The entire Lord’s prayer is a series of petitions. These petitions are set against our reality. In heaven there is no suffering, no crucifixion, no beatings, no mockery, no power struggle. God is immanent. But for the kingdom to be on earth there will be beatings and power struggles. The price is high. And few are willing to pay the price.

The Jews of Jesus’ time would understand kingdom overwhelmingly in terms of the Roman Empire. They knew kingdom to be crushing power. Jesus’ kingdom is ‘not of this world’ (Jn 18:36). Our picture of kingdom must not succumb to secular historical designs. But instead, a kingdom of sacrifice, kenotic love.

We will take a deeper dive into the solution to the hallowing problem we identified last week as we examine one of the most incredible moments in the life of the remarkable prophet Isaiah. What happened to him, and how did it show him everything he needed in his life? And what practical steps can we take to solve our problem too? 

Adam Lipps

Adam Lipps:

Although we don't typically use the word "hallow" much (if ever!) in our everyday vocabulary, most of the issues we as humans face in this world can be traced directly to our failure to properly hallow. Why is this true? How exactly do we fail at it? And what should we be looking to for a possible solution?

“Father” is an intimate term used sparely in scripture. Yet Jesus uses the address. More attention is given to the use of “our” in the salutation. This is not a private faith. This is our faith; God is our Father.

In the style of Agatha Christi and Sherlock Holmes we explore the mystery of the empty tomb--learning both how to share our faith and how to investigate our doubts with integrity and vigor.

Holiday/Easter, Apologetics/Difficult Questions, Luke

For Palm Sunday we have a wild passage. Jesus heals a demon possessed man. How do we feel about things like demonic possession? And what can a story like this possibly have to say about the difficult decisions I am facing?

 

Suffering/Difficult Times, Luke

Jesus was least appreciated by those who knew him the best, the people living in his hometown. But how will we react when Jesus comes to OUR hometown, when he starts asking things of us in OUR lives. What if he asks us to love an enemy?

 

Forgiveness, Luke

Have you ever been present when something historic happened? Have you ever been present when something spiritual happened? Have you ever had the feeling that God might have made contact with you? What do you do when this happens to you?

 

Spiritual Journey, Luke

Does God protect us? If, so, why do bad things happen to faithful people? Jesus himself faces this question alone in the desert--and teaches us about God's protection.

 

Suffering/Difficult Times, Luke