Podcasts about Luke 19

Reading Luke 19:45 to 20:8 where Jesus cleanses the temple, and when His authority is challenged, He responds to the Pharisees with a question their sin won't let them answer. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Daily Dose of Hope September 16, 2025   Scripture – Luke 19:28-48   Prayer: Lord, We need you. Our world is unstable and unjust. It is a place where innocent people die and power and control take precedent over mercy and compassion.  While we know that sin and brokenness are everywhere, it is still hard to take it in.  We don't know which way to turn.  So, we need you.  We need your peace, your justice, and your wisdom.  Help us be the people you have called us to be, even when it's hard.  Fill us with your courage to speak truth and grace.  More of you and less of me.  In Your Name, Amen.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we finish up Luke 19.   We start with Jesus entering Jerusalem as King; this is what we call the Palm Sunday passage.  We are so used to this narrative that sometimes we don't see the strangeness of it.  This is an odd scene.  Jesus sends two of his disciples to go on ahead to the village and find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden.  If someone asks why you are taking it, then just say the Lord needs it.  What this says to us is that Jesus has taken care of every single detail.  We don't know how he has done it, but Jesus is God and he has made sure everything is right.    So, they get the colt.  They put their cloaks on the colt and Jesus rides on it.  Others spread their cloaks on the road.  As he makes his way down the Mount of Olives, a crowd of his disciples gather and begin praising God.  Now, this isn't just the twelve disciples.  This is probably a fairly large group of believers that have seen his power, the people who have heard his teaching, watched his miracles.  And they shout out, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”   A couple things to note here: ·      All of this is very intentional.  This is not a coincidence.  This is a very intentional show of power.  Jesus is being given a royal welcoming.  First, he is riding on a colt.  In the Old Testament, new kings would come riding in on the mule or donkey of the the previous king.  We see in 1 Kings 1 that David puts his son Solomon on his own mule, a trumpet is sounded, and the people rejoice and shout, then the priest and the prophet Nathan anoint him as king of Israel.  The mule is like the presidential limo, a sign of power and prestige that says that this is the new leader. ·      What's interesting here is that Jesus is not riding on the previous king's mule or donkey.  He is riding on a colt that has never been ridden.  Scripture makes a point of telling us this.  Why?  Because God is doing a new thing, Jesus is a different kind of king. ·      Then, there is this whole issue of the cloaks being thrown down on the path for Jesus to pass.  The people are running ahead and shouting his praises.  This is the kind of welcome that a royal official of the Roman government would receive.  Think of it like the red carpet being rolled out.  This is the sign that a very important leader, the new king, has arrived.  All of this has meaning.   And for the Jews in the crowd, and most of them would have been Jewish, they would have known that this was a fulfillment of prophecy.  Zechariah 9:9, Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. All of this is pointing to the fact that Jesus is the king.   This large group of disciples were praising God joyfully and shouting, “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord…” What might not be apparent to us is that when they shout this – Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord, Peace in heaven and glory on highest” they are expressing that this is the Messiah, this is the anointed one, the one they had been waiting for that God had sent to save them.  These words echo Psalm 118:22-26, The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 23 the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 The Lord has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. 25 Lord, save us! Lord, grant us success!26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.   Surely, this is the long-expected Messiah, this is the one that God sent to sit on the throne of David, just as he promised some 600 years before.  You see, its all coming together for them.  And thus, there is much joy and celebration for God has sent King Jesus to save us.    But what happens next is worth noting.  The Pharisees tell Jesus to make his disciples stop.  Stop the praising.  Stop the quoting of Scripture.  