Luke: God's Kingdom

By St Bart's Anglican Church

Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’

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· Religion & Spirituality

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How many episodes does Luke: God's Kingdom have?

The podcast currently has 40 episodes available.

Luke: God's Kingdom episodes:

February 26, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 10 - Luke 18:28-30
Reflection
The disciples had been watching silently as this encounter unfolded. They
must have been thinking about the answer Jesus gave to the rich young
ruler. They must have wondered if they had they done enough to enter the
kingdom of God. Peter was the one to verbalise this, exclaiming that they
had done exactly what he had required of the young man. They had left jobs,
family, friends, homes, security and wealth [to varying degrees] to become
disciples of Jesus.
Jesus replied by telling them both the cost and reward of entering God’s
kingdom. Putting God first in our lives, loving God with all our heart,
soul, mind and body and following Jesus as the Lord of our life, comes at a
cost. It means putting aside those things which we either value more or
depend on more than God. It might be money, career, family, possessions or
just ourselves.
Jesus encouraged the disciples by telling them that what they had given up
did not compare in the slightest to what they would gain in God’s kingdom,
now and in the future, when Jesus returns. In God’s kingdom, we are brought
together into a new family with countless brothers and sisters in Christ.
All that we do and all that we have is given real meaning when we offer
ourselves to the service of God’s kingdom.
Of course, this doesn’t mean that the Christian life will be easy or
automatically successful by human standards. The account in Mark mentions
that the Christian life will be marked by persecution. The disciples, and
us today, are reassured that when we enter God’s kingdom, it is for
eternity. DR
Questions
How did Peter compare himself to the rich young ruler?
How do you compare yourself to the rich young ruler?
What have you given up and what have you gained in God’s kingdom?
Prayer
Gracious Father, we thank you that you sent Jesus to lead us back into your
kingdom. Sustain us and help us to put aside the things which separate us
from you and the things we trust instead of you. Help us to see the riches
of your kingdom which we experience now and for all eternity. In Jesus’
Name, Amen.
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February 25, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 9 - Luke 18:24-27
Reflection
As Jesus watched the man walk away, he didn’t change the demands of
discipleship. He did use the man’s sorrow as an occasion to teach his
disciples and all who would hear. Jesus explained how hard it is for the
rich to enter the kingdom of God – wealth was, and remains, a barrier to
entering the Kingdom of God. Jesus does not want all wealthy people to give
up their wealth, but the lesson about the danger of money becoming an idol
applies to us today. We might try to excuse ourselves from what Jesus said
here because we don’t consider ourselves rich. If we are honest, many of us
are richer than this young ruler. The instruction might not apply to us,
but the lesson certainly does.
How hard is it? Jesus uses a humorous illustration to emphasise his point.
I find it difficult enough to feed cotton thread through the eye of a
needle – there is no way that a camel could fit through. Those who were
listening to Jesus thought that it was impossible for the rich to enter
God’s kingdom. From a human perspective, the rich were viewed as blessed
with good things, their lives were seen as easier on so many levels – if
they were not able to enter the kingdom, then no-one else could either.
Jesus gives hope to his audience – “what is impossible for humanity is
possible with God”. We cannot earn our way into the kingdom of God, and
attempting to do so will only increase the distance between us and God.
Only God can achieve this. DR
Questions
Do you agree that it is hard for the rich to enter the kingdom of God?
What are the “riches” in your life which could be a barrier between you and
God’s kingdom?
How does God make it possible for humanity to enter the kingdom of God
irrespective of their wealth?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you that what is impossible for us, is possible
with you in Christ. Help us to recognise the riches you offer us in Christ
so that we don’t walk away from you, clinging to our own riches. In Jesus’
Name, Amen.
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February 24, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 8 - Ecclesiastes 2:9-11
Reflection
Today, we turn to Ecclesiastes for another perspective on building a life
on money, possessions and personal power – and how that can separate people
from God. Ecclesiastes shows us the futility and foolishness of a life
lived without an eternal perspective – a life lived outside God’s kingdom.
Solomon’s greatness was undisputed and unrivalled – even his wisdom never
left him. It might seem from these verses that he lived a life devoted only
to the pursuit of pleasure, but he was intelligent after all. He looked for
legitimate pleasures in life such as the satisfaction one derives from the
accomplishments of hard work. But, when he looked objectively at all he had
achieved, he concluded that it was all meaningless – it was meaningless
because it didn’t last. There was no enduring, eternal sense of meaning to
life lived for these earthly pleasures and accomplishments.
The pursuit of knowledge, pleasure and wealth fails in two ways. Firstly,
these things draw people away from God as they become the focus of their
time and energy and the source of their meaning and significance. Secondly,
they fail to truly satisfy because they are temporary and never truly
satisfy our deepest needs. Apart from God, there is a sense of
dissatisfaction and almost uselessness irrespective of how successful a
person may be.
We could easily substitute the young man in our story. He devoted himself
