Happy Are the Humble (2)

Happy Are the Humble

Text: Matthew 5:3 (KJV 1900)

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Introduction:

* The manufacturer of a product knows more about it than anyone else.

* When you buy a car you need to read the owner's manual so you know how to operate and maintain that car properly.

*God manufactured everyone who lives in this world, but few people turn to Him to find out how they can know happiness.

* Jesus tells us how in the sermon we are about to study for the next several weeks.

* Jesus came to earth to bring men happiness.

* The key to experiencing the happiness (or blessedness) spoken of in the Beatitudes (Matt. 5:3-12) is in following a new standard of living.

* That standard is set forth in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5-7).

* Our Lord didn't tell people how to live step by step, but about the kinds of attitudes that would bring about proper behavior.

* He showed that a person's inner life is the key to true happiness.

* Jesus expects His people to apply His standard of living to their lives. If they do so, Jesus says they will find true happiness.

* Only obedience to the teaching of Jesus will result in true happiness.

* If you apply the principles of the Sermon on the Mount you will be a different person- a truly happy person.

* Christians in our day have lost their distinctiveness because they've allowed themselves to be molded by the world.

* The church in America has adopted the world's approach to music, sex, marriage, divorce, materialism, food, alcoholic beverages, dance, entertainment, sports, and other things.

* In so doing we have corrupted ourselves and the world no longer has a true witness of what spirit controlled Christian looks like.

* God wants us to live as a people distinct from the value systems of the world. It grieves God to see corruption among His people.

* Although Jesus’ focus was on our attitudes and thinking patterns, that doesn't mean we neglect our external behavior.

* When we are right with God on the inside, we will also be right with God on the outside.

* James preaches that Faith without works is dead (James 2:17).

James 2:17–18 (KJV 1900)

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

* James here, Like Jesus, is also teaching that faith being on the inside, will transform the outside of a man.

* (Eph. 2:10) says that Believers are "created in Christ Jesus unto good works"

Ephesians 2:10 (KJV 1900)

10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

* What a person is on the outside depends on what he is on the inside.

* Speaking of the condition of a man’s heart on the inside, Proverbs 23:7 says:

Proverbs 23:7 (KJV 1900)

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

* Your internal thought life determines what kind of person you are- weather you are a wicked person, or a righteous and upright person.

* Jesus said to a group of religious people that what they were on the inside would come out on the outside:

Luke 11:39 (KJV 1900)

39 And the Lord said unto him, Now do ye Pharisees make clean the outside of the cup and the platter; but your inward part is full of ravening and wickedness.

Matthew 23:25–26 (KJV 1900)

25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

* A hypocrite tries to clean up the outside expecting the inside to follow.

* Jesus taught that doing good and doing right on the outside of a man does not change a man for the good- and will most certainly not bring about happiness.

* The Sermon on the Mount, or the Beatitudes, teach that a true Christian cleans up what is on the inside first, then what is on the outside will follow.

The Paradox of the Beatitudes

* As I preached to you last Sunday, the Beatitudes can seem to be sacred paradoxes.

*Their value system is in contrast to everything the world values.

* Now I want you to notice that there is a progression in the Beatitudes:

* Matthew 5:3 speaks of "the poor in spirit."

* Our text verse says:

Matthew 5:3 (KJV 1900)

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

* A person who is poor in spirit has the right attitude about sin, which leads to mourning (v. 4).

Matthew 5:4 (KJV 1900)

4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.

* When someone recognizes his sinfulness, and mourns over it, he develops meekness (v. 5).

Matthew 5:5 (KJV 1900)

5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.

* Being meek on the inside in turn, leads a man or woman to hunger and thirst for righteousness (v. 6).

Matthew 5:6 (KJV 1900)

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.

* Such a hunger and thirst for righteousness in turn, manifests itself in mercy (v. 7),

Matthew 5:7 (KJV 1900)

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

* Then a heart that deals with others with mercy, produces a pure heart (v. 8),

Matthew 5:8 (KJV 1900)

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

* When you deal God with a pure then it causes you to deal with men with a peaceable spirit (v. 9).

Matthew 5:9 (KJV 1900)

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

* The Beatitudes are a picture of how cleaning the heart on the inside, which starts with a humble attitude, being poor in spirit, changes a man on the inside.

* A person who displays the attitudes spoken of in the Beatitudes, can expect to be misunderstood by the world.

* This will cause the world to revile, persecute you, and falsely accuse you. (vv. 10-11).

Matthew 5:10–11 (KJV 1900)

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.

