[0.00 --> 14.32] Good morning. It is good to be together again and to celebrate community and our common vision [14.32 --> 22.80] as a church. This morning we're going to continue looking at some of the words that Jesus spoke that [22.80 --> 29.60] are harder to deal with. We call this series Hard Sayings of Jesus. And today's passage [30.48 --> 36.16] certainly caused me to do some hard thinking and praying. And so, let's just get right into it. So, [36.16 --> 39.84] look at the passage with me. It will be up on the screen here. If you have your Bibles, [39.84 --> 45.12] you can open them up to Luke 12. We're going to read verses 49 through 56. [45.12 --> 54.40] Here's what the Word says, Jesus speaking, I have come to bring fire on earth and how I wish it were [54.40 --> 61.84] already kindled. But I have a baptism to undergo and what constraint I am under until it is completed. [63.04 --> 70.56] Do you think that I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. From now on, [70.56 --> 75.20] there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two, two against three. [75.20 --> 79.76] There will be divided father against son, son against father, mother against daughter, [80.32 --> 84.56] daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law. [84.56 --> 89.60] And he said to the crowd, when you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, [89.60 --> 95.28] it's going to rain. And it does. And when the south wind blows, you say, it's going to be hot. [95.28 --> 103.28] And it is. Hypocrites. You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it [103.28 --> 110.56] you don't know how to interpret this present time? Well, there you go. That's pretty straightforward. [111.12 --> 117.52] Let's conclude with the last song and go home. That's kind of almost how I feel, or at least how [117.52 --> 123.12] I felt when I first read the passage. I kind of go, oh man, there's a lot there. Jesus saying, [123.12 --> 131.36] I came to bring fire. I came to bring division. Like, what's going on here? This is kind of messing [131.36 --> 139.92] with our popular image of Jesus, right? A Jesus that anyone could like, soothing, peaceful, [140.72 --> 146.00] saying things that we want to hear, strolling through the meadow with a lamb across his shoulders, [146.00 --> 152.88] soft, cuddly Jesus, non-offensive. And I've heard people say, you know, I like Jesus, not the church too [152.88 --> 159.12] much. But I like Jesus. And Jesus is seen more like a life coach dispensing good advice and how to live a [159.12 --> 170.64] successful life. A Jesus who makes no real demands on us. And I want to tell you, that Jesus doesn't exist. [172.08 --> 177.20] He does give good advice. He does talk about how to live life. But there's so much more going on than [177.20 --> 185.52] that. And we hear Him in today's passage, I came to bring fire. I came to bring division. What does He [185.52 --> 193.60] mean? In Scripture, fire is often connected with judgment, sometimes with purification. But let's be [193.60 --> 201.36] really clear here. Jesus came to bring salvation for all people. That's why John 3, famous verse 16, [201.36 --> 206.32] God so loved the world, He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him will be saved. [208.08 --> 213.04] That's just a straightforward gospel. Elsewhere in Scripture, it says God didn't send His Son [213.04 --> 219.84] into the world to condemn the world, right? That wasn't the point. The point was salvation. [220.64 --> 226.96] Love warns. Love invites. Love seeks truth. [226.96 --> 238.40] God's invitation to be saved and transformed and healed. [240.64 --> 249.44] John 11, verse 11, 12, I look at this with me. This is about Jesus. He came to that which was His own, [249.44 --> 258.24] His own people. But His own did not receive Him. Yet all who did receive Him, to those who believed in [258.24 --> 267.04] His name, He gave the right to become children of God. That is Jesus' desire that we all become children [267.76 --> 274.96] of God. Scripture says, all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. [274.96 --> 284.88] God's not leaving anyone out. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. In other words, all need saving, all need transforming, all need redeeming. [286.16 --> 299.84] Israel had been waiting for a Messiah who would solve, really, their political problems, who would restore Israel to its rightful place. That's the Messiah they were waiting for. [299.84 --> 307.54] They, as individuals, weren't really thinking about their need for being saved. Their hearts didn't seem to need transforming. [309.20 --> 313.10] And so, when we think about this, we say, so did Jesus come to bring peace or division? [314.20 --> 318.06] Well, you know, when we read Luke 2, we go back to the Christmas story, the angel singing, [318.22 --> 323.76] Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to those on whom His favor rests. [323.76 --> 329.14] Paul writes in Philippians 4, though, he pushes that peace idea a little further here. [329.68 --> 335.62] He writes, don't be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, we've been talking about this morning, [335.92 --> 339.10] with thanksgiving, present your request to God, and here we go. [339.50 --> 342.40] And the peace of God, what kind of peace? [343.06 --> 351.18] Which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. [351.18 --> 355.50] Jesus is the way to peace. [357.02 --> 359.70] Peace between you and God. [360.14 --> 360.78] Us and God. [361.44 --> 362.36] You have sinned. [362.42 --> 363.06] I have sinned. [363.14 --> 363.86] We have sinned. [364.38 --> 368.74] And that has put a dividing wall between a holy God and people. [369.40 --> 370.82] That's the story of Scripture. [371.78 --> 375.02] And Jesus is the way of bridging that divide. [375.34 --> 379.20] But ironically, in that, division will happen. [379.20 --> 383.68] Even in families, as Jesus points out in the passage we read. [385.08 --> 389.04] In 1 Corinthians, we read this, 1 Corinthians 23. [390.20 --> 391.86] Paul writes, and he writes, [392.14 --> 400.84] But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. [400.84 --> 404.00] A stumbling block. [405.56 --> 411.86] Yeah, putting Jesus and bringing his peace into your life, it demands something. [411.92 --> 412.54] What does it demand? [412.72 --> 419.48] It demands your surrender to your agenda and embracing God's agenda for your life. [420.92 --> 424.72] Israel couldn't accept Jesus' way as the way to peace with God. [425.04 --> 425.78] Rome couldn't. [426.02 --> 427.06] Greece couldn't. [427.30 --> 428.84] The religious leaders couldn't. [428.84 --> 430.40] Many today can't either. [431.12 --> 434.94] In my interactions with people in my life, I've heard people say, [435.30 --> 438.90] So you're saying I'm a sinner in need of saving? [440.38 --> 440.82] Hmm. [440.96 --> 441.70] I don't think so. [443.30 --> 444.22] Or they might say, [444.40 --> 445.76] Well, who are you to judge? [445.82 --> 447.72] For that matter, who's God to judge? [449.22 --> 450.08] Yet Jesus says, [450.18 --> 450.92] I am the way. [451.06 --> 451.86] I am the truth. [452.02 --> 452.68] I am life. [452.68 --> 455.48] No one comes to the Father except through me. [458.46 --> 462.58] In John 12, verse 46, Jesus says it this way. [462.92 --> 468.80] I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. [469.04 --> 473.46] The flip side of that is, you don't believe in him, you stay in darkness. [473.46 --> 477.38] But you don't think you're in darkness. [479.24 --> 482.22] I was reading the story of Jesus' triumphal entry in Luke. [483.26 --> 485.54] He's entering Jerusalem to go face the cross. [486.38 --> 491.66] And people are thrilled because they think he's come to start a revolution against the Romans. [491.88 --> 493.10] And so they're quite thrilled. [493.46 --> 497.48] But notice, here's what Jesus says in Luke 19 as he's approaching Jerusalem. [497.48 --> 502.36] As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it. [503.40 --> 504.42] He's riding in. [504.48 --> 505.08] He's coming in. [505.46 --> 506.40] He sees Jerusalem. [506.92 --> 507.98] He weeps over it. [508.00 --> 508.38] And he said, [508.68 --> 515.56] If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace, [517.92 --> 520.12] that peace that's beyond understanding, [520.40 --> 522.94] that peace that only comes through the cross, right? [523.28 --> 525.86] But now it is hidden from your eyes. [527.48 --> 530.72] You know, sometimes, I don't know about you, [530.80 --> 533.96] but sometimes I think we struggle with the judgment of God. [535.58 --> 537.28] We don't even like the word very much. [538.40 --> 539.32] Let me ask you this. [539.76 --> 545.40] Would you want a God who ignores evil and brokenness and lies and sin? [547.54 --> 549.32] Would you want to follow a God like that? [552.02 --> 552.72] I wouldn't. [552.72 --> 556.78] I would want my God to be better than that. [558.90 --> 559.04] Right? [560.08 --> 562.00] You know, I've heard people