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As Christians, we know that Jesus will return again and consummate his kingdom. However, one of the biggest tensions in the Christian life is figuring out the “here and now.” How do we know that what we do in this life will pay off in eternity? Does God see our everyday acts of faithfulness? In this week’s passage, Jesus will address this tension, showing that God does see, and will reward, his faithful servants.

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In this passage, we see Jesus passing through Jericho, his last stop before Jerusalem when a famous tax collector named Zacchaeus tries to catch a glimpse of him. Jesus shockingly addresses Zacchaeus and tells him to come down. What seems like an incidental moment changes everything and teaches us about the nature of true conversion, God’s mission, and the seemingly inconsequential ways he works in everyday life.

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As Jesus approaches Jericho, he encounters a blind beggar. When told that Jesus passing by, the blind man calls out for Jesus to have mercy on him because he wants his sight to be recovered. Jesus restores the blind man’s sight and he begins to glorify God by way of following Jesus. The people around them praise God for this miracle. As we consider our own circumstances personally and as a church, how is the power of God being displayed in us so that others may see and praise him?

The post The Gospel of Luke | To See the King – Luke 18:35-43 appeared first on Citadel Square Church.

Jesus takes the twelve aside to once again tell them about his coming fate on the cross. He explains the heinous mistreatment and gruesome beating that lay ahead for him before his death. He also tells them that he will rise again on the third day. Despite hearing all this, the disciples do not grasp the significance of his words, as the meaning is hidden from them. We know that Jesus came to die and be resurrected, but why? And how does his fulfillment of his mission change us?

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This week we will see a rich man run up to Jesus and ask the most important question that could ever be asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus’ interaction with this man will dispel some of the most common misconceptions about salvation and encourage us to consider what prevents us from wholehearted surrender to His lordship. Jesus will show us once again that though the Christian life is costly, the treasures of His Kingdom are well worth it.

The post The Gospel of Luke | The Rich Ruler – Luke 18:18-30 appeared first on Citadel Square Church.

In this passage, we arrive at another of Jesus’ most famous interactions. Yet, as is often the case, the “familiar” strikes us with a dose of humility. This week we answer the question, “How does one enter the Kingdom of God??” Just as it did then, the answer to that question might just surprise us and force us again to wrestle with the “upside down” nature of the Kingdom of God.

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Having just encouraged his disciples not to lose heart in their praying, Jesus recognizes one way prayer can go terribly wrong. What happens if prayer becomes a means to bolster our own self-righteousness? Contrasting two different men who approach God, Jesus shows us that true prayer is seasoned with penitence, rather than recalling our pietistic performance.

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We need to pray. God has created prayer as the relational pathway to intimacy between Him and his people. Unfortunately, prayer often gets neglected, avoided, or downright forgotten. Jesus knows that we can often falter, and get discouraged with prayer. Therefore, he gives us a parable of a vulnerable, yet persistent woman who bothers an unrighteous judge. If this unjust judge will respond, how much more will God hear the cries of his people? Jesus encourages us that it’s our prayers that are the true measure of our faith.

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Everyone looks forward to a better day, a beautiful future, to the hope of heaven. The Pharisees ask Jesus when the Kingdom will arrive but Jesus confounds their expectations by pointing to his work as the Son of Man. Taking them on a survey of the Old Testament, Jesus points to the historical rejection of prophets like Noah and Lot. Just like these men who spoke for God in their generation, so now the stakes are raised for those who hear the word of the Son of Man.

The post The Gospel of Luke | The Coming of the Kingdom – Luke 17:20-37 appeared first on Citadel Square Church.