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Luke 12:49-56
in celebration of First Presbyterian Church,
Charleston, Illinois
by Rev. Jan Hawkins and Rev. Dr. Thomas Hawkins, Co-pastors

• Reading the Text:
  • NRSV (with link to Anglicized NRSV) at Oremus Bible Browser.
  • Greek Interlinear Bible, ScrTR, ScrTR t, Strong, Parsing, CGTS, CGES id, AV.
  • The Bible Gateway: NRSV, RSV, NIV, NASB, CEV, The Message, KJV, etc.
  • The Blue Letter Bible. KJV, alternate versions, Greek text with concordance, commentaries.
  • The World Wide Study Bible includes commentary & sermons.
• Historical References, Commentary and Comparative Texts:
  • The Five Gospels Parallels, John W. Marshall, University of Toronto.
  • "Fire On Earth," "Jesus' Baptisms," The Jesus Database, an online annotated inventory of the traditions concerning the life and teachings of Jesus. Dr. Gregory C. Jenks, FaithFutures Foundation.
  • I.XXI.2, Adversus Haereses, Irenaeus of Lyons. (c. 180)
  • Chapter XVI, On Baptism,  Tertullian (c. 198)
  • IV.29, Against Marcion, Tertullian (c. 210)
  • Chapter XXII, On Modesty, Tertullian (c. 217)
  • Epistle LXXII -- Cyprian of Carthage (c. 256)
  • From the Geneva Notes.
    • "The gospel is the only reason of peace between the godly, and so it is the occasion of great trouble among the wicked."
  • From Matthew Henry's Commentary (c. 1700).
    • "No one is left so ignorant as not to know many things to be wrong which he does, and many things to be right which he neglects; therefore all are without excuse in their sin. The bringing in the gospel dispensation would occasion desolations."
  • From Wesley's Notes. John Wesley (1703-1791).
    • "I am come to send fire - To spread the fire of heavenly love over all the earth."
  • From the Commentary on the Whole Bible (Jamieson, Fausset and Brown, 1871).
  • From The People's New Testament, B.W. Johnson, 1891.
    • "Conflict and persecution. This was the effect of preaching the gospel. It aroused opposition."
• Contemporary Commentary, Studies, and Exegesis:
  • Commentary, Luke 12:49-56, Erick J. Thompson, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
    • "With all of the divisiveness present in society these days, it seems like the last thing we need is a gospel text that seemingly encourages more division."
  • "Pursuing a Faith that Matters," David Lose, ...in the meantime, 2016.
  • The Center for Excellence in Preaching, resources from Calvin Theological Seminary: Comments & Observations, Textual Points, Illustration Ideas, 2016.
  • "The Politics of Unity, Division, and Discernment," Richard Davis, Political Theology Today, 2016.
  • "Jesus Christ, Our Crisis," Glenn Monson, Law and Gospel Everywhere, 2016.
  • The Truett Pulpit, Tom Ogburn, Senior Pastor, First Baptist Church, Knoxville, Tennessee, 2016.
  • Commentary, Luke 12:49-56 | Roland Tedder | Youth Pastor, Kansas City First Church of the Nazarene | A Plain Account, 2016
  • Pulpit Fiction, with podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2016.
  • "Blinders," Alan Brehm, The Waking Dreamer.
    • "Jesus challenges us all to take off our blinders and at least see the injustice, the poverty, and the suffering that is so prevalent all around us. The first step toward doing something about it is to remove the blinders that keep us comfortable."
  • Commentary, Luke 12:49-56, Preaching This Week, WorkingPreacher.org, 2013.
    • "The Jesus of this passage is a bit unsettling and we would do well to let him be so."
  • "A Stressful Sermon," David Lose, Dear Working Preacher, 2013.
    • "By and large, we avoid conflict and division in our congregations at all costs, yet here Jesus is talking about bringing just that. We want peace and moreover call Jesus the prince of peace, yet just now Jesus says that’s not what he came to bring."
  • "Not Peace But Division, The Embarrassing Words of Jesus," Pentecost 13, Daniel B. Clendenin, The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2013.
    • "This harsh opposition to a divisive Jesus reverberates throughout the New Testament."
  • "Prince of...Divided Households," D Mark Davis, Left Behind and Loving It, 2013.
  • "TiVo Weather Report," Alyce M. McKenzie, Edgy Exegesis, 2013.
    • "For Luke, the time of the Church is a time when the Spirit of the absent Lord, like a burning fire, will accomplish his work of judgment in human hearts."
  • "Fire and Division? Not Peace?" Peter Lockhart, A Different Heresy, 2013.
  • "Jesus Christ, Troublemaker," David Sellery, 2013.
  • "Decisions that Demand Discernment," Dr. Mary Lautensleger, Liberal Lectionary Resources, 2013.
  • "It Gets Better?" Russell Rathbun, The Hardest Question, 2013.
    • "Is Jesus Teaching or Bullying?"
