There Arose a Division Because of Him
Joe R. Price
“So there was
a division among the people because of Him.”
(John 7:43)
Jesus of
Nazareth has always been a lightning rod for controversy. When Jesus walked
this earth the crowds disputed over what he said, what he did and who he was
(read John 7): Was he was prophet? Was he just a man? Is he the Christ,
the Son of God? Is he the Savior or a sinner? Things have not changed
today as evidenced by the commotion surrounding the release of the film
version of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown.
Time has not
changed the effect Jesus has on people. Just about every view of Jesus
imaginable has been offered, from “a good man” to a “lunatic” to a “prophet”
to “the Christ.” Some even blasphemously tell us that Jesus was a
homosexual. Others contend Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene and had
children; some say he was a polygamist.
The world
has never seen anyone like Jesus. At least one thing is certain: somebody
is wrong. The Bible is plain and certain in presenting the evidence: Jesus
is the Christ, the Son of the living God; Jesus is Immanuel (God with us);
Jesus is God in flesh (Matt. 16:16-18; 1:23; Jno. 1:1-3, 14; Col. 2:9).
An important
and intriguing truth gleaned from John 7:43 is Jesus provokes division: You
cannot remain neutral. Jesus admitted as much when he said, “Do not
think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace
but a sword” (Matt. 10:34; Lk. 12:51). The division Jesus brought to
the earth is the separating effect His gospel has concerning sin and
righteousness and the resulting division of human relationships caused by
following Jesus (Lk. 12:52-53; Matt. 10:35-39). Inevitably, division occurs
between the person who puts Jesus first in his life and those who do not.
If you choose to be a Christian you must be prepared for the dividing effect
truth will have on your life. Some continue to stumble in disobedience
because they will not accept this trait of Christ and His gospel (1 Pet.
2:8).
Division is
not a new thing among Christians. It ought not to be (Jno. 17:20-21).
God’s people should banish division (1 Cor. 1:10; Eph. 4:1-6). When
division does occur it identifies those approved by God (1 Cor. 11:19; 1
Jno. 2:19). A careful comparison what one teaches and practices to the New
Testament shows who is with God and who is not with Him (1 Jno. 4:1, 6).
Work tirelessly to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. If
division comes let it be because we stand for Christ on His truth (cf. Phil.
1:12-18).
The Prince
of Peace brought peace – and division – to the world. That is the nature of
truth (Jno. 3:19-21). Who is on the Lord’s side? (Exo. 32:26)
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The Choice
Rick Holt
“Now therefore
fear Jehovah, and serve him in sincerity and in truth; and put away the gods
which your fathers served beyond the River, and in Egypt; and serve ye
Jehovah. And if it seems evil unto you to serve Jehovah, choose you this
day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were
beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell:
but as for me and my house,
we will serve Jehovah.”
(Joshua
24:14-15)
What a
choice of words given by inspiration to Joshua to challenge the Israelites
to remain faithful to God and to us for our learning and instruction (2 Tim.
3:16). In this passage we learn we need to serve the Lord in sincerity and
truth, without hypocrisy and from the heart. Verse 14 begins
with “Now, therefore…” Joshua had just recited to the children of
Israel what great things God had done for them beginning with Terah, the
father of Abraham. God delivered them from the bondage in Egypt; delivered
them at the Red Sea; and delivered nations and peoples into their hands so
they possessed a land and its cities, and partook of the yield of the land,
for which they did not labor. Their eyes had seen these things (Josh.
24:1-13). We have the benefit of the written record for our learning, that
we through the patience of the scriptures might have hope (Rom.15:4).
First,
notice that Joshua said, “As for me…,” clearly stating on an
individual level, he will serve Jehovah. Brethren, as Joshua, we must first
make the personal commitment to serve God in all that we do. Men, fathers,
have you made the choice to serve God? Have you “put away” the gods
(obstacles) that would hinder your service to God? The fathers of old
worshiped false gods (beyond the River, and the gods of the Amorites).
Today, there are many false gods, i.e., worldly endeavors, pleasures,
diversions from seeking God, which vie for our time, which should be focused
on serving God.
Second,
he said, “and my house, we will serve…,” Joshua made
the choice to lead his family in serving Jehovah. Next to our individual
relationship to God come our families. Men, fathers, listen to the
passage! It is your responsibility, just as it was Joshua’s, to lead your
family in serving God (Matt. 6:33; Eph. 5:25-29; 6:4; 1 Tim. 5:8).
Third,
consider the words… “fear Jehovah, serve Him, put
away the gods, and choose you this day!” If you have not
been diligent in leading your family to serve God, please consider the
following:
1)
Does that mean that you do not “fear” (reverence, revere) God?
2) Does that mean that you are not interested in serving Him in
“sincerity and truth?”
3) By not leading your family to serve God…does that mean you haven’t
“put away” the gods (obstacles) that hinder your worship to God?
4) By not leading your family to serve God…does that mean that it
“seems evil” to you to serve Jehovah?
Think
about the passage, your life and family and “Choose you this day whom
ye will serve.”
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Be Anxious for Nothing (1)
Scripture Reading:
Matthew 6:19-25
1.
Millions are diagnosed with some form of clinical anxiety or depression
annually.
2. We are under commandment, Phil. 4:6. There is a spiritual component to
anxiety that Christians must not ignore.
I. WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.
(What is anxiety?)
A.
Medical Definition: Stress…Panic…Fear… Disorders…Mental Illness.
1. Treatments include: Medication (cf.
1 Tim. 5:23),
Diet (Matt.
15:17), Exercise (1
Tim. 4:8),
Rest (Mk.
6:31).
Each has its place & limitations in a balanced life.
2. We are discussing something else,
Matt. 6:25.
3. We must acknowledge that Satan works on our minds to discourage us &
destroy our faith,
2 Cor. 4:3-4
(2:11).
B. Bible Definition: Worldly Care,
Mk. 4:19.
-Cares & concerns (worry) that distracts from serving God (Matt.
6:24-25);
1 Cor. 7:32-33;
Lk. 10:41.
C. Anxiety is an Unbalanced View & Approach to Life’s Circumstances,
Matt. 6:19-25
(Prov.
12:25;
Lk. 21:34).
D. Anxiety is a Choice,
Matt.6:24-25; Jn.
14:1, 27
1. Jesus,
Lk. 22:40-44;
Apostles,
2 Cor. 4:7-15.
2. We can choose not to be overcome by the evil of anxiety (Rom.
12:21),
2 Cor. 10:5.
E. The Cause & Effect of Misplaced Focus & Emphasis,
Matt. 6:22-25.
II. WHAT ANXIETY DOES.
A. It
Isolates You,
Lk. 6:26
(Elijah); cf. Jesus,
Matt. 4:1; 5:11.
B. Some of the Problems with Anxiety:
1. Profitless,
Psa. 127:1-2.
2. Paralyzes, cf.
Prov. 22:13
(26:13).
3. Phobias (fears),
Matt. 25:25.
4. Peace is disrupted,
Lk. 10:40.
5. Pinches (chokes) word of God,
Matt. 13:7, 22.
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You can find the
complete outline of this sermon at
BIBLE ANSWERS
Be Anxious for Nothing (2)
Scripture Reading:
Philippians 4:4-13
III. OVERCOMING ANXIETY (Be anxious for nothing),
Matt. 6:25; Phil.
4:6.
A.
Arm Yourself with the Mind of Christ,
1 Pet. 4:1-2
(1:13).
1. Decide what is really important,
Col. 3:1-3.
(Prepare the mind.)
2. Jesus faced times where anxiety could have been overwhelming, but He
prevailed with “godly fear” & obedience (Heb.
5:7-8).
3. Contrast mind of Christ with the “anxious mind” (Lk.
12:29;
24:38;
1 Sam. 16:14-16,
23).
B. Cast All Your Care upon the Lord,
1 Pet. 5:7
(Matt.
11:28-30);
1 Pet.
5:5-6
(Jas.
4:10; Matt. 6:24-25, 30, 33;
Mk. 4:18-19).
C. Solutions the Anxiety (distracting cares),
Phil. 4:4-13:
1. Praise,
Phil. 4:4.
2. Patience,
Phil. 4:5a.
3. Preparation,
Phil. 4:5b.
4. Prayer,
Phil. 4:6.
5. Ponder,
Phil. 4:8.
6. Practice your faith,
Phil. 4:9
(5a).
7. Philanthropy,
Phil. 4:10.
8. Power,
Phil. 4:11-13.
D. Principles to Remember:
1. God is in charge,
Matt. 6:26, 30;
Psa. 139:23.
2. There are many things we cannot change,
Matt. 6:27; Lk.
12:25-26;
thus, Psa.
39:4;
Eccl. 9:11;
Mk. 4:19
(14:7).
3. You are responsible for yourself–not everyone else,
Matt. 6:31-33 (2
Cor. 5:10).
4. You can’t change the past,
Phil. 3:13-14;
2 Cor.
7:9-11
(1 Tim.
1:13-15).
5. You can’t predict the future,
Matt. 6:34.
6. Don’t take it so personally! (cf. Elijah;
2 Tim. 3:12;
Matt. 5:10-12
(Heb.
11:32-40; 12:3-4).
Conclusion
Psa. 94:19: “In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.”
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NOTEWORTHY NEWS
(Current events in the
light of Scripture)
"And do you not remember?"
Joe R. Price
The
UPI reported Friday that “Iran’s parliament passed a new law this week that
would force the country’s Jews, Christians and other religious minorities to
wear color-coded ID badges” (“Iran may force badges on Jews, Christians,
upi.com). Ynetnews.com said the “National Uniform Law” intends to remove
“‘Western’ style clothing off the streets” while “advancing more traditional
‘Islamic’ attire” (“Exiles: Iran Jews to wear yellow ribbons,” ynetnews.com).
This is the same Iran whose president said the Holocaust did not occur and
the state of Israel should be “wiped off the map.” How long will such
madness be brushed aside with platitudes of diplomacy? Will there be
another policy of appeasement announcing “peace in our time” while maniacs
plot against the innocent? Do you not remember?
Sometimes it is important to remember the past. After Jesus had shown His
divine power by feeding thousands from seven loaves of bread and a few fish,
he warned his disciples to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the
leaven of Herod” (Mk. 8:15). They thought he was talking about bread.
They didn’t understand he referred to their teaching (Matt. 16:6-12). Jesus
rebuked their slowness to grasp truth with a series of stinging rhetorical
questions in Mark 8:17-21, including these: “Having eyes, do you not
see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?”
The
Lord expects us to perceive the truth set before our eyes in His word.
Followers of Jesus must have minds that think, hearts that are open, eyes
that see and ears that hear (Acts 17:11-12; 2:42). Otherwise, we are
susceptible to the lies of false doctrine that distort truth. Jesus also
asked, “Is your heart still hardened?” (“Are your minds still
closed?” Mk. 8:17, CEV) We show a hardened heart deceived by sin when
we stubbornly refuse the truth of God’s revealed word (Heb. 3:13).
Remember, none are so blind as they who will not see.
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