say, [562.08 --> 562.80] I can't go to church. [562.92 --> 564.42] They're so judgmental in the church. [564.80 --> 566.30] And that's sometimes true, [566.62 --> 571.20] but mostly because it's done sometimes so unlovingly and so self-righteously. [571.46 --> 572.60] That's the problem. [572.96 --> 575.58] Sometimes the word spoken itself are not the problem. [575.58 --> 578.74] How many of you parents say no to your kids? [581.94 --> 583.40] Some kids are looking at their parents and say, [583.52 --> 584.30] yeah, all the time. [585.58 --> 587.88] How many of you correct them when they choose poorly [587.88 --> 590.06] or even sometimes punish them when they choose poorly? [590.44 --> 591.82] Why do you do that, right? [591.96 --> 593.32] Because you love them. [593.80 --> 596.76] Love seeks the truth, holds on to the truth, [597.08 --> 598.46] lives out of truth. [598.46 --> 601.60] We want that for the people we love. [603.48 --> 605.04] You know, in all of this judgment thinking, [605.16 --> 606.38] I was thinking of the courts. [607.74 --> 609.16] You ever been to court? [609.38 --> 610.14] Don't raise your hand. [612.28 --> 612.68] Right? [612.80 --> 612.94] Yeah. [613.08 --> 618.28] I had to testify once in a court case in Surrey. [619.88 --> 621.16] I remember sitting there, you know, [621.16 --> 624.86] you're in this little seated area here, [625.10 --> 626.74] and in walks the judge, [626.82 --> 627.70] and everybody rises. [628.46 --> 629.90] You know, it's very formal. [630.76 --> 632.86] Guy's wearing a black robe, looks very stern. [633.66 --> 635.74] But imagine if I had stood up and said, [636.14 --> 638.18] this place is so judgmental, [638.24 --> 639.96] especially the guy in the black robe. [642.06 --> 642.36] Right? [642.42 --> 644.96] Yeah, that wouldn't go over while I'd be in trouble. [645.88 --> 648.32] But we wouldn't do that because that's stupid. [648.98 --> 649.18] Right? [649.18 --> 654.52] We all know we need places where wrong is judged [654.52 --> 657.88] by someone who's put some thought into it according to law. [657.88 --> 659.68] We all know that. [659.68 --> 661.30] We're happy for that. [661.30 --> 664.02] That evil behavior is punished, [664.36 --> 668.54] and hopefully the one who did the evil is somehow rehabilitated, [668.80 --> 670.68] and we want all that to happen. [670.68 --> 673.66] But that only happens with judgment. [673.66 --> 681.48] As Christians, we are called to speak the truth in love. [682.28 --> 684.06] Emphasis on the word in love. [684.94 --> 690.00] Not to win an argument, which often is not motivated by love. [690.00 --> 692.66] So that we might bless others. [693.00 --> 696.26] Jesus confronted especially the religious leaders of his day [696.26 --> 699.92] because they misled people, and they were self-righteous. [700.22 --> 702.02] And he speaks truth to them. [702.42 --> 704.78] You vipers, you whitewashed grays. [705.14 --> 705.42] Why? [705.64 --> 707.38] Because he loves truth. [707.92 --> 709.26] He points out truth. [709.62 --> 710.42] God's truth. [710.62 --> 711.28] God's ways. [711.56 --> 712.72] And he loves people. [712.72 --> 714.20] And he's saying to the leaders, [714.56 --> 716.32] don't mess this up. [718.00 --> 719.12] Don't mess this up. [719.18 --> 721.12] You have a big responsibility with these people. [721.18 --> 721.68] Don't mess it up. [721.92 --> 725.00] He's challenging them for the sake of the people, [725.14 --> 727.08] but also for the sake of the leaders. [728.86 --> 729.06] Right? [729.10 --> 730.46] One of those leaders, Nicodemus. [731.46 --> 732.26] He was a Pharisee. [732.38 --> 735.12] Later on, he became a follower of Jesus, it seems. [736.46 --> 736.68] Right? [736.68 --> 741.32] So Jesus speaks truth in love to transform people [741.32 --> 744.06] and bring them to their need for salvation. [744.66 --> 747.02] The cross, though, is a stumbling block [747.02 --> 749.40] because it speaks the central truth. [749.94 --> 756.88] You need a Savior every single day of your life. [762.88 --> 764.40] That's a stumbling block for some. [766.68 --> 769.78] Jesus refers to this defining moment [769.78 --> 771.84] in our passage as baptism. [773.14 --> 774.58] You might think, what's that about? [774.80 --> 775.78] What's he mean, baptism? [776.46 --> 778.50] Baptism in its significance, [779.22 --> 780.92] and we see it sometimes when we baptize, right? [781.18 --> 783.32] We saw that a while back here, not so long ago. [783.52 --> 783.68] Right? [783.74 --> 784.52] You go underwater. [784.88 --> 786.08] You die to self. [786.46 --> 787.32] You come up again. [787.68 --> 789.42] You're alive in Christ. [789.84 --> 791.78] That's the picture where Jesus says, [791.92 --> 793.74] you know, my death is a baptism. [793.74 --> 797.70] It's a baptism where out of death comes life, [798.10 --> 799.32] through the cross. [802.40 --> 803.84] Through the cross, through his death. [805.98 --> 808.26] There's a line in verse 52 of our passage [808.26 --> 810.24] that says, from now on. [810.42 --> 812.74] It's a phrase that Jesus uses elsewhere, too. [812.98 --> 814.98] When he calls his disciples, when they're fishing, [815.44 --> 816.14] and he says, you know, [816.22 --> 817.72] I will make you fishers of men. [817.76 --> 819.50] He says, from now on, [819.58 --> 821.18] I will make you fishers of men. [821.18 --> 822.18] Right? [822.94 --> 824.52] When he's going to ascend into heaven, [824.64 --> 826.26] he says, from now on, [826.60 --> 828.68] the Son of Man is seated at the right hand of the Father. [829.76 --> 830.82] From now on. [830.94 --> 832.04] From now on, [832.10 --> 833.56] from the time of Jesus [833.56 --> 836.30] to now and beyond, [837.22 --> 838.24] things are going to be different. [838.32 --> 839.06] The kingdom has come. [840.58 --> 841.68] The kingdom has come. [843.16 --> 844.78] So, yeah, there's going to be divisions. [846.54 --> 848.12] Divisions even in families, [848.12 --> 850.66] because people are going to stumble over this. [852.08 --> 856.04] We don't easily want to surrender to that truth. [858.82 --> 861.24] Maybe you've experienced that in your life, [861.28 --> 861.84] in your family. [863.70 --> 864.72] And Jesus has said, [864.88 --> 865.32] take heart, [865.66 --> 866.76] I have overcome sin and death. [866.84 --> 867.52] That's the good news. [867.86 --> 870.52] I have come to bring life in all its fullness. [870.68 --> 873.40] I have come to bring peace beyond your comprehension. [873.40 --> 875.84] Share that peace, [876.40 --> 878.50] even if it isn't always received. [880.38 --> 883.54] Peace is generally seen as a good thing. [884.18 --> 884.34] Right? [885.06 --> 887.18] When we hear the angel saying, [887.52 --> 888.66] peace on earth, [888.78 --> 889.32] good will to man, [889.40 --> 890.00] we say, yeah, [890.14 --> 890.88] everybody agreed. [890.98 --> 892.30] Yay, yay, peace. [892.94 --> 893.78] Merry Christmas. [894.86 --> 895.20] And then we say, [895.26 --> 896.74] well, that peace comes through the cross. [896.84 --> 898.56] Well, wait a minute, Bible thumper. [898.56 --> 901.92] Slow down a little bit here. [901.96 --> 902.82] I like the peace part. [902.90 --> 904.30] Let's not drag the cross into this. [907.68 --> 908.08] Peace. [909.04 --> 910.76] End of wars and violence. [910.82 --> 911.32] Of course. [912.10 --> 913.14] That's part of it too. [914.12 --> 914.84] But peace, [915.38 --> 915.92] ultimately, [916.36 --> 918.16] harmony of people [918.16 --> 919.58] with a holy God [919.58 --> 921.82] who has every right to judge them, [921.96 --> 924.10] but doesn't because the Son has come [924.10 --> 928.76] and taken away the price of sin and death from us, [930.04 --> 931.88] from those who will surrender to that. [932.96 --> 935.78] And Jesus longs for that mission to be over, right? [935.82 --> 936.02] He said, [936.08 --> 937.54] I wish that fire was already kindled. [937.78 --> 939.74] He's anxious to complete it [939.74 --> 942.32] where he will face the consequences of sin [942.32 --> 943.38] for you and I, [944.08 --> 944.72] where he will say, [944.78 --> 945.48] my God, my God, [945.60 --> 947.50] why have you forsaken me [947.50 --> 950.50] so you didn't have to be forsaken? [950.50 --> 950.58] Amen. [950.58 --> 950.62] Amen. [954.10 --> 958.20] You know, fire, [958.96 --> 959.72] Jesus talked about fire, [959.78 --> 960.82] fire can destroy, right? [961.62 --> 962.92] But it also purifies. [964.50 --> 965.38] It purifies. [965.72 --> 967.58] We are purified through those fires. [968.42 --> 968.56] Right? [968.58 --> 970.48] We sometimes talk about forest fires, right? [970.54 --> 972.86] And all that underbrush is burned away [972.86 --> 974.30] and it'll seem pretty bad for a while, [974.34 --> 974.68] but, you know, [974.70 --> 976.06] all kinds of new life comes out of that. [980.56 --> 981.98] We find our purification [981.98 --> 983.34] through the fire, [983.48 --> 984.18] Jesus starts [984.18 --> 986.60] with his death and resurrection. [987.98 --> 988.78] And in that, [988.96 --> 990.82] we are at