  • "Not Peace, But Division," Janet Hunt, Dancing with the Word, 2013.
    • "Where have you witnessed the truth that sometimes faith divides? Have you also witnessed reunion once more?"
  • The Lectionary Lab, Pentecost +13, the Rev'ds Dr. John Fairless and Delmer Chilton (aka "Two Bubbas and a Bible"), 2013. Lectionary Lab Live podcast.
  • Pulpit Fiction, podcast. Reflections of lectionary text, pop culture, current events, etc. Robb Mc Coy and Eric Fistler, 2013.
  • Holy Textures, Understanding the Bible in its own time and in ours, Luke 12:32-40, David Ewart, 2013.
    • "It is difficult to over-emphasize how revolutionary Jesus is being in stressing loyalty to him - and kinship with those who are also loyal to him - over family."
  • "Addressing Power's Abuse," Christopher Burkett, Preacher Rhetorica, 2013.
  • "The Fire of Free Will," Andrew Prior, 2013.
  • Radical Gratitude, lectionary-based stewardship, Northwest United Methodist Foundation. (.pdf)
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • "Act as Do Those Who Understand," Phyllis Tickle, The Hardest Question, 2010.
    • "What does it burn? When? And, most obscurely, why?"
  • "First Thoughts on Year C Gospel Passages in the Lectionary," Pentecost 13, William Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
    • "This is not a text one would choose for a sermon on ecumenism - or is it?"
  • Exegetical Notes by Brian Stoffregen at CrossMarks Christian Resources.
    • "A UCC colleague pointed out that Garth Brooks' song, 'Standing Outside the Fire' is a appropriate commentary on this text. (The song is really an encouragement to "stand in the fire" -- a possible sermon title.)"
  • Jesus the cause of division, audio telling, story in episodes, graphic, audio and written commentaries. Go Tell Communications, Biblical Storytelling for the Global Village, 2010.
  • "The Cost of Values," Peter Woods, I Am Listening, 2010.
    • "Is Jesus, as reported by Luke, choosing these three examples of natural conflict very specifically to illustrate the crisis that following Jesus will bring?"
  • Laterally Luke, by Brian McGowan, Anglican priest in Western Australia.
  • "Jesus, the Cause of Division," Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons, Pumpkin Cottage Ministry Resources.
  • "The Consequences of Christ's Coming," a study from the Biblical Studies Foundation.
    • "If Jesus is coming to the earth to bring fire upon it, the fire of divine wrath (verse 49), and if men are responsible for their decisions concerning Him (verses 54-56), then men had better seek to be reconciled to Him before that final day of judgment arrives, when it will be too late."
• Articles & Background:
  • "But to Bring a Sword," wikipedia.
• Recommended articles from ATLAS, an online collection of religion and theology journals, are linked below. ATLAS Access options are available for academic institutions, alumni of selected theological schools, and clergy/church offices. Annotated list of "starting place" articles at ATLAS for this week's texts (includes direct links).
  • Berger, Teresa, "Disturbing the Peace," The Christian Century, 2004.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Kelly, Joseph G., "Lucan Christology and the Jewish-Christian Dialogue," Journal of Ecumenical Studies, 1984.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
  • Wieser, Thomas, "Community - Its Unity, Diversity and Universality," Semeia, 1985.
      EBSCO ATLASerials, Religion Collection
      EBSCO ATLA Religion Database with ATLASerials
• Sermons:
  • "Strange Fire," Rev. Meghan Feldmeyeer, Duke University Chapel, 2013.
  • "Hard Words for a Critical Time," Pentecost +12, 19 August 2007, Hubert Beck, Goettinger Predigten: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • "Christ Brings Division," Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • Father Andrew M. Greeley, "Priest, Author, Sociologist," Commentary and Homily:
    • Ordinary 20, 2007
    • Ordinary 20, 2001
• With Children:
  • Worshiping with Children, Proper 15, Including children in the congregation's worship, using the Revised Common Lectionary, Carolyn C. Brown, 2016.
  • "Storypath Lectionary Links: Connecting Children's Literature with our Faith Story," 2016, Union Presbyterian Seminary.
• Drama:
• Graphics & Bulletin Materials:
  • Clip Art, Luke 12:52, Fr. Richard Lonsdale, Resources for Catholic Educators.
  • Clip Art Images: Luke 12:49-53, Luke 12:49-53, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Luke 12:54-59, Luke 12:54-59, Liturgical Drawing, Maria d.c. Zamora, Claretian Resources, Philippines. ("Download and use these for free.")
  • Luke 12:49-53 at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Liberation emphasis.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Hymnary.org, hymns, scores, media, information.
  • Contemporary/Praise Song suggestions, Together to Celebrate, David MacGregor.
• Fine Arts Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Index:
• Movies scenes with the following themes, listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance:
• Find Worship Resources & Suggested Other Readings for use with this text:
  • Proper 15C/Ordinary 20C
• Study Links and Resources for the Book of Luke