True Kingdom Part 2

Intro:

The Kingdom of God is not just an idea or something far off in the future—it’s something that challenges how we live today.

It’s an invitation to see the world differently, to live with love, humility, and compassion, and to embrace God’s purpose for our lives. But how often do we lose sight of this?

How often do we settle for distractions instead of seeking true meaning? We focus on what feels urgent or important in the moment.

And sometimes we push God to the edges of our lives, thinking we’ll come back to Him when things slow down.

“...once I get through this week with work, school pickups, and everything else, I’ll make time for God—but deep down, I wonder if I’ll ever stop feeling too busy.”

The Kingdom of God isn’t something that waits for our schedule.

When we do this, we are missing the persistent call of God; this call invites us not to do more but to be more correctly for Him and to do this, we must embrace His values which are not fleeting.

But here’s the challenge—it’s not just about what we do on Sundays.

The Kingdom of God doesn’t call us to be holy for one day and then go back to living for ourselves the rest of the week.

Faith isn’t a checkbox or a routine; it’s a relationship.

It’s about stepping into a way of life where God’s values shape everything we do—not just how we worship, but how we work, how we treat others, and how we live with others.

We chose this life with Him and we surrender to His Kingdom.

Surrendering is not passive; it is a deliberate act of realignment, which means, it's choosing humility in a world obsessed with pride.

It's choosing compassion where selfishness thrives.

It's choosing joy in redemption, even when bitterness feels easier.

As 1 John 3:1 reminds us, being children of God means embracing the transformation He offers.

We are reminded to be citizens of His kingdom, He calls us to live in purity; not clinging to our old selves that are dirty and sinful, but embracing the transformation that He offers.

Today we are going to be in Luke 15.

Jesus demonstrates this Kingdom in Luke 15 through His parables.

First, we’ll see how God actively seeks the lost, showing us what it means to truly value others.

Then, we’ll look at the power of repentance and how the Kingdom welcomes all who turn back to Him.

Finally, we’ll reflect on the joy of redemption, reminding us that every life restored to God is reason to celebrate.

Body

Point 1: God’s Kingdom Seeks the Lost. (vv. 1-10)

vv. 1-3

Once again, the sinners and tax collectors coming to Jesus to hear more of His teachings, but the Pharisees and scribes still complain about Jesus’ associations. To the Pharisees and scribes, its like sharing a table with sinners and tax collectors was as improper as inviting something unclean to a sacred meal. Jesus responds with a parable aimed at their complaints.

vv. 4-10

Picture this: a shepherd counting his sheep—97, 98, 99—and then stopping short. One is missing.

For most people, losing a single sheep out of 100 might seem insignificant.

Why bother when you still have the rest? But not for this shepherd. That one sheep matters. It’s out there somewhere—lost, vulnerable, and alone.

The shepherd doesn’t hesitate.

He leaves the 99, who are safe and sound, and heads off to find the one that’s missing.

This isn’t a casual search because he is committed—calling out, scanning the wilderness, and refusing to give up until he finds it.

The lost sheep gets his full attention—not because it’s more valuable than the rest, but because it needs him.

What does this tell us about the shepherd?

It shows a love that’s deeply personal, one that isn’t driven by efficiency or logic.

It’s a love that goes the extra mile, even when others might not understand. And when the shepherd finally finds the sheep, he doesn’t just quietly bring it back—he celebrates.

It’s not just relief; it’s joy because the lost has been found.

Jesus paints another similar picture: this time of a woman who lost her coin.

Now, a drachma, a coin would've been worth about a day's wages, but for her it's something that is precious and significant to her.

She lights a lamp to illuminate her home, which would be pretty dark in her house.

She grabs her broom, start sweeping every corner.

But her persistence pays off because she finds the coin.

And when she does, she doesn't keep the joy to herself. She calls her friends and neighbors to celebrate, marking the recovery of something that might seem small but carries tremendous value to her

What should we take away from this? The Kingdom of God is about rejoicing when the lost are found, yes—but it’s also about actively seeking them.

It’s not enough to celebrate; we are called to look for those who are lost and long to see them return to the Lord.

