[Propertalk] Tidbits for sermon on Luke 12:49-56 - I.

[Joe Parrish]

A passage like this provides an opportunity for reflection on centres of powerful influence in our local communities. What are these gods? We need to name them. For some they will still be in families. Liberation will come as they learn to say no to family authorities, whether in real life outside or in the real life of the mind. Grace invites us to stand on our own two feet, to say No, to grow up, to be born again. If you touch on this, be prepared to ensure there is support for those who dare such a change. It can be lonely and painful. 

http://wwwstaff.murdoch.edu.au/~loader/LkPentecost12.htm

William Loader
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So "why do you not know how to interpret the present time?"  The word for "time" denotes a "critical time," a "time that will shape and form all future time," a "time that will govern the way you live and think, for it holds within it, as it were, all time in its hand."  He is not urging them to watch the skies or natural phenomena or historic events in general around them.  He is pointing to himself!  

http://www.predigten.uni-goettingen.de/predigt.php?id=414&kennung=20070819en

Hubert Beck
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A recent book caught my attention. The title is If It Ain't Broken, Break It, written by two corporate executives. What they do in this book is to try to challenge the corporate leaders of our nation to think beyond the typical traditional modes and attitudes to look at that which probably should be broken and not remain.

It is a challenge to us. What needs to be broken? What needs to be changed? What needs to have a new perspective? Break it! It is a different message.

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There's a French saying, noblesse oblige, which freely translated means, "the more you have, the more you owe to others." Those of us who have been blessed and enriched by so many advantages have a responsibility now to those who have not - to reach out to those who have not.

http://www.csec.org/csec/sermon/white_3911.htm

Woodie W. White, 1995 
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Not just committed to Christ. Some people only want to be committed to a personal, private relationship with Jesus and avoid the church and Christ's mission in the world. Such people quietly think to themselves, "It is me and Jesus, having our little prayer life together. Just the two of us. Reading the Bible and talking to Jesus. We have our sweet little time together in the morning and the night. That's what devotion is, isn't it? 
Not just committed to the church. Some people unconsciously minimize their personal relationship with Jesus or minimize the mission of Christ in the world. Such people emphasize how important the church is to their personal existence. Such people often think to themselves, "I will come to the church and see all my friends. I will see all my friends before and after worship, have a latte and go out for breakfast with the gang.  That's what church is, isn't it? To have your primary friends and social patterns be through the church." 
To be a disciple of Christ is to be committed not only to Christ and not only to the church but also committed to the mission of the church as well. 

http://www.sermonsfromseattle.com/series_c_christ_brings_division.htm

Edward F. Markquart
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The Gospel today continues the emphasis on urgency in the message of Jesus. He is not praising family quarrels. Nor is he advocating them. But he is saying that, however essential family ties may be, we cannot permit them to interfere, in the really and truly important things in life. 

http://www.agreeley.com/hom01/aug19.htm

Andrew M. Greeley, 2001
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The August homilies continue to stress the urgency which was one side of the coin of Jesus' message - the other side being reassurance. We must read the warnings in conjunction with the reassurance.

http://www.agreeley.com/hom07/aug19.htm

Andrew M. Greeley, 2007
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