Matthew 10:35-36…….Working

Matthew 10:35-36…….Working

10:35  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. (For Complete Expository See Book)

Extended Sermons

“Teaches how following Christ can lead family members to shun us, disown us, or stop speaking to us altogether.” → This break-off is not always dramatic, but often plays out in a slow in painful drift, as people stop speaking to you and quietly including you in the parts of life that once felt normal and natural. It’s not a slammed door, but a door that simply stops opening. It’s not a shouted argument, but a silence that grows heavier month after month. It’s not always a dramatic disowning, but a subtle reshaping where you realize you’ve been moved from “family” to “familiar stranger.” You text a family member something simple — “Hey, how are you?” They used to respond within minutes. Now… nothing. Hours pass. Days. Eventually you realize they’re not “busy.” They’re avoiding you because your faith makes them uncomfortable, guilty, or annoyed. A sibling hosts a birthday dinner. Everyone gets an invitation except you. Later you hear, “We just didn’t want religion brought up,” even though you never bring it up unless asked. Your parent calls you. The conversation used to be warm. Now it’s clipped, cold, formal. They keep it short. They don’t ask about your life anymore because your life now revolves around Christ — and they don’t want to hear it. You mention something small — “Church was encouraging today.” Instant tension. Faces tighten. Someone changes the subject. You learn that your faith is now a forbidden topic, even though everyone else freely talks about their interests. A family member who used to “like- you” on Facebook or Twitter” suddenly no longer follows you. They don’t want to see Scripture posts, baptisms, ministry events, or anything that reminds them you’re serious about Jesus. Thanksgiving arrives. You walk in and feel the shift. People talk around you, not to you. You’re physically present but relationally invisible. Your faith has made you the “odd-one- out”. You say something harmless like, “I’m praying for you.” They respond with sarcasm: “Oh, here we go again.” Or, “I don’t need your religion.” A parent who once called you their “closest child” now keeps you at arm’s length. They say things like, “You’ve changed,” or “I don’t even know you anymore.” What changed is your allegiance — and they feel threatened by it. You decline something small — a movie, a party, a habit — because you want to honor Christ. They roll their eyes. “You’re too religious now.” The label becomes a wall between you and them. You share a struggle. Instead of giving comfort, they say, “You wouldn’t have these problems if you weren’t so into church.” Your faith becomes the thing they blame for every difficulty. A sibling asks you not to talk about Jesus around their children. Not because you’re pushy — but because your faith threatens the worldview they want their kids to have. You try to share something joyful — a testimony, a breakthrough, a blessing. They respond with: “Anyway…” and change the subject. Your spiritual life is treated as irrelevant. A family member tells you directly or indirectly: “You’re not welcome if you’re going to bring your beliefs.” Even though you never force your beliefs, your identity in Christ is enough to make them push you away.

“Even today, parents may ostracize a family member who comes to Christ, seeing it as abandoning the family heritage. A spouse’s growing commitment to prayer, church, and godly priorities can lead to tension in a marriage. Family disagreements start to grow over shared values, finances, raising children, and how to spend Sundays.” → For most of us this often plays out harmlessly enough, you are a die‑hard fan of one team and the rest of your family supports a rival, the tension is real—but it’s playful, harmless, and usually forgotten once the game ends. You love spicy food; your spouse can’t handle anything hotter than ketchup. You joke about it. You order separate dishes. Nobody’s identity is threatened. Nobody’s values are challenged. Nobody’s world is shaken. These tensions are real, but they’re light. They never touch the deepest parts of who you are. In some cases the divide is more profound: You stop participating in family gossip, drinking, or shady business practices. Relatives accuse you of being “holier than thou.” You start giving sacrificially—tithing, supporting missions, helping the poor, investing in kingdom work. Your family says: “You’re abandoning your obligations to the family. “You’re putting church over us?” You refuse to affirm or participate in something that violates Scripture. Your family labels you intolerant or unloving. and they exclude you from conversations because you “bring religion into everything.” In other cases the divide is more severe. Because of your allegiance to Christ your family cuts you off. “We can’t support you anymore.” You lose: inheritance, business opportunities, family financial backing, housing, stability. Your faith costs you your relationship with your children. They cut you off. They block your number. They refuse to visit. They exclude you from their life. Your faith costs you your marriage. Your spouse says “You’ve changed, I don’t know who you are anymore.” Or “I didn’t sign up for this.” “If I wanted religion I would have marry a religious person.” “I feel like I’m losing you.” You care more about God than about me!”

“Jesus is not saying were to hate and go to war with our family; But when loyalty to Him conflicts with family were to choose Him.” → Expect friction, but treat opposition with patience and grace while keeping your allegiance with Christ and His principals above the desire to keep a superficial peace. Expect friction, but respond with patience, grace, and a steady spirit. Hold firm to Christ and His principles above keeping a surface‑level peace. True discipleship chooses Christ first — not with bitterness, but with a calm, unwavering devotion that refuses to trade obedience for approval. Jesus is not commanding us to become combative or relationally reckless; He is preparing us for the moments when faithfulness to Him will be misunderstood, resisted, or even opposed. When those moments come, we don’t meet them with anger or defensiveness — we meet them with a steady, gracious resolve. We keep loving, keep listening, keep serving, but we do not surrender our convictions to preserve a fragile, surface‑level peace. Christ calls us to a faith that is gentle yet immovable, a faith that refuses to trade obedience for acceptance. A faith that stays calm under pressure, refusing to reshape its convictions just to remain agreeable. A faith that absorbs misunderstanding without surrendering clarity, choosing Christ even when others wish you wouldn’t. A faith that refuses to trade holiness for harmony, choosing the narrow road even when the wide one feels relationally easier. A faith that keeps its footing when others push for compromise, showing that Christ’s voice carries more weight than anyone’s approval. A faith that refuses to negotiate its obedience, even when the cost is relational tension or misunderstood motives. A faith that stands firm without becoming harsh, rooted in Christ’s truth while clothed in Christ’s compassion and gentleness.

Additional Notes & Applications

Prepares believers in not being shocked when family members mock, reject, or get angry because of your faith.

Calls for holding firmly to our faith and conviction, even if it costs us acceptance, comfort, and fitting in.

Warns against expecting everyone, especially family to embrace or your new found faith

Warns how those who convert to Christ can expect to be shunned by family.

Teaches as believers we must decide, either be a true follower of Christ or a accepted member of your family.

Warns how well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies.

Prepares believers for the reality that uniting ourselves to Jesus, may divide us from people who want us to stay who we used to be.

Teaches how division isn’t a sign you’re doing something wrong—it’s often the evidence that you’re finally walking in the right direction.

Teaches when you choose Jesus, not everyone in your family will be on board and accept Him with you.