According To Luke: The Separating Savior

According To Luke: The Separating Savior

Opening Illustration:

Jesus did not come to bring peace. You are probably saying to yourself, “wait what”. You are saying this because this is not what we have ever been taught. That certainly is not the Sunday School lesson that we had as kids. After all, Jesus is the Prince of Peace. How can I honestly say that Jesus did not come to bring peace? Well, it is all in how you define the word peace. Jesus challenges us this morning in how we view the word “peace”. Trust me, I don’t mean it the way it sounds. Clearly Jesus did come, He did die, to bring us reconciliation to God and to one another. Jesus did in fact come to bring us peace. The Bible tells us this over and over again. 

John 16:33 ESV

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

John 14:27 ESV

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

The Bible also says that the followers of Christ should be a people of peacefulness. 

Matthew 5:9 ESV

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

Paul even tells us that we are to do everything in our power to live at peace with one another. 

Romans 12:18 ESV

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Yet, in just a moment, Jesus is going to clearly tell His disciples that He did not come to bring peace. He even states that following Him will pit you against your friends and your family. If you are looking for a peaceful existence, Jesus may not be the road for you.   

Did Jesus come bringing peace? Yes! There is no doubt! However, Jesus also came to push ideas of faith forward, He came to prod our ideas and thoughts of obedience and faith, and He certainly came to provoke the religious elite, the Pharisees. Fill that in this morning. Jesus’ mission was to push, prod, and provoke. 

Jesus’ Mission Was To Push, Prod, and Provoke!

Background and Context:

The Lord knew that His coming into the world would bring DIVISION, for there would be “those who believe on Him” and “those who don’t believe on Him.” One has said that “Christ is the Great Divider of men” and this passage bears that out. We read in John 7:43 “So there was a division among the people because of Him.” This was true everywhere He went, and our portion reveals that this division would even take place in a home where family members would be divided because of Him.

Scripture:

Luke 12:49-53 ESV

49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled! 50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

What Was Jesus’ Message?

I. Jesus Came To Bring Fire vs. 49

Luke 12:49 ESV

49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!

Point:

What does it mean that Jesus is going to come and cast fire on the earth? Scholars are somewhat divided. Some scholars believe that the fire that Jesus speaks of is God’s judgement on earth. However if you look at Jesus’ audience, He was speaking to His remaining followers and it seems unlikely that Jesus is speaking God’s wrath over them. So, what else could it mean? I believe that Jesus is speaking about persecution. Jesus came knowing that persecution was going to follow Him. Persecution, at least for the early church, was responsible for the Gospel spreading all over the Roman Empire and eventually the world. He also knew that the fire of persecution would reveal the what was in a man’s heart. Persecution would expose the followers of Christ who were there simply for the miracles and the meal ticket and the followers who were truly desiring to be obedient to Christ. Persecution sweeps away all pretenses. It is the separation of the wheat from the chaff. The goats from the sheep. That is why Jesus says that He wished that it were already kindled. Jesus wanted to reveal His true followers and the only way to do that was to send the fire of persecution to the earth. 

Point:

Some might believe that persecution against Christians is not anything to be worried about. Persecution was something that the ancient world dealt with, we need not concern ourselves with persecution today. Oh friends, don’t be naive. Persecution against Christians is alive and well. While we still enjoy the freedom to assemble and the freedom of religion here in the United States, countries all over the world hate and martyr Christians every day.

Point: 

A woman in India watches as her sister is dragged off by Hindu nationalists. She doesn’t know if her sister is alive or dead.

A man in a North Korean prison camp is shaken awake after being beaten unconscious; the beatings begin again.

A woman in Nigeria runs for her life. She has escaped from Boko Haram, who kidnapped her. She is pregnant, and when she returns home, her community will reject her and her baby.

A group of children are laughing and talking as they come down to their church’s sanctuary after eating together. Instantly, many of them are killed by a bomb blast. It’s Easter Sunday in Sri Lanka.

These people don’t live in the same region, or even on the same continent. But they share an important characteristic: They are all Christians, and they suffer because of their faith. While Christian persecution takes many forms, it is defined as any hostility experienced as a result of identification with Jesus Christ. From Sudan to Russia, from Nigeria to North Korea, from Colombia to India, followers of Christianity are targeted for their faith. They are attacked; they are discriminated against at work and at school; they risk sexual violence, torture, arrest and much more.

Point:

In just the last year*, there have been:

• Over 245 million Christians living in places where they experience high levels of persecution

• 4,305 Christians killed for their faith

• 1,847 churches and other Christian buildings attacked.

• 3,150 believers detained without trial, arrested, sentenced or imprisoned

These numbers are heart-breaking. And yet, they do not tell the whole story. James 1:2-4 says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” That joy is what we see when we hear and work with Christians all over the world who suffer because of they serve Jesus. God cares for His people, and He will never leave or forsake them.

Point:

Do I think that persecution could land on our shores? The answer is absolutely yes. Not just yes but in many ways it has already started. In recent years, we have seen governmental attacks on Christian business, and business owners. We have seen attacks on believers rights to stand for their personal religious beliefs. We have seen our government turn its back on the Christian heritage that our nation was founded upon. Friends, I believe that it will not take much in our current political structure to change that will bring a war of persecution to the doorsteps of local churches. I don’t think that it will take to much to change to have the fire of persecution to land on the doorstep of our homes. Now I am not a prophet and nor do I have the spiritual gift of prophecy, but I can read the times. I believe that American Christians will eventually face real persecution and in that time there will be a great separation in the church where true believers will be separated from those who are not. Jesus will purify His bride through the fire of persecution. Are you ready for it?

