The Conflicted Kingdom (Luke 9:1-17)

Jesus sends out the twelve disciples, giving them power to heal and cast out demons. He tells them to preach about God’s kingdom and rely on the hospitality of those who welcome them. If they’re rejected, they should leave and show that the town is excluded from the kingdom by wiping their feet.

Luke then mentions that John the Baptist has been killed by Herod, which seems like a major setback for God's kingdom. This raises doubts about whether the Lord can truly establish His rule.

Later, in a remote area, the disciples find themselves without enough food, even for their small group of thirteen. But despite the huge crowd of over 5,000, Jesus miraculously feeds everyone with just five loaves and two fish. This shows that God's kingdom is not limited by our obstacles or lack of resources. The Lord's power and provision ensure that His kingdom will prevail.

Why Such Suffering? (Philippians 2:5-11; BC 29)

Paul calls us to have the same mindset as Jesus, who, despite being divine, didn't cling to His status. Instead, He emptied Himself, becoming a servant and embracing human vulnerability. Christ's obedience went all the way to death, and even death on a cross. Because of this, God exalted Him, giving Him a name above all names, so that every being will acknowledge His lordship. One of the things we learn about the Christian life is that our sanctification is in a sense suffering. It is suffering to deny self to conform to Christ. We d not naturally want to die to self, but this is what Paul is teaching us. As we are in the power of the Spirit we are new creatures called to conform to our heavenly status in Christ.

Unlikely Miracles (Luke 7:1-17)

A Roman centurion asks Jesus to heal his servant in Capernaum. Despite being a Gentile, he shows strong faith. Jesus praises his faith, healing the servant from afar. In Nain, Jesus sees a widow mourning her only son. He comforts her and resurrects her son. These events reveal Jesus' compassion, power, and ability to confer true life to his citizens. They show that Jesus' kingdom redeems all nations as they respond by faith in the Spirit, breaking barriers of society and distance.

Realizing Christ’s Kingdom (Romans 16:20; LD 48)

Christ commands us to pray that his kingdom would come. Our desire is to see his kingdom advance knowing that it is his kingdom and not our kingdom. We are called to be aligned with God's purpose in this kingdom and so we are praying that the Lord would continue to orient us with a heavenly perspective on this Christian pilgrimage.

Kingdom Entrance (Matthew 21:23-32)

Christ returns to Jerusalem after cleansing the temple and cursing a tree.  He is going to face the leaders of Israel and we can imagine that this is going to be tense.  Christ tells them that it is the prostitutes and the tax collectors who enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Does this mean that in order for us to gain entrance into the temple that we have to be a tax collector or a prostitute?  What is the point of Christ calling this to the leader’s attention?

The Unconventional Kingdom (Matthew 20:1-16)

Christ is making his way to Jerusalem.  It would seem that as Christ travels to Jerusalem that all is on schedule, the kingdom will be the kingdom of glory where Christ secures his place in history.  Our expectation would be Christ sitting on David’s throne establishing the kingdom that David failed to establish. If this is the case then why does Christ talk about suffering?  What does Christ’s suffering have to do with the kingdom?

“Thy Kingdom Come” (Psalm 143:10)

There are many things that we can say about the Kingdom of God, but one thing we must remember is that the kingdom takes residence within us.  How do we realize the Lord's kingdom in the midst of turmoil and struggle?  How does one gain the wisdom while walking in the Kingdom of God?  Does one just study the Scriptures more?  Does one just try to mysteriously encounter God more?  How does one live out this request that the Lord instructs us to ask our Father in heaven?

Veiled Victory (Matthew 16:13-20)

Christ is the messiah who enters history to save us from our sins.  He is our redeemer who brings in the kingdom.  Why does Christ promise such a strong kingdom that will go beyond human history, but then tell his disciples not to tell anyone about his kingdom?  What kind of kingdom can this be?  Is this a kingdom that will go beyond human history?

The Gospel Key (John 20:21-23)

Our Lord took on real flesh and has entered history to live a perfect life, die on the cross, be raised to life, and ascend to heaven.  He gives the sure promise that those who respond to the gospel in faith have life right now and true life in the age to come.  However, those who do not respond in faith do not and will not have life in the age to come.  His assurance and warning is that how one responds to the gospel in this day has ramifications for the life to come.  So, what is essential to the Gospel message to have life?  Do we really need to believe that Christ took on the flesh?

