Pastor John Wright

It's hot out today. Pastor Jeff tonight is taking sandwiches and water to those who sleep on sidewalks or canyons in the downtown San Diego area. This is not primarily because they have a "need"; from what I know of this people, they have tremendous survival skills and will find a way through, with us or without us. The need is ours. We have the real need to fulfill the command of our Lord to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty, to be personally present with the poor, those with whom we find Christ.

It's a Padres game night as well. Those with wealth will be traveling to the same area for recreation and amusement. As we have heard before, it is entirely possible that those giving food and drink will be criticized for supporting the poor, helping them out and continue their life in the area, and thus get in the way of the economic interchange of the area. It becomes a challenge being gracious and kind as such a conflict can easily arise amid a city where today an editorial was printed, "Homelessness in San Diego: Fighting the problem effectively." What is the problem? The cost to the city for "homeless services." The solution: provide proactive housing and services because it is cheaper than what it costs now.

For those of us who have gotten to know those people, including those of us who live as one of these people, we recognize a difference in the way we see persons in light of all of our origins and ends in God versus those who see persons in terms of their economic "value" to those who control and benefit from the cities tax revenues. We also know that this can produce conflict with those whose faith, allegiance, or loyalty (the biblical pistis or faith) is to human patrons who control wealth and status rather than to the triune God. This provides a simple background to the passages for this weekend.

Conflict is no fun, nor should conflict ever be sought for conflicts sake. Yet obedience to God through Jesus Christ as part of his body, the church, our local congregation, can inevitably lead to conflict. We then have to learn to be made into a person and a people who can stand in conflict with love and obedience to Christ, without malice for the right reasons, rather than reasons of our own sinfulness.

Jeremiah 23:23-29

What is the point of the Jeremiah passage? Why would prophets prophsy lies? What has straw in common with wheat? If we understand the Word of God to be a reference to the Word of God, Jesus Christ, what does this passage say?

Hebrews 12:1-7(8-10)11-14

In this Hebrews section we must understand faith in terms of "loyalty." What all is involved in loyalty? How is Jesus the pioneer and perfector of our "faith"? What does it say that Jesus evoked such angry hostility towards him? What does endurance of trials do to loyalty, ie, why are Chicago Cubs fans so firm in their allegiance to the Cubs? How do such trials allow us to participate in Christ's holiness? Why is it important to "pursue peace with everyone, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" as one goes through this conflict and difference?

Luke 12:49-56

On the basis of the above discussions, read together Luke 12:49-52. How is it that Christ came not to bring peace, but division? What is it to interpret the present time correctly? What is the difference between the church and the world?

How does one discern whether a conflict comes from a difference of loyalty to Christ or not or arises from our own personal preferences or our own sin? How does one commit to loving the enemy in such circumstances?

Pray for those on the streets this time of year. It's hot.