Brian McLaren, a speaker, activist, and bestselling author, begins by explaining how he got a call asking him to come to Charlottesville to join the group of clergy praying for those protesting. He didn't tell anyone he went. Later, his pastor at his home church mentioned it in his sermon. McLaren tells how an older gentleman got in his face after the service and lectured him, saying he did not respect what he did and thought he was wrong to do it. McLaren said this experience reminds him of today's passage from Luke 12:49-56. He says, "Jesus' work as peacemaker often makes things worse before they get better...When Jesus came, he was not a pacifier. He was not a law and order dominator...He was an agitator. He was a fire starter. He knew that things had to heat up before people would wake up." What needs to be heated up today? What needs to get worse before we wake up? What fires do we need to start in order to bring about justice for all?

This sermon is from A Sermon for Every Sunday, a series of lectionary-based video sermons designed for use in worship, Bible study, small groups, Sunday school classes or for individual use.

For more sermon preparation help, check out Pulpit Resource, Will Willimon's weekly lectionary-based sermon resource, available online and through a print subscription.