SERMON SNAPSHOT: Sunday, August 14, 2022

Dear Friends in Christ –

You think you have issues? Luke’s Jesus seems to have tired of the sweet talk. He’s just told his disciples the importance of watchfulness and now he let’s fly.

He’s come bringing fire. Fire has many meanings in the Bible – the presence of God, judgement, and/or purification.
He speaks of baptism – baptism of fire foretold by John, this time not of the world, but the baptism one he will bear to establish a new order for creation. This new order won’t be welcomed by those invested in their own accomplishments and accoutrements.
Jesus brings division. Isn’t he called the Prince of Peace? Yes, but not the Prince of Accommodation. The division he brings will produce a cleansing of creation, but not without disrupting even the most intimate of places – the family.

History is written in the rear view. Our task is to speak and embody God’s truth forward – together. What we get to do!