Lessons for August 19, 2007 – Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost

The first lesson

Jeremiah 23:23-29
 
    Am I a God who is only in one place?" asks the Lord. "Do they think I cannot see what they are doing? [24] Can anyone hide from me? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?" asks the Lord.  [25] "I have heard these prophets say, 'Listen to the dream I had from God last night.' And then they proceed to tell lies in my name. [26] How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say. [27] By telling these false dreams, they are trying to get my people to forget me, just as their ancestors did by worshiping the idols of Baal. [28] Let these false prophets tell their dreams, but let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word. There is a difference between chaff and wheat! [29] Does not my word burn like fire?" asks the Lord. "Is it not like a mighty hammer that smashes rock to pieces?  (NLT)

Psalm 82 

L.  God presides over heaven's court; he pronounces judgment on the judges: 
C.  "How long will you judges hand down unjust decisions?
 L.  How long will you shower special favors on the wicked?
C.  "Give fair judgment to the poor and the orphan;
L.  uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. 
C.  Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people. 
L.  But these oppressors know nothing; they are so ignorant!
C.  And because they are in darkness, the whole world is shaken to the core. 
L.  I say, 'You are gods and children of the Most High. 
C.  But in death you are mere men.
L.  You will fall as any prince, for all must die.' "
C.  Rise up, O God, and judge the earth, for all the nations belong to you.  (NLT)
 
The second lesson

Hebrews 11:29-12:2
 
    It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians followed, they were all drowned.  [30] It was by faith that the people of Israel marched around Jericho seven days, and the walls came crashing down.  [31] It was by faith that Rahab the prostitute did not die with all the others in her city who refused to obey God. For she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.  [32] Well, how much more do I need to say? It would take too long to recount the stories of the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and all the prophets. [33] By faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them. They shut the mouths of lions, [34] quenched the flames of fire, and escaped death by the edge of the sword. Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight. [35] Women received their loved ones back again from death. But others trusted God and were tortured, preferring to die rather than turn from God and be free. They placed their hope in the resurrection to a better life. [36] Some were mocked, and their backs were cut open with whips. Others were chained in dungeons. [37] Some died by stoning, and some were sawed in half; others were killed with the sword. Some went about in skins of sheep and goats, hungry and oppressed and mistreated. [38] They were too good for this world. They wandered over deserts and mountains, hiding in caves and holes in the ground.  [39] All of these people we have mentioned received God's approval because of their faith, yet none of them received all that God had promised. [40] For God had far better things in mind for us that would also benefit them, for they can't receive the prize at the end of the race until we finish the race. [12:1] Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. [2] We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven.  (NLT)

The Gospel lesson

Luke 12:49-56
 
    "I have come to bring fire to the earth, and I wish that my task were already completed! [50] There is a terrible baptism ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. [51] Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to bring strife and division! [52] From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or the other way around. [53] There will be a division between father and son, mother and daughter, mother-in-law and daughter-in-law."  [54] Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, "When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, 'Here comes a shower.' And you are right. [55] When the south wind blows, you say, 'Today will be a scorcher.' And it is. [56] You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but you can't interpret these present times.  (NLT)