to his work and to the accumulation of wealth and prestige. When he is
asked to examine his achievements and his relationship with God, what will
be more important? DR
Questions
What does your heart take delight in?
Why is it so tempting to find satisfaction and meaning through our work?
How do you bring true and last meaning to your work?
Prayer
Almighty God, help us to be good stewards of all that you give us. Help us
to avoid the distractions of wealth and possessions, and help us to
understand that they do not satisfy nor sustain us. Help us to seek you and
your will for us. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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February 23, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 7 - Luke 18:22-23
Reflection
Jesus now spoke directly to the rich young ruler. The young man had
revealed what he thought about Jesus, what he thought about himself and
what he thought about goodness. He doesn’t understand who Jesus is, he’s
not completely honest about himself, and he doesn’t fully comprehend what
goodness is. Jesus was forced to answer his original question rather
bluntly.
Jesus pointed out that, while the young man thinks he is good, there is
something lacking and he has something which is the cause of that. Jesus
told him that he must sell everything that he has and give those proceeds
to the poor. Only then, would he have “treasure in heaven”. Only then,
would he inherit the eternal life that he so greatly desires.
It is important to note that this instruction is given in a singular form.
This instruction is for this man only. His wealth and possessions have
formed a barrier between him and God. His wealth had become an idol which
was more important to him than God. We know that because, in the end, he
chose his wealth over his relationship with God. He departs Jesus deeply
saddened because he was so wealthy.
This is not a general instruction to all Christians – we don’t have to sell
everything we have when we become a Christian. The principle, though,
applies to all Christians. When we place idols before God, be it wealth,
career, prestige or career, this draws us away from God and his Kingdom. DR
Questions
What does the rich young ruler lack? What is the cause of this?
Why can wealth be such a powerful barrier between us and God?
What are the things which can be a barrier between you and God?
Prayer
Loving God, we thank you that you continually seek us out and draw us
closer to you. Help us to identify when we choose or allow other things in
our life to come before you. By your Holy Spirit, help us to set them aside
and put your first. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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February 22, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 6 - Luke 18:20-21
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February 21, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 5 - Luke 18:18-19
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February 19, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 4 - Luke 18:15-17
Reflection
As Jesus continues to teach how we can approach God and his Kingdom, things
take some surprising turns! Jesus has already announced that the King has
come, that we can approach God through his mercy, and now, that what God
requires of us is to trust in him like a child.
It’s important to note that in the Greco-Roman world, there was a general
disregard for children, abortion was legal, and infanticide was a commonly
accepted practice. Children were seen of little utility and therefore of
little worth. Thus when the children approach Jesus, many could have viewed
this as a waste of his time. But not Jesus! When the disciples rebuke the
children for coming to Jesus, it’s the disciples who end up being rebuked
for daring to keep the children away! Not only does Jesus welcome the
children, but he tells the disciples that they could learn something from
the kids: that they should come to God in the same way that children are
utterly dependent on their parents. Does that mean we are to come to God in
some sort of naive way? Certainly not. But it does mean that recognising
the gap between us and God is even greater than that between child and
parent, that we need to express an utter dependence on Jesus in our
relative powerlessness.
We come to God not by anything that we do, but solely, completely, on what
Jesus has done for us. Just like little children, God is calling us - in
the recognition of our sin and that there is nothing that we can do to earn
forgiveness - to put our trust in him alone. Without depending on Jesus, we
have no place in his Kingdom. AL
Questions
1. How are you dependent on Jesus in your life?2. What do you think it
looks like to receive the Kingdom of God like a child?3. What are the ways
in which you are tempted to be self-reliant?
Prayer
Gracious God, please help us to be utterly dependent on you. May we come to
you in great humility, trusting in your goodness and mercy. May we grow in
our trust and may that be evident in our lives. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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February 18, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 3 - Psalm 51:1-19
Reflection
In the 1662 Book of Common Prayer (the ‘BCP’), verses of Psalm 51 appear at
the very opening of daily morning prayer. Whenever I read them, they’re
often a stark and sober reminder of the depth of my sin and my desperate
need for God. The Psalm - when you read it in its fullness - provides such
a helpful pattern as it begins with a cry for God’s mercy in relation to
his unfailing love and great compassion. It continues, not seeking that God
would ignore our wrong, but that he would ‘blot out’ our transgressions and
‘wash’ away our sin!
The Psalmist (David) is brutally honest, acknowledging the reality of his
sin (having committed adultery with Bathsheba) and also that his sin is
against God himself. David knows that God desires him to be faithful. David
knows that what he has done is wrong. David knows that God is judge. David
knows that his sin is not just one isolated incident, but also a much
