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In this episode we look at Luke 18:18-30 where we read about the encounter between a ruler and Jesus. Together we talk about the importance of keeping God at the center of our lives.
Series: But I say to you...'
20 Proverbs 25-26; 25 Lamentations 1-5; 26 Ezekiel 1; 19 Psalms 59-64; 42 Luke 18-21
In this episode we continue on with Luke 18:9-17. In this passage, Jesus tells us another story, this one about a Pharisee and a tax collector, followed by a look at an interaction involving Jesus, His disciples, and children. From this passage we talk about the importance of coming to Jesus dependent and empty, like little children, that we may be filled with His Spirit and used for His.
What does your relationship with money reveal about your relationship with Jesus?In Luke 18-19, three very different people encounter Jesus: a wealthy young ruler, a blind man, and Zacchaeus. One walks away devastated. Another receives mercy. Another encounters Jesus and becomes radically generous.Why the difference?Jesus shows us that money and possessions aren't merely financial issues, they can reveal what we truly treasure, what we trust, and what sits on the throne of our hearts. The rich young ruler had everything, yet couldn't let go. Zacchaeus had lived for himself, yet grace transformed the way he lived.This message explores the wrong way to approach Jesus, the right way to approach Him, and how grace leads to generosity.
Passage: Luke 18:15-17 Speaker: Jeff Gawn Sermon: Sunday PM Date: 9th August 2026
PARABLES: Jesus The Storyteller Clinging to God in Faith; Luke 18:1-8 live streamed on August 9, 2026
Scripture: Luke 18:9-14 Focus: Righteousness is a gift from God not something earned through works. Speaker: Matt Thornton, Pastor Date: August 9, 2026
Listen as Pastor Scott Andrews preached from Luke 18:9-14 on Sunday, August 9th, 2026.
see link below: https://pastorsteverhodes.com/2026/08/09/come-humbly-before-god-he-accepts-us-based-on-jesuss-death-and-resurrection-luke-189-14/
Message from Elder John Scott on August 8, 2026
In this episode we move into Luke 18:1-8 where Jesus tells a parable of the persistent widow. From this passage we address the importance of remaining dependent on our good Heavenly Father through every trial. We discuss what it means to pray with persistence, trust God's character, and continue believing that He will ultimately bring His justice to the world.
9 And to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others, he spoke also this parable:Dixit autem et ad quosdam qui in se confidebant tamquam justi, et aspernabantur ceteros, parabolam istam : 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.Duo homines ascenderunt in templum ut orarent : unus pharisaeus et alter publicanus. 11 The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican.Pharisaeus stans, haec apud se orabat : Deus, gratias ago tibi, quia non sum sicut ceteri hominum : raptores, injusti, adulteri, velut etiam hic publicanus : 12 I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess.jejuno bis in sabbato, decimas do omnium quae possideo. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner.Et publicanus a longe stans, nolebat nec oculos ad caelum levare : sed percutiebat pectus suum, dicens : Deus propitius esto mihi peccatori. 14 I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself, shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.Dico vobis, descendit hic justificatus in domum suam ab illo : quia omnis qui se exaltat, humiliabitur, et qui se humiliat, exaltabitur.Our Lord Jesus stigmatises the pride of the pharisee which makes him put his trust in himself and which always shows itself in his contempt for others. Humility of the publican.
August 2, 2026 - Can anyone be saved? - Luke 18:31-19:10 - Dr. Tom Richter by First Baptist Cullman
Scripture: Luke 18:1-8 Focus: Until Christ returns, keep praying with confidence to your loving Heavenly Father. Speaker: Matt Thornton, Pastor Date Recorded: August 2, 2026
Listen as Pastor Scott Andrews preached from Luke 18:1-8 on Sunday, August 2nd, 2026.
9 And to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others, he spoke also this parable:Dixit autem et ad quosdam qui in se confidebant tamquam justi, et aspernabantur ceteros, parabolam istam : 10 Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.Duo homines ascenderunt in templum ut orarent : unus pharisaeus et alter publicanus. 11 The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican.Pharisaeus stans, haec apud se orabat : Deus, gratias ago tibi, quia non sum sicut ceteri hominum : raptores, injusti, adulteri, velut etiam hic publicanus : 12 I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess.jejuno bis in sabbato, decimas do omnium quae possideo. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O God, be merciful to me a sinner.Et publicanus a longe stans, nolebat nec oculos ad caelum levare : sed percutiebat pectus suum, dicens : Deus propitius esto mihi peccatori. 14 I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather than the other: because every one that exalteth himself, shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.Dico vobis, descendit hic justificatus in domum suam ab illo : quia omnis qui se exaltat, humiliabitur, et qui se humiliat, exaltabitur.