In fact, what they say is, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.”  Seriously, make them stop.  Why was it that the Pharisees wanted the people to stop praising Jesus?  What was behind this rebuke?    Could it be that they know exactly what's going on?  They know that Jesus is declaring himself to be the long-awaited Messiah.  Maybe they are scared, maybe they are angry, we really don't know.  What we know is that they want it to stop quickly.  And Jesus refuses this request.  He says, “...if they keep quiet, then the rocks themselves will cry out.”  Creation itself will cry out and proclaim that Jesus is Lord.  Think about that.    And this narrative ends with Jesus crying over Jerusalem, this city that he loves but he knows will reject him.    I want to focus briefly on the crowd.  What kinds of people were part of this group of disciples, praising Jesus and hailing him as King?    I would imagine that some of them were those who saw his miracles.  They were those people who had life-changing encounters with him.  People like Zacchaeus, Mary, Martha, and their brother Lazarus (who Jesus raised from the dead), the Roman centurion whose slave was healed, Mary Magdalene, the bleeding woman who Jesus healed…people who experienced the expansive love and miraculous healing power of Jesus.  They received grace in ways they never knew possible.  I'm guessing they were in the crowd, cheering loudly and throwing their cloaks on the ground.  They know Jesus as Lord and King.   But who else?  What about those who so badly wanted a king to overthrow the Romans?  Everything about Jesus screamed revolutionary.  Wasn't the long-expected King going to return the Jews to their rightful place?  Wasn't he going to put an end to this oppression and take care of these stupid Romans for good?  Yes, there were probably some of those in the crowd.   So, let's get this clear:  There were those who wanted something from Jesus, there were those who liked the idea of Jesus, and there were those who truly worshiped Jesus.  What group would you fall into?  Before you quickly make a decision, really think about this.  What kind of king is Jesus to you?  What are your expectations of Jesus?    So often in the Christian life, we give lip service to Jesus being King of Kings and Lord of Lords but we don't really live like it.  What kind of king is Jesus to you?  What are your expectations for King Jesus and what happens when they aren't met?  How often have we expected Jesus to ensure us that nothing bad will happen?  If only we believe and are faithful, maybe my loved ones won't get sick, my job will be protected, my marriage will be secure, you get the idea.  How often have we wanted to lean on Jesus as counselor, as self-help guru, as protector, as doctor, but we aren't really that keen on making him Lord of our Lives.   You see, Jesus as Lord means turning everything over to him.  It means giving him our desires, our relationships, our resources, our thoughts, our time, everything, and saying --- Jesus, your will be done, not mine.  Lately, I've been really wrestling with this whole concept of seeking God's will, not my own.  I've found that my prayers too often are a list of what I want to see happen and I'm not really, truly asking Jesus for his will to be done.  I'm working on this.  Because if Jesus is my King, then it's his will I desire.  It's his solution to the problem.  It's his desire for this church, for my children, for my marriage, for my future.  How often do we want Jesus to be provider, sustainer, protector, and friend BUT not Lord?  What kind of king is Jesus to you?   I don't want to end this devotional without talking, at least a bit, about Jesus in the Temple.  According to Luke's Gospel, he enters Jerusalem as King and goes directly to the Temple.  Things are a mess there.  To put it mildly, there was much unholy commerce in the Court of the Gentiles. There were many merchants selling animals for sacrifice and there were money changers present for foreign Jews to exchange their money to the local currency for the temple tax.    So why was Jesus so upset?  Wasn't this all part of the sacrificial system?  This was the one area of the temple designated for Gentiles (the nations) to pray. They weren't allowed in any other area of the temple. And the Jewish people had taken over the entire area for trade and profit. Lots of money was being made here.  Jesus is beyond angry.  The religious leaders have an interesting reaction to this.  They are scared.  I'm thinking that they know they are in the wrong but they don't want to submit to this Jesus character.  Thus, they begin to plot how to kill him.   Blessings, Pastor Vicki    

