The Sword and Discipleship
Scripture References
Jeremiah 28:5-9
Hananiah the False Prophet
5 Then the prophet Jeremiah spoke to Hananiah the prophet in the presence of the priests and all the people who were standing in the house of the Lord, 6 and the prophet Jeremiah said, “Amen! May the Lord do so; may the Lord make the words that you have prophesied come true, and bring back to this place from Babylon the vessels of the house of the Lord, and all the exiles. 7 Yet hear now this word that I speak in your hearing and in the hearing of all the people. 8 The prophets who preceded you and me from ancient times prophesied war, famine, and pestilence against many countries and great kingdoms. 9 As for the prophet who prophesies peace, when the word of that prophet comes to pass, then it will be known that the Lord has truly sent the prophet.”
Romans 7:1-13
Released from the Law
1 Or do you not know, brothers[1]—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? 2 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.[2] 3 Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress. 4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God. 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.
The Law and Sin
7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good. 13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure.
Matthew 10:34-42
Not Peace, but a Sword
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Rewards
40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
Sermon Script
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, Oh Lord, my strength and redeemer. Amen.
The Sword And Discipleship
The last few Sundays we had an opportunity to tag along with the Disciples as Jesus taught, “The way” to discipleship. We have learned what it means to “Go and make disciples of all nations.” What the significance is of Jesus’ words “Follow me.” And the impact of starting a community of believers where “the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” This week’s readings continue to look at the challenges all believers should expect as we seek independence with Christ. The sacrifices and ultimate freedom we will experience as true disciples.
As you know, Tuesday is our Nation’s annual celebration of Independence. The 4th of July marks the day the Declaration of Independence was signed. This historic day in 1776 declared the formal release from Great Britain and yoke, so to speak, they were forcing the colonies to carry. Brave and determined comrades from our country were willing to make great sacrifices thereafter to preserve the thirteen American Colonies freedom.
The assurance of this freedom for independence did not come easily. It took several difficult years of war before it would finally be won.
Many lives were lost, and families broken. In fact, this freedom was quite costly. Not only were those years plagued with fighting and controversies… threats of national security still linger today.
We applaud the foresight that our forefathers had to establish a free and democratic system of government through this Declaration of Independence, together with our Constitution and the Bill of Rights… which became the foundation for our freedom. So far, this democracy has stood the test of time… and on July 4th we give thanks for the wisdom, faith, and courage of those leaders.
Thus, a standard was set in place at that point in time, so that no one will be deprived of life, liberty, or the pursuit of happiness. A peace which surpasses all understanding to some, for others peace may be taken for granted, regardless… it was obtained with a great sacrifice. This peace we enjoy, came with a high price…
The peace we have with God came with a high price as well. God sent His Son to dwell with us on earth to fight the battle of sin, death, and the forces of the evil one. Jesus willingly give His life on the cross to win this battle for our freedom… As believers in what our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did for us on this cross… we have a declaration of independence. And Jesus wants us to take the measures through discipleship to protect our spiritual peace.
Just as our country cannot rest in peace, nor can the community of believers. In the Gospel lesson today, Jesus reveals part of His battle plan in Matthew 10:34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” This statement by Jesus leaves us somewhat alarmed. Is this the same Jesus that is called the Prince of Peace? At Jesus birth, the Angels said, “Glory be to God and on earth peace to men.” John records Jesus’ words in chapter 14, “Peace I leave to you, my peace I give you.” It is true that Jesus came into this world to bring peace, for in Him there is peace between people and God.
What Comes With The Sword
But Jesus is giving the disciples the realistic facts that there are those who reject His peace… the inevitable result is conflict. The “sword”, or spiritual battle, of those who believe in Jesus’ saving works… and those who do not. Comparatively, the difference of opinion that crated division between the colonies and Britain, erupting into the American Revolution.
Jesus warns us that because of Him, there will be divisions. Unfortunately, the ones that sting the most are within our families. If you have a loved one who does not believe, you know what I’m talking about. Issues of faith will divide a family spiritually. As Jesus continues in verse 35… “For I have come to set a man against his father, daughter against her mother.” And so, He thus continues.
Jesus then gives us the stark reality in verse 38… “Whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” … clearly painting His message in black and white. We must die, as it were, to our self-will and embrace God’s will. Seeking God above all things, including family.
So why do we instead seek compromise?
We might be tempted to just let it go if a loved one’s unbelief makes them feel good. Are we scared to say anything for fear of what they will think?
It seems we are so much more comfortable with compromise… When we do this, the cross we carry for Christ is not noticeable. This is the division Jesus is talking about.
But Jesus’ intent here is still in the realms of His loving nature. Jesus loves us enough to give us the hard reality of what it means to be a true disciple. Resetting our priorities on Him instead of other things that may become “idols” or priorities in our life… It is important to remember that the evil one would like nothing better than to delay or disarm the messenger of good news.