deeper problem. Yet David runs to God, desiring that God would wash him
clean, cleansing him with hyssop, like a filthy garment that is made white.
What is the extent to which David desires to made clean? That God (verse
10), would create a pure heart in him, renew a steadfast (faithful) spirit
within him, and that David would continue to know God’s presence! What an
ask! But phenomenally because of Jesus, that’s precisely what has been made
possible.
Whilst there is no doubt that what David did was wrong, we should all be
confronted by the reality that we too fall short of what God desires of us.
The question is not if we have sinned, but whether we are willing to
recognise it and go to the only one who can offer forgiveness. For when we
go, we find not one who is without compassion or love, not one who is
willing to turn a blind eye, but the one whose love is so great that he
would even go to the cross to make our forgiveness possible. AL
Questions
1. Is there anything that you need to take to God in confession today?
2. What are the ways in which you desire for God to remake your heart?
Prayer
Gracious and loving God, thank you that we can run to you in confession and
be assured of forgiveness through Christ. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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February 18, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 2 - Luke 18:9-14
Reflection
In this second parable on prayer, Jesus teaches the disciples how they can
approach God with confidence. The key question in mind is: on what basis do
you come to the King? Through your own merit like that of the Pharisee? Or
seeking mercy like that of the tax collector?
Note that with a distorted view of his own goodness, the Pharisee comes
before God because he thinks he’s earned it. Not only is this a deluded
view of self, for no one can be proved good enough by their own efforts,
but it also distorts his view of others, looking down on them and thinking
that he is better. Approaching God on the basis of our own merit is a
futile endeavour, leading to an endless treadmill of performance and a life
of constantly comparing ourselves to others. This is not the way to live
and in a surprising turn of events, it’s the tax collector who shows us the
right way to come to God.
Tax collectors were despised in Jesus’ day, they had a reputation for being
cheats and traitors, so it’s clear that they have little basis on their own
to come before God. Aware that he is a sinner, the tax collector comes
before God, not because of his merit, but seeking God’s mercy. The tax
collector - with a right view of his self before God - is the one who is
sent away justified! This is amazing news! We can approach God with
confidence, not because of how good we are, or how we look in comparison to
others, but by trusting in God’s goodness and mercy through Jesus. It’s
because Jesus has died for our sins that we can be confident when we humbly
cry out for mercy to God, in sorrow for our sin, then it is forgiveness
that we will receive. AL
Questions
1. On what basis can we approach God with confidence?
2. Are you ever tempted to compare yourself to others? How does this
parable challenge us to abandon fruitless comparisons?
3. What do you think it looks like to humbly come before God each day?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you that we can approach you confidently to seek
your mercy. Please expose any self-righteousness in us. Please help us to
humbly acknowledge our sin and confidently trust in your Son. In Jesus’
Name, Amen.
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February 17, 2021 God's Kingdom // Day 1 - Luke 18:1-8
Reflection
Having just responded to a question about the coming of the Kingdom of God,
Jesus not only told the Pharisees that the King has arrived, but he warned
the disciples that he must be rejected before he returns to judge. Before
the Kingdom comes in full when Jesus returns, there awaits a time of
suffering for him and challenge for the disciples. No doubt with that in
mind, Jesus now teaches the disciples through two parables about the
desired shape of their prayer life (we’ll look at the second parable
tomorrow).
In the first parable, of the persistent widow, Jesus tells the disciples to
be persistent in their prayer, especially in their cries for justice. God
welcomes our pleas! How amazing that our God is not disinterested in our
lives or the concerns of our world, but invites us to cry out to him! But
of course, crying out to God is not merely an existential exercise to bring
momentary relief, but a faithful expression of our trust in the Lord as the
one who will bring ultimate justice. That of course, is the point of the
unjust judge. The judge in the parable is truly atrocious and nothing like
that expected by God of human judges. This judge executes his duty not with
a sense of responsibility to reflect God’s justice, but is only motivated
by his own comfort. The unjust judge responds to the persistent widow not
out of sincere desire for justice, but only in order she would stop
annoying him! How amazing that our God is nothing like that. Crying out to
God neither builds spiritual muscle nor strong-arms God, but reflects our
earnest trust that God will indeed bring complete justice. The evidence for
that is seen on the cross as justice and mercy come flooding together in
Jesus’ death. As we pray, we should pour out our hearts to God, confident
that he will be just, but also being patient in his timing. AL
Questions
1. What is on your heart to cry out to God for his justice?
2. How can the way you pray demonstrate a trust that God’s timing and that
he will indeed bring about true justice?
Prayer
Gracious Father, thank you that you are both just and merciful. Please help
us to consistently run to you and express our trust in you. Please help us
to be patient in prayer and sincere in our cries. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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FAQs about Luke: God's Kingdom:

How many episodes does Luke: God's Kingdom have?

The podcast currently has 40 episodes available.