* That's because that kind of life-style is an irritant to worldly people.

* When a person lives according to the Word of God it produces the light, and light produces hatred.

John 3:19–21 (KJV 1900)

19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.

20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light,

neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

* But in the end believers will be able to "rejoice, and be exceedingly glad; for great is [their] reward in heaven" (v. 12).

Matthew 5:12 (KJV 1900)

12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

* He who lives in accordance with the Beatitudes will be "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world" (vv. 13-14).

Matthew 5:13–16 (KJV 1900)

13 Ye are the salt of the earth:

but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

14 Ye are the light of the world.

A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

* Now remember our main point this morning is “A happy life, a life that pleases God must first start with a humble attitude before God. That is what our text says this morning.

Text: Matthew 5:3 (KJV 1900)

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Body:

I. God loves the “poor in spirit.”

* Psalm 34:18 says:

“The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.”

* David noted in Psalm 51:17:

“the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart—These, O God, You will not despise.

* I want you to know and understand when we are finished with this sermon this morning that God identifies with those who beg on the inside.

* Or text, Matthew 5:3 says:

“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

* Isaiah 66:2 says:

“But to this man will I look, Even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, And trembleth at my word.”

* Psalm 138:6 says:

“Though the Lord be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: But the proud he knoweth afar off.”

* Proverbs 29:23 says:

“A man’s pride shall bring him low: But honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”

* In Matthew 23:12 we read:

“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.”

* Proverbs 16:5 says:

"Every one who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord."

* Isaiah 57:15 says:

"Thus saith the high and lofty One who inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

* James said, "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up" (4:10).

* I want you to know and understand when we are finished with this sermon this morning that God identifies with those who beg on the inside.

* By using the phrase in out text in Matthew 5:3 "happy are the poor in spirit," Christ was teaching that the man who is begging on the inside is the one who is happy.

* The word translated "poor" (Gk., ptokos) in Matthew 5:3 speaks of "cowering like a beggar."

* In classical Greek the word referred to someone reduced to begging in a dark corner for alms.

* A beggar would cower because he didn't want to be seen--he would be too ashamed to allow his identity to be known.

* Beggars would wear their clothes in such a way as to be unrecognizable and hold out an outstretched hand for alms.

* The word for "poor" in Matthew 5:3 is the same word used to describe Lazarus the beggar in Luke 16:20.

* The Greek word penes was used when talking about a person who was so poor he could barely maintain a living from his wages.

* But Ptokos, the word used in our text for “poor in spirit,” refers to a person totally dependent on the gifts of others.

* Such people were often crippled, blind, or deaf. Because they couldn't function normally in society, they had to plead for grace and mercy from others. They had no personal resources.

* Jesus taught that the starting place for true happiness was the humble attitude that “I am a beggar! I am spiritually bankrupt.. God owes me nothing! I stretch forth my hands, ashamed of my spiritual condition before God!”

* Jesus said that those who are beggars in spirit are happy.

* He wasn't talking about physical poverty but spiritual poverty.

* Spiritually man is empty, poor, and helpless.

* He has no resources that will get him into heaven. He is spiritually incapable and therefore totally dependent on God's grace.

* Happy are those with destitute, cowering spirits--only they know their need!

* That is a sharp contrast to what the world thinks. The world says, "Happy are the rich, famous, self-sufficient, and proud."

* God identifies with people who are spiritual beggars, not with those who are self-sufficient.

* Being poor in spirit is not being lazy or indifferent. A person who is poor in spirit has no sense of self-sufficiency and recognizes he is spiritually bankrupt.

* To illustrate this, Jesus told the story of the prodigal son.

* The son in his pride and arrogance left his father to life partying and drinking and used all his inheritance up.

* It didn’t take the boy long to run out of money, and the Bible says he had to take a job feeding pigs.

* He was so hungry; he wanted to eat the slop he was feeding the pigs!

* That’s where the sinner is at this morning! He is living like the pigs! Spiritually bankrupt, proud and arrogant against his Heavenly Father!

* We have all seen people whose lives have been destroyed by drugs or alcohol, or sexual immorality.

* Sin has brought them down to the pig mire of life, but they remain proud against God, and will not humble themselves and come to God for forgiveness and restoration!

* This boy came to the realization that he was bankrupt! He was humbled!

* The once arrogant boy came back to his father a different man on the inside!

* He knew he was bankrupt and came back to the father with the attitude of a beggar!

