Feed the Fire

Feed the Fire

Luke 12:49-56

August 18, 2013

Some time ago I was leading a Bible study and one of the participants made this observation:

“The more things change the more we humans stay the same.”

Pressed to explain her insight she continued:

“We are still sinners who need a Savior.”

And indeed, although the circumstances of human fear and stress might seem different

     In this age when we can insulate ourselves

      Do everything on line

     The underlying truth: We are still sinners who need a Savior.

Jesus said, “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!”

What do you want to do as Jesus kindles his light in your life?

• -  Just smile politely when Jesus says those words.

• -  Try and put the fire out

• -  Listen and repent, coming to life fully aflame in the light of Christ, ready to carry His light into the whole world

Let’s look at the first option: smiling politely.

     This seems to most often be the “default” setting for the church in the U.S. today

     The popular preachers

      Prosperity gospel

          Luke 12:49-56 doesn’t fit

            Just believe in Jesus and the world will fall at your feet

              Cars, homes, money. No earthly worries.

              Relationships will be stress free.

                  I love Disney World, but real life isn’t that way.

                  Prosperity gospel: a fragile house of cards

                       Where do we go when the house falls

                        The job is lost, the marriage goes sour

     But it’s not just them. We all do this. I DO THIS!

      A one-week mission trip makes us feel awesome.

      And then more came after us.

      Except now, nobody is helping again.

     We save the world for a short span.

      And then go back to what was.

The Faith Five is coming around again for confirmation families

     Of course, no one ever claimed to miss it.

Taking God’s Story Home is making a return for the rest of us.

     When we were baptized, someone made promises for us.

     When we affirmed those promises at confirmation, we made the promises.

     And here they are:

      To live among God’s faithful people

      To hear the word of God and come to the holy supper

      To know the Lord’s Prayer, the Creed, and the Ten Commandments

      To have in our hands and hearts the holy scriptures

      To be active in faith and prayer

      To trust God

      To proclaim Christ in word and deed

      To care for others and the world God made

       To work for justice and peace.

And when these are brought back to our attention,

     We smile and nod.

      We agree for Sunday morning’s sake

         And then go back to whatever it was we were interrupted from.

     What if we read the Bible as fervently as we read the Packer Report?

      Who gets more of our time? Aaron Rodgers or Jesus Christ?

         Yup. Time to smile and nod.

Then there’s the second option: Try and put the fire out.

     I’ve done this one too.

      First hearing a call to work in ministry when I was in middle school.

         Finally went to seminary at age 37.

            I had good reasons.

     Anytime God calls us.

      We can find good reasons not to answer.

         “When I have more time”

         “When all else fails”

         “When I can’t do anything else”

And yet, people will still go hungry

     People are still lonely

     People are hurting

     People need the Lord.

      And our fear, stubbornness, pride

         Says “no”

But what if…

     What if we would consistently choose the third choice:

Listen and repent (which means turn around back to God),

coming to life fully aflame in the light of Christ

Ready to carry His light into the whole world

How alive would Christ the King Church, the PEOPLE, actually become?

     What difference could we make in the world?

      Living as though it’s important to us to let others know

         Christ died for us; Christ came back to life; Christ will come again to claim us.

And no it’s not easy!

     That’s the division Jesus talks about.

      Because the gospel is scandalous.

         It’s counter-cultural.

            People will make mock you for believing.

            Just like they mocked Christ on the cross.

     The true Gospel (not the garbage TV preachers spew)

      The true Gospel will not make you popular

         Or cool

            Or rich

But it will make you free.

Because even if we fall back to smiling and nodding (and we will!)

Even if we try to put the fire out (and we will!)

Eternal life is still ours through Christ who saves us.

     But why not 5 minutes a day with your family?

      Why not a few moments sprinkled liberally in prayer?

         Because these times open the rich and abundant life that God promises.

            Even more fulfilling than a Packers (or better yet, Bears!) victory on Sunday.

Eternal life is ours. Make sure you clothe yourself in Christ.

     There’s a battle out there. And God wins.

Amen.