ORLC is participating in Community Serve Day with other churches in our area in order to be a blessing to our local public schools. On 8/25, we held a shortened service and then went out the door of the church to spread wood chips, fill potholes, and stuff folders alongside other Christians and our teachers so that they are ready for new students next week.

Rather than sharing the short meditation we shared together, I wanted to give you the opportunity to hear another preacher. The following sermon is from Pastor Jarrod Hylden, Sr. Pastor of Skrefsrud Lutheran Church in Beresford, SD. Pr. Hylden is also a contributing writer on the Servant's Pen. Pr. Hylden is currently writing a series of articles concerning the biblical doctrine of Baptism which is worth checking out.

This sermon is entitled, The Shocking Purpose of Jesus' Coming, based upon Luke 12:49-53.

Luke 12:49–53 (ESV)

Not Peace, but Division

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.”