful Christian, Ja 4:4; cp. 2Co 6:4-18.
b. I know some may think, “Are you kidding?”
c. But, no I am not kidding and yes, if you take a serious look at what Jesus taught, you will understand more fully the sense of what he was teaching.
d. It all comes down to asking ourselves in every situation in life, “What Would Jesus have me Do!” and than doing it.
3. Jesus was trying to strike close to the very core of what those who would have followed him, held dear to themselves.
4. Family relationships, family honor, are so important to us that many will defend spouse or children even when they are wrong.
a. However, in addition to our families or instead of families we may hold others or other things more dearly to ourselves than Jesus and living his message.
5. Jesus wanted his disciples to understand that the primary purpose in their lives had to be God and his message.
a. In addition to Jesus having said those who love others more than him were not worthy of him (his sacrifice for us) Luke added that Jesus also said they couldn’t be his disciples (Lu 14:26).
b. It calls for a life change.
B. ... he that doth not take his cross and follow ..., 10:38.
38 And <2532> he <3739> that [taketh not] doth not <3756> take <2983> (5719) his <846> cross <4716> and <2532> [followeth - KJV] follow <190> (5719) after <3694> me <3450>, is <2076> (5748) not <3756> worthy <514> of me <3450>.
1. To the first century person, considering following Jesus, the “cross” was the symbol of a brutal, agonizing death.
a. By “cross” Jesus meant our lives.
b. He calls us to follow him with out lives.
c. Today, the majority of those who would be Christians, disciple of Jesus, generally, trivialize the symbol of the cross.
d. I dare say, there are not many who actually give their lives totally to following Jesus.
e. The true meaning of taking up our cross and follow Jesus, means willingly sacrificing our will, even life itself, for him.
f. To give at the cross cost him his life on our behalf for our cause and in return he asks that we give of our lives on behalf of his cause - to seek actively to save the lost.
g. Luke added daily to the picking up of our crosses - not once a day, but all the time, Ro 12:1-2; Co 3:17
C. ... he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it , 10:39; 19:29.
39 He that findeth <2147> (5631) his <846> life <5590> shall lose <622> (5692) it <846>; and <2532> he that loseth <622> (5660) his <846> life <5590> for my <1700> sake <1752> shall find <2147> (5692) it <846>.
1. How do we 'find' life?
2. How do we 'lose' life?
3. The one who gives up his/her personal will, all things, even physical life for the faith, may be seen by those who don’t understand, as having lost his/her life, but what Christ gives us back is eternal life for decision. It is far greater. There is no comparison.
Conclusion:
Have much is what Jesus offers us worth to you. Is there anything your not willing to sacrifice, to give up if it means walking more fully with Jesus. Before you say no, take a look at your life, your actions, your attendance, your attitudes. It is not an easy test for any of us.
Jesus wanted his disciples and down to us, to know, that if we live as he calls us to, we will face opposition, his word will bring a division between us and others. However, remember, as we enjoy the peace Jesus brought to us, let’s rejoice in the hostility his word brings to us. For that hostility represents his war against Satan and sin.