Reading Luke 19:28-44 where Jesus enters Jerusalem to the shouts and praises of the people, in fulfillment of prophecy, and yet the people do not know who He really is. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Daily Dose of Hope September 15, 2025   Scripture - Luke 19:1-27   Prayer (from St. Augustine): Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, That my thoughts may all be holy. Act in me, O Holy Spirit, That my work, too, may be holy. Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, That I love but what is holy. Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, To defend all that is holy. Guard me, then, O Holy Spirit, That I always may be holy.   Welcome back to the Daily Dose of Hope, the devotional and podcast that complements the New Hope Church daily Bible reading plan at New Hope Church in Brandon, Florida.  We are currently doing a deep dive into the Gospels and Acts.  Today, we begin a deep dive into Luke 19.   At the beginning of the chapter, we meet Zacchaeus.  Zacchaeus' encounter with Jesus is worth a fair amount of reflection. Zacchaeus was a tax collector. The Roman government hired local Jews to actually go around collecting the taxes for them. One article I read said that they didn't receive a salary per se but instead collected significantly more in taxes than was owed so they could keep that money for themselves and evidence suggests they took a lot for themselves. Thus, tax collectors tended to be wealthy and they were hated by their fellow Jews. The Jews thought of them as selling their services to a foreign oppressor at the expense of their own people. The rabbinical writings refer to these tax collectors as "robbers" and the Gospels call them "sinners." They were the scum of the Jewish community. And Zacchaeus was one of them.   Zacchaeus wasn't just a run of the mill tax collector but a chief tax collector. You typically don't get to be chief of something unless you have worked at it for a while and climbed your way to the top so I'm thinking Zacchaeus had probably been living a dishonest life for years, extorting and deceiving others for his own financial gain. He wasn't a newbie at this.   Zacchaeus lived in the town of Jericho, which was Jesus' last stop on his journey from Galilee to Jerusalem. It's interesting...people must have heard that Jesus was coming through. Zacchaeus must have heard it because he is determined to see him. I'm curious what it was that made Zacchaeus want to see Jesus so badly-curiosity or conviction-but Scripture says that the crowd that had gathered was quite large and he couldn't see over all the people because he was short. But he was persistent, so he ran ahead to a place where he knew that Jesus would walk by, he climbs a tree, and he waits.   As Jesus walks by, he notices Zacchaeus and he calls him by name. He knows him. (I hope each of you know that Jesus knows your name too!) When Jesus calls to him, he tells Zacchaeus to climb down from the tree, for he had plans to go to his home. We might not recognize the significance of this, but to go to someone's home, to dine with them, demonstrated connection and belonging. To break bread with someone was a big deal.   It was pretty much a given that the Pharisees didn't like this. He was hanging out with "those" people again. But Jesus goes to Zacchaeus' home and possibly while they are dining together, something happens within Zacchaeus. Maybe it started when Zacchaeus heard Jesus was coming through Jericho-something within him stirred for a different way of doing life. Maybe it started when Jesus really knew him and saw him up in that tree. Maybe it was when Jesus offered him the gift of acceptance by offering to dine with him. Maybe it was in their dinner conversation (I wonder what they talked about over their meal)...but we know that because of his encounter with Jesus, something changes within Zacchaeus. In fact, he eventually tells Jesus, "I'm going to give half of my money to the poor and if I have cheated people, I will payback four times as much.” Four times! He didn't just say, I'll pay them back, I'll make amends ,but he specifically says he will pay them four times as much as he took. He was no longer the crooked, thieving Roman sympathizing tax collector, but rather a repentant, generous Jesus follower.   What can we learn here? ·  God has the power to transform any person, no matter how far gone we think they are. God isn't done with anyone yet! I'm guessing many people had given up on Zacchaeus but Jesus wasn't one of them. ·  Never discount how God may use you to be prevenient grace for someone else. I think about how Jesus noticed Zacchaeus in the tree. There were many people, probably lots of noise and distractions, and yet Jesus notices individual people and responds to their needs. That was an act of prevenient grace that led Zacchaeus closer to a place of change. Do we notice individual people around us, do we really notice them, and show them care and kindness in a way that leads them closer to Jesus?   Immediately after his interaction with Zaccheaus, on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus shares the parable of the minas.  This is very similar to the parable of the talents, which we talked about in Matthew, and it gives us another glimpse into the Kingdom of God.  As a traveling preacher, Jesus would have told the same parable at different times and in different ways.  We see this here.   In the parable, a man leaves for a foreign nation in order to be made king. Before he left, he gave ten minas to ten of his servants. A mina was a good sum of money (about three months' wages), and the future king tells his servants to put the money to work until he returns.  The servants admit they don't like the man and they don't want him to be king.  Nevertheless, some servants invested the money and some didn't.  When the man returns, this is made obvious.    It is clear that the man, now king, expected a return on his investment.  Likewise, God expects a return on his investment.  God has given us resources, which he expects us to use to benefit the kingdom.  This includes material resources but it isn't just material resources.  We have gifts and talents which God has given to us for a particular purpose.  If you have the gift of teaching, God wants you to teach.  If he's given you the gift of leading, then he expects you to lead.  If you have the gift of discernment, prayer, music, then he has the expectation you will use those for the Kingdom.    God also expects us to take our financial resources and use those for the Kingdom as well.  Every single thing we have is a gift from the Lord.  We may think that we have earned it, but it's all a gift from God.  We are to use what we have been given for his glory.     Blessings, Pastor Vicki

