Seeing the Real King

Seeing the Real King

Speaker: Pastor Caleb Culver
Date: April 13, 2025

Think tithing is just about giving? Think again. In this powerful message, Pastor Lee Cummings breaks down how tithing helps you break free from fear, overcome a scarcity mindset, and step into God’s promises. This could shift your whole perspective—don’t miss it!

Here's a 5-day Bible reading plan and devotional guide based on this sermon:

Day 1: The King’s Humble Entry

Reading: Matthew 21:1–11

Devotional: As we reflect on Jesus’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem, we are struck by the paradox of his kingship. The Creator of the universe chooses to ride on a humble donkey, fulfilling ancient prophecy and demonstrating his servant heart. How often do we, like the crowds, expect God to meet our ideas of power and glory? Today, consider where you might be missing Jesus’s presence in the ordinary and humble aspects of your life. Ask God to open your eyes to his kingship in unexpected places, and to give you a heart that welcomes him in whatever form he chooses to appear.

Day 2: Recognizing the True Savior

Reading: Luke 19:28–44

Devotional: Jesus wept over Jerusalem because the people did not recognize the time of God’s coming to them. How often do we miss God’s visitation in our own lives? The crowds welcomed Jesus with shouts of “Hosanna!” (meaning “save us”), but many misunderstood the nature of his salvation. Reflect on your own expectations of Jesus. Are you seeking him primarily for external blessings, or for the deep, internal transformation he offers? Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal any areas where you may be resisting Jesus’s true kingship in your life, and pray for the courage to surrender those areas to him today.

Day 3: The Cleansing of the Temple

Reading: Mark 11:15–19

Devotional: Jesus’s bold action in the temple reveals his passion for pure worship and his authority as the Son of God. Just as he cleansed the physical temple, Jesus desires to cleanse the temple of our hearts. What tables might need overturning in your life? Are there areas of compromise, hidden sin, or misplaced priorities that hinder your worship? Invite Jesus to inspect your heart today. Ask him to cleanse you from anything that does not belong and to renew your passion for authentic worship and service.

Day 4: The King Who Suffers

Reading: Isaiah 53:1–12

Devotional: The prophet Isaiah vividly describes the suffering servant-king centuries before Jesus’s crucifixion. This portrayal stands in stark contrast to worldly ideas of power and kingship. Meditate on the depth of God’s love demonstrated through Christ’s willingness to suffer on our behalf. How does this sacrificial love challenge your approach to difficulties and relationships? Ask God to give you a heart willing to embrace suffering for the sake of others, following in the footsteps of our Savior.

Day 5: Crown Him or Kill Him

Reading: Philippians 2:5–11

Devotional: Paul’s beautiful hymn about Christ’s humility and exaltation echoes the themes of Palm Sunday. Jesus, though fully God, humbled himself to the point of death on a cross. Yet this path of humility led to his ultimate exaltation. The challenge remains for us today: will we crown Jesus as Lord of our lives, or do we resist his rule? Examine your heart. Are there areas where you are still trying to maintain control rather than fully surrendering to Christ’s lordship? Pray for the grace to bow your knee to Jesus in every aspect of your life, acknowledging him as your true King and Savior.