A Kingdom of Joy (Matthew 13:45-52)

One would think that if this kingdom is going to be largely invisible and appears too weak to defeat rivals.  It seems as if this kingdom is going to initially provide hope and then become a grave disappointment as one still struggles with the burdens of life under the sun.  However, this is not how Christ wants us to view this kingdom.  So, why would we have joy when God’s kingdom impacts our lives?  How should we react when we are informed by God’s kingdom? 

A Significant Kingdom (Matthew 13:36-44)

It is tempting for the world to think that because the weeds continue to grow and flourish that the wheat has little hope.  The serpent seed has always thought that it will rise up and be victorious, but will Satan be victorious?  What does covenant history teach us about our destiny? 

Insignificant or Significant Kingdom? (Matthew 13:31-35)

It is easy to get discouraged when we read the news and wonder what is happening in the world today.  We might wonder where is this mighty and majestic kingdom that Scripture communicates so clearly.  So, where is this kingdom?  Is the kingdom here right now or is the kingdom on its way?  How does this impact our lives today?

The Paradise Promise (Luke 23:43)

Christ is in his dying moments and it appears to the human eye that his idealistic kingdom and mission has failed. He is on the cross, helplessly nailed to a board as a covenant breaker, and he is hung there between two criminals. Clearly, Christ’s messianic claims are fraudulent, but are they? What do we see in this narrative that communicates that Christ really comes to save, and that his mission is absolutely successful?

A Mysterious Knowledge (Matthew 13:10-16)

One would think that as Christ enters history that his desire is to start a movement.  He is the one who is bringing in the kingdom, and so one who brings in the kingdom will need citizens to be part of the kingdom.  It would seem wise to make the kingdom accessible.  However, Christ speaks in cryptic language, and seems to do more to drive people away rather than the bring them near.  Why does Christ speak in parables? 

The Paradox of Wisdom (3) (Matthew 10:40-11:1)

Christ has discussed and warned his disciples about the struggles and issues that the church will face in time as they go to carry out Christ’s mission.  The temptation is not to go forward with Christ’s mission.  I mean if this is a kingdom that only involves cross bearing plus suffering then why go?  Christ gives the assurance that we go because we will receive the prophet’s reward.  So, what is that prophet’s reward?

Paradox of Wisdom (2) (Matthew 10:24-39)

Christ’s disciples will face trials, struggles, and hardships.  Christ has already mentioned the hardships that await us.  However, Christ goes on to speak of other problems that tempt us beyond just the comforts of this world.  Christ tells us that we might have to walk away from family to be incorporated into the kingdom of God.  How can Christ talk about disrupting the family?  Why would we want to give up these earthly comforts for Christ?

Living it Out: Kingdom Focused (Matthew 6:19-34)

Our Lord calls us to be light in the world. So often we think that we need greater strategies to impact our particular circles. This is certainly something to pray about and to potentially discuss with one another. However, our Lord calls us to look beyond this immediate age. Where are we called to look? How do we know that our Lord is with us as we look to heaven’s glory?

Jesus' Public Ministry (Matthew 4:12-25)

Jesus announces that the kingdom of heaven is present.  This is great to hear, but what do we do with John the Baptist being arrested?  What do we do with Christ retreating to Galilee?  The issue then: how can Christ say that the kingdom is present when the context of this chapter seems to contradict His message? 

The King of kings (Matthew 2:1-12)

Strange star gazers from the east come to worship Christ.  These are men that we would expect to be hostile to the mission of Christ, and do everything possible to destroy Christ.  We would expect that Herod who is the king of the jews embrace the Messiah for the Messiah is God with us.  How can strangers expected to be opposed to the Messiah’s mission show the power of the Messiah’s mission? 

Called to Worship (Psalm 40; Hebrews 10:5-7)

The Lord calls us to worship and to make the Lord our focal place.  When we are called to worship as a people what is the basis of the Lord calling us to worship?  How are we called out of the world to Worship our God and our King?