Zaccheus was rich and a chief tax collector; thus he was very unliked by others. Yet Jesus looks up at him, calls him by name, comes to his house, and ultimately transforms Zaccheus the greedy and dishonest man into a new creation. Jesus does this for all who believe in Him, and He always acts first. It's not that Zaccheus or anyone wanted a relationship with Jesus first, but Jesus who initiates and begins relationships with us. Now in our new creation identities, we follow Christ and seek the lost like our Savior.

Have you ever noticed how people can feel lonely despite their success or status? This powerful message reveals that true belonging isn't found in wealth or achievement, but in Jesus's unconditional acceptance. We look at the story of Zacchaeus and how one encounter with Jesus can transform identity and fill our deepest longing for connection and purpose. Listen now and be inspired to embrace the belonging that Jesus freely offers.

Pastor Jim shares a moving message about the universal longing for belonging, drawing from the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19. Jim explores how Jesus invites outsiders into the family of God, offering acceptance before transformation. While the world often demands people change before they are welcomed, Jesus reverses this by seeing beyond brokenness and offering identity through relationship. Jim challenges listeners to consider where they find their worth, what false identities they chase, and whether their lives are pointing others toward Jesus. This message is a call to embrace God's invitation to belong and find true significance in Him.

Message from David Wojnicki on September 14, 2025

Dave Osborne preaches Luke 19:41-46 on September 14, 2025 at Christ Presbyterian Church.

Reading Luke 19:1-10, that famous story where Jesus passes through Jericho and stops at the house of Zacchaeus, a tax collector who repents and is justified by faith. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Reading Luke 19:11-27 where Jesus tells the parable of the Ten Minas as He comes to the end of His journey to Jerusalem and in response to the disciples about the coming of the kingdom. Visit wwutt.com for all our videos!

Pat O'Keeffe 7th September 2025 Grace Upon Grace Series

Dave Osborne preaches Luke 19:28-40 on September 7, 2025 at Christ Presbyterian Church.

Pastor Ben Wistrom

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Common Tables Aug 17, 2025 sermon // Ordinary Time - Luke 19:1-5 // Summer Symposium w/Rev. Dr. LaKeisha CookWe welcome the Rev. Dr. LaKeisha Cook, executive director of the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy and the final guest of our Summer Symposium worship series! Dr. Cook led our reflection on the story of Zaccheus, whose life is transformed when Jesus calls him down from a sycamore tree to host holiness in his home (Luke 19).

