Luke 8 Part 1 (7)

Pray Psalm 110.1-3.
The LORD said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”
The LORD shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion.
Rule in the midst of Your enemies!
Your people shall be volunteers
In the day of Your power;
In the beauties of holiness, from the womb of the morning,
You have the dew of Your youth.

Sing Psalm 110.1-3.
(Aurelia: The Church’s One Foundation)
“Sit by Me at My right hand,” the LORD says to my Lord,
“until I make Your foot stand on all who hate Your Word.”
From in His Church the Savior rules all His enemies;
while those who know His favor go forth the Lord to please.

Read Luke 8.1-25; meditate on verse 1.

Preparation
1. What did Jesus preach and teach?

2. In general, what kind of message was this?

Meditation
To learn the truth of His Word, God prefers for us to search the Scriptures daily, comparing spiritual truths from one section with spiritual truths from another, using the mind of Christ and seeking a better understanding of Him throughout His Word, that we might become more like Him (Acts 17.11; 1 Cor. 2.12, 13, 16; Jn. 5.39; 2 Cor. 3.12-18). The first part of Luke 8 can serve as a lab session for us in learning about the Kingdom of God. What we find here is by no means exhaustive; however, it will serve as a good exercise to guide us in knowing more of the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God.

Let’s note the following:

First, the Kingdom was the primary occupation of the mind of Christ and the substance of all His preaching and teaching (v. 1). What Jesus thought and taught about the Kingdom was Good News – glad tidings, not onerous (v. 1). Next, Jesus intends His Kingdom to take root on earth, and He is preparing hearts even now to receive it so that it might bear abundant fruit in and through them (vv. 4-8, 11-15). But not everyone will receive this Good News (vv. 9-12), and even some who do will not realize the fruit Jesus intends (vv. 13, 14). Many voices – enticing us to believe or desire or seek this, that, or something else – compete with the glad tidings of the Kingdom, and if we are not careful, those deceitful voices can obscure the Good News and even lead us astray (vv. 16-18). Growth in the Kingdom is a matter of trusting Jesus and taking Him at His Word (vv. 22-25), knowing that He is God and Lord of all creation. The Kingdom of God creates the family of Jesus, and it is open to all who listen to Him and do what the Word of God teaches (vv. 19-21). They who become disciples of Jesus shine Kingdom light on everything and everyone around them (vv. 16, 17); and they give of themselves and their resources to further His Kingdom work on earth as it is in heaven (vv. 1-3).

Thus far the lesson. Reflect and respond.

Treasures Old and New: Matthew 13.52; Psalm 119.162
If you were hankering to visit Vermont, we could probably tell you a few things about it: It is very green in the Spring and Summer (thus its name); it is very colorful in the Fall; and the other eight months of the year are very cold and snow covered. Makes you want to jump right in your car, or the train or plane and come right on up.

The Bible, on the other hand, has made the Kingdom of God far more appealing! So, I would recommend your preferred transit and immediately pack to enter therein.

Here are some Kingdom Features:

David said, “Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever.
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty;
for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD,
and You are exalted as head over all” (1 Chron. 29.11).
“For the kingdom is the LORD’s, and He rules over the nations” (Ps. 22.28).
“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations” (Ps. 145.13).
John the Baptist said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matt. 3.2).
Jesus said, “For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever” (Matt. 6.13).
“But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness…” (Matt. 6.33).
“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (Jn. 3.5).
“My kingdom is not of this world” (Jn. 18.36).
Paul wrote, “…for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Rom. 14.17). This affirms what Jesus said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation…for indeed, the kingdom of God is within you” (Lk. 17.20, 21).

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear” (Heb. 12.28).

Caveat Emptor. Buyer/traveler/resident beware.
“For our God is a consuming fire” (Heb. 12.29).

Enter the kingdom carefully, surely, and sincerely to life more abundant and joy that is full (Jn. 10.10; 15.11).

For reflection
1. Which of the Kingdom’s many features do you experience?

2. How would you explain the Kingdom of God to a new believer?

3. Today, how will you show that the Kingdom is as high a priority for you as it is for Jesus?

Tidings of the kingdom of God are glad tidings, and what Christ came to bring. Matthew Henry (1662-1714), Commentary on Luke 8.1-3

Pray Psalm 110.4-7.
Thank God that His Kingdom has come, is coming, and will come in its fullness when Jesus returns in glory. Call on Him to increase His rule of righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom. 14.17, 18) in and through you today, and to help you seek more of His Kingdom as you work your Personal Mission Field.

Sing Psalm 110.4-7.
(Aurelia: The Church’s One Foundation)
Filled with the Spirit’s power, in holy robes of love,
from early morning’s hour they serve their Lord above.
Christ reigns a priest forever, the King of Righteousness
and King of Peace who ever His chosen ones will bless.

The Lord at Your right hand, LORD, in wrath shall shatter kings,
when judgment by His strong Word He to the nations brings.
Then, all His foes defeated, He takes His hard-won rest,
in glorious triumph seated with us, redeemed and blessed!

T. M. and Susie Moore

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Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter (Williston: Waxed Tablet Publications, 2006), available by clicking here.