Because we're needy and God is ready to help, keep praying and don't lose heart, even if the answers take time.
Send me a Text Message!We are going to talk about the spiritual practice of play. U knew this was coming, but still you're tempted to ask, "Did he say play or pray?" Play? Why would we talk about play on the sabbath? Play is not really a spiritual practice is it? Good question! That a Christian should be a great worker, a blessing to every boss is easily defensible. That a follower of Jesus should be willing to sacrifice, even suffer for their faith. I've said that, more than once. That a Christian should be known for their love. Of course...almost goes without saying. How about no one in the world should be known for their playfulness like followers of Christ? How does that sit with you? In this episode I'll start to make the case that the Kingdom of God is for kids who love to play and there's no better time to play, than on God's stop-day!
July 26, 2026 - Rev. Alexander S. Brown
July 26, 2026 - The Two Rich Young Rulers - Luke 18:15-30 - Dr. Tom Richter by First Baptist Cullman
If Jesus returned today, what would He find in your life? In the final week of our Parables series, Pastor Robert Klein explores the Parable of the Faithful and Wicked Servant. Jesus calls His followers to live with readiness, responsibility, and faithfulness as they await His return. This parable challenges us to consider how we're stewarding what God has entrusted to us. You'll discover: Why faithfulness matters more than appearances What it means to live ready for Christ's return How daily obedience shapes eternal reward The question isn't whether Jesus will return. The question is: what will He find when He does? #Parables #Faithfulness #Jesus #Stewardship #WhatWillHeFind - NEXT STEPS Looking to take your next step? We want to help! Text the word NEXT to 909-281-7797 or visit sunrisechurch.org/nextsteps. - GIVE TO SUNRISE CHURCH Imagine what God can do through our giving. You can give today at sunrisechurch.org/give - FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunriseChurchCA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunrisechurchca Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/SunriseChurch
As we conclude our House of Prayer series, Pastor Joe challenges us to become people who pray as long as it takes. Looking at Jesus' parable of the persistent widow in Luke 18, this message reminds us that persistent prayer isn't about convincing a reluctant God—it's about trusting a loving Father who hears every prayer. Whether His answer is yes, wait, grow, or no, we can continue to seek Him with confidence, knowing He is faithful, powerful, and always working, even when we can't see it. If you've been discouraged in the waiting or tempted to give up praying, this message will encourage you to keep asking, keep trusting, and keep believing in the God for whom nothing is impossible.
Take a few quiet minutes to pray through Luke 18:27.This month's verse reminds us that what is impossible with man is possible with God. And in context, Jesus is speaking about the most impossible thing of all: salvation.We cannot save ourselves. We cannot earn God's favor. We cannot justify ourselves before him. But Jesus has done what we never could.In this prayer episode, we confess our sin and self-reliance, thank Jesus for his perfect life, death, and resurrection, and rest in the impossible salvation he has made possible for us.This Month's Memory Verse:"Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with man is possible with God.''
July 19, 2026 - Rev. Alexander S. Brown
July 19, 2026 All You Need is Need - Luke 18:9-14 - Dr. Tom Richter by First Baptist Cullman
LOOKING GOOD, MISSING GOD Can you be deeply religious and still miss God completely? In Week 7 of our Parables series, Pastor John Hill unpacks Jesus' Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector. Through two very different prayers, Jesus exposes the danger of self-righteousness and reveals the kind of heart God truly honors. You'll discover: Why God's holiness must be our standard How knowing Christ changes everything Where true confidence is found Mercy isn't earned by the good—it's received by the humble. - NEXT STEPS Looking to take your next step? We want to help! Text the word NEXT to 909-281-7797 or visit sunrisechurch.org/nextsteps. - GIVE TO SUNRISE CHURCH Imagine what God can do through our giving. You can give today at sunrisechurch.org/give - FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SunriseChurchCA Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunrisechurchca Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/SunriseChurch
Watching a child grow up is one of the joy's of life - they grow in stature, they out grow shoes and wardrobes, and they grow into the adults we hope they become. Yet, when it comes to the gospel, Jesus prizes a perpetual, childlikeness of spirit. We aren't ever to get "too big for our britches" and this is something his disciples struggled to learn at first. How about us? And why is this the insistence for Jesus? Tune in and find out.
As Jesus, along with his disciples, continues to encounter person after person all from a variety of backgrounds and situations, where exactly is this messianic kingdom of his headed? Toward Jerusalem, yes, but to what end? What is its aim? Who does it include? What does it ask of them? Tune in, as in these few short verses, Jesus provides a map and some directions for his disciples, but is it what they want to see and hear? Are they truly up for the journey - and are we?
