A Sword and Not Peace

1. A Sword and Not Peace

2. Matthew 10:34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Luke 12:51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

3. Yet Jesus is our Prince of Peace Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement of our peace was upon him, and with his stripes we are healed.

5. The Problem Bible statements need to be harmonized. If not, these same verses can lead true believers astray. Anti-Christian groups and religious sects use verses that appear to contradict themselves. These same groups want to replace Jesus Christ with a “better answer.”

6. Prayer Lord, help us to be true to You by preaching Jesus as the Answer and by showing love to those who do not deserve it. Amen.

7. 1. Jesus warned his disciples that they would not always get a warm welcome from their audience. Matthew 10:16, 21 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. So be wise as serpents and innocent as doves." “Brother shall deliver up brother to death, and the father the child, and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death."

8. At times, our own family may turn against us because of our faith in Christ. Matthew 10:35 I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.

9. 2. The challenge here is for us to understand the word “peace.” Harmony Tranquility Quiet Absence of conflict Being reconciled to one another

10. John 14:26 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

11. What kind of peace does the world give? The world is interested in a lack of conflict, getting along, putting up with one another in mutual respect. None of this is wrong, but it is not enough. The world ignores the problem of sin, while God through Jesus Christ has the one final solution. This is why Jesus warned his disciples of troubles to come. If they treated Jesus in the worst of fashion, then we too can expect the same.

12. John 16:1, 7 "These things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service… Nevertheless I tell you the truth. It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I depart, I will send Him to you.”

13. Jesus asks his disciples to prioritize their love.He does not ask us to stop loving others, but to love Him first. Matthew 10:36 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Luke 14:26 "If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple."

14. A family that does not put Jesus first will not understand a member who does. This is also how the world thinks.

15. Matthew 12:46-50 While he was still talking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers happened to be standing outside wanting to speak to him. Somebody said to him, "Look, your mother and your brothers are outside wanting to speak to you.” But Jesus replied to the man who had told him, "Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Then pointing to his disciples he went on, "There are my mothers and brothers! For whoever does the will of my Heavenly Father is brother and sister and mother to me."

16. 3. We are to love God with all our heart, mind and soul, and when we do we will know how best to love others. Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Listen, Israel: The Lord is our God. The Lord is the only God. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

17. Our peace with God can only be maintained when we put Him first. Any violation of this, even for a family member, will lead us to idolatry. Only God can make us truly happy, for He alone is eternal and the same. All else are His gifts to be cherished and loved as we put Him first.

18. 4. Why then does it say that He came to bring a sword and not peace? The clue is in understanding his use of “sword.” The sword here represents what we receive as a result of our stand for Christ as one of his disciples. We shall experience division from our friends and family, persecution and suffering from our society.

19. Jesus did not teach His disciples to offer physical resistance or retaliation. Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers,” he said, “for they will be called sons of God.” Matthew 26:51-52 Behold, one of them which were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest’s, and smote off his ear. Then said Jesus unto him, “Put up again thy sword into his place, for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword.”

20. Instead, we are to be messengers of peace and reconciliation. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.

26. Conclusion We know no carnal weapons, for only the Gospel has the power to save others. Our sword is the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. Our God comes first in our thoughts, affections and love. Our peace comes only through the blood of Jesus Christ.