Refined by Fire: Embracing Truth and Division

Today’s reflection centers on the challenging words of Jesus: “I came to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled.” This is not the gentle, storybook Jesus, but one who speaks with urgency and a deep sense of mission, knowing the cross awaits him. The fire Jesus brings is not one of random destruction, but of purification—a refining blaze that burns away what is false and reveals what is true. This fire is not something Jesus stands apart from; he steps into it himself, enduring suffering and division for the sake of God’s kingdom.

Division, as Jesus describes, is not a sign of failure but a byproduct of truth. When the truth of Christ confronts the world, it demands a choice, and those choices can divide even families and communities. In our own church, we face moments of decision and change, and it is natural for differing perspectives and interpretations to arise. Yet, the call is not to avoid conflict at all costs, but to seek what is best for the community and the mission of Christ, even when it is uncomfortable.

We are reminded that faith in Jesus is not about going along to get along. It is a declaration of loyalty to the kingdom of God, which often puts us at odds with the prevailing powers—political, cultural, or even familial—that demand our ultimate allegiance. The kingdom Jesus proclaims does not sit quietly in the face of injustice or violence. It calls us to stand with the vulnerable, to speak truth even when it is costly, and to discern the movement of God’s Spirit in our time.

Our church has a history of making bold, sometimes unpopular choices for the sake of the gospel. This legacy challenges us to continue welcoming all, to be a community marked by joy, hospitality, and courage. The fire Jesus kindles is meant to purify us, to make us a people who reflect God’s justice and love. As we face decisions about our future, may we do so with prayerful discernment, courage, and a willingness to be refined for the sake of what is eternal.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Fire of Christ Purifies, Not Destroys When Jesus speaks of bringing fire, it is not a threat of chaos but a promise of purification. Just as fire refines metal and burns away chaff, the presence of Christ exposes what is false and calls forth what is true in us and our communities. This refining process is often uncomfortable, but it is necessary for growth and transformation. [04:41]
• 2. Division Is the Cost of Truth, Not Its Failure The division Jesus brings is not because he delights in conflict, but because the truth demands a response. Faithfulness to Christ will sometimes put us at odds with those closest to us, as convictions about what is right and true cannot always coexist peacefully. This is a call to courage, not to avoid hard conversations or decisions, but to pursue what is faithful. [06:02]
• 3. Faithfulness Requires Active Participation, Not Passive Attendance Being part of the body of Christ is not limited to Sunday worship or passive membership. The vitality of the church depends on the willingness of each person to show up, serve, and invest in the community’s mission. True unity and spiritual fire are kindled when everyone takes ownership and responsibility for the life of the church. [07:01]
• 4. The Kingdom of God Confronts Injustice, Even When Costly Loyalty to Jesus means standing against systems and policies that harm the vulnerable, even when it is unpopular or uncomfortable. The kingdom does not remain silent in the face of violence or oppression, whether in our own nation or abroad. Discipleship calls us to discern where God’s Spirit is at work and to stand with Christ, even when it puts us at odds with prevailing powers. [21:33]
• 5. God’s Refining Work Leads to a Wider, Deeper Community The refining fire of Christ is not an end in itself, but a means to create a community shaped by justice, love, and radical hospitality. Beyond the pain of division and loss, God promises a harvest—a family wide enough to hold all who do the will of God. Our hope is not in comfort, but in the transformation that comes from standing with Christ in the fire.
  
  ** [24:43]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [01:00] - Preparing for a Pivotal Vote
• [01:49] - Jesus’ Surprising Words on Fire and Division
• [02:43] - The Role of Perception and Interpretation
• [03:44] - The Urgency and Challenge of Jesus’ Mission
• [04:41] - Fire as Purification, Not Destruction
• [05:27] - Jesus Steps Into the Fire Himself
• [07:01] - Division and Participation in Church Life
• [08:47] - Changing Traditions and Church Involvement
• [09:41] - Lifelong Service and Ownership in Ministry
• [11:53] - Embracing Unpopular but Faithful Choices
• [13:51] - Reflecting on Our Church’s Legacy
• [15:24] - Building a Welcoming and Joyful Community
• [19:17] - Faithfulness Beyond “Go Along to Get Along”
• [20:37] - The Kingdom’s Challenge to Worldly Powers
• [21:33] - Confronting Injustice and Violence
• [23:39] - Discerning God’s Work in Our Time
• [24:43] - Hope Beyond Division: A Community Refined

Bible Reading

Luke 12:49-56 (ESV) — 49 “I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!
50 I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!
51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.
52 For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.
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.”
54 He also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you say at once, ‘A shower is coming.’ And so it happens.
55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be scorching heat,’ and it happens.
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?”

Observation Questions

1. What kind of “fire” does Jesus say he came to bring, and how does he describe his feelings about it? (Luke 12:49)
2. According to Jesus, what kind of division will happen, and where will it show up? (Luke 12:51-53)
3. In the sermon, what examples were given of how division can show up in a church community? [06:02]
4. How does Jesus challenge the crowd’s ability to interpret the times, and what does he call them out for? (Luke 12:54-56)

Interpretation Questions

1. What does it mean that the fire Jesus brings is for purification and not destruction? How does this challenge our usual ideas about “fire” in the Bible? [04:41]
2. Why does Jesus say that division is a result of his coming? What does this say about the nature of truth and following him? [06:02]
3. The sermon mentions that faith in Jesus is not about “going along to get along.” What does it look like to declare loyalty to God’s kingdom, even when it’s uncomfortable or unpopular? [20:37]
4. How can a church community discern when God’s Spirit is at work, especially when it means facing hard decisions or changes? [23:39]

Application Questions

1. The sermon says that the fire Jesus brings is meant to purify us, not destroy us. Is there something in your life or in our church that you sense God wants to “burn away” so that something true can be revealed? What might that look like for you personally? [04:41]
2. Have you ever experienced division in your family or church because of your faith or convictions? How did you respond, and what did you learn from that experience? [06:02]
3. The pastor mentioned that being part of the church is more than just showing up on Sundays. What is one way you could take more ownership or responsibility in our church’s mission this month? [07:01]
4. When have you felt called to stand up for what is right, even when it was unpopular or uncomfortable? How did you find the courage to do it—or what held you back? [21:33]
5. Our church has a history of making bold, sometimes unpopular choices for the sake of the gospel. What is one risk you feel God might be asking you (or us as a group) to take for the sake of justice, love, or hospitality? [12:30]
6. The sermon talked about discerning what God is doing in our time, not just keeping the peace. How can you practice listening for God’s Spirit this week, especially when facing a tough decision? [23:39]
7. Think about a situation where you’ve been tempted to avoid conflict just to keep things comfortable. What would it look like to seek what is best for the community and Christ’s mission, even if it means having a hard conversation? [19:17]