1. “DO YOU THINK I CAME TO BRING PEACE ON EARTH?”

2. Luke 12:49 (NIV) “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

3. Romans 5:1 (NIV) Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…

4. Jesus is a cause of division
But often their confession of faith becomes a declaration of war among their family and friends.
Jesus is a cause of division
John 7:12 the people were divided
John 7:43 If you are thirsty – the people were divided
John 9:16 The healing of the blind man – the people were divided
John 10:19 - the Jews were again divided

5. John 7:12 the people were divided
John 7:43 If you are thirsty – the people were divided
John 9:16 The healing of the blind man – the people were divided
John 10:19 - the Jews were again divided
Even if there is not “peace on earth,” there is “peace in heaven” (Luke 19:38) because of the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

6. Luke 19:38-42 (NIV) “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” As he approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.

7. Permanent things are purified by fire!
Temporary things are always destroyed by fire!
Permanent things are purified by fire!

8. Luke 12:50 (NIV) But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed!

9. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin (or a sin offering) for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

10. Luke 12:51(NIV) Do you think I came to bring peace on earth
Luke 12:51(NIV) Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

11. He knew very well that His coming would not give peace on earth at that time. And so He warned the disciples that when men came to Him, their families would persecute them and drive them out.
Part of Jesus’ mission was to create a division within humankind.

12. Other texts of Luke speak of Jesus bringing peace…
Luke 2:14 Heavenly hosts sang – Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests;
Luke 7:50 – Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

13. Luke 8:48 Woman with bleeding – Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
Acts 10:36 You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all.

14. Ephesians 2:13–17 NIV But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

15. Ephesians 2:13–17 NIV But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by abolishing in his flesh the law with its commandments and regulations.

16. His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near.

17. He offers peace only to those who respond to Him.