Sermons on Luke 17:20-21

Luke 17:20-21 Interpretation:

Awakening to God's Power and Presence (Apostolic Church Dallas) interprets Luke 17:20-21 by emphasizing the internal and personal nature of the Kingdom of God. The sermon highlights that the Kingdom is not a physical realm to be observed but a spiritual reality within believers. The preacher uses the analogy of the Kingdom being like a seed planted within us, which grows and manifests through our actions and faith. The sermon also references the Greek term "entos" (?????), meaning "within" or "among," to stress that the Kingdom is present within the community of believers and in their collective spiritual experience.

Living in the Present: Embracing Our Heavenly Identity (The Church Of The Apostles) offers a unique perspective by comparing the Kingdom of God to spiritual reading glasses that allow believers to see the blessings and power they already possess. The sermon suggests that the Kingdom is an internal reality that transforms how believers perceive their lives and circumstances. The preacher paraphrases Jesus' words to emphasize that the Kingdom is not an external entity but the rule and reign of God within the hearts of believers.

Embracing the Kingdom Within: A Journey of Faith (Church of the Harvest) interprets Luke 17:20-21 by emphasizing the concept of a "kingdom within," which is not a physical realm but a spiritual reality that resides within believers. The sermon uses the analogy of an "ecosystem of heaven on earth" to describe how this internal kingdom sustains and empowers individuals to thrive amidst worldly challenges. The speaker highlights the dual meaning of the kingdom being both "around you" and "within you," suggesting that while Jesus was on earth, the kingdom was manifested through Him, and after His ascension, it resides within believers through the Holy Spirit.

Understanding the Kingdom of God and the Church (Spirit of Praise Ministries Aldie, VA) interprets Luke 17:20-21 by emphasizing the spiritual nature of the kingdom of God. The sermon highlights that Jesus shifted the understanding of the kingdom from a physical, royal kingdom to a spiritual one, focusing on social justice and addressing the needs of the underprivileged. The kingdom is described as being within us, a personal kingdom responsibility, rather than an external entity. This interpretation underscores the internal transformation and spiritual prosperity that the kingdom brings, rather than material prosperity.

The Kingdom of God: A Spiritual Reality Within (MLJTrust) interprets Luke 17:20-21 by emphasizing the internal and spiritual nature of the Kingdom of God. The sermon highlights that the Kingdom is not a physical or observable entity but a spiritual reality that exists within believers. The preacher suggests that the Kingdom of God is present wherever God reigns, which is in the hearts of those who recognize Jesus as the Son of God and submit to His authority. This interpretation contrasts with the Pharisees' expectation of a political or military kingdom and stresses the personal and transformative aspect of the Kingdom.

Luke 17:20-21 Theological Themes:

Awakening to God's Power and Presence (Apostolic Church Dallas) presents the theme of the Kingdom of God as an active and dynamic force within believers, urging them to align with God's will and partner with heaven to manifest the Kingdom on earth. The sermon emphasizes the role of prayer and spiritual unity in bringing about the Kingdom's reality in the present.

Living in the Present: Embracing Our Heavenly Identity (The Church Of The Apostles) introduces the theme of the Kingdom of God as a present reality that believers must actively perceive and embrace. The sermon highlights the paradox of the Kingdom being both "here and now" and "yet to come," encouraging believers to live with an awareness of their heavenly identity and the power they possess in Christ.

Embracing the Kingdom Within: A Journey of Faith (Church of the Harvest) presents the theme of the kingdom of God as an internal reality that provides believers with an "ecosystem" of righteousness, peace, and joy. This internal kingdom is portrayed as a source of sustenance and empowerment, enabling believers to transcend worldly challenges and live out their divine purpose. The sermon emphasizes the transformative power of the kingdom within, which allows believers to experience joy and peace even in difficult circumstances.

Understanding the Kingdom of God and the Church (Spirit of Praise Ministries Aldie, VA) presents the theme that the kingdom of God is a spiritual reality that exists within believers, contrasting with the Jewish expectation of a physical kingdom. This sermon introduces the idea that the kingdom is both present and future, existing now in a spiritual form and to be fully realized in the future. It emphasizes the role of the church in preaching the kingdom message and preparing believers for the eventual physical manifestation of the kingdom.

The Kingdom of God: A Spiritual Reality Within (MLJTrust) presents the theme that the Kingdom of God is a spiritual realm where God reigns supreme, and it is accessible to those who recognize Jesus as the Messiah and submit to His teachings. The sermon emphasizes that the Kingdom is not about external observance or political power but about internal transformation and submission to God's will. This theme challenges the listener to consider their personal relationship with God and the presence of His Kingdom within their lives.

Luke 17:20-21 Historical and Contextual Insights:

Living in the Present: Embracing Our Heavenly Identity (The Church Of The Apostles) provides historical context by explaining the cultural understanding of the Kingdom of God during Jesus' time. The sermon notes that the Pharisees expected a physical and observable kingdom, while Jesus redefined it as a spiritual reality within believers. This insight helps listeners understand the radical nature of Jesus' teaching and its challenge to contemporary expectations.

Embracing the Kingdom Within: A Journey of Faith (Church of the Harvest) provides historical context by explaining that the Pharisees' understanding of a kingdom was influenced by the grandeur and dominance of the Roman Empire. The sermon contrasts this with Jesus' vision of a kingdom that is not bound by physical limitations but is a spiritual reality within believers. This insight helps to clarify the distinction between worldly kingdoms and the spiritual kingdom Jesus was referring to.

