Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional as we continue in our Luke, Exploring Who Jesus is series.
Today, from Luke 16:16, we reflect on how we are to be ‘forceful’ - radically repentant - to enter the Kingdom of God.
To watch this devotional, select the link below
‘“The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.”’ (Luke 16:16)
1. We are in a new era
Jesus is speaking of how we have passed over into the New Covenant era. John (The Baptist) was the last prophet of the Old Covenant era. His ministry was to prepare the way for the coming of Jesus. After the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus we are in a new era of history - The New Covenant era before the return of Jesus.
2. We have a new mission and message
In this Last Days period before the return of Christ, we have a new mission and message. Our new message is summarised as ‘the good news of the Kingdom of God is being preached’. Every Christian and the church of God is to be engaged in the mission to invite everyone to enter The Kingdom of God. The ‘good news’ is that people can freely enter the Kingdom by receiving the King - by receiving Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
3. We have to be forceful to enter!
Jesus ends this text by describing how people are forcing their way into the Kingdom? This seems a strange thing to say. Can we really force our way into the Kingdom of God? What does this mean? The interpretation is debated, but it seems to me that it means something like: to enter the Kingdom of God requires radical (forceful) repentance and faith. Entering the Kingdom is a death to our old lives and the acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Saviour.
For example, in the previous section running from 16:1-15, Jesus used The Parable of the Shrewd Manager to teach us about a radically new relationship with money and resources. To enter the Kingdom requires radical and forceful repentance and faith which includes all aspects of life. Those who enter the Kingdom have a radical new approach to money, marriage and mercy, all themes that this chapter teaches about. The kind of radical and forceful discipleship that we’re talking about is well presented in these words:
‘Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.’ (Colossians 3:5-6)
Let’s pray together
“Lord Jesus, I hear you calling me to radical discipleship. Let your Kingdom come and will be done in my life. Reveal to me where I need to be forceful with sin and my fleshly attitudes. Amen”
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
On Sunday our message from Luke 16:16-31 was entitled: ‘Entering the Kingdom means that we now obey the King’s Word’ - Becoming a Christian means that we enter God’s Kingdom which means, in turn, that we obey His words of things like marriage and mercy.
Please read Luke Luke 16:16-31 and discuss:
Did God speak to you about any from Sunday’s message that would encourage others?
To ‘forcefully’ enter the Kingdom is to be radically repented - to die to our old life and obey God’s Word! How will this be seen in our lives and do you have examples that you’d like to share?
8:17 - What does Jesus say about the Bible, and what practical examples does He give?
Our approach to marriage (16:18) and mercy (16:19-31) is to be shaped by God’s Word. We won’t discuss this now, but it’s vital to ask ourselves: ‘Am I honouring marriage as I should, and am I being merciful with the resources God has given to me?’ If you need support or advice about your marriage, please do talk to an elder in the church.
SIV - How will our obedience to God’s Word - in marriage and mercy for example - be a light to this world?
SIV - Do we have any stories of how we have ‘Served, Invested, and inVited’ recently?
SIV - Spend some time together talking and praying about who and how you are seeking to bring your community to Jesus.
Let’s pray together: Pray for one another out of our study together and for anything else for which people would like prayer.
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