* When the prodigal son returned to the father, he said:

Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

* How did the father react to the humbled attitude of his son? He was thrilled! He threw a party for him!

* When anyone comes to God with the attitude that they are poor in spirit, it thrills the heart of God, and God will have compassion on him, forgive him, and bless him! Every time!

* If you want to be poor in spirit, become a beggar on the inside this morning- learn to stop depending on yourself! ask for God's help.

* A beggar always asks for help. The tax collector in Luke 18 said, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Jesus said that man went home justified!

* Happy is the man who knows he is a spiritual beggar and asks for God's help—Jesus says the “poor in spirit” possesses the kingdom of heaven.

* As a matter of fact, is that not exactly what the beggar Lazarus did?

II. Examples of people who were “poor in spirit.”

From the Old Testament

* Judges 6 records the Lord's call of Gideon to deliver Israel.

* Gideon, aware of his limitations, said, "O my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? Behold, my family is poor in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house" (v. 15).

* In effect Gideon told the Lord that He was speaking to the wrong man.

* God's reply to Gideon was, "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor" (v. 12).

* The mightiest man or woman this morning is the man or woman who recognizes that of themselves they are nothing!

* The Bible says that Moses was the “friend of God.”

* Moses had a “poor in spirit” kind of attitude. He thought himself incapable of the task God gave him--and by himself he was!

* The Lord used Moses because he recognized his own insufficiency.

* The Bible says that David was a man after God’s own heart.

* David said, "Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that thou hast brought me thus far?" (2 Sam. 7:18).

* Jacob wrestled all night with God demanding God to bless him. But God had to wound him and take away his strength before he could bless him.

* When Jacob had no more strength, then God have him a new name and promised to bless him.

Genesis 32:24–32 (KJV 1900)

24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

25 And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him.

26 And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me. 27 And he said unto him, What is thy name? And he said, Jacob. 28 And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

29 And Jacob asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray thee, thy name. And he said, Wherefore is it that thou dost ask after my name? And he blessed him there.

30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved. 31 And as he passed over Penuel the sun rose upon him, and he halted upon his thigh.

32 Therefore the children of Israel eat not of the sinew which shrank, which is upon the hollow of the thigh, unto this day: because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew that shrank.

From the New Testament

* Peter was an aggressive and confident man on the outside, but in the inside Peter had a “poor in spirit” attitude.

* On one occasion, Peter said to Jesus, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord" (Luke 5:8).

* The apostle Paul was a man also who had a “poor in spirit” attitude.

* The apostle Paul knew that in his flesh nothing good dwelled (Rom. 7:18).

* He named himself a persecutor, a blasphemer, and the chief of sinners (1 Tim. 1:13, 15).

* He counted everything he had done apart from Christ to be rubbish (Phil. 3:8).

* Paul saw the things that once he counted as gain were loss in the light of Christ (Phil. 3:7).

* He realized that God's "strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9).

* Admitting your weaknesses is the beginning of happiness-- but that's the hardest thing you will ever do.

* To know true happiness you must first be poor in spirit and acknowledge you can do nothing on your own.

* There must be an emptying of self before you can be filled with the Spirit of God.

* As a matter of fact, without that attitude, you cannot be saved!

III. Why do we need to be poor in spirit?

Humility Leads to a Right understanding of ourselves

* To be right with God we must empty ourselves of ourselves.

* In the Beatitudes Christ spoke of a new standard of living. Being “poor in spirit” is a fundamental characteristic of a Christian.

* No one will enter Christ's kingdom on the basis of pride--the doorway into the kingdom is very low and must be crawled through.

* In Luke chapter 18, Jesus told three stories back to back, that illustrated the principle of “being poor in spirit.”

* The first was a story of a Publican that illustrated that to think right about ourselves, we must empty ourselves of trusting in ourselves.

Luke 18:9–27 (KJV 1900)

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven,

but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

* The second story that illustrated being “poor in spirit” taught that we must have a humble spirit, like that of a child when we approach God.

The Children come to Jesus

15 And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

17 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.

* Children understand how to approach God with a humble spirit. God wants us to approach him with the humble helplessness of a child!

* In the third story, Jesus taught that trusting in our selves will keep us out of the Kingdom of God.

The Rich man fails to enter the Kingdom of God

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. 20 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. 21 And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

Remember now how Jesus introduced these three stories:

9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves…

This man was trusting in himself because he did the commandments, and because he had great riches. Remember, he came to Jesus asking what he could Do to enter the Kingdom of God.

