Peace & Fire

Dakota Community Church

Revised Common Lectionary

August 15, 2010

Peace & Fire

Quick background notes:

A.) This month’s book of the month is “Why Johnny Can’t Preach” by T. David Gordon

Excerpt:

“I’ve really desired something fairly simple for my family: to be able to talk intelligently about the sermon on Sunday afternoon or throughout the week. And to do this, all I really desire is the ability to answer three questions: What was the point or thrust of the sermon? Was this point adequately established in the text that was read? Were the applications legitimate applications of the point, from which we can have further fruitful conversation about other possible applications?

Frequently, indeed more commonly than not, I have heard sermons about which my family cannot answer even the first question. And even when we can, it is very rare to find the point adequately established from the passage. Further, the applications suggested almost never have anything to do with the text.

I want you to keep these three questions in mind when you come to church and listen to the sermons and I want you to come to me when I fail to preach messages that do not fill this bill for you.

B.) Today’s sermon is inspired by the gospel reading for this date in the Revised Common Lectionary.

I have randomly selected four Sundays this year to preach a sermon from the RCL passages for those Sundays. The purpose for this is to be listening for the leading of the Holy Spirit, listening for what He is saying from texts that I have not selected based on my own comfort or familiarity.

God is speaking to His church through the whole Bible and I believe that many pastors, myself included; have fallen into preaching the Lectionary by Hallmark.

Reflections on vision and progress at New Years

Love and Sex in February,

Mothers in May,

Fathers in June,

Movies in the summer,

Back to school and leadership in the fall – and so on

If this thing is really not about me, if it really about Christ and Him crucified; then I must preach the passages that I am not comfortable preaching and this is one way to do that.

Today’s Text:

Luke 12:49-56

49"I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50But I have a baptism to undergo, and how distressed I am until it is completed! 51Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. 52From now on there will be five in one family divided against each other, three against two and two against three. 53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

54He said to the crowd: "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ’It’s going to rain,’ and it does. 55And when the south wind blows, you say, ’It’s going to be hot,’ and it is. 56Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

1. Do you think I came to bring peace? - Yes

Luke 2:13-14

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Colossians 1:21-23

21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 22But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel.

Do you have peace with God this morning?

Do you remember what it was like not to know that peace? Do you remember realizing your debt, realizing the Holy standard?

There is peace between God and man because Jesus came.

What does a Christian look like?

Who is the most famous Christian on television today? (Slide #8)

Acts 10:22-46

22The men replied, "We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to have you come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say." 23Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests…. 44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.