Think about this: you and I have an inheritance that God, in His grace, has freely given—not because of anything we’ve earned or achieved, but through repentance and the work of His Son.

Yet, the Pharisees missed this entirely.

They failed to understand their responsibility to care for God’s people—especially those who were weak or didn’t know better. Instead of showing humility and compassion, they distanced themselves from the very people they were meant to help.

And here’s the challenge for us today. If we are truly part of God’s Kingdom, then we share in the same mission: to seek out the lost, not with arrogance or judgment, but with gentleness and compassion.

When the shepherd found the sheep, did he lay it on his shoulders with aggressiveness?

Did he pull it by the ears? No!

When we act in obedience by seeking out the lost, this isn’t just an obligation—it’s the heart of what it means to reflect the character of our King.

Point 2: God’s Kingdom Welcomes the Repentant. (vv. 11-25)

Keep in mind, Jesus is still addressing the Pharisees and scribes here. He turns to another parable, one that starts differently from the others. This time, He begins with, “A man,” placing the focus squarely on the father, even though much of the action centers on his son.

The younger son asks for his inheritance—the portion of the estate that would fall to him.

In Jewish tradition, inheritance was typically divided after the father’s death.

Under the law, the younger son would receive half of what the elder son was entitled to: one-third of the estate (Deuteronomy 21:17).

But this son isn’t interested in tradition or respect for his father. To him, the inheritance matters more than the man who gives it.

His request effectively treats his father as though he’s already dead—a shocking display of entitlement and disregard.

Not long after receiving his portion, the son acts swiftly.

He gathers his belongings and leaves for a distant country—most likely a Gentile region.

There, he squanders his entire fortune on reckless living. Imagine the extravagance, the wastefulness. He spends it all, throwing his money away like it has no value.

Then the consequences hit. A famine strikes the land, compounding his troubles.

With nothing left, he’s plunged into poverty, reduced to desperation.

He takes a job tending pigs—a humiliating position, especially for a Jew, as pigs were considered unclean.

No one gives him anything to eat, even as people notice his suffering but choose not to help. Driven by hunger, he looks at the pigs’ food and begins to consider eating it.

It’s here, at his lowest point, that the son begins to reflect.

He remembers his father’s household, where even the hired servants have plenty to eat. “And here I am, starving to death,” he thinks.

This realization sparks something within him—a recognition of his failure and a desire to turn back.

But notice his approach.

He doesn’t plan to return home demanding his former status as a son.

He intends to come back humbly, as a servant.

Sin and foolishness harm us and those around us.

Think about a friend who racks up debt buying things they don’t need, straining relationships with family or friends who may feel obligated to bail them out. Their recklessness creates hurt and mistrust, leaving lasting scars.

Similarly, this younger son’s actions not only hurt himself but also betrayed his father, causing grief that goes beyond material loss.

And yet, the father doesn’t respond with anger or rejection when his son returns.

Instead, the father’s love restores his son and turns his failure into redemption.

This is the beauty of the father’s actions in the parable—they reflect the boundless grace and forgiveness of God.

Isn’t it true that this story feels like a reflection of our own lives? Whether we grew up in the church or not, every one of us has, at some point, done something that grieves God and hurts others. We’ve all experienced the sting of regret—the awareness of someone else’s disappointment or pain because of our actions. It’s a hard reality to face, but it’s one we all share.

And yet, many of us also know what it feels like to be welcomed back after hitting rock bottom. It’s not just relief—it’s something far more profound: acceptance.

To be embraced, even when we feel undeserving, is deeply transformative.

That’s why this father’s actions in the parable are so striking. He doesn’t just allow his son back into the house—he runs to meet him, rejoicing with overwhelming love.

There’s no lecture, no guilt trip, no reminders of the past. Instead, he welcomes his son back exactly as he left: not as a servant or outsider, but as his beloved child.

Think about the heart of that celebration. The lost was found; the wayward returned home.

This is not about keeping score—it’s about joy, triumph, and restoration. And the father’s grace reminds us of the boundless love God extends to each of us, no matter how far we’ve strayed.

Point 3: God’s Kingdom Rejoices in Redemption. (vv. 25-32)

The spotlight now shifts to the elder brother.