12 He said therefore: A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.Dixit ergo : Homo quidam nobilis abiit in regionem longinquam accipere sibi regnum, et reverti. 13 And calling his ten servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them: Trade till I come.Vocatis autem decem servis suis, dedit eis decem mnas, et ait ad illos : Negotiamini dum venio. 14 But his citizens hated him: and they sent an embassage after him, saying: We will not have this man to reign over us.Cives autem ejus oderant eum : et miserunt legationem post illum, dicentes : Nolumus hunc regnare super nos. 15 And it came to pass, that he returned, having received the kingdom: and he commanded his servants to be called, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.Et factum est ut rediret accepto regno : et jussit vocari servos, quibus dedit pecuniam, ut sciret quantum quisque negotiatus esset. 16 And the first came, saying: Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.Venit autem primus dicens : Domine, mna tua decem mnas acquisivit. 17 And he said to him: Well done, thou good servant, because thou hast been faithful in a little, thou shalt have power over ten cities.Et ait illi : Euge bone serve, quia in modico fuisti fidelis, eris potestatem habens super decem civitates. 18 And the second came, saying: Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.Et alter venit, dicens : Domine, mna tua fecit quinque mnas. 19 And he said to him: Be thou also over five cities.Et huic ait : Et tu esto super quinque civitates. 20 And another came, saying: Lord, behold here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin;Et alter venit, dicens : Domine, ecce mna tua, quam habui repositam in sudario : 21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up what thou didst not lay down, and thou reapest that which thou didst not sow.timui enim te, quia homo austerus es : tollis quod non posuisti, et metis quod non seminasti. 22 He saith to him: Out of thy own mouth I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping that which I did not sow:Dicit ei : De ore tuo te judico, serve nequam. Sciebas quod ego homo austerus sum, tollens quod non posui, et metens quod non seminavi : 23 And why then didst thou not give my money into the bank, that at my coming, I might have exacted it with usury?et quare non dedisti pecuniam meam ad mensam, ut ego veniens cum usuris utique exegissem illam? 24 And he said to them that stood by: Take the pound away from him, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.Et astantibus dixit : Auferte ab illo mnam, et date illi qui decem mnas habet. 25 And they said to him: Lord, he hath ten pounds.Et dixerunt ei : Domine, habet decem mnas. 26 But I say to you, that to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: and from him that hath not, even that which he hath, shall be taken from him.Dico autem vobis, quia omni habenti dabitur, et abundabit : ab eo autem qui non habet, et quod habet auferetur ab eoSt Stephen consecrated his kingdom, Hugary, to our Blessed Lady. This apostolic king won over his enemies and converted his people to Christianity. He died famous for his justice and his boundless charity A.D. 1038.

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Bible Bus Tour:  Expectation-Invitation-Preparation (Luke 19, John 14, Matt 24) Dr. Jeff LaBorg

By Pastor Dan Nash

❖ Follow along with today's reading: www.esv.org/Job27–28;Psalm55;Luke19 ❖ The English Standard Version (ESV) is an 'essentially literal' translation of the Bible in contemporary English. Created by a team of more than 100 leading evangelical scholars and pastors, the ESV Bible emphasizes 'word-for-word' accuracy, literary excellence, and depth of meaning. ❖ To learn more about the ESV and other audio resources, please visit www.ESV.org

18 Job 12-14; 19 Psalms 120-124; 42 Luke 19

Job 12-14; Psalms 120-125; Luke 19

12 He said therefore: A certain nobleman went into a far country, to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return.Dixit ergo : Homo quidam nobilis abiit in regionem longinquam accipere sibi regnum, et reverti. 13 And calling his ten servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them: Trade till I come.Vocatis autem decem servis suis, dedit eis decem mnas, et ait ad illos : Negotiamini dum venio. 14 But his citizens hated him: and they sent an embassage after him, saying: We will not have this man to reign over us.Cives autem ejus oderant eum : et miserunt legationem post illum, dicentes : Nolumus hunc regnare super nos. 15 And it came to pass, that he returned, having received the kingdom: and he commanded his servants to be called, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.Et factum est ut rediret accepto regno : et jussit vocari servos, quibus dedit pecuniam, ut sciret quantum quisque negotiatus esset. 16 And the first came, saying: Lord, thy pound hath gained ten pounds.Venit autem primus dicens : Domine, mna tua decem mnas acquisivit. 17 And he said to him: Well done, thou good servant, because thou hast been faithful in a little, thou shalt have power over ten cities.Et ait illi : Euge bone serve, quia in modico fuisti fidelis, eris potestatem habens super decem civitates. 18 And the second came, saying: Lord, thy pound hath gained five pounds.Et alter venit, dicens : Domine, mna tua fecit quinque mnas. 19 And he said to him: Be thou also over five cities.Et huic ait : Et tu esto super quinque civitates. 20 And another came, saying: Lord, behold here is thy pound, which I have kept laid up in a napkin;Et alter venit, dicens : Domine, ecce mna tua, quam habui repositam in sudario : 21 For I feared thee, because thou art an austere man: thou takest up what thou didst not lay down, and thou reapest that which thou didst not sow.timui enim te, quia homo austerus es : tollis quod non posuisti, et metis quod non seminasti. 22 He saith to him: Out of thy own mouth I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up what I laid not down, and reaping that which I did not sow:Dicit ei : De ore tuo te judico, serve nequam. Sciebas quod ego homo austerus sum, tollens quod non posui, et metens quod non seminavi : 23 And why then didst thou not give my money into the bank, that at my coming, I might have exacted it with usury?et quare non dedisti pecuniam meam ad mensam, ut ego veniens cum usuris utique exegissem illam? 24 And he said to them that stood by: Take the pound away from him, and give it to him that hath ten pounds.Et astantibus dixit : Auferte ab illo mnam, et date illi qui decem mnas habet. 25 And they said to him: Lord, he hath ten pounds.Et dixerunt ei : Domine, habet decem mnas. 26 But I say to you, that to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: and from him that hath not, even that which he hath, shall be taken from him.Dico autem vobis, quia omni habenti dabitur, et abundabit : ab eo autem qui non habet, et quod habet auferetur ab eo.The pious queen of France, Blanche, educated her son Louis IX to be a model for all kings in his faith, courage and love of justice . He undertook two crusades to reconquer the Holy Land. The plague, which decimated his army in Africa, struck him down and he died at Tunis. This most Christian king reigned from 1226 to 1270.

