“Whenever the people are well informed, they can be trusted with their own government; that whenever things get so far wrong as to attract their notice, they may be relied on to set them to rights.“- Thomas Jefferson, 3rd US President
Proverbs 25:26, Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.
Matthew 10:34-36, 34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.
Micah 7:5-6, 5 Do not trust a neighbor; put no confidence in a friend. Even with the woman who lies in your embrace guard the words of your lips. 6 For a son dishonors his father, a daughter rises up against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies are the members of his own household.
“In our prayers, we talk to God. But in our bible reading God talks to us. And we had better let God do most of the talking.” – D.L. Moody
“Jesus is the Prince of Peace and the gospel is the message of peace. But when people confess Christ they usually make enemies.” – Dr. Warren Wiersbe
Isaiah 9:6, For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Luke 2:13-14, 13 Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 14 “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth PEACE to those on whom HIS FAVOR rests.
• Jesus came to bring us the peace that causes our hearts and relationships to experience the favor of God!
2 Corinthians 9:8
Micah 7:2-4, 2 The faithful have been swept from the land; not one upright person remains. Everyone lies in wait to shed blood; they hunt each other with nets. 3 . . . the ruler demands gifts the judge accepts bribes, the powerful dictate what they desire- they all conspire together . . . 4The day God visits you has come, the day your watchmen sound the alarm. Now is the time of your confusion.
John 8:31-32
Micah 7:7, But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Winning the War for People We Love- (Matthew 10:34-42)
- Godly PRIORITIES
Matthew 10:37, Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
Matthew 7:21-23, 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Worthy – axios – a rewarded action
2. Disciplined PRACTICES
Matthew 10:38-39, 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
3. A PRIZE mentality
Matthew 10:40-41, 40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward.
Mark 10:28-30, 28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!” 29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.