First Reformed Presbyterian Church of Cambridge, Massachusetts

The Lord’s Day October 26, 2003 Anno Domini

Matthew 10:34-42

Jesus Brings a Sword

  I.  I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
 

      A.  Is not Jesus the Prince of Peace? [Isaiah 9:6; Isaiah 52:7; Psalm
72:7)]
      B.  Peace with God is linked with faith in Christ. [Eph 1:2; Isaiah
57:19-21]
      C.  The sword of Christ divides the intimate relationships of life.
      D.  The sword of Christ divides but the division does not overrule
the Fifth Commandment.
      E.  What of the person who has no conflict with family?
     

  II.  He who does not take his cross and follow after me is not worthy of
me.
 

      A.  The disciple’s cross presses on every aspect of life.
      B.  The way forward is to follow Christ with your cross. [Heb
13:12-14]
      C.  He who loses his life for my sake will find it.
      D.  Verse 39 is not a philosophical principle; it is a call to follow
Christ and learn from him.
     

   III. Jesus the sword-bearer brings rewards to those who receive him.
 

      A.  The sword bearer is Christ himself [verse 34; Psalm 45:2-3; Rev
1:16, 17, 18].
      B.    The sword bearer is the faithful disciple who obeys
Christ’s commands. [John 13:20]
      C.    The sword bearer is the church which remains faithful to
the full teaching of Jesus Christ. [Rev 2:9-10]
      D.    The rewards ...[2Cor 5:20; Mark 9:41; 3John 5-8]
      E. The sword-bearer brings blessing.
        1. The word of peace: peace with God, peace with one
another when our hearts are sanctified in him.
        2. The gospel may divide families, but later we
sometimes find that the Holy Spirit has united divided families
in Christ.
        3. The cross you bear may feel heavy at times. But
rejoice at the prospect of inheriting the kingdom of God if you
persevere!
        4. We hold back at losing our life in this world. We
must not; there is nothing of value to lose.
        5. The call to be disciples of Jesus is a call to be at
war in the world.
         

Pastor Christian Adjemian, Dipl.Div., Ph.D.

phone: 617.864.3185