peace with God [990.82 --> 991.76] and, yeah, [991.82 --> 992.76] with one another too. [993.12 --> 995.86] But not everyone will accept that. [998.04 --> 998.94] And maybe you, [998.94 --> 999.62] maybe you, [999.74 --> 1001.40] you feel like you want to settle for a peace [1001.40 --> 1003.10] that's about conflict avoidance. [1003.16 --> 1004.66] That's another kind of peace. [1005.72 --> 1007.60] You ever been in that kind of situation, right? [1008.32 --> 1009.48] The situation's tense, [1009.48 --> 1010.88] whatever the thing is, [1011.04 --> 1012.08] the issue is, [1012.60 --> 1013.64] and you want to say something, [1013.76 --> 1015.60] but you don't for the sake of peace. [1016.96 --> 1017.32] Really, [1017.66 --> 1018.98] you just don't want to have a big fight [1018.98 --> 1019.72] about something again. [1020.40 --> 1020.52] Right? [1020.56 --> 1021.48] And I kind of get that. [1021.66 --> 1022.12] I get that. [1022.16 --> 1024.08] We can't be fighting all the time. [1024.90 --> 1025.90] Sometimes it is wise [1025.90 --> 1026.86] just to keep your mouth shut. [1029.18 --> 1030.16] But not all the time. [1032.64 --> 1034.34] We can't hide the gospel. [1034.94 --> 1035.14] All the time. [1035.16 --> 1035.66] And I get it. [1035.66 --> 1037.86] We can show the gospel [1037.86 --> 1038.84] through the way we live. [1038.92 --> 1039.72] Of course, right? [1039.88 --> 1041.40] And we can be loving and caring [1041.40 --> 1041.90] and all that. [1042.16 --> 1042.74] That's true. [1042.92 --> 1045.10] But sometimes we say something, [1045.36 --> 1046.54] hopefully in love. [1049.14 --> 1050.08] And I'll be honest with you, [1050.12 --> 1052.58] I don't always know how to navigate this [1052.58 --> 1054.58] in my relationships. [1057.12 --> 1058.52] I tend to say things. [1060.54 --> 1060.78] You know, [1060.82 --> 1062.02] once in a while I'm saying something [1062.02 --> 1063.92] and my wife's sitting close to me [1063.92 --> 1064.70] and I get one of these. [1065.66 --> 1066.22] You know, [1066.22 --> 1066.96] kick in the leg [1066.96 --> 1067.38] and I go, [1068.50 --> 1069.64] no more talking, Sid. [1071.18 --> 1071.96] Settle down. [1073.80 --> 1076.00] And often that's the right thing here [1076.00 --> 1077.38] because sometimes too many words [1077.38 --> 1078.04] are not helpful. [1079.54 --> 1080.00] But yeah, [1080.06 --> 1081.34] I don't always know how to navigate that. [1081.64 --> 1082.86] Maybe you struggle with that too. [1083.40 --> 1084.12] The key though, [1084.20 --> 1085.32] stay loving. [1085.50 --> 1085.62] Yeah, [1085.66 --> 1086.76] don't over talk. [1087.00 --> 1087.78] That can happen too. [1088.12 --> 1088.88] But sometimes, [1089.06 --> 1091.12] sometimes we need to speak the truth [1091.12 --> 1092.22] but make sure it's in love. [1092.22 --> 1092.28] Love. [1095.66 --> 1096.86] You know, [1096.94 --> 1099.30] and I picture Jesus saying what He did. [1099.42 --> 1099.52] You know, [1099.58 --> 1101.30] I've come to bring fire [1101.30 --> 1102.66] and I've come to bring division [1102.66 --> 1103.86] and the crowd's going, [1104.26 --> 1105.24] what? [1105.24 --> 1108.28] And the disciples are sitting there [1108.28 --> 1109.60] and some of them are estranged [1109.60 --> 1110.60] from their families [1110.60 --> 1112.46] because they follow Jesus. [1113.40 --> 1115.14] They're living out the division [1115.14 --> 1116.62] that came with that, [1117.38 --> 1119.88] with their faith in Jesus. [1121.60 --> 1123.54] Earlier on in our hard sayings of Jesus, [1123.68 --> 1124.08] you know, [1124.34 --> 1125.78] we talked about when He said, [1126.44 --> 1126.84] you know, [1126.88 --> 1128.00] you need to eat my body [1128.00 --> 1128.80] and drink my blood [1128.80 --> 1129.46] and the crowd, [1129.58 --> 1129.78] what? [1129.88 --> 1130.56] Walked away. [1130.56 --> 1132.00] What is He talking about here? [1132.00 --> 1133.54] And then Jesus asked the disciples, [1133.66 --> 1135.12] are you guys leaving too? [1136.10 --> 1136.56] And they said, [1136.60 --> 1136.72] well, [1136.76 --> 1137.50] where else do we go? [1137.58 --> 1138.22] You are truth, [1138.34 --> 1138.64] right? [1140.02 --> 1141.28] And it struck me. [1142.82 --> 1144.34] It struck me a while [1144.34 --> 1145.34] when I was thinking about this, [1146.28 --> 1147.40] about folks who had come [1147.40 --> 1147.98] to Hope Community [1147.98 --> 1149.08] over the years. [1149.64 --> 1150.92] And sometimes they came, [1151.38 --> 1152.34] and we were glad they, [1152.56 --> 1153.80] for