Hard Sayings—Week 1 Unless You Hate Your Father and Mother...

Published July 3, 2026

Updated July 3, 2026

By Ruth Hofman

This is Part of the Worship Series
Hard Sayings

Series Introduction 
Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 

week one

Unless You Hate Your Father and Mother...

Call to Worship

I lift up my eyes to the hills—
   from where will my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
   who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved;
   he who keeps you will not slumber.
He who keeps Israel
   will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord will keep
   your going out and your coming in
   from this time on and forevermore.
—Psalm 121:1–4, 8 NRSVUE

Text
Hard Sayings 1

Matthew 10:24–42

Sermon Introduction

To introduce the text and the message, I told the story of two students. Carla, a non-Christian, goes to the university armed to address contemporary culture with intelligence and compassion. But through her roommate she becomes involved with the people of InterVarsity Fellowship and finds herself smitten with the God of the Bible and drawn to Jesus. When Carla tells her parents about her commitment to Christ, they can't believe she could be so deceived. They didn't raise their thinking, feeling child to be bamboozled and sucked in by religion. As time passes, Carla and her parents find they have less and less in common, and their relationship gradually disintegrates.

At the same university, John inhales life as well as gallons of brew as he consumes the cultural flip side of university education. His parents hope he won't abandon everything he learned in his first nineteen years of life at home, church, and Christian school. That's what his sister, now twenty-eight, has done, and John seems headed down the same path. "Where did we go wrong?" John's parents anguish. Night after night, they pour out their hearts, as well as tears, in prayer for their children.

And this, says our text, is what Jesus came to do:

Read Matthew 10:35–36.

Sermon Summary

Jesus came to split families and turn parents and children against one another. How can that be? Or can that be? It seems true enough in real life and unmistakably plain in black and white that some families are divided about faith. But can it really be true that creating this division was not only the effect of Jesus coming but also the intent? As you struggle with this question together, focus on some of the following points:

  • Jesus forewarned his followers that the life of faith wouldn't be easy for them because it wasn't easy for him: "A student is not above his master" (10:24).
  • Jesus encouraged his followers to "stand firm in the message of reconciliation and healing"—even in times of persecution. Be bold!
  • Already in Jesus' day faith in him split families. Jews who followed Jesus caused a great deal of tension in a household.
  • But division was not only the effect of Jesus' coming; it was also God' s intent. It's not that Jesus came to sow discord in families, but rather that God's action in Jesus Christ shook up the whole world. Jesus came offering salvation. The choice was—and is—clear-cut: "Receive Christ and live or be lost in your rejection of him." It's a choice that supersedes all others—even devotion to family.
  • Our mission today is the same as the disciples' mission: To invite strangers to become sons and daughters of God. We are to be prophets, faithful to the truth of God's Word. If we are serious about doing the right thing, Christ may take the opportunity to make his home among our family and friends.
Hymns

"Standing in the Need of Prayer" African-American spiritual
"Jesus Calls Us, O'er the Tumult" Alexander
"Lead Me, Guide Me" Akers
"Stir Your Church, O God, Our Father" Prince

Prayer of Intercession

In peace, we pray to you, Lord God. 
[Silence]
For all people in their daily life and work;

For our families, friends and neighbors, and for all those who are alone.

For this community, our country and the world;

For all those who work for justice, freedom, and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation;

For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or trouble;

For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.

For the peace and unity of the church of God;

For those who proclaim the gospel, and all who seek the truth.

For all who serve God in his church. 

Silence for petitions to be added

Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.
We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.

Silence for people's thanksgivings to be offered

We will exalt you, O God our King;

And praise your name forever and ever.

We pray for those who struggle with their faith, and for those whose faith is known to you alone, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.

Silence for people to add their own petitions

Lord, let your lovingkindness be upon them;

Who put their trust in you.

Gracious God, you have heard the prayers of your faithful people; you know our needs before we ask, and our ignorance in asking. Grant our requests as may be best for us. Watch over us and keep us in the light of your presence. May our praise continually blend with that of all creation, until we come together to the eternal joys which you promise in your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Revised Common Lectionary

Year A: Season after Pentecost—Proper 7 (12)