RiverSide Church - (At The River) - Princeton NC

Luke 9:49 - The Franchise Jesus..

·30 min·2 clips

He vividly describes Jesus on the cross, gasping for breath and asking God to forgive those who crucified him.

The episode is a live-recorded sermon from Riverside Church in Princeton, North Carolina, delivered by Preacher Kevin Phillips. The speaker opens by affirming the church's belief in the five solas and the Bible as a reliable historical document. He revisits Luke 9:46-48, where the disciples argued about who was greatest, and Jesus taught childlike faith. The core text is Luke 9:49, where John reports trying to stop someone casting out demons in Jesus' name because he wasn't part of their group. Jesus responds, 'Do not stop him, for the one who is not against you is for you.' Phillips uses this to discuss Christian unity, introducing the concept of 'open hand' versus 'closed hand' issues. He lists humorous examples of open-hand issues like music style, coffee in the foyer, and baptism methods, arguing these should not cause division. He contrasts this with the thief on the cross, who was saved by faith alone without church membership. The sermon then shifts to Luke 9:51, where Jesus sets his face toward Jerusalem, determined to die for sinners. Phillips describes Jesus' resolve despite knowing the pain ahead. He discusses Jesus sending messengers to Samaritan villages, which reject him because he is headed to Jerusalem, illustrating a desire for exclusivity. The disciples James and John, the 'sons of thunder,' ask if they should call down fire from heaven to consume the Samaritans, but Jesus rebukes them. Phillips applies this to modern conflicts, acknowledging listeners may be called hateful for biblical stances but warning against wishing wrath on opponents. The emotional peak is a detailed description of Jesus on the cross, quoting Psalm 22 and Jesus' plea, 'Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.' The sermon concludes with a call to lay down grudges and bitterness, take up the cross, and forgive others as forgiven people. The format is a solo sermon with audience interaction (e.g., 'Amen somebody'), recurring themes of grace, forgiveness, and unity, and key moments include the open-hand discussion and the crucifixion narrative.

As heard by us

A fervent Luke 9 sermon links Christ's road to Jerusalem with the hard grace of releasing unforgiveness.

Luke 9 is treated here as a sermon on direction, surrender, and the costly shape of discipleship. The movement from the disciples arguing over greatness to Jesus setting His face toward Jerusalem gives the episode its weight: grace is placed against human merit, and the call to…

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

Press play when you need a pointed reminder to trade the grudge you have been carrying for a cross.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

Listen to the show on

Apple Podcasts Spotify

Play clips from this episode More from RiverSide Church - (At The River) - Princeton NC