August 2019 Messenger Newsletter

"Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth?"
(Luke 12:51)

Tenth Sunday after Pentecost

Christ Brings Division

Luke 12:49 "I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
Luke 12:50 I have a baptism with which to be baptized, and what stress I am under until it is completed!
Luke 12:51 Do you think that I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division!
Luke 12:52 From now on five in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three;
Luke 12:53 they will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

Discern the Time

Luke 12:54 He also said to the crowds, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, 'It is going to rain'; and so it happens.
Luke 12:55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, 'There will be scorching heat'; and it happens.
Luke 12:56 You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of earth and sky, but why do you not know how to interpret the present time?

NSRV & Believer's Study Bible (BSB) Notes

[Luke 12:49] In the O.T., men pass through the "fire" of testing (Ps. 66:12; Isa. 43:2), but most likely "fire" here refers to judgment, as John the Baptist teaches (3:17). Jesus is not being driven to the cross, but reaches out to embrace it.

Readings for the week of August 25th
Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
First: Isaiah 58: 9b-14
Psalm 103: 1-8
Second: Hebrews 12: 18-29
Gospel: Luke 13: 10-17

Sunday Worship Services at 10:00am
Sunday School at 9:00am

Thursday Bible Study (Library) 10:30 am
Holy Communion Service (Sanctuary) Noon