LONG TERM PEACE, LONG TERM PEACE, SHORT SHORT TERM CONFLICTTERM CONFLICT

Luke 12:49-53Luke 12:49-53

12:49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth – and how I wish it were already kindled! 12:50 I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is finished! 12:51 Do you think I have come to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 12:52 For from now on there will be five in one household divided, three against two and two against three. 12:53 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.”

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Luke 12:49-53 (NET Bible)

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1)1) Saying yes to Jesus may have me saying no to Saying yes to Jesus may have me saying no to plenty of others…that’s the rub.plenty of others…that’s the rub.

2)2) I can be a friend to non-believers…but will they opt I can be a friend to non-believers…but will they opt out when they discover I’m a Jesus Freak?out when they discover I’m a Jesus Freak?

3)3) My commitment to Jesus Christ may have others My commitment to Jesus Christ may have others calling me stupid, illogical, narrow or judgmental? calling me stupid, illogical, narrow or judgmental? Can I handle that sort of pressure?Can I handle that sort of pressure?

4)4) Though none go with me, still I will follow Though none go with me, still I will follow (remember that tune? Can you sing it and mean it?)(remember that tune? Can you sing it and mean it?)

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Pretty Harsh Terms, Aren’t They: Pretty Harsh Terms, Aren’t They: “I Have “I Have Come To Bring Fire On The Earth”Come To Bring Fire On The Earth”

I wish it were already kindled! V.49I wish it were already kindled! V.49

The Gospel has a winnowing effectThe Gospel has a winnowing effect…and how about the separation of Sheep and Goats? …and how about the separation of Sheep and Goats? (Matt 25)(Matt 25)

The Leap of Faith is more than a step across a lineThe Leap of Faith is more than a step across a line…it is a jump into the Dark…it is a jump into the Dark

With Jesus or without JesusWith Jesus or without Jesus…truly a life-changing decision…truly a life-changing decision

Jesus Never Expected Everyone To Follow HimJesus Never Expected Everyone To Follow Him

•‘‘Few are they that find it’ Few are they that find it’ Matthew 7:13,14Matthew 7:13,14

• Free-will means we are free to go to Hell, if we wantFree-will means we are free to go to Hell, if we want

• Baptism isn’t for sissiesBaptism isn’t for sissies…in many places it can get you killed…in many places it can get you killed

• Why wouldn’t a ‘believer’ become a ‘disciple’?Why wouldn’t a ‘believer’ become a ‘disciple’?

Counting The Cost Counting The Cost ……Before You Jump On BoardBefore You Jump On Board

Are you ready to see this decision through? Are you ready to see this decision through? --Luke 14:25ff--Luke 14:25ff

There is no turning back! There is no turning back! --Luke 9:62--Luke 9:62

Jesus + one = a Majority Jesus + one = a Majority Are you that one?Are you that one?

What If I Don’t Jump…What If I Don’t Jump…Then What?Then What?

• Better to be rejected by others than Better to be rejected by others than disowned by Jesus. disowned by Jesus. --Matthew 10:37ff--Matthew 10:37ff

• When the dust settles, When the dust settles, where do I expect to be perched?where do I expect to be perched?

• Face the fire now. Or, plan for fire later. Face the fire now. Or, plan for fire later. --Mark 9:48-49 --Mark 9:48-49

I believe that Jesus is I believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Christ, the Son of the living God.the living God.

I trust him as my Lord I trust him as my Lord and Savior. and Savior. C

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1)1) Saying yes to Jesus may have me saying no to Saying yes to Jesus may have me saying no to plenty of others…that’s the rub.plenty of others…that’s the rub.

2)2) I can be a friend to non-believers…but will they opt I can be a friend to non-believers…but will they opt out when they discover I’m a Jesus Freak?out when they discover I’m a Jesus Freak?

3)3) My commitment to Jesus Christ may have others My commitment to Jesus Christ may have others calling me stupid, illogical, narrow or judgmental? calling me stupid, illogical, narrow or judgmental? Can I handle that sort of pressure?Can I handle that sort of pressure?

4)4) Though none go with me, still I will follow Though none go with me, still I will follow (remember that tune? Can you sing it and mean it?)(remember that tune? Can you sing it and mean it?)

GO andGO andDRESS FOR SUCCESSDRESS FOR SUCCESS

Luke 12:35-48Luke 12:35-48

GOGO and SET THE and SET THE WORLD AFLAME WORLD AFLAME FOR FOR CHRISTCHRIST