On the heels of Jesus allowing noisy, crying children to have prime seating when he speaks to the crowds - much to his disciples chagrin - he seemingly meets one who would be a sterling example of his kingdom's target audience: a rich young ruler inquiring about the law of Moses. But is he, truly, inquiring? Does he hold as much true wealth as the disciples think? And, is it possible his earthly success has blinded him to his eternal need? Tune in and hear the answers to these questions from the "Good Teacher" (and so much, more), Jesus himself.
Is there a situation in your life that just isn't right? Are you frustrated by the injustice of it all? Do you feel like God must be plugging His ears to your prayers? Jesus told a story that shows how much our Judge loves our audacity—our chutzpah—our relentless asking. He doesn't just want polite prayers; He invites us to come boldly with our needs, doubts, and frustrations. Bible Passage: Luke 18:1-8 - The Parable of the Persistent WidowFREE: Take the Judgy QuizConnect with Hope Blanchard & Christine GordonWebsiteInstagramFacebookAt His FeetEach lesson in an At His Feet Study consists of four steps: reading the Scripture passage, answering observation questions, reading commentary about the passage, and answering application questions helping you apply the text to your life. Also included is a “focus verse” for memorization. Below are all of the studies available from At His Feet.More from the Judgy Series on Live Like It's True. --Live Like it's True is part of the Round the Table network: serving the Church through honest storytelling and biblical reflection. Regarding Leadership with Ryan Kimmel offers proven and practical guidance from leaders who are actually leading. -- --Live Like It's True is part of the Round the Table network: Where Truth and Life Meet. Serving the church through honest storytelling and biblical reflection. -- Order Kinda JudgyTake the Kinda Judgy QuizLearn more at ShannonPopkin.com.
Do you believe God can do impossible things?In this episode of the Dwell Differently podcast, Natalie Abbott and Vera talk about Luke 18:27 and the God who can do what we cannot.This Month's Memory Verse:"Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with man is possible with God.''
July 12, 2026 - Rev. Alexander S. Brown
July 12, 2026 - Don't give up on prayer - Luke 18:1-8 - Dr. Tom Richter by First Baptist Cullman
PARABLES: Jesus The Storyteller Our Posture toward God and Everybody Else Luke 18:9-14 live streamed on July 12, 2026
NO ONE TELLS YOU THIS WHEN YOU FIRST BEGIN FOLLOWING JESUS…If you walk with Jesus long enough—if you begin to take prayer seriously, if your relationship with Him becomes more than a Sunday habit and instead becomes the deepest priority of your life—you will almost certainly be led into seasons of silence and hiddenness. Not because God has abandoned you, but because He is forming you. We all imagine the spiritual life moving from one mountaintop to the next, from breakthrough to breakthrough, from answered prayer to answered prayer. But Jesus often leads His closest friends into places where there are no crowds, no applause, no obvious victories—only the quiet work of trust. The path of intimacy inevitably passes through hidden places. There, stripped of noise, recognition, and certainty,We begin to discover that God's greatest gift is not always what He places in our hands, but what He cultivates in our hearts: a holy dependence on His presence.
July 5, 2026 - Rev. Alexander S. Brown
Why can hope feel so scary?"Jesus Replied, 'What is impossible with man is possible with God.'” — Luke 18:27Today's Episode: Natalie Abbott talks with counselor and author Nicole Zasowski about Luke 18:27 and the vulnerability of believing God for impossible things.Nicole shares why many of us keep our expectations low, how gratitude helps us remember God's faithfulness, and what it looks like to trust God when the outcome we want still feels far away.Nicole Zasowski is a licensed marriage and family therapist, sought-after speaker, and author. She lives in Connecticut with her husband and three young children. Find out more at NicoleZasowski.com.This Month's Memory Verse:"Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with man is possible with God.''
Why is salvation impossible for us? And what has Jesus done to make it possible?"Jesus Replied, 'What is impossible with man is possible with God.'” — Luke 18:27Today's Episode: Natalie Abbott takes a deep dive into Luke 18 and helps us understand one of Jesus's most hope-filled—and often misunderstood—statements.We often use this verse when life feels difficult or overwhelming. But in its original context, Jesus is talking about something even bigger: salvation. We cannot make ourselves right with God. We cannot earn his favor or fix our own souls.Natalie walks us through the stories surrounding Luke 18:27, including the Pharisee and the tax collector, the rich ruler, and Zacchaeus. You'll be reminded that salvation is not something we achieve through good behavior, hard work, or religious effort. It is the impossible gift God has made possible through Jesus.This Month's Memory Verse:"Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with man is possible with God.''