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TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?”  Luke 6:46

Read: Luke 2:46
Listen: Luke 2

TODAY’S MESSAGE

Jesus calls people to faith in him and to follow him by obeying his words. Jesus questions why some people call him “Lord” but don’t actually do what he says. They want the benefits of having him as King (salvation) but not what the reality of a kingdom requires (obedience). Kingdom living means bending the knee to the King. It includes proclaiming him as Lord and then living like Jesus is in charge.

We, too, can proclaim Jesus while not fully submitting to him. We can say Jesus is our King and express faith in him, but not allow him to lead and shape our lives. We might act as we please in our relationships, how we spend our money, how we talk to and about others or how we spend our time. Sometimes, we want the results of the kingdom without the King. We work for the alleviation of poverty, eradication of diseases and work toward reconciliation, yet we don’t proclaim or accept Jesus as Savior. We want the reality of a reconciled kingdom, a world with the values of Jesus, without being reconciled with the King.

It all comes down to our view of Jesus. Both sides have an inadequate view of Jesus. One side just wants him for what he can do for them personally. Another wants to reject Jesus yet hopes for joy and peace for the world. Neither works. We need both King AND Kingdom.

IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY

Journal and assess where you are in relation to King AND Kingdom. Do you tend to prefer one over the other? Reflect on why you lean toward one. Ask God to grow in you a desire for him as your King and the coming of his Kingdom.

2023 SPIRITUAL PRACTICES

Join us all of 2023 developing a different spiritual practice each month. SPIRITUAL PRACTICES are intentional regular activities to deepen our relationship with God and mold us to be more like Jesus.

November is BIBLE MEDITATION. Keep track of our spiritual practices at beyondtheweekend.org/spiritualpractices.

Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.