Luke 15: 11-32 11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. 13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father a nd say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20 So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. ' 22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate. 25 "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' 28 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' 31 " 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "
Isaiah 53:6 "All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all."
I'm watching this because I am the lost son.
I'm here because I messed up and I want to be close to god
I was having some thoughts about how badly I wished to get closer to God but lacked the knowledge and guidance. I just didn't know where or how to start. After several YouTube searches,I believe the Holy Spirit leads me to this sermon. It is exactly what I needed in order to begin once again my walk with Christ.
We relate on so many levels to it
Angle of older brother
Angle of the Lost Son
Angle of the heart of Father
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear
4 phrases Tell us How to Get Back to God
1. Fed Up
Earlier we catch our wandering and refuse to tolerate, shorter walk back home.
God often uses life's pain and challenges
2. Own UP
Luke 15:18 Father, I have sinned
Luke 15:18-19 18 I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.
Psalm 51:1-4 Be gracious to me, God, according to your faithful love; according to your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. 2 Completely wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you—you alone—I have sinned and done this evil in your sight. So you are right when you pass a sentence; you are blameless
when you judge.
What does God do When I own up when I face up
1. He Forgives
2. He restores
3. Offer Up
Luke 15:19 Make me like one of your hired workers.
He started with “give me” and changed to “let me serve”
You can tell when you are transformed when serving others is higher value than receiving.
Romans 12:1 Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship, and you won't be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
4. Lift up
Luke 15:24 So they began to celebrate.
The celebration is LETTING GO OF PAST
If God the Father is celebrating your return, no reason for your mind to stay in the pig pen.