Speaker: Jason Kennedy — Passage(s): Luke 19:11-27

Speaker: Jason Kennedy — Passage(s): Luke 19:11-27

The Scripture readings are Ezra 3:8-11; Romans 9:30-10:4; and Luke 19:41-48.Jesus' visitation delivers you to the new, true Jerusalem (Heb. 12:22-24) where God dwells with you and your enemies cannot touch you. In this tower, the only danger, the only threat you face is if you would leave its protection (Ps. 48:12-14).

What is hindering you from living into the grace-filled economy of Jesus?

Ephesians1:3-6 is one long sentence. Today we are looking at the blessings that we havefrom God the Father. “Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,who has blessed us…” (v.3). Verses 3-6 are speaking of our blessings thatwe have from God the Father. When Jesus Christ wrote His last will andtestament for His church, He made it possible for us to share in His spiritualriches. Instead of spending it all for Him, (as some do when they receive aninheritance), Jesus Christ paid for it all. His death on the cross and Hisresurrection made it possible for our salvation.  Myfriend, Jesus wrote us into His will and then He died so that the will would beenforced. That's what the book of Hebrews is about. Then He rose again that Hemight become the heavenly advocate, our lawyer, to make sure that the terms ofthe will were correctly followed.  Inthis long sentence Paul begins to name just a few of the blessings that we havethat make up our spiritual wealth. First, we find in verse four here that Godhas “chosen us in Him”. This is the speaking of the marvelous doctrineof election, a doctrine that has confused some and confounded others. Aseminary professor once remarked, "You try to explain election and you'lllose your mind. But try to explain it away and you may lose your soul."  TheScriptures teach that salvation begins with God and not with man. AllChristians must agree upon this. "You have not chosen me," Jesussaid, "but I have chosen you." (John 15:16). The lost sinnerleft to his own ways does not seek God. He hides from God. Remember Adam andEve after they sinned (Genesis 3:8). God in His love seeks the sinner (Luke19:10).  Notethat God chose us even before He created the universe, so that our salvation iswholly of His grace and not on the basis of anything we ourselves have done. Hechose us in Christ, not in ourselves. And He chose us for a purpose: “to beholy and without blame”. In the Bible, election is always unto something.It is a privilege that carries a great responsibility. We are not elected intothe family of God, we are born into the family of God (John 3:1-7). We are electedto a position of sanctification and service as we participate in the body lifein the family of God!  Doesthe sinner respond to God's grace against his own will? No, he responds becauseGod's grace makes him willing to respond (Ephesians 2:8-9). God only gives usthis grace when we humble ourselves under the condemnation of the Law and we acknowledgeand confess that we can only be saved by the death and resurrection of JesusChrist (Romans 10:10-13)! At the same time there is the mystery of divinesovereignty and human responsibility will never be solved in this life. Bothare taught in the Bible (John 6:37). Both are true, and both are essential.Spurgeon said they are friends, and they walk hand in hand. I personally believestrongly in both! Ilove how someone shared how that all three Persons in the Godhead are involvedin our salvation (see also 1 Peter 1:3-5). As far as God the Father isconcerned, you were saved when He chose you in Christ in eternity past. Butthat alone did not save you. As far as God the Son is concerned, you were savedwhen He died for you on the cross. As far as God the Spirit is concerned, youwere saved when you yielded to His conviction and received Christ as your Savior.What began in eternity past was fulfilled in time present, and will continuefor all eternity!  Oh,my friend, how wonderful it is to know that we have been chosen in Christbefore the foundation of the world, not to be saved, but “to be holyand without blame before Him in love”.  We are a special people. We have a greatblessing. We are “chosen in Him”.  Godbless!

