Matthew 10:34-39
a. peace with God
b. peace of God
c. peace on earth
1. Only when there is submission to the authority of Jesus can there be peace of any kind.
When the truth of the gospel of Jesus penetrates, it divides. (Hebrews 4:12)
Kinds of conflict
a. between Jesus and his human opponents
b. between Christ and the devil
c. between angels and demons
d. between Christians and the non-believing world
e. even among loved ones
When there is conflict, somebody's wrong.
Jesus and His Word accentuates the conflict.
2. Christians can expect to suffer. (17-22)
Life with Christ, even in the midst of persecution, is better than life without Christ. (26-31)
3. Sooner or later, if Christ is your Lord, division will happen in your family.
This division is a good and necessary thing, even though it makes life hard.
4. “Take up your cross” means to understand and accept that difficulty will accompany the life of faith and obedience to God.
This is when you find your life. (39)