Thursday Devo
Scripture:
Luke 11:2
2 Jesus said, “This is how you should pray:
“Father, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
2 Jesus said, “This is how you should pray:
“Father, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
Commentary:
11:2 Father is Patēr in Greek and ’Abba’ in Aramaic (Mark 14:36; Rom. 8:15–16; Gal. 4:6–7). Hallowed be your name is a request that God’s name would be honored and treated with reverence. His name includes his reputation and all that is said about him. Your kingdom come has a twofold emphasis: (1) it is first a prayer that God’s rule and reign would continually advance in people’s hearts and lives until the day Jesus returns and brings the kingdom in perfect fullness; (2) thus it also refers to the future consummation of the kingdom already realized in part by Jesus’ coming (Luke 11:20).
Study Questions:
- We need KINGDOM vision and strategy. Christians often miss Kingdom vision when we put politics above our faith. Jesus' Kingdom isn't advanced through power and politics. The government doesn't make disciples. Just as Israel was looking for an earthly king to solve all their problems, many American Christians are doing the exact same thing. Have you seen this play out in your circles of friends and on social media? What are the dangers of this way of thinking?
- Theologian Darrell Bock says, "Since the days of Constantine the church has struggled with her identity by thinking a text like this is a call to exercise increasing power. The way of discipleship, however, is the way of service and sacrifice. The church is not called to the sword or to power but to service. Whenever the church has confused these two, it has had disastrous results... To “manifest” the kingdom’s presence is not to build buildings or pass laws, but to honor God with a quality of life that is directed powerfully in the transforming work of his Spirit. If God’s people have any priority, it should be the commitment to live, relate, and serve in a way that honors him." What are the dangers of getting this backwards? Have you been one that has looked for their "Christian prince" in a certain political candidate? How can we still be involved and engaged in politics but still make God's Word our "platform"?
Pray:
- That you would always put your faith over politics.
- That you faith would only be in Jesus, not a politician.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
6. Is the Bible God’s Word? Jesus proved He is God by rising from the dead and said the Old Testament was God’s Word and gave authority to the Apostles to write the words of the New Testament, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, so that all the words of the Bible are God’s Word.
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
(Matthew 5:18; Luke 24:27, 44; John 14:25-26, 15:27, 16:12-13, 17:20; Acts 2:42; Ephesians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
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