Coleton preached from Luke 19:1–10, the story of Zacchaeus, to show how Jesus transforms lives through love, not guilt or fear. Zacchaeus, a wealthy tax collector despised by others, was radically changed when Jesus chose to stay at his house. His response—giving to the poor and repaying those he wronged—demonstrates how experiencing Christ's love leads to deep transformation. Coleton emphasized that this is how the gospel works: it is God's power to change us, not our willpower or religious effort. Many try to change through fear, guilt, selfishness, or striving for God's approval, but true transformation comes only by experiencing His love. Two Cultures Coleton Wants for C3 Church     1.    A Culture Saturated with the Gospel     •    The gospel reveals God's deep love for us. The more it saturates our hearts and minds, the more it transforms us into people of forgiveness, generosity, and love.     •    This also corrects our distorted views of God. Jesus revealed the Father as merciful, kind, and gracious, not condemning or distant.     •    Practices like communion, confession, discipleship groups, preaching, and worship exist to root us in God's love and remind us that with Him we are safe, forgiven, and deeply loved.     2.    A Culture of Pursuit     •    God invites us to seek Him, and He responds to those who do. Scripture testifies that He rewards those who pursue Him (Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 6:33).     •    Pursuit is about encountering God in the present—not just being grateful for salvation in the past or hopeful for heaven in the future. Like the people Jesus healed, we can have present-tense testimonies of how He works in our lives today.     •    Coleton called for building rhythms of prayer, worship, discipleship, and spiritual practices so that seeking God becomes natural. These create space for God's presence, power, and blessing to shape us. Ultimately, Coleton's vision is for C3 to be a church so different from the world that stepping into it feels like culture shock—an environment formed by the gospel and pursuit of God where lives are continually transformed. ⸻ Discipleship Group Discussion Questions 1.    Zacchaeus' life was transformed not by fear or guilt but by experiencing Jesus' love. How have you personally experienced God's love transforming you? 2.    Which of the four “religious motivators” (fear, guilt, selfishness, or trying to earn God's love) do you most struggle with? How does the gospel (how God actually loves you) free you from that? 3.    In what ways has your view of God been distorted in the past? How does Jesus reshape that view? 4. If someone asked you today, “What has Jesus done for you recently?” what story would you be able to share? 5. Pursuing God requires intentional effort. What practices (prayer, Scripture, accountability, worship) help you stay consistent in seeking Him? Where are you struggling to pursue Him right now? 6. How can your group help each other create a “culture of pursuit”—seeking God not just individually but together? ⸻ Quotes from Authors     •    Leon Morris: “The gospel is not advice to people, suggesting that they lift themselves. It is power. It lifts them up. Paul does not say that the gospel brings power, but that it is power.”     •    Greg Boyd: “Despite our sin our creator thinks that we are worth experiencing a hellish death for. It was for the joy of spending eternity with us that Jesus endured the cross. In other words Calvary reveals our unsurpassable worth and significance to God. At the core of our being, this is what we long for.”     •    A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God: “Why do some people ‘find' God in a way that others do not? Why does God manifest His Presence to some and let multitudes of others struggle along in the half-light of imperfect Christian experience? Certainly the will of God is the same for all. He has no favorites. All He has ever done for any of His children He will do for all of His children. The difference lies, not with God, but with us.”     •    Craig Dykstra: “Practices are the nuclear reactors of the Christian faith, arenas where the gospel and human life come together in energizing, explosive ways. Practices create openings in our lives where the grace, mercy, and presence of God may be made known to us.”  

