TEXT: Luke 12:49-53
READING: Micah 7:1-20
SUBJ: The Gospel and the impact of the Holy Spirit and its effects among men as a divider.
AIM: To encourage us to seek to be distinguished by the Gospel, even to the point of division.
INTR: The message of this text flies in the face of most commonly held ideas about peace, harmony and the devotion o f God’s people to Him above all.
1. The cross of Christ marks the division of which Christ speaks here. Our peace offering separates us from the rest of the world.
2. What of “on earth peace” and “maketh his enemies to be at peace with him?” What is described is a peace like that of Russia and the U. S.
3. True peace is known where and when “Christ is all and in all” within and without. Men’s efforts at peace involve compromise rather than compliance.
THESIS: The message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified is the most divisive message ever.
I. The fire that was already kindled – The place of fire from of old – sacrifices consumed.
1. When Jesus presented Himself as the Christ, the immediate effect was division among the Jews.
2. With the preaching of Christ and the disciples there was a prelude to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.
3. Consider the warnings to His disciples – “marvel not that the world hates you.” And c.
4. Consider the design of God in the matter of persecution. To learn that we are not of this world – the world does not tolerate that which is truly different. Our Lord expressed the desire here that it was already kindled. Some read “O that it was already kindled.”
5. The preaching of Christ is a fire: Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.
6. God’s will in the matter of persecution: Malachi 3:2-3 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
7. Our God as a consuming fire: consider the prophecy of John the Baptist
II. The Baptism of His Suffering
1. The ultimate separation occurs at the Cross. What makes it divisive? At the cross, God’s holiness is expressed, and man’s depravity is revealed.
1) In what men did
2) In what God did in punishing His Son
2. He was submerged (baptized) in the suffering of the cross. The general religious crowd sees it as symbolic. God saw it as necessary to the salvation of His people.
1) At the hands of the enemies of God
2) The “winepress” alone – “Who is on the Lord’s side” now?
3) The “travail of His soul.”
3. “How am I straitened?” Until:
1) Justice is satisfied
2) The Law is fulfilled
3) Salvation is obtained
4. The cross stood between Him and the joy that was set before Him – it is the line of demarcation –
1) Paul called it the offense of the cross (scandal)
2) The only place of glory
3) Galatians 6:14 But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
III. Not peace, but division
1. What happened at Pentecost? Especially that a common language was heard by all. The special ministry of the Holy Spirit was begun. The fire would certainly divide.
1) The empowering fire and
2) The fire that consumed them – See Romans 12:1
2. They “continued steadfastly in the Apostles’ doctrine and prayer.
3. Some will say, “It does not matter what you believe.” What you believe about Christ and the cross will separate you from the world and from the accepted religious crowd.
4. If all the cultures of the world should come together in peace, God’s people would still be separate.
5. We are reminded of: But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. (Galatians 6:14).
6. His peace will come to full expression in New Heavens and New Earth and that is the peace for which we long. Then all will agree and rejoice in the fact that “Worthy is the Lamb.”