Understanding the Kingdom of God and the Church (Spirit of Praise Ministries Aldie, VA) provides historical context by explaining the Jewish expectation of a Messiah who would deliver them from Roman oppression and establish a physical kingdom. The sermon notes that Jesus' teachings on the kingdom were rejected by the Jewish religious community because they did not align with these expectations. Instead, Jesus presented a kingdom focused on spiritual transformation and social justice, which was a departure from the anticipated royal and political kingdom.

The Kingdom of God: A Spiritual Reality Within (MLJTrust) provides historical context by explaining the expectations of the Pharisees and the Jewish people during Jesus' time. They anticipated a Messiah who would establish a political and military kingdom to liberate them from Roman rule. The sermon contrasts this expectation with Jesus' teaching that the Kingdom of God is not about political power but about spiritual reign and transformation within individuals.

Luke 17:20-21 Cross-References in the Bible:

Awakening to God's Power and Presence (Apostolic Church Dallas) references Romans 8:18-25 to support the idea that the Kingdom of God is a present reality within believers. The passage speaks of the glory to be revealed in believers and the creation's eager expectation for the revealing of the sons of God. This cross-reference emphasizes the transformative power of the Kingdom within believers and their role in manifesting it on earth.

Living in the Present: Embracing Our Heavenly Identity (The Church Of The Apostles) references Ephesians 1:3-19 to expand on the idea of the Kingdom of God as a present reality. The passage speaks of believers being blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms and having the eyes of their hearts enlightened to know the hope and power they possess. This cross-reference underscores the sermon’s message that believers already have access to the Kingdom's blessings and power.

Embracing the Kingdom Within: A Journey of Faith (Church of the Harvest) references Romans 14:16, which states that the kingdom of God is not about eating and drinking but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. This passage is used to support the idea that the kingdom within has its own atmosphere, providing believers with joy and peace. Additionally, Matthew 6:19-33 is cited to emphasize the importance of seeking the kingdom of God first, assuring believers that all their needs will be met as they prioritize the kingdom.

Understanding the Kingdom of God and the Church (Spirit of Praise Ministries Aldie, VA) references Ephesians 2, which discusses the relationship between the church and Israel, emphasizing that the church is not a replacement for Israel but partners with it. The sermon also mentions Ephesians 3, highlighting the church's role in demonstrating God's wisdom to the unseen world. Additionally, 2 Corinthians 5 is cited to support the idea that believers are ambassadors of a new creation, aligning with the kingdom message of transformation and spiritual renewal.

The Kingdom of God: A Spiritual Reality Within (MLJTrust) references several biblical passages to support the interpretation of the Kingdom of God. The sermon cites John 18, where Jesus tells Pilate that His Kingdom is not of this world, emphasizing the spiritual nature of His reign. It also references Matthew 5, where Jesus expounds on the law, highlighting the internal and spiritual aspects of righteousness that characterize the Kingdom of God.

Luke 17:20-21 Christian References outside the Bible:

Living in the Present: Embracing Our Heavenly Identity (The Church Of The Apostles) references Randy Alcorn's book on Heaven, which discusses the concept of homesickness for heaven and the misdiagnosis of this longing as earthly desires. The sermon uses this reference to illustrate the idea that believers often mistake their spiritual longing for the Kingdom of God as a need for material or temporal fulfillment.

Embracing the Kingdom Within: A Journey of Faith (Church of the Harvest) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians in its discussion of Luke 17:20-21.

Understanding the Kingdom of God and the Church (Spirit of Praise Ministries Aldie, VA) references Ern Baxter, a figure from the Charismatic Renewal, who described the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as a time for instruction and growth within the church. This reference is used to illustrate the transition from a focus on supernatural signs to a period of teaching and leadership development within the church.

The Kingdom of God: A Spiritual Reality Within (MLJTrust) does not explicitly reference any non-biblical Christian authors or theologians in its discussion of Luke 17:20-21.

Luke 17:20-21 Illustrations from Secular Sources:

Living in the Present: Embracing Our Heavenly Identity (The Church Of The Apostles) uses the illustration of needing reading glasses to see clearly as a metaphor for needing spiritual insight to perceive the Kingdom of God within. The preacher shares a personal story about realizing the need for reading glasses, which serves as an analogy for the spiritual awakening required to recognize the blessings and power already present in believers' lives.

Embracing the Kingdom Within: A Journey of Faith (Church of the Harvest) uses a personal story of smuggling Bibles into China as an illustration of the kingdom within. The speaker describes the experience of encountering Chinese Christians who, despite persecution, exhibited joy and peace, which served as a powerful testament to the internal kingdom. The sermon also recounts a humorous anecdote about encountering cockroaches in India, using it to illustrate cultural challenges and the need for the sustaining power of the kingdom within.

Understanding the Kingdom of God and the Church (Spirit of Praise Ministries Aldie, VA) uses the analogy of children playing in a playground to describe the era of the supernatural outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the Charismatic Movement. This metaphor is employed to convey the idea of a time of spiritual awakening and empowerment, followed by a period of instruction and maturity within the church.

The Kingdom of God: A Spiritual Reality Within (MLJTrust) does not use any illustrations from secular sources to illustrate Luke 17:20-21.