whatever reason they came, [1154.10 --> 1155.84] but sometimes some of them came [1155.84 --> 1157.72] for the good of their kids. [1158.86 --> 1159.82] Kind of this sentiment. [1159.82 --> 1161.14] It's good for the kids [1161.14 --> 1162.28] to have a little religion. [1164.52 --> 1164.78] You know, [1165.24 --> 1166.38] let them hear a little God talk [1166.38 --> 1166.72] once in a while. [1166.76 --> 1167.12] That's good. [1168.30 --> 1169.06] You don't have to take it [1169.06 --> 1169.62] too seriously, [1169.76 --> 1171.28] but just a little religion. [1172.88 --> 1173.70] And it's interesting, [1174.02 --> 1174.24] you know, [1174.44 --> 1175.00] these kids, [1175.12 --> 1176.54] they just like the programs [1176.54 --> 1177.42] and the fun they had [1177.42 --> 1179.06] in Cornerstone [1179.06 --> 1179.80] and things like that. [1179.90 --> 1180.76] So they were just having fun. [1181.10 --> 1182.46] But eventually they became teenagers, [1182.78 --> 1184.22] and they didn't like waking up [1184.22 --> 1184.84] on Sunday mornings, [1185.00 --> 1185.56] and they said, [1185.62 --> 1185.72] ah, [1185.72 --> 1186.58] we're not going anymore. [1187.46 --> 1188.34] And the parents said, [1188.40 --> 1188.50] well, [1188.52 --> 1189.46] we're not going anymore either. [1190.20 --> 1191.76] We've all had our little religion. [1194.48 --> 1195.76] The problem with the little religion [1195.76 --> 1198.38] is it's not absolute surrender [1198.38 --> 1199.30] to the ways of Jesus. [1203.22 --> 1204.70] And you don't get that peace [1204.70 --> 1205.86] that's beyond understanding. [1207.94 --> 1209.40] Jesus didn't come to bring [1209.40 --> 1210.10] a little religion. [1210.36 --> 1211.34] He came to bring life [1211.34 --> 1212.32] in all its fullness. [1212.64 --> 1214.10] And this demands our all. [1214.10 --> 1216.46] And then we desperately find [1216.46 --> 1218.06] the peace that we so much [1218.06 --> 1219.52] are in need of. [1221.56 --> 1222.94] Jesus said to the people [1222.94 --> 1223.94] at that time, [1224.00 --> 1224.10] He said, [1224.16 --> 1224.80] you guys are pretty good [1224.80 --> 1225.66] at predicting the weather, [1225.94 --> 1227.10] but you completely missed [1227.10 --> 1227.88] the signs of the time. [1227.94 --> 1228.88] What was the sign of the time? [1229.16 --> 1229.86] Jesus Himself. [1230.12 --> 1230.86] There's Jesus. [1230.98 --> 1231.74] Right there. [1232.64 --> 1234.64] The sign of the times. [1235.34 --> 1236.14] The Messiah, [1236.34 --> 1237.64] the one who came to save them. [1237.64 --> 1238.44] And they're, [1238.58 --> 1238.88] you know, [1239.38 --> 1240.06] they're missing Him. [1242.58 --> 1243.26] It made me think, [1243.36 --> 1244.90] you and I can go about our lives [1244.90 --> 1247.10] and pay attention to the weather, [1247.76 --> 1248.66] day-to-day demands, [1248.88 --> 1249.32] sports, [1249.46 --> 1250.08] social media. [1250.86 --> 1251.76] We even go to church [1251.76 --> 1253.08] and completely miss Jesus. [1253.08 --> 1259.54] And somehow then we miss out [1259.54 --> 1260.34] on real life [1260.34 --> 1262.44] and on real peace. [1264.26 --> 1265.56] Everywhere Jesus went, [1265.68 --> 1266.28] people were divided [1266.28 --> 1266.96] because of Him. [1267.30 --> 1267.82] At times, [1267.88 --> 1269.00] they lined the streets [1269.00 --> 1269.84] just to see Him [1269.84 --> 1270.40] and hear Him. [1270.66 --> 1271.32] At other times, [1271.38 --> 1272.20] they were going to throw Him [1272.20 --> 1273.40] literally off a cliff. [1275.68 --> 1277.38] Even members of Jesus' own family [1277.38 --> 1278.26] weren't sure what to do with Him. [1281.92 --> 1282.52] You know. [1283.42 --> 1284.24] Some of them were saying, [1284.32 --> 1285.68] I thought He was going to bring [1285.68 --> 1286.86] peace in Israel. [1287.58 --> 1288.90] Get rid of those Romans. [1289.90 --> 1291.12] That was what a lot of them thought. [1291.56 --> 1291.84] You know what? [1291.86 --> 1292.10] Nowadays, [1292.24 --> 1294.12] I thought He was going to just love me [1294.12 --> 1295.18] without asking me [1295.18 --> 1296.58] to change a thing. [1299.94 --> 1301.14] And Jesus stepped in [1301.14 --> 1302.34] with those comments [1302.34 --> 1302.78] and He said, [1303.36 --> 1303.56] oh, [1303.86 --> 1304.82] so that's peace for you. [1304.82 --> 1306.08] Do you think [1306.08 --> 1307.72] I've come to bring peace? [1307.84 --> 1308.36] Like that? [1309.20 --> 1309.62] No. [1309.86 --> 1311.14] I've come to bring division. [1311.46 --> 