The Gospel of Luke- The Compelling Kingdom
July 27, 2024

Kingdom of God Gospel of Luke.jpg

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” CS Lewis in Mere Christianity

We have settled for far too little from our faith (Christianity). This is a big reason why the Church has lost its sense of power, of purpose and of importance.

The National Study of Youth and Religion (NSYR) a 2005 study lead to two interesting books about our culture of Faith in America. Christian Smith and Melina Lundquist Denton wrote, Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers. Followed by: Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American Church by Kenda Creasy Dean.

Soul Searching describes what appears to be a major transformation of faith in the U.S., away from the substance of historical religious traditions and toward a new and quite different faith the authors call “Moralistic Therapeutic Deism.” (MTD)

MTD is a take it or leave it religion that primarily focuses on becoming a better, more moral version of onseself and removes God from being an active and important presence in your life.

The problem is not that the Church has done a bad job of passing along what we believe to the next generation, but we have done a great job of it as this is what the Western Church has largely become- argue the authors.

Even a cursory look at the Gospels and the life and ministry of Jesus tells us a completely different story of what our lives of faith should look like. Of what it is that Jesus came to usher in and inaugurate.

What we see displayed by Jesus is a Kingdom that God invites us into now and it is a Kingdom that is marked by power and authority. Something real amidst a world filled with cheap imitations.

Something as Lewis would say, cannot be moderately important.

Keep in mind those tenants of MTD as we glance at the following.

Review Luke 7-8

Luke 7:9-10 Jesus’/The Kingdoms authority over

Luke 7:22-23 John the Baptist not sure- tell him what you see and hear.

Luke 7:48-50 Sinful woman forgiven at pharisee’s house. Who does Jesus think he is? The King returning to take his rightful place. Authority to

.

Luke 8:24 Calms the storm- authority over

Luke 8:30-33 Casts out demon- authority over

and his .

Luke 8:44 Heals woman with issue of bleeding and Luke 8:52-55 raises synagogue ruler’s daughter.

Jesus came to usher in a Kingdom that affected every area of the fall, every area of our lives. A Kingdom that is not just some nice teaching but comes with power and authority.

How do you view what your life with Jesus is all about? What did you say yes to when you said yes to Jesus? Was it a version of MTD that you can take or leave? That is a nice addition to your life, but not necessary or compelling. Or have you said yes to a true Kingdom life and lifestyle.