At first, he has no idea what all the commotion is about.

A servant informs him: their father has killed the fattened calf to celebrate the return of his younger brother, who was lost but is now home—alive, not dead.

The feast is in full swing, but there’s one person who refuses to join in: the elder son, standing outside, angry and bitter.

Think about it: In the earlier parables, someone actively searches for the lost—the shepherd goes after the sheep, the woman hunts for her coin. But here? No one goes out to find the younger brother.

The father patiently waits, hoping and watching, but he doesn’t pursue him. From what we see, the older brother doesn’t even think about looking—maybe because he feels superior, or maybe it just never crosses his mind.

Either way, the younger brother is left to make the long journey home alone.

To him, his father’s actions seem like blatant favoritism, especially when measured against his own years of loyalty and obedience. He feels overlooked, even betrayed.

His frustration boils over as he confronts his father: “Dad, seriously? All these years I’ve worked faithfully for you, and you’ve never given me so much as a goat to celebrate with my friends. But this son of yours comes back after wasting everything on reckless living—prostitutes, no less—and you throw him a feast? What about me?”

This type of reaction many of us can relate to—being so focused on fairness as we see it that we miss the bigger picture. The older son rejects grace, letting bitterness overshadow joy.

Rather than celebrate his brother’s return, he is trapped by pride, jealousy, and entitlement, blinded to the beauty of restoration.

And isn’t that a reflection of us sometimes? How often do we focus on what we think we’re owed instead of showing mercy?

Maybe we’re like the older brother, “Where’s my recognition? Why doesn’t someone celebrate me for doing what’s expected? Y’all celebrate this person who has been living in sin for ages....I come to church, I take the Lord’s Supper, my kids are always involved in classes, I never fall asleep during the sermon—but where’s my moment in the spotlight?”

It’s so easy to let pride cloud our perspective, just as the older son did.

Here’s the truth: faith isn’t about keeping score.

Someone once said to me, “Just going to church doesn’t make you holy,” and they were right. It’s not about appearances or rituals—it’s about our heart.

Think about the bitterness that grows when we hold onto hurt, or the relationships that fracture because of pride. It’s only through grace and humility that we can seek the lost and rejoice when they’re restored.

But then comes the father’s response. He doesn’t rebuke his older son or dismiss his anger.

Instead, the father pleads with him, inviting him to celebrate redemption.

He steps outside to meet him, showing the same compassion and love he offered the younger son.

And beyond that, the father’s love restores his son and turns his failure into redemption.

His actions show us the depth of grace—not just for the younger son who made mistakes, but also for the elder son who let bitterness take hold.

Grace doesn’t calculate worth; it rejoices in restoration.

That’s the heart of this parable: whether we’re lost in rebellion or trapped in bitterness, God’s grace invites us all into the joy of redemption.

Final:

Acts 2:29-38

So, what does it take for someone to come back to God and be part of His Kingdom?

It starts with realizing how far we’ve wandered because of our sin.

Just like the crowd in Acts 2 who felt the weight of what they’d done, or the prodigal son who finally woke up to the mess he was in, the first step is recognizing we need to turn around and head home.

It’s not just that we’ve messed up—it’s that we’ve drifted away from the Father.

Sin pulls us away and leaves us lost. But the good news is :The Kingdom of God welcomes all who seek repentance.

That’s where baptism comes in—it’s not just about washing away sins.

It’s about stepping into the Kingdom, accepting the gift of forgiveness, and starting fresh with Him.

When the prodigal son came home, his father didn’t hold his mistakes over his head.

He threw a feast and welcomed him back like he’d never left.

That’s exactly what happens when we return to God.

Whether we’ve been away for days, months, or years, the celebration is waiting.

Maybe you have more questions about baptism, please ask us and we will seat and talk to you about what God says.

Maybe you already know what to do and you know you need to change for Him to make it right with Him and no one else, you can be baptized.

Maybe you have already made that decision a long time ago and you didn’t act godly according to His standards and maybe you need to ask for prayers and help from your brothers and sisters.

The Kingdom of God welcomes all who seek repentance.