I Peter 4:12-14 ESV

Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.

What Was Jesus’ Message?

I. Jesus Came To Bring A Fire vs. 49

II. Jesus Came To Bring A Baptism vs. 50

Luke 12:50 ESV

50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!

Point:

Let’s turn in our Bibles for a moment to Psalm 69:1-3. Let’s read that together. 

Scripture:

Psalm 69:1-3 ESV

Save me, O God! For the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me. I am weary with my crying out; my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.

Point:

Before the Lord resumes this subject in verses 51-53 He speaks of His impending death on the cross. He refers to His death on Calvary as a “baptism” because on the cross He was IMMERSED in God’s WRATH! 

In Psalm 69 you have a prophecy about the future death of Christ. Several times in this chapter you see it speaking of “deep waters” and the “floods” of God’s judgement overflowing and overwhelming Him, that being Jesus. Because Jesus so loved humanity and because Jesus was so obedient to His Father, He came to earth to accomplish redemption for the lost and guilty sinners (that’s you and me folks) and He longed for His mission to be accomplished so that those same sinners could be saved. 

Greek:

Baptism comes from the Greek word “baptismo”. It means to immerse, dunk, and submerge. Baptism also has other applications in everyday life. Baptismo was a word in ancient times to describe sinking ships as they sank water would fill up the inside of the ship. Another usage describes a garment being immersed into dye and the dye penetrating every fiber of the fabric. 

Point:

When Jesus talked about His impending baptism, He is talking about His impending death on the cross. This mens means that God’s wrath would not just be on Him, but it would fill Him up like a sinking ship filling with water. This means that God’s anger would fully mark Him like fabric being dyed. 

Point:

Thankfully our baptism means something different. Baptism identifies us with the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Clearly, we all know that. However, when we are dipped, immersed, submerged into the presence of God, we will have a new spiritual color that will fill every fiber of our being. 

Point:

Friends, that is why I encourage people to be baptized. One, to follow the example that Christ set for us. Two, to identify with Christ. 3. To symbolize our obedience to God and fellowship with the church. Lastly, it symbolizes God’s presence filling our lives. 

Acts 2:38 ESV

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

What Was Jesus’ Message?

I. Jesus Came To Bring A Fire vs. 49

II. Jesus Came To Bring A Baptism vs. 50

III. Jesus Came To Bring A Division vs. 51-53

Luke 12:51-53 ESV

51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

Illustration:

A few years ago a woman joined our church. She was looking for a connection to God that she felt that she did not possess. She came and brought her children with her. She was coming from a different religious denomination. For the first time in her life, she felt that she was reading the Bible. For the first time in her whole life, she felt like she was hearing God’s Word preached. She was learning more and more about God. She embraced Christ and embraced the church. She told me that she did not think that her husband would come to church as he was also coming from a different religious denomination. We agreed to pray and God answered that prayer. He started coming and as weeks went by, He embraced Christ as His Savior. Eventually he was baptized here at ESBC. Not long after that their children were baptized. Great story right? It is! It is one of the best stories that I have ever heard since I have been a minister. 

But there was another side to this story as well. When this family chose to follow Christ, there was a cost that many of us never face. Last week, we had Finley McKay come forward. She had accepted Christ. Joining her were her mother and father. They came down the aisle together, they held hands, and she felt supported and loved. That is not always what happens. When this family joined our church, when they accepted Christ, when they were baptized, their extended family disowned them. They stopped talking to them all together. It was massively hurtful. Can you imagine what that would feel like. You stand for Christ and your parents disown you. 

Point:

Sadly this sort of division happens all the time. In my limited travels, I have encouraged numerous people that have come from different religions, for instance…Muslims, who have left that deceptive religion and embraced Christ. Immediately, they faced persecution from their mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. 

Point:

Does Jesus bring peace. Absolutely! Yes, following Christ can also bring a great deal of division and heartache. Let me say this here and now, embracing Christ, even if it means losing everything is worth it. It’s WORTH IT! 

Point:

So, just what does Jesus mean when He says that He is coming to divide? He is pretty specific. He says that following Him will bring a division in the most important relationships in our lives. Best friends will turn on one another. Church members will betray one another. Family members will disown one another. There is another sort of division that Jesus is referring to. Judgement. One day Jesus will return and there will be a massive division there as well.

Let’s read about that briefly from Revelation 20:11-15. 

Scripture:

Revelation 20:11-15 ESV

Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged by what was written in the books, according to what they had done. And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done. Then Death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Point:

So I know that today’s message is not that warm fuzzy message. I get it. It is just where we are in the Scripture. However, there is encouragement. While the persecution we face may not be enjoyable, it is beneficial. Matthew 5:10 tells us, “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Next, Jesus wants to fill you with His peace, His power, and His presence. Psalm 16:11 encourages us saying, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” Lastly, you need not fear division and judgement. If you have Jesus you have enough. If you have Jesus, you will never be alone. You will never feel abandoned. Romans 8:38-39 again encourages us saying, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Point:

This morning, know that following Christ means hardship. It means embracing suffering and hardship. It also means a life of tremendous spiritual blessing. It means that God will never abandon you. You may not have times of peace here on earth, but when our lives end, we can all rest in eternal peace. 

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