Second Presbyterian Church

"Staying Awake & Leading the Faithful:
Preaching From the Gospel of Luke"
March 6, 2005

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Sermons Homepage » Sermons for 2005 » Sermons for March 2005 » Sermons from the Series on Luke

#43 in the Series on Luke
The Rev. Daniel E. Hale, D. Min.

• Malachi 3: 1-5
• Luke 12: 49 -13: 9

INTRODUCTION

In this part of the Gospel of Luke we run into another series of sayings that just seem to be more or less random; they aren't. One can feel the tension that is inside Jesus as he progressed toward Jerusalem and the cross. Once can sense the urgency in his voice as he speaks to those around him. The hearers are both admirers and critics. And neither group seem to be getting the message that this was a most urgent time. The message develops in a progressive manner. Jesus expressed the urge to complete his task upon earth so that certain events can take place. He expressed his dismay about the lack of perception in the people (section II). He urged people to deal with matters now, rather than wait for the final judgment.

I
IT'S COMING!

Here Jesus spoke about fire and baptism. He came to cast fire on the earth. He had a baptism to be baptized with. What in the world was Jesus talking about? We know that Jesus was first talking about what would happen at Jerusalem. He was going to be arrested, crucified, and killed. That was the baptism for which he had come to earth as a man. That was the baptism by which Jesus redeemed humankind, us. He, Jesus was immersed in our sin and death and carried it all the way through the cross for our sakes.

It is possible to believe that Jesus is talking about judgment and fire, such as the fire of judgment that will destroy the old world. But I don't believe that this is what Jesus is talking about here. In the second chapter of Acts, we read how the disciples were all together in a room, praying when the Holy Spirit came as a great wind and tongues of fire and gave them the power to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It began with these few disciples and spread throughout known civilization, all the way to Rome in a short period of time. Jesus came to cast the fire of the Holy Spirit upon the earth, to reach out to the people, to proclaim the Gospel with power and authority. As you know, the transformation upon the disciples, now apostles, was incredible. You take a dozen or so fishermen, a tax collector and a Zealot and transform them into apostles; that's a transformation!

Yet the transformation will not be all sweetness and light. It will divide. It will divide families. Some members will decide to follow Jesus; others will not: father against son, son against father; mother against daughter, daughter against mother, and so on. It can be noted that when someone converted from Judaism to Christianity, his family considered the convert as one who had never been born. It was a painful, deep rejection by one's loved ones. When a person chose to follow Jesus he/she risked a tremendous loss. We shall hear more about this in later verses.

II
CAN YOU SEE IT?

Then Jesus began to talk about the signs. It seemed that the people could not tell or interpret the time. Jesus was among them preaching and teaching and doing mighty wonderful acts. But the crowds seemed to believe that it was some special show, or attraction. The did not perceive that the Kingdom of God had indeed drawn near and that Jesus was actually ushering in the New Kingdom, even as he ministered in Galilee!

They could interpret when it would rain. They could interpret when the weather would be very hot. They could not interpret the spiritual times. Jesus called the leaders (some of them) "hypocrites" because they should have been able to discern that the Kingdom of God was in their presence. The scriptures would have indicated it. They were supposed to be experts on scripture (the Old Testament); they should have been able to interpret it. So much for their expertise.

How about us? Are we able to interpret the time? Even if Jesus doesn't return for another 1000 years, does that really matter? Do we have a 1000 years? Not me. My time is now. I shall not be here in a 1000 years. So, even if Jesus doesn't return for another 1000 years, I won't be around for that long! So my time is nearer, much nearer. So is yours. Can we interpret the times? Are we ready for the time when God Calls us?

III
DO SOMETHING BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE!

And that brings us to the last point. We are to do something before it's too late. Jesus dealt with this in several ways. First he used the analogy of settling accounts with your accuser before you face the judge. The analogy is clear. Once you meet the judge, it's too late; you must account for all your debts (sins). Secondly, Jesus talked about those who died by way of tragedies. They were not worse sinners than anyone else. No, they were examples of what will happen to all of us who refuse to repent - change our life's course - and follow Jesus Christ. Jesus said two times, "But unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." Jesus' third example was the fruitless fig tree. It had one last chance. If it then did not produce fruit, it was destroyed.

We need to hear these words, too. We do not know how long we have on this earth as individuals. The only real problem with death is that dead people cannot make changes. Our repentance, our change of course, if we have not already done so, needs to happen before we die.

This might sound a little too old fashion for you, but I assure you that it is still relevant. Our ability to allow Jesus Christ to become Lord of our lives depends upon our allowing God's Holy Spirit to come and help us to change. That's all repentance is; it means to change course. It means to change course from living self-serving lives to living lives that serve Christ first. It means to change course from self-preservation to losing ones self in Christ. It means to seek God and His kingdom first, rather than our needs and amenities.

IV
CONCLUSION

No one can just do this. We need each other to do this. We need one another's concern and support in our spiritual journey. I cannot just go and say, I'm repenting and I'm going to change how I live; from now on I'm living for God's Kingdom. I can SAY it, but I mean that I cannot just do it on my own. I need help, God's help, your help.

We all need help. We not only need each other (which is why we need and have the church), but we obviously cannot do it unless by the Holy Spirit God helps us. We need to realize that the Kingdom of God has indeed drawn near through Jesus Christ, his death and resurrection and the coming of the Holy Spirit. We need to be able to discern and to decide to take up our cross and follow Jesus. We need to do this, before it is too late. Amen.

The Rev. Daniel E. Hale, D. Min.