We live in a society that is focused on individuals. We no longer live a culture that is based on community or family groups. This has led to different problems in society. People feel alone and depressed because they assume that no one else is like them. Many times it is more important to people that individuals find success rather than the team or company or family.

This individualistic society isn't a great thing. We need each other. We need to know that others are in the same boat with us. And believe me; we are all in the same boat. I call it the "sin" boat. When it comes to being a sinner, we are we are just like everyone else.

Two broken commands unite us all. God tells us to love him above all things. How did you show disrespect or dishonor to God this past week? What fruitless endeavors did you place above Bible study and home devotions? Did you take the name of God in vain this week? You're guilty. Welcome to the "sin" boat.

The second broken command is to love one another. How did that go for you this week? Husbands, did you love your wives perfectly as should you have? Children, did you listen to and obey your mom and dad as you should have? Young people, did honor and respect the bodies that God has given to you and to others or did you lust and let wicked thoughts creep in? Wives, did you submit to your husbands as the head of the house? Did stand up for others good names? Guilty again! Welcome to the "sin" boat.

We are all in the same boat. We are pressed down by our guilt. Even one broken command gets you into the sin boat. And you can do nothing to get out of this boat headed to hell. Think of how disgusted God must be with us and our sins.

And yet, because God loves us so much, he decided that we should not be left on the sin boat headed to hell. God treated us as individuals and forgave our sins. He thought of each and every one of us when he sent his only Son, Jesus, to be our Savior. With Jesus perfect life, he substituted himself for each of us. With his death on the cross, Jesus paid our individual debts to the Almighty God. And with his resurrection from the dead, we were taken from the sin boat and placed in the "grace" boat headed to eternal life in heaven through faith.

On the "grace" boat we are brought into a different group, a better group, a holy group. You are joined together with the saints. You are Jesus' disciples. As Jesus' disciples you will have true peace. But on this earth you will also have hard choices to make. Those choices become easier when we consider that as Jesus' disciples we have eternal blessings.

People long for peace in their lives. Yet in spite of all the skill that has been used to bring peace on earth, there are still wars. In spite of all the knowledge assembled by the great minds of the day, there is no real peace in the world. People have trumpeted their ideals, hopes, and endeavors for world peace for years. Are they better off today than they were before? No, but they still search for peace in their lives.

People long for peace, but the Bible tells us the unbeliever will never have lasting peace. Isaiah 48:22 tells us, "There is no peace...for the wicked." Sinners try to gain peace of conscience by downplaying sin. They claim that certain sins aren't that bad. Or they will claim that God is a loving God so he does not get that angry over sin. But Isaiah 59:2 tells us, "...your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear."

True peace only comes to us when God removes our wickedness through Christ. This truly makes Jesus the "Prince of Peace." Many Jews of Jesus' day thought that Jesus would bring an earthly peace and rule the world like a king. But Jesus told his disciples "Don't buy into that theory." Listen to the words of the sermon lesson again. "Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 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-- a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.'"

Jesus told his disciples to expect division because he brings a sword to the world. That sword is the sword of the Spirit, which Ephesians 6:17 says is the Word of God. And when the Word of God is preached the result will be there will be believers and unbelievers. Isaiah 55:11 says "[My Word] will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it." This sword of the Spirit does work. Listen to the words of Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Some people will believe when the Word is preached and some won't. There will be believers and unbelievers and there will be hostility between the two groups. There will be division.

As Jesus' disciples, though, you have true peace. That peace does not come from an earthly kingdom or ruler, but it comes from Jesus ruling in your heart. It comes from knowing that you have been united with God through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection. You are united to each other through faith in Jesus Christ.

As Jesus' disciples you will have true peace, but you will also have hard choices to make. What will you do when those choices come up? When you sit by a river and watch water flow, have you ever realized that water always takes the path of least resistance? If there is a rock in the stream, the water will go around it. It there is a bend in the river, the water will take the bend. That's what water does when facing choices, it always take the easy way out. How about you? As Jesus' disciples, we have hard choices to make all the time. If we give our sinful nature free reign, it will pick the path of least resistance consistently.

When believers suffer for their faith beliefs, they are tempted to compromise what they hold dear. Do not compromise, not even when it is family. Exodus 20:3 says, "You shall have not other gods." And Jesus said in Matthew 22:37, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind."

Following Jesus may mean that some family members don't like us when we point out their sins. Following Jesus may mean losing certain opportunities at work. Following Jesus may even mean losing a boyfriend or girlfriend. But in every case that you are tempted to take the path of least resistance, stand firm when making these hard choices.

Stand firm because these choices become much less difficult when we put them in the light of this fact - Jesus' disciples will have eternal blessings. Jesus said, "Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." There are no doubts for Jesus disciples. We know the eternal blessing of heaven is waiting for us. I like to think about it like this. Life on earth is like eating a big bowl full of cooked broccoli all the while knowing that if I finish the disgusting vegetable, I will get to eat the big, juicy, perfect steak. Heaven is the great thing at the end. It is our home. Earth is just a stopping point along the way. Jesus' true disciples will have eternal blessings.

May your eternal blessings move you to be thankful and faithful. Don't always race over to the side of popular opinion. Stay on Jesus' team all the time. Speak God's message of forgiveness and grace. Those who welcome you, welcome Jesus. If someone will not listen to you, then shake the dust off your feet and move on.

Remain faithful to Jesus no matter what even to the point of death and then you will enjoy the blessings of eternal life in heaven. You will revel in the grace of God and the rewards that come with it.

You are Jesus' disciples. God has taken you from the "sin" boat to "grace" boat headed for heaven. You have true peace and you have to make hard choices. Just remember that your eternal blessings are waiting for you in heaven. AMEN.