The Sword of Jesus Christ I. Introduction A. The Scriptures speak about the sword Christ brought to earth B. Matthew 10:34-38 [Luke 12:51-53] 1. also Matthew 10:21-22 2. Matthew 12:48-50 C. What kind of separation is Christ talking about? D. Are we to truly repudiate our parents? Children? Siblings? E. Let us spend some time analyzing the meaning of Christ in these passages, and draw applications in our own lives II. The Scriptures: Division because of Christ A. These Scriptures speak of divisions caused by Christ's role in one's life B. Matthew 10:21-22 1. speaking to the Twelve as He commissions them (10:1) 2. a very disturbing scene! 3. parents delivering children to death, children delivering parents to death, siblings delivering siblings to death! 4. disciples will be hated on account of Jesus' name! C. Matthew 10:34-38/ Luke 12:53-55 1. Parallel passages describing the same situation 2. Christ does not bring peace to the world, but a sword! 3. Parents, children, and siblings are set against one another 4. Whoever does not love Christ more than family ties is not worthy of Him D. Matthew 12:48-50 1. Jesus apparently repudiates His own earthly family! 2. Less a repudiation of family than "teachable moment," emphasizing the spiritual relation and its superiority over earthly relations E. Is this a wholesale rejection of parents? Absolutely not! 1. Ephesians 6:1-4: children are to obey their parents "in the Lord," fathers are not to provoke children to anger 2. Hebrews 13:17: we are to obey our leaders, both spiritual and physical, for they will give account for their shepherding 3. Romans 12:18: as much as it depends on us, we are to live at peace with all men F. What, then, is the meaning? G. Parallel: Civil Authority 1. We are to obey all civil authorities (Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-14) 2. We are to pray for civil authorities (1 Timothy 2:1-4) 3. We are to obey civil authority, but what happens if/when civil authority legislates against Biblical commands and/or principles? 4. When the message of the Gospel conflicts with civil authority, we ought to be as Peter and the Apostles, and obey God rather than man (Acts 4:19-20, 5:29) H. Just as with civil authority, so with familial relations 1. We are to obey parents... 2. ...but "only in the Lord." 3. Jesus, therefore, is not speaking about families wherein all members are faithful Christians, but families divided spiritually 4. Jesus Himself is the source of that division 5. Let us examine the reason for the division further III. The Divisiveness of Christian Living A. Becoming a Christian is a divisive act 1. at first, perhaps, a jarring statement 2. yet its truth cannot be denied B. Becoming a Christian divides a person from his sin 1. Romans 6:3-7 2. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 C. The preaching of the Gospel causes division 1. Hebrews 4:12: the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, is a two-edged sword, piercing the division of soul and spirit 2. The Christian message is powerful, convicting people of sin (cf. Acts 2:36-37, 7:54) 3. 1 Peter 3:14-17: making a defense of the truth leads to being reviled D. By necessity, becoming a Christian will cause division between the convert and those with whom he formerly walked 1. 1 Peter 4:1-4: those who still walk in the manner of the Gentiles do not understand, and despise, you for no longer walking in their ways 2. 1 Corinthians 15:33: being in bad company corrupts good morals-- this requires a separation 3. 2 Corinthians 6:14-18: we must be separate from those yoked to Belial E. If one's parents, siblings, or children are not Christians, this will cause significant division 1. Not a conditional-- an event 2. Our changed lifestyle and the growing influence of our spirituality on our lives will cause friction between family members who are against us and ourselves 3. Our preaching of the Gospel to them-- in speech and in conduct-- will lead either to conversions or enemies, rarely indifference F. Why Conflict? 1. By becoming Christians, we have repudiated the world and its lusts (1 John 2:15-17) 2. We now wage spiritual war against that darkness (Ephesians 6:12)-- and, by necessity, will have conflict with those on the side of that darkness 3. We were all once in that darkness, and have come to the light (Ephesians 5:8)-- thus the conflict has begun, and we must fight it G. How, then, are we to manage this conflict? IV. Applications: Showing Light in the Darkness A. All of us, regardless of the spiritual status of our family members, come into contact with those in the darkness B. But for those of us who have family members in the darkness, the conflict is a bit more difficult, a bit more personal, and seemingly omnipresent C. How are we to show our light in the darkness? D. General Principles 1. We, of course, should always be diligent to avoid sin (1 Peter 1:15-16, 1 John 1:5-6)... 2. ...but those with unfaithful family members watching especially so! 3. 