June 29, 2025

Luke 17:20-37

Thy Kingdom Come, My Kingdom Go

Sunday Sermons

In a world where uncertainty and fear often dominate the headlines, Jesus’ words in Luke 17:20-37 invite us to look beyond the chaos and consider a deeper reality: the Kingdom of God that has come in Jesus and that will come in its fullness when He comes again. As Jesus nears the cross, his message becomes urgent—challenging spiritual blindness, warning against indifference to the things of God.

This passage presses us to ask: Are we prepared for the day when Christ’s Kingdom comes in all its glory? Jesus’ teaching is both a warning and a comfort—urging us to pay attention to what truly matters, to live with hope, and to long for the day when all things are set right. “Thy Kingdom Come” is more than a phrase; it’s a humbling prayer that welcomes the reign of Christ in every part of life and implicitly asks for God’s help to transform our hearts. Join Pastor Tommy as we explore together what it means to live as people marked by readiness, faith, and hope in the coming King.

Speaker

Tommy Bailey

Series

The Gospel According to Luke

Go to Series

Scripture

Luke 17:20-37

Topics
Community Life Growth & Discipleship

Sermon Notes

Luke 17:20-37

Thy Kingdom Come, My Kingdom Go

Pastor Tommy Bailey

“Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:9-10

“Before we can pray, ‘Lord, Thy kingdom come,’ we must be willing to pray, ‘My kingdom go.'”
Alan Redpath

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
Luke 19:10

Responses to the Kingdom of God:

  1. Blindness to the Kingdom (vv. 20-21)
  2. Indifference to the Kingdom (vv. 26-30)
  3. Longing for the Kingdom (v. 22)

“The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.”
Psalm 103:19

“So God’s kingdom is not a place, but rather a relationship. It exists wherever people enthrone Jesus as Lord of their lives.”
J.I. Packer, Praying the Lord’s Prayer

“If the kingdom of heaven is at hand…then all our other kingdoms are called radically into question, including my own private kingdom, and yours.”
Fleming Rutledge, Advent: The Once and Future Coming of Jesus Christ

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”
John 5:39-40

“One must keep on pointing out that Christianity is a statement which, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, of infinite importance. The one thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C.S. Lewis, God in the Dock

“Hold everything earthly with a loose hand; but grasp eternal things with a death-like grip.”
Charles Spurgeon

King Jesus will come again:

  1. Unmistakably
    “For as the lighting flashes and lights up the sky…” (v. 17:24)
  2. Suddenly
    “…the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” (v. 12:40)
  3. Personally
    “The Lord himself will come down from heaven…” (1 Thes. 4:16)
  4. Audibly
    “…with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God.” (1 Thes. 4:16)
  5. Visibly
    “…every eye will see him…” (Rev. 1:7)
  6. Gloriously
    “…will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.” (Matt. 24:30)

“There is one political maxim which comforts me: The Lord reigns!”
John Newton

“Heaven is the home of all our lasting happiness.”
Lewis Allen

Discussion Questions

  • Why is it important to pray “My kingdom go?” What part of your kingdom needs to be examined and let go of?
  • The opposite of love is indifference, which Pastor Tommy calls “a dangerous posture.” How did the people in the days of Noah and the days of Lot show their indifference toward God? Why did Jesus warn us to “remember Lot’s wife?” (v. 26-32)
  • Do you believe that some churches over-focus on the exact timing of the second coming of Jesus Christ? How can this be distracting for individuals or churches?
  • “Pay attention to what you pay attention to”. Does this statement cause you to pause in any way? Why?

Songs, Readings & Prayer

Songs

“A Mighty Fortress“ by Martin Luther, arr. Tommy Bailey; orch. Nathan Mickle
“It Was Finished Upon That Cross“ by Jonny Robinson, Nigel Hendroff, and Rich Thompson
“Ancient Of Days“ by Jesse Reeves, Jonny Robinson, Michael Farren, and Rich Thompson
“Christus Victor (Amen)“ by Keith Getty, Kristyn Getty. Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Bryan Fowler
“Doxology” by Thomas Ken and Louis Bourgeois
All songs are used by Permission. CCLI License #2003690

Call To Worship: Make a Joyful Noise

LEADER: Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing!
PEOPLE: I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being.

LEADER: Believers in Christ, bless the Lord; Let all that is within you bless His holy name!
PEOPLE: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!

ALL: Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, For his steadfast love endures forever! Amen!

Classic Prayer: A.W. Tozer

Now Father, Wilt Thou grant, we pray, that we may forget the things that are behind and press forward toward the things that are ahead? And that we may see all that is as being only the size of a hazelnut, and see that God is vast, so vast- that we encompass the world and are utterly empty without Thee! Fill us, O God, Fill us with Thyself, for without Thee, we will ever be wanting. Fill us with Thyself, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Click here to receive TVC’s weekly prayer email.