Why Division? Luke 12:49-53

vv Christ was the Source of Division vv He would divide families

1 Peter 4:3-4 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you;

vv Christ was the Source of Division vv He would divide families 1 Peter 4:3-4- He would divide friends

1 Corinthians 5:1-2, 13b It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that is not tolerated even among pagans, for a man has his father's wife. 2 And you are arrogant! Ought you not rather to mourn? Let him who has done this be removed from among you. 13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”

vv Christ was the Source of Division vv He would divide families 1 Peter 4:3-4- He would divide friends 1 Cor. 5:1-2, 13b- He would divide brethren

1 Timothy 1: This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, … 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

vv Christ was the Source of Division vv He would divide families 1 Peter 4:3-4- He would divide friends 1 Cor. 5:1-2, 13b- He would divide brethren 1 Timothy 1: divided teachers

2 Timothy 4:10 10 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

vv Christ was the Source of Division vv He would divide families 1 Peter 4:3-4- He would divide friends 1 Cor. 5:1-2, 13b- He would divide brethren 1 Timothy 1: divided teachers 2 Timothy 4:10- divided workers

1 Corinthians 11:19 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.

vv Christ was the Source of Division vv He would divide families 1 Peter 4:3-4- He would divide friends 1 Cor. 5:1-2, 13b- He would divide brethren 1 Timothy 1: divided teachers 2 Timothy 4:10- divided workers 1 Cor. 11:19- division will always continue

Christ is the Stumbling Block Because He is not the Messiah of our imagination Acts 17: The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, 31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” He will judge the final division.

Is There a Silver Lining to this Cloud? New family, friends, teachers, co-workers Etc., etc. “Replacement” is not an acceptable argument

WE Endure, Sacrifice for “Relationship” 1 John 4:10, 19- We love because He first loved us 1 John 4:10, In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 19 We love because he first loved us.

Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

WE Endure, Sacrifice for “Relationship” 1 John 4:10, 19- We love because He first loved us Romans 12:1- We give self because He first gave

Hebrew 2: For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying,“I will tell of your name to my brothers; In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13 And again,“I will put my trust in him.”And again,“Behold, I and the children God has given me.”

WE Endure, Sacrifice for “Relationship” 1 John 4:10, 19- We love because He first loved us Romans 12:1- We give self because He first gave Heb. 2: We hope because He first hoped in us

Ephesians 3: To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things, 10 so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. 11 This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,

WE Endure, Sacrifice for “Relationship” 1 John 4:10, 19- We love because He first loved us Romans 12:1- We give self because He first gave Heb. 2: We hope because He first hoped in us Ephesians 3:8-11- We believe because He first believed in us

He loves you, sacrificed for you, hopes & believes in you An Almighty God, an Eternal Creator and Holy Father has created us to glorify Himself and have an eternal relationship with Him in glory.

A relationship with a loving all-powerful God is worth ANY division. Is anything keeping you from that relationship?