Cleansing God's House of Prayer - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 19:45-48 records Jesus cleaning the Temple a few days before His crucifixion.  In these verses our Lord did these three things:
1. He cleansed the area (v45).
     With surprising violence.  
     With supernatural authority.
2. He explained His actions (v46).
     Using Scripture.
     Emphasizing prayer in public worship.
     Condemning exploitation of worshippers.    
3. He taught the people (v47-48). 
     With gripping power.  
     Frustrating His enemies.

The King's Dramatic Arrival - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 19:28-44, records Jesus' so-called Triumphal Entry into Jerusalem when Christ the King makes His dramatic entry into the capital city.  We explore these six aspects of Christ from the story:  
1. His intentional publicity (v29-30,35-36).
2. His supernatural perception (v30-34).
3. His fulfillment of prophecy (Zech. 9:9-10).
4. His deserved praise (v36-38,40).
5. His enemies’ protest (v39-40).
6. His tearful prediction (v41-44). 

Christ Our Great High Priest - James Voon

 

Hebrews 4:14-16 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Old Covenant shadows fulfilled in Christ:
1. The high priest.
2. The tabernacle.
3. The atonement.

Spiritual Capitalism - Nathan Rages

 

In Luke 19:11-27, Jesus tells the Parable of the Minas.  Each of its  characters provide instructive lessons about the overall topic of "Spiritual Capitalism":
1. King (v12-13).
2. Rebels (v14,27).
     Actions: Rejected the king’s rule.
     Result: Completely destroyed.  
3. Faithful slaves (v15-19).  
     Actions: Humble fruitfulness.  
     Result: Praised and rewarded.
4. False slave (v20-26). 
     Actions: Lazy fruitlessness and ignorance of the king.
     Result: Lost everything.

The Seeing Faith of a Blind Beggar - Nathan Rages

 

Luke 18:35-43 records the glorious healing of Blind Bartimaeus:  
I. Reconciling difficulties between Gospel accounts.
II. A pattern of salvation:
    1. Realize your spiritual blindness and poverty (v35).
    2. Use the means of grace available (v35-37).
    3. Cry persistently for mercy (v38-39).
    4. Trust in the true Messiah (v38-39).
    5. Abandon your old life (Mark 10:50).
    6. Receive the transforming power of Christ (v41-42).
    7. Follow the Lord in joyful gratitude (v43).