Reckless Love

Introduction:

I have always had a love for music. It is something that really speaks to my heart and soul. I find that when I listen to a song I can feel God speaking to me. There is a song that I have just come to love and that is the title of this message:

Reckless Love.

Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me You have been so, so good to me Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me You have been so, so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me You have been so, so good to me When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me You have been so, so kind to me

And oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine And I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

There's no shadow You won't light up Mountain You won't climb up Coming after me There's no wall You won't kick down Lie You won't tear down Coming after me Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine And I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine And I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

I love the raw, overwhelming sense of how God loves us. Isn’t it good to know that there is someone that loves you on that level and to that extent?

In thinking about this service tonight and the fact that we are coming together for Communion, I could not get away from how the Lord brings us together. He is the common thread that brought us here tonight isn’t He?

Take a moment to reflect on what would your life look like if it was not for the reckless love of God? Where do you think you would be?

I love reflecting in this way it makes me more considerate as to who He is and what He has done and I am quickly reminded of how blessed I am. Too often we get too comfortable and almost entitled in our walk and take for granted His goodness towards us.

It is easy to get caught up in these things.

This evening take a moment and turn with my to:

Luke 15:11-

Luke 15:11–32 NIV

Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. “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. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 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. “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “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. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 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. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 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.’ ”

Prayer: Lord let us have ears to hear your Word and be reminded of your goodness and forget our own agenda and concentrate on yours.

This young man was ready to make his impression on the world and wanted to get out from in under his father’s thumb. He approached his father and said he was leaving and wanted his inheritance to be able to live as he saw fit. His father not wanting to let him go did as his son wished and then watched his son walk away. The son lived it up and enjoyed his life and money to the fullest. He partied and had loads of friends. But there came a time when the money ran out and then he was alone, poor and hungry.

This young man was ready to make his impression on the world and wanted to get out from in under his father’s thumb. He approached his father and said he was leaving and wanted his inheritance to be able to live as he saw fit. His father not wanting to let him go did as his son wished and then watched his son walk away. The son lived it up and enjoyed his life and money to the fullest. He partied and had loads of friends. But there came a time when the money ran out and then he was alone, poor and hungry.

The son had a job that was not a great living and he knew that he had to figure out something better. He remembered home and how well his father’s employees were treated. Surely goodness he could go home and get a job there. So he went.

This evening let’s take it from here and really put yourself in his shoes for a moment.

The Son

As the boy was walking home can you imagine the scene. He is practising what he has to say over and over. Trying to get it just right. It is a humbling walk, it is a long road that I am sure at times he felt like he could not do this, I am sure he questioned himself saying can I really do this after squandering my inheritance? How will dad react when he sees me? He may reject me then what will I do?

We know he was desperate. We know that this guy has pride. He wanted asked for the inheritance so he could live as he wanted. He could not live under his father’s rules, roof and regime. Therefore, he wanted to make his own way, like he knew better than his dad.

As he walked that road home the feelings of shame, humility and apology were washing over him. I am sure he was nervous at how he would be received. What will people think?

It was only a short period of time he went sure that he was better off on his own making a case for his independence.

Can you understand what he was going through? How could he go back and share or even ellude to the fact that he squandered all of his inheritance and had nothing to show for it?

His pleasures lasted only for a season because soon he lost everything. There was a severe famine in that land that made the situation worse. Shortly after he found himself with the demeaning job of feeding pigs (which to much more humiliation was unclean animals for the Jews). No one gave him anything even though he starved because he had fallen so low and become very insignificant. There was no compassion shown him so how could he go home expecting compassion from those he took from and wasted the earnings?

Who would want to admit defeat? We hate seeing our hockey teams loose let alone admit our own personal defeat.

Who likes to admit that they have made a mistake? Or made the wrong choice?

It is such a humbling moment indeed.

The Dad

No matter how ready you feel you can be to let your children grow up and leave you are never ready for that. I am certainly not looking forward to the day that happens. Michaela likes to remind me of that and it breaks my heart that I have to let her grow up and move out one day. But then I remember when I was in her shoes. I could not wait to get out on my own. Did I think it was going to be easier than it was? YUP!

But I loved the independence that I had. However, there was nothing like when I got to get back home and put my feet underneath mom and dad’s table and know for a few months at least I did not have to care for everything in my life anymore. I was home, I was safe, I was loved and I was cared for.

There is no greater love than you have for your kids is there? I absolutely love being a mom. I am not a perfect mom. I make mistakes. I have imperfect children who make mistakes. But they are my girls. When I see them come home, especially when they have been gone for an extended period of time there is nothing better than to see them coming home or walk in the door and say mom I’m home. That’s my girl! I don’t think I will ever tire of hearing those words mom I’m home! That love is such a special bond.

Use your imagination and think on what it looked like from the perspective of the dad. Off in a distance he sees someone approaching the property. Can it be? Are my eyes deceiving me?

All of a sudden the need to investigate who is approaching gets the better of you and you have to start towards them. Finally, you make out yes that is him. That is my son.

The father does not walk anymore to meet him he starts to run! The father runs to the son with arms open wide and throws his arms around his son, kissing his neck with love and affection.

Please note here that the father runs to meet the son. Why is this significant?

There are a couple of things that are significant here:

In middle Eastern culture it is shameful for a man to “gird his loins” - which is in our context to pull up his pant legs and run because this violated social norms. It make him look undignified especially in a man of his social status. It abandonded his religious piety.