1 Peter 2:11-13, 15; 1 Peter 3:17-18 4. This is especially so with family, since in their opposition to you they will seek out any inconsistency, contradiction, or stumbling to justify themselves and revile you E. Important Note 1. It is important to note that when we speak in terms of Christian vs. non-Christian, faithful vs. unfaithful, we ought not distinguish between heathen agnostic/atheist and denominational "Christians" 2. While the particular areas of disagreement may be different between a complete non-believer and a denominationalist, conflict will still exist! 3. It may not be about moral living, but it may be about where one goes to church, or the use of instruments, or particular doctrines 4. These principles apply equally to the Christian dealing with a heathen family member or a denominational family member F. Wives and Husbands 1. a particularly difficult situation is when a wife is a Christian and her husband is not 2. 1 Peter 3:1-2 directly addresses the situation 3. Women are to obey such husbands, but "only in the Lord" 4. If the choice must be made between God and husband, there really ought not be much of a choice: go with God (Matthew 6:33) G. Husbands and Wives 1. while it seems to be rarer than its opposite, times do exist where a husband is faithful while a wife is not 2. in those circumstances, a husband should certainly manage his household as well as possible in the sight of Christ so as to win over his wife, loving her as Christ loved the church (Ephesians 5:25) 3. 1 Peter 3:7 H. Children and Parents 1. An extremely difficult quandary for a child of any age 2. Commands to obey parents…but the Lord must have primary authority! 3. Children must obey whenever possible, but if the choice must be made, it should be with God I. Parents and Children 1. For parents who converted later in life, or who perhaps did not do the best job of parenting, or by no fault of their own-- having unfaithful children is a source of grief and suffering 2. Children do not so easily forget your previous lifestyle or your previous shortfalls 3. Children sometimes desire to react and/or rebel and stay that way 4. Preaching must be done in word and deed J. Continue to be a light! (Matthew 5:13-15) 1. It must be emphasized that we must continue to be lights in our family, and never compromise the truth 2. It is always easier to say nothing and to conform 3. Yet Jesus calls that loving family more than Him (Matthew 10:37) 4. It is easier to say nothing when given an opportunity...but silence might as well be approval of wickedness (Ephesians 5:11) 5. It is easier to go to church with family members in denominations...but then you lose your opportunity to show them the error of their ways and you legitimate their belief systems 6. It is easier to not assemble with the saints when family pressures you, or a scheduling conflict arises...but you then choose your earthly family over your spiritual one, contrary to the example of Christ (Matthew 12:48-50) 7. It may be easier to do nothing and conform, but we must preach the Word and let our lights shine! V. Why Continue the Fight? A. It is recognized that many hard statements have been made 1. a lot of negativity about non-Christian familial relations 2. a lot of hard obligations 3. a long, extended conflict 4. why do we do it? B. We must continue the conflict so that it may end in happiness 1. we have a natural love for our family 2. we do not want to see anyone lost, but especially our family members! 3. the only way they will repent, however, is by our continual stand C. Examples 1. I know of a woman, a recent convert, who has dealt with the conflict and is doing her best to persevere 2. her husband, family...all not Christian 3. but because of her stand, her sister has contacted her, wanting to attend an assembly and talk about spiritual things 4. would this have happened if she never stood up for the faith? 5. would this have happened if she conformed to her family's desires as opposed to standing for God? 6. If she had remained silent, would her sister have known to speak with her about spiritual things? 7. This is why we must persevere-- so that we through Christ Jesus, and not the forces of evil, may win the day VI. Conclusion A. The most natural form of love is the bond between family members B. Christ many times divides families 1. not intrinsically bad, since the division occurs because someone has repented of sin 2. the divison is lamentable only in that not everyone in the family is Christian C. Despite the difficulties, we must always choose Christ and reflect His light-- in no other way will we ever be able to convert those we love D. Songbook E. If you are here today and not a Christian, yet your spouse, or parents, or siblings, or children are, you are causing them great grief and pain F. More than that, anyone in here who is not Christian causes grief to His Heavenly Father, being separated from Him by his sin (Isaiah 59:1-2) G. End the grief, and be healed yourself. Obey Christ today! H. Or perhaps you require encouragement to keep up the good fight-- whatever is necessary, please come to the front as we stand and sing