Preached October 6, 1999 at Faith Baptist Church
By Pastor Steven E. Mays
"WHEN HE COMES"
Without a doubt the unrivaled greatest event of all time is the coming of Christ. (Incarnation)
Loveliness of the Incarnation...
Earth grows into heaven, as we come to live and breathe in the atmosphere of the Incarnation. Jesus makes heaven wherever he is.
--- Frederick William Faber (1814-1863) ---
Incredibleness of the Incarnation...
God became man; the divine Son became a Jew; the Almighty appeared on earth as a helpless human baby, unable to do more than lie and stare and wriggle and make noises, needing to be fed and changed and taught to talk like any other child. And there was no illusion or deception in this: the babyhood of the Son of God was a reality. The more you think about it, the more staggering it gets. Nothing in fiction is so fantastic as is this truth of the Incarnation. J. I. Packer (1926- )
In this poem written some 15 centuries ago, Augustine tried to capture the mystery of the Incarnation:
Maker of the sun,
He is made under the sun.
In the Father he remains,
From his mother he goes forth.
Creator of heaven and earth,
He was born on earth under heaven.
Unspeakably wise,
He is wisely speechless.
Filling the world,
He lies in a manger.
Ruler of the stars,
He nurses at his mother's bosom.
He is both great in the nature of God,
and small in the form of a servant.
Yet this morning I want to look at the Incarnation from a very practical aspect... Jesus said some things would happen when He is come.
Text: Matthew 10:34
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
This morning I want to notice what comes when Jesus comes.
I.) Division
Matthew 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
Luke 12:51 Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:
On many occasions church members have said, "I'm leaving that Church, there is division there". I want to caution you today. One thing you can bank on is this, where Jesus is, there will be division.
A. Division in the Church
What was said of his followers? They turned the world upside down!
B. Division in the Community
Paul was called in Acts 24:5,
For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
C. Division in the Home
I would be way less than honest If I told you that If you get saved, or get right with God everything is going to be peaches and Cream, everything...
Matthew 10:36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.
May I say there are two ways to avoid this?
a) Marry right.
b) Compromise.
II.) Disturbance
Luke 12:49 I am come to send fire on the earth; and what will I, if it be already kindled?
One thing is for certain, complacent people hate change! Where Jesus is, you find things diversifying and becoming disturbed.
ALWAYS!
That is why some will come and enjoy this church right away, and will want to join, and I'm all for that. But then a few months latter, they'll leave over the same thing that made them join. Real preaching, fire, and life, are exciting, but when you get over the initial excitement, God wants you to get on with the changes He wants to make in you!
You know what really got under peoples' skin about our Lord? He hit the established the hardest... The crowd that was giving the orders and setting the tone, Jesus told that crowd that they needed to get SAVED!
Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Jesus told Church members you need to get saved.
He preached hell fire and damnation to most "Righteous"
John 9:39 And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind.
Mark it down, God doesn't leave His children alone.
WE do expect God will, but HE won't!
III.) Dispel Darkness
John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
You mark it down, Where it's dark, Jesus has not been there or is no longer there.
Somebody said, "When he came, there was no light. When he left, there was no darkness."
Yet there is a problem with Light;
A. It Identifies problems -- Operating rooms are well lit.
B. It Agitates sleepers -- and those with headaches.
C. It chases off the pests -- The Roaches scurry when the lights come on.
D. It makes things grow -- that is a problem... fungus and mold grow in the dark, but fruit and vegetables need some sunshine...
Did you know that in a place where there is no light there is no life!
John 10:10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Fakes and plastics, can survive in the dark... but those that are real, will turn yellow, and will draw up and will wilt, when there is no light... That's what makes me question how these folks who go to churches with no Light seem to thrive. All I can figure is they must be plastics.
How do I end the message?
What has happened since He came to you?
What has He produced?
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