Why run to his son? - he is undeserving of such a welcome. He basically wanted is inheritance and that symbolized he walked away with what his father would have left him therefore no more need for the family. The son abandoned his family and took his wealth. Why would the father want to acknowledge him now?

The father did this because this was his boy! His son came home. What odds about religious piety, what odds about appearances, what odds about what happened with the inheritance.

This dad thought he had lost his son for good, when he left he did not think they would see one another again. Then finally he caught a glimpse of him and he was thrilled, overjoyed by the fact that he was headed home.

The dad was not filled with judgement or questions. He was filled with love and excitement. My boy, my boy, my son, he’s here!

How can you not feel the joy that rushed over him?

The Extravagant Love

The son starts to unload and reveal his intent. Asking for a job, asking for some way to earn, to serve, to care for his basic needs. The son starts to go into the planned apology that he had practised all along the road to his father’s house.

It was like the father did not even hear or want to heed a word he said. The sons words were insignificant, not that the father was uninterested in talking to him or hearing about where he had been.

The plan that the son had in mind to make up for taking the inheritance meant nothing to the dad. He was just overjoyed his boy was home.

How do we know this?

Luke 15:22–23 NLT

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast,

Luke 15:22–24 NLT

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

Luke 15:22 NLT

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.

Luke 15:22-2

The son wanted to make a mense for what he took from the family, from his father. He wanted to admit his defeat and did not expect to be known as the son but as a servant.

The father wanted nothing of the sort this was his son not his servant and this is who he will always be.

That is extravagant love!

The father did not get stuck on that past. He focused on the present!

Do not get caught up in these things like the older son did.

The older son (a symbol of the Pharisee and the Scribe) was angry with his father for forgiving and receiving the prodigal son into the family again. His attitude reminds us of two types of Christians in the church.

The older son accused the father of not rewarding his upright behavior. There are believers who serve God for the wrong reasons.

Luke 15:28–32 NLT

“The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’ ”

Luke 15:28-

The older son was confident of his own righteousness and held his brother in contempt. Likewise, the self-righteous believer believes in his own righteousness and passes judgment on those that he thinks to be wrong. He often seems to forget he is a sinner himself saved by faith.

He left but now he is back and how can I refuse him? He is my flesh and blood, my child.

The father did not focus on what he really deserved.

This father went above and beyond to show his son how happy he was to have him home and wasted no time in showing the level of extravagant love he has for his boy.

Conclusion:

This evening this is just like our God isn’t is. He is the prodigal God. His love goes beyond our expectations. He kills the fatted cald, throws a feast in our honor, gives us new clothes, outfits us with love and a new outlook. Our God is wastefully extravagant in showing His love for us. He gave His precious son for us. His son endured a cruel death so that we could live eternally.

He gave it freely to someone who came in smelling like a pigsty. He loves the unlovely. He loves beyond our human comprehension.

The prodigal walked the long road back and dealth with shame, anxiety and worry. He wondered how this would look optically. We are always so concerned with the optics and it stopes us from confession, growth, love and acceptance.

But at the foot of the cross the ground is level. No one is above the other. We must remember in times of judgement I too was a sinner in need of forgiveness and grace. I too, am a work in progress and instead of judgement spur on your brother, spur on your sister. Love as you have been loved by your Heavenly Father!

The prodigal opened with I am no long worthy to be called your child.

The Father did not even pay attention to his son’s words. He looked on him with love. He wanted to throw an elaborate celebration to honor the occassion.

God’s response is the same let’s feast! Kill the fatted cald, make the arrangements. Like the father of the prodigal he gives all the rights back that he walked away from. My son, my child was lost but is now found!

How do you want God’s love to be reckless/extravagant for you today?

How do you need God’s love to be reckless/extravagant for you you?

The older son (a symbol of the Pharisee and the Scribe) was angry with his father for forgiving and receiving the prodigal son into the family again. His attitude reminds us of two types of Christians in the church.

God gives His loving kindness to us freely. God’s loyal, steadfast, covenant love, a love that surpasses knowledge. Is freely given to us.

Ephesians 3:17–19 NLT

Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

The older son accused the father of not rewarding his upright behavior. There are believers who serve God for the wrong reasons.

We don’t really believe in something until we really receive it, take it in and walk in it.

The older son was confident of his own righteousness and held his brother in contempt. Likewise, the self-righteous believer believes in his own righteousness and passes judgment on those that he thinks to be wrong. He often seems to forget he is a sinner himself saved by faith.

When we get up from spending time with Him and enter the day trust and believe that God loves you!

When we fall short, make mistakes - trust in His forgiving loving kindness.

That’s the gospel, the same is true for you and the same is true for me, therefore we ought to treat others the same way He does.

This evening as we prepare our hearts to come together around the communion table take all these things into consideration. This table symbolizes a covenant love that God has given us through the sacrifice of His son. So that us as the prodigals can come home!

We were not worthy but His Son’s shed body and blood made a way. This was all motivated by the love of our Heavenly Father. Extravagant, reckless love!

The father received his son because it was his son.

The father poured love on his son.

The son received his father’s love and entered into FULL relationship with his father.

This is available for us too.

If you are here in this service tonight and you do not have that assurance in your heart please do not leave this place without it. Now is the time, He is looking on the horizon ready to run to meet you with arms wide open and rejoice inthe fact that you are home!

Come home won’t you?