Jesus wants to make this reality clear as He prepares to send the disciples out into the world. There is no middle ground in this gospel message… Sure, there are many things that humanity can agree to disagree on… things like politics, child rearing, popular culture, etc.…, but we must not compromise on the truth that Jesus is our only hope and the only way to salvation. We cannot deny that He alone is the One we should follow in our life here on earth.
The love Jesus gives us with these certainties must be shared with others. The truth that will determine our eternal destiny… We must draw a line in the sand on the very love filled nature of the gospel. Keeping in mind that sometimes… despite our best efforts to be kind and gentle in expressing this gospel… there are those that will not want to cross over to the truth. Causing division, even in our closest relationships. So don’t be surprised when it happens—Jesus said it would.
The cost of freedom in Christ… and independence through Him… is the sword of division… Yes, it can even cause division in ourselves.
Jesus continues as He says, “Whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever losses his life for my sake will find it.” We must be willing to stand firm in our faith and face the sacrifice that comes with discipleship. We must not be the like the summer soldier or the sunshine patriot… not willing to completely commit to the cause… not willing to give our lives in the fight for a greater good. Thinking only of ourselves.
This reminds me of a fictional story I run across during my research of discipleship. It goes like this…
Carry Your Cross
One day Jesus asked his disciples to pick up a stone and carry it for him. Peter, having been impetuous a few times before, picked up a rather nice, palm sized stone and walked along with it. When it was time for lunch, Jesus told them to look at their stone… it had turned to bread. It was their lunch.
After lunch Jesus again asked the disciples to pick up a stone for Him and carry it. Peter, still a little hungry after what amounted to a dinner roll lunch, picked up a rather large stone and struggled under its weight for the whole afternoon.
Toward evening, when it was getting close to supper time, Jesus and his disciples came to a creek. Jesus told His disciples to cast their stones into the water. Peter, expecting a full loaf of bread out of the deal was sputtering in objection. Jesus asked him, “Did you listen to what I said?” and “For whom were you carrying the stone?”
Similarly, we often serve ourselves in the name of Jesus. We often take the black and white message and invitation to us by Christ Himself and paint it grey.
However, there is no compromise. Today Jesus words are intended to make us recognize our sins and stand at attention. Jesus wants us to remember where our independence lies and where our freedom thus comes. In scripture we are told that, “the battle belongs to the Lord.”
We don’t have to keep fighting a battle that has already been won. Keeping in mind our motives behind the stones we are carrying in this world we live. Then help carry the stones of those who don’t believe and show them where to put them… at the foot of the cross. Through faith and obedience to Christ, the battle for our independence took place and was won at the cross where Jesus died for the forgiveness of all people. All of us were reconciled to God on that day.
His motto was that there will be no soldier left behind. My friend, that soldier to be saved is you. Jesus give His life so we can have a new one. He knows it is sinning that fuels division. Its sin that hinders our trek to become a true disciple. For this, Jesus came to give us life, and to give it to us in abundance. He did it by living the life you and I cannot live as we should.
Jesus walked the walk, and He talked the talk. Even though He deserved only praise and honor, He suffered and died in shame and disgrace. He did this for you and I. Talk about taking up one’s cross! Jesus did it. He was lifted on that cross to do what only He could do. The sinless Son of God suffered and died for all sinful humanity. He shed His blood to cleanse us of our sins. We are forgiven in Christ, through faith in Him.
Freedom
That my friends, is freedom… No grey area here…
In this land of the free and home of the brave, we have freedom because we are citizens. If you were born in this country, you were born into the good ol USA citizenship. We did not earn it. We inherited it from our forefathers…
Our spiritual independence and freedom come to us in the same way. Through Jesus death and resurrection, He gives us a new life… We did not earn it… It is freedom given to us through His sacrifice. Joined with Him in our Baptism, Jesus has broken the hold that death has over us. On the last day we will dwell with Him in body and soul for eternity.
This news is why we should celebrate and light fireworks, for Jesus has already given us a new life through faith. Working within us, day by day, step by step, we can put Christ as a priority in our life.
So, this week we will celebrate Independence Day with fellowship and festivities, fireworks, and picnics. But more importantly, we must remember that real independence is found only in Christ and what He did for us on the cross. In fact, as we follow Jesus, we will carry our cross as a constant reminder of our independence in Christ from sin, death, and the Devil. And our reward will be eternal life. That is our call for discipleship as we share this great victory with others.
Brothers and sisters in Christ, we take this opportunity to thank God for our soldiers still fighting and the willingness to give their life for our freedom.
We also thank God for the precious gift of freedom we receive through forgiveness and the faith to continue to march through our spiritual mission as disciples for peace in Christ Jesus. The good news of the gospel for the eternal destiny for all believers.
And may the peace… yes peace of God that surpasses all understanding keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.