2. Jesus
The Unifying Divider

3. Dual Natures of God
We often talk about the dual natures of God that we read about in the Bible
1st John 4:8 vs. Hebrews 12:29 – God is love, but He is also a consuming fire
John 10:11 vs. Matthew 7:21-23 – Jesus is the good shepherd, but He will also reject those who are not faithful
Romans 11:22 – There is so much goodness in God, but there is also severity on those who do not obey

4. Dual Nature of Jesus Jesus the unifier Jesus the divider
John 17:20-23 – Jesus prays that His followers would be united together
Isaiah 9:6 – Jesus is called the Prince of Peace
Jesus the divider
Matthew 10:34-39 – Jesus says He did not come to bring peace, but a sword
Matthew 16:13-16 – When Jesus was on earth, people were divided over who He was

5. Dual Nature of Jesus Jesus the uniting divider
How do we reconcile these two natures of Jesus even though they seem opposed to each other?
Is there a contradiction in the Bible?
How can Jesus and the gospel both unite and divide?
They both unite and divide
It all depends on our response to the gospel as to which way we will view Jesus and gospel

6. Jesus’ Gospel The gospel is a message of hope
Romans 1:16-17 – The gospel is God’s power to save those who are lost
Hebrews 5:8-9 – Jesus offers salvation to any and all who are obedient to Him
Ephesians 2:1 – Jesus offers hope that we can be made alive when we were dead in sins
Romans 6:17-18 – When we obey the gospel, then we are set free from the bondage of sin

7. Jesus’ Gospel The gospel is a message of fear
2nd Thessalonians 1:8-9 – While the gospel is a message of hope to the obedient, it is a message of fear to those who reject it
Ephesians 2:11-12 – The state of those without the gospel
Romans 6:16 – Without the gospel, then we are still enslaved to sin
John 12:48 – If we reject Jesus’ words, then we will be condemned

8. Conclusion
Jesus and His gospel will decide who is saved and who is lost
Salvation to the obedient and condemnation to the disobedient
When we stand before Jesus in judgment, which Jesus will we see?
The Jesus who recognizes us as a disciple?
Or the Jesus who will declare that He never knew us?