1312.64] I've come to bring [1312.64 --> 1313.44] a choice. [1318.18 --> 1319.06] Division between [1319.06 --> 1320.34] light and darkness. [1320.56 --> 1321.04] Here's light. [1321.16 --> 1321.64] Here's darkness. [1321.88 --> 1322.54] Which one do you want? [1323.12 --> 1324.60] Between life and death. [1324.80 --> 1325.56] Which one do you want? [1328.12 --> 1328.62] Peace, [1328.86 --> 1330.42] as Jesus defines it. [1331.30 --> 1332.52] Peace that comes [1332.52 --> 1333.40] from repentance [1333.40 --> 1334.80] and then receiving [1334.80 --> 1335.92] grace and forgiveness. [1335.92 --> 1336.14] this. [1337.34 --> 1338.72] The gospel shows [1338.72 --> 1339.64] that people [1339.64 --> 1340.74] that they can't [1340.74 --> 1341.32] do a thing, [1341.62 --> 1342.00] anything, [1342.34 --> 1342.96] to help out [1342.96 --> 1344.54] God with their salvation. [1344.76 --> 1345.88] It's through grace alone. [1347.74 --> 1348.54] I heard a story [1348.54 --> 1350.22] of an eight-year-old [1350.22 --> 1352.24] asking his mom, [1352.80 --> 1353.14] mom, [1353.34 --> 1354.22] do you love God [1354.22 --> 1355.00] more than me? [1355.00 --> 1358.78] His mom said, [1359.04 --> 1359.24] yeah, [1359.28 --> 1359.48] yeah, [1359.56 --> 1359.76] Ben, [1359.82 --> 1360.38] I do. [1363.96 --> 1364.86] She knew [1364.86 --> 1367.10] that the fullness [1367.10 --> 1368.02] of her life [1368.02 --> 1369.04] and who she was, [1369.26 --> 1370.42] including her motherhood, [1370.64 --> 1371.54] had to find [1371.54 --> 1373.04] its primary identity [1373.04 --> 1373.60] and meaning [1373.60 --> 1374.08] in God [1374.08 --> 1374.90] and not [1374.90 --> 1376.14] in anything else. [1376.54 --> 1377.34] And only then [1377.34 --> 1378.20] would she be able [1378.20 --> 1379.36] to fully love Ben [1379.36 --> 1380.26] and be the mother [1380.26 --> 1381.30] he needed her to be. [1381.58 --> 1382.56] And she said that to him, [1382.82 --> 1384.04] because I love God more, [1384.26 --> 1384.86] I can learn [1384.86 --> 1386.62] to love you more. [1389.24 --> 1390.10] My wife and I [1390.10 --> 1390.66] talked about that [1390.66 --> 1391.32] a long time ago. [1392.52 --> 1392.90] Right? [1393.12 --> 1393.26] Yeah, [1393.30 --> 1394.10] we love each other. [1394.74 --> 1395.44] If you were to ask [1395.44 --> 1396.22] Sid or Candy, [1397.04 --> 1397.98] who do you love more, [1398.08 --> 1399.12] God or your spouse? [1399.36 --> 1400.00] The answer is going [1400.00 --> 1400.36] to be God. [1402.12 --> 1403.24] And the irony is, [1403.46 --> 1403.62] yeah, [1403.68 --> 1404.28] we know that [1404.28 --> 1405.24] because we can't [1405.24 --> 1406.28] be God to each other [1406.28 --> 1407.40] because that's a disaster. [1408.40 --> 1409.90] So we need God [1409.90 --> 1410.96] so that we can learn [1411.30 --> 1413.50] to find the true self [1413.50 --> 1414.48] that God made us to be, [1414.72 --> 1415.70] that we can learn grace, [1415.78 --> 1416.62] we can learn freedom, [1417.02 --> 1418.46] and then we can learn [1418.46 --> 1419.26] to love in a way [1419.26 --> 1420.46] that Jesus would love. [1426.76 --> 1427.94] Only out of love for God [1427.94 --> 1429.30] can I learn to love others. [1431.22 --> 1432.04] And I can learn [1432.04 --> 1432.80] to relate to others [1432.80 --> 1434.26] and I can point out to them [1434.26 --> 1435.80] what peace looks like [1435.80 --> 1437.92] and what forgiveness [1437.92 --> 1438.34] looks like [1438.34 --> 1439.06] and grace looks like. [1439.06 --> 1441.12] Jesus' relationship [1441.12 --> 1441.84] with the Father [1441.84 --> 1442.64] is ultimately [1442.64 --> 1443.52] what determines [1443.52 --> 1444.30] His identity, [1444.62 --> 1445.16] His being, [1445.24 --> 1445.92] and His purpose. [1446.52 --> 1447.18] And then He learned [1447.18 --> 1447.56] to say, [1447.64 --> 1448.30] even when it was hard, [1448.62 --> 1449.36] not my will, [1449.44 --> 1450.36] thy will be done. [1451.58 --> 1452.40] And this doesn't mean [1452.40 --> 1453.46] He was rejecting others, [1453.74 --> 1455.58] but that one relationship [1455.58 --> 1457.28] was above all others. [1460.28 --> 1461.52] That is the choice [1461.52 --> 1463.12] that Jesus sets [1463.12 --> 1464.24] before these people here [1464.24 --> 1465.74] and He sets it for us. [1465.74 --> 1467.90] who or what [1467.90 --> 1469.58] is the determining relationship [1469.58 --> 1471.22] that gives you identity [1471.22 --> 1472.38] and being [1472.38 --> 1473.42] and purpose [1473.42 --> 1474.40] and life? [1475.44 --> 1476.26] Who is it? [1478.04 --> 1479.18] What is your [1479.18 --> 1480.82] defining relationship? [1483.80 --> 1484.90] Some of you might answer, [1485.02 --> 1486.20] maybe it's your kids. [1487.38 --> 1488.22] Maybe it's your spouse. [1488.44 --> 1489.20] Maybe it's your work, [1489.38 --> 1489.78] your country, [1489.86 --> 1490.18] yourself. [1490.18 --> 1491.80] It's a choice [1491.80 --> 1493.40] we constantly need to make [1493.40 --> 1495.20] day after day after day. [1495.56 --> 1496.04] And in that, [1496.30 --> 1496.76] Jesus says, [1497.06 --> 1497.98] I have come [1497.98 --> 1500.00] to bring that division [1500.00 --> 1500.80] to you. [1504.80 --> 1506.16] To bring the choice [1506.16 --> 1507.18] between light and darkness, [1507.46 --> 1508.44] between life and death, [1508.66 --> 1509.66] between real peace [1509.66 --> 1510.80] and shallow peace. [1511.64 --> 1512.74] To choose the Father [1512.74 --> 1514.00] as our primary relationship [1514.00 --> 1515.20] is the way. [1515.20 --> 1518.66] and that defines [1518.66 --> 1519.36] all else. [1521.16 --> 1521.84] And this division [1521.84 --> 1522.56] offers us [1522.56 --> 1523.80] potential growth [1523.80 --> 1524.20] in life. [1524.44 --> 1524.96] It's interesting to me [1524.96 --> 1525.44] when you think about [1525.44 --> 1526.46] division in science [1526.46 --> 1527.46] at the cellular level, [1528.16 --> 1529.20] when the cells divide, [1529.30 --> 1529.88] we have growth. [1529.98 --> 1531.02] That's what growth is [1531.02 --> 1532.24] through division. [1532.94 --> 1533.62] I think that can be [1533.62 --> 1534.28] true for us too. [1534.68 --> 1535.46] Jesus brings [1535.46 --> 1536.16] a division [1536.16 --> 1537.46] that results in growth [1537.46 --> 1538.58] if we follow Him. [1538.84 --> 1539.56] He calls us [1539.56 --> 1540.38] to pay attention [1540.38 --> 1541.20] to our priorities [1541.20 --> 1544.68] and to ensure [1544.68 --> 1546.32] that we put Christ [1546.32 --> 1548.04] above all else [1548.04 --> 1550.40] because He's the source [1550.40 --> 1551.20] of growth. [1552.82 --> 1554.32] So we can love [1554.32 --> 1555.40] and live life [1555.40 --> 1555.80] through Him [1555.80 --> 1557.10] with Him in charge [1557.10 --> 1558.36] and thus enjoying life [1558.36 --> 1559.04] in all its fullness. [1560.10 --> 1560.74] And in that, [1560.92 --> 1561.34] we love [1561.34 --> 1562.24] and invite others [1562.24 --> 1563.38] to do the same. [1564.68 --> 1565.76] Would you pray with me? [1569.98 --> 1570.76] Father God, [1570.76 --> 1571.72] we thank You [1571.72 --> 1572.66] that You are a God [1572.66 --> 1574.64] who puts clearly [1574.64 --> 1575.44] before us [1575.44 --> 1577.18] light and dark, [1577.46 --> 1578.12] life and death. [1579.14 --> 1579.34] Lord, [1579.42 --> 1580.50] may we have the wisdom [1580.50 --> 1581.46] to surrender [1581.46 --> 1582.70] our agenda [1582.70 --> 1583.36] for Yours. [1584.40 --> 1584.96] May we have [1584.96 --> 1585.84] the wisdom [1585.84 --> 1587.08] and the humility [1587.08 --> 1588.54] to see we need [1588.54 --> 1589.18] a Savior, [1590.30 --> 1592.30] that You are the one [1592.30 --> 1593.02] who will come [1593.02 --> 1594.82] through Your death [1594.82 --> 1595.54] and resurrection [1595.54 --> 1596.70] to save us [1596.70 --> 1597.60] from the brokenness [1597.60 --> 1598.16] of sin [1598.16 --> 1599.32] and death [1599.32 --> 1600.60] and You will bring us [1600.60 --> 1601.06] into life [1601.06 --> 1601.70] in all its fullness. [1602.18 --> 1602.36] Lord, [1602.42 --> 1603.08] we praise You [1603.08 --> 1603.46] for that. [1603.52 --> 1604.44] We pray that we might [1604.44 --> 1605.08] find ways [1605.08 --> 1606.40] to share that gospel, [1606.88 --> 1608.56] not in intentionally [1608.56 --> 1609.72] confrontational ways, [1609.94 --> 1611.02] not to win an argument, [1611.36 --> 1612.36] but out of love [1612.36 --> 1613.02] for You, [1613.34 --> 1614.22] love for truth, [1614.72 --> 1616.00] and love for one another. [1617.10 --> 1617.56] So Lord, [1617.64 --> 1618.34] give us Your wisdom, [1618.48 --> 1619.26] give us Your strength. [1619.46 --> 1620.02] We pray this [1620.02 --> 1620.90] in the name of Jesus. [1621.42 --> 1621.66] Amen. [1621.66 --> 1621.76] Amen. [1621.76 --> 1627.78] Lord, [1629.70 --> 1629.82] please stand as we sing [1629.82 --> 1629.84] our song of response. [1630.38 --> 1630.66] Amen. [1630.66 --> 1631.04] Amen. [1631.04 --> 1631.20] Amen. [1631.20 --> 1631.58] Amen. [1631.70 --> 1632.32] Amen.