Welcome to Sure Foundation Lutheran Church's podcast. This sermon was preached August 17, 2025, from Luke 12:49–53. Unity sounds like a beautiful goal, but is unity always good? In this sermon, we wrestle with a difficult truth: the world has been most united not in righteousness, but in wickedness. From the days before the flood to the times of empires and wars, humanity’s unity has often stood in opposition to God. Jesus himself said, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” The cross of Christ draws a dividing line—between those who walk in unbelief and those who trust in him for salvation. Division isn’t comfortable, but it is necessary, because without Jesus, the whole world would remain united on the path to destruction. In this message we’ll explore: Why unity without God leads to wickedness How the cross of Christ creates division, but also life and salvation The tension Christians live with: God desires all to be saved, yet many reject him Practical encouragement for believers facing division in families, friendships, and the world Rejoice in Jesus, who bore the weight of sin, brought us forgiveness, and opened the path to heaven. And take heart—division in this world means you belong to Christ, and in him we look forward to the perfect unity of heaven.