Rev. Joe Dentici

Today's reading is Luke 19-21. . . . . This August, we will be reading from the ⁠New Living Translation⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and join us as we go through ⁠⁠⁠⁠Let's Read the Gospels: A Guided Journal⁠⁠⁠!⁠ . . . . Follow Let's Read the Gospels on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . . . . Your ratings and reviews help us spread the Gospel to new friends! If you love this podcast, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave us a brief review⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! You can do the same on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us on the Further In Podcast as Pastor Ben Stuart, Elizabeth Staggers, Thomas Barr, and Tony Robinson sit down to discuss the most recent talk at Passion City Church DC on Luke 7 and consider how we can apply the Scripture to our lives today.—Give towards what God is doing through Passion City Church: https://passioncitychurch.com/dc/give—With Passion City Online you can join us every Sunday for gatherings at 9:30a and 11:30a at https://passioncitychurch.com/dcSubscribe to our Youtube channel to see more messages https://www.youtube.com/passioncitychurchdcFollow Passion City Church: https://www.instagram.com/passioncitydc/Follow Ben Stuart: https://www.instagram.com/ben_stuart_/Passion City Church is a Jesus church with locations in Atlanta and Washington D.C.  More info on Passion: https://passioncitychurch.com

Pastor Ben Stuart dives into Luke 19:1-10 and explains how humility and vulnerability open the door for grace. In this passage, we find Jesus searching for the lost in order to save them.Key Verses // Luke 9:1-10—With Passion City Online you can join us live every Sunday at 9:30a and 11:30a! Join us at https://passioncitychurch.com/dc—Give towards what God is doing through Passion City Church: https://passioncitychurch.com/dc/give —Subscribe to our Youtube channel to see more messages https://www.youtube.com/passioncitychurchdc—Follow along with Passion City Church DC: https://www.instagram.com/passioncitydc—Follow along with Pastor Ben Stuart: https://www.instagram.com/ben_stuart_—Passion City Church is a Jesus church with locations in Atlanta and Washington D.C. For more info on Passion, visit https://passioncitychurch.com

Pastor Jon Noyes preaches out of Luke 19:45–48, showing how Jesus' cleansing of the temple was a deliberate, prophetic act of judgment that declared His authority as the true temple where God meets His people. He calls the church today to examine whether Christ finds in us a house of prayer or a marketplace of distraction, and points to the Lord's Table as the place of free grace, communion, and fulfillment in Jesus. For more information visit https://SoliChurch.com

This sermon was preached by Mark Prater at Covenant Fellowship Church on August 10, 2025. Series: What a Savior! - Seeing Jesus in the Book of Luke Scripture: Luke 19:28-48

An unhurried daily meditation using the Bible, prayer, and reflection led by Pastor Jon Ciccarelli, Discipleship Pastor of Crosswalk Church in Redlands, CA, and Director of Discipleship for Crosswalk Global.If you are enjoying the podcast please go to Apple Podcasts and/or Spotify and share your rating and a review as your input will help bring awareness of this discipleship resource to more listeners around the world.To learn more about Abide and discipleship go to www.crosswalkvillage.com/discipleshipPlease feel free to reach out to us at jon@crosswalkvillage.com any time with your comments and questions. Thanks and blessings!

Today's reading is Luke 19-21. . . . . This month, we will be reading from the ⁠Christian Standard Bible.⁠ . . . . Your ratings and reviews help us spread the Gospel to new friends! If you love this podcast, ⁠⁠⁠rate the podcast on Apple Podcasts and leave us a brief review⁠⁠⁠! You can do the same on ⁠⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠⁠ and on ⁠⁠⁠Google Podcasts⁠⁠⁠ as well. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices