(Read Matthew 10:34-39)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. We have been studying the life of the Apostle Peter. Our study has brought us to Matthew 10. Today we will look at verses 34-39.
Jesus wanted to make it clear to His disciples that each of them had a divine purpose and that God’s purpose of their lives had to take priority over everything and everyone else. Jesus said:
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace. I came to bring trouble. I have come to make this happen:
‘A son will turn against his father. A daughter will turn against her mother. A daughter-in-law will turn against her mother-in-law. Even members of your own family will be your enemies.’
Those who love their father or mother more than they love me are not worthy of me. And those who love their son or daughter more than they love me are not worthy of me. Those who will not accept the cross that is given to them when they follow me are not worthy of me. Those who try to keep the life they have will lose it. But those who give up their life for me will find true life.”
There is a lot to digest in this passage. I will take my time as we walk through it.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. The day you are Born-Again you have a conflict.1
a) When you come to Jesus and He begins to reveal His plans for your life, you quickly realize you have a conflict between the life you created (before being Born-Again) and the life God planned for your to have (before the foundations of the world).
b) When posed with a decision between the life we created on our own — one most of us became very comfortable with — and the life God planned for us, there is no decision, God’s plans trump our plans every time.
c) If you make the mistake of placing your plans over God’s, God will standby and watch you pursue success on your terms, but you can never find true success outside of Him.
2. Your new life in Christ is disruptive to your old life in the world.
a) Not only did you grow comfortable with your old life, but most of the people around you did as well. So when you start sacrificing your old pursuits for the pursuits God leads you to take on, not only will you have to deal with internal conflict (from your own soul), but you will have to deal with external conflict (from your friends and family).
b) Jesus understood the type of conflict that is created when a person decides to give themselves completely over to God and pursue His purpose above all else. That’s why Jesus said, “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace. I came to bring trouble. I have come to make this happen: A son will turn against his father. A daughter will turn against her mother. A daughter-in-law will turn against her mother-in-law. Even members of your own family will be your enemies.”
3. Your purpose must take priority over everything and everyone else. I have a lot to say about this and we will take our time through this passage over the coming days. For today, I will close with the words of Jesus. He said, “Those who love their father or mother more than they love me are not worthy of me. And those who love their son or daughter more than they love me are not worthy of me. Those who will not accept the cross that is given to them when they follow me are not worthy of me.”
Are you willing to forsake father/mother, son/daughter, and even yourself, for Jesus? Are you willing to give up the life you came up with for the life He came up with for you? Believe me, the sacrifice is worth it.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. You made plans for me before the world began. You prepared my success beforehand. Everything I need to succeed in life is already mine. Not only did you already place all the gifts and grace I would need to succeed IN me, but You also already have people and resources in place to bless me when I need them. So when posed with a decision between pursuing the life I came up on my own, without You, and the life You came up with for me, by grace, before the foundations of the world, there is no choice. I choose You. I choose Your plans. I give Your assignment first place in my life. You are my base and boundary. You are my center and circumference. You are my all and all. My life is all about You and I am willing to sacrifice everything the live the life I was born to live. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