22 Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. 23 And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. 24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? 27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

* The self-sufficiency of the rich causes them to be complacent about searching for God.

*That is why "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God"

* A rich person is likely to trust in his riches while a poor man has nothing to put his trust in but Jesus.

* This is why the poor have hope! This is why Jesus said that theirs this the kingdom of Heaven!

* Jesus was saying to the people hearing these stories, you must be “poor in spirit” because it is the first step in finding true happiness!

* In other word He was saying "You can't be filled with the Spirit of God, until you are empty of yourselves.”

* Jesus was teaching life can't be worthwhile until you realize your life is worthless apart from Christ."

* In the church today there is little emphasis on self-emptying anymore.

* There are many books on how to be filled with joy and other things, but I don't think I've ever seen a book on how to empty yourself of self.

* Too much of contemporary Christianity feeds on pride.

* According to Jesus, pride has no place in the church: Turn with me to Luke 17:5-10:

Luke 17:5–10 (KJV 1900)

5 And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.

* We come to church and gather around the Bible, God’s Word, to have our faith increased.

6 And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.

* Jesus gives an example that shows having great faith results in an attitude of humility before God, and not pride.

* This is something modern church services desperately need to return to.

7 But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8 And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.

10 So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.

* A person without poverty of spirit fails to understand the grace of God-

* A person who doesn’t not empty himself and become “poor in spirit,” cannot be a Christian since salvation is by grace through faith.

* Also, the graces of the Christian life can't grow without first having the attitude of humility.

Humility Leads to a Right Knowledge of Christ

* Christ doesn't become precious to us until we are humble.

* When we preoccupy ourselves with our own wants and needs we can't see the matchless worth of Christ.

* Until we comprehend how lost we are we can't understand Christ's wondrous and redeeming love.

* Until we see our poverty we can't see His riches.

* Jesus taught that no man enters the kingdom of God without understanding his own sinfulness and realizing his need to repent.

* Proverbs 16:5 says, "Every one who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord."

* The word abomination means “disgusting.”

* The person who tries to approach God in his pride by cleaning himself up on the outside by religion is disgusting to God!

* The only way a right relationship to Christ is established is when we confess our unrighteousness and inability to meet God's standard.

* We must then no longer trust in ourselves to meet God’s standard of holiness, but like a humble beggar, place all of our trust on the ability of the precious blood of Jesus to make us able to stand before a holy God.

* In (Phil. 3:6) Paul tells us that he thought he was blameless as a devout Jew, until he God humble him that day on the road to Damascus.

* After Paul was humbled, he realized he had no basis for "confidence in the flesh"(Phil. 3:3).

* A person enters God's kingdom with a sense of helplessness and desperation.

* Do you remember how helpless Paul was as he had to be led by the hand after that Jesus smote him with blindness on the Damascus road?

* The apostate church at Laodicea had lost the meaning of being “poor in spirit.”

* That church, represents the condition the church will be in in the last days, thought it was rich, but Christ said it really "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked" (Rev. 3:17).

* The average person in the world today thinks they have no spiritual needs, yet in reality are in desperate need of Jesus.

* The purpose of the Sermon on the Mount was the same as the giving of the law at Mount Sinai:

* The Lord wanted people to see that they had to become poor in spirit and depend totally on Him (cf. Gal. 3:19- 25).

* God's standards can't be presented to unregenerate men as something to live by--they don’t have the power! That is what religion tries to do- clean up this outside, while leaving the inside corrupt and filthy.

* Obedience to the law requires a new nature that begins with becoming “poor in spirit.”

* Jesus clarified God's standard of Holiness when He said, "Be ye, therefore, perfect, even as your Father, who is in heaven, is perfect" (Matt. 5:48).

* He also said, "Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20).

* Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount affirms a life-style that promises eternal happiness.

* However it can't be followed through one's own resources.

* That reality is nothing new. It was illustrated when God gave His law on Mount Sinai.

* God said there was to be no idolatry, adultery, stealing, murdering, bearing false witness, or similar activity among the Israelites! (Ex. 20:1-17).

* Yet even while He was giving the law to Moses, the Israelites were engaging in an orgy at the foot of the mountain! (Ex. 32:1-6).

* Right from the beginning Scripture shows that God's standards are not within the realm of human achievement.

* When the Jewish rabbis saw the law couldn't be kept they added traditions that were easier to keep.

* Talmudic law, the system of Jewish interpretation and tradition that developed around God's law, is nothing more than a diluted system of standards that the Jews devised so that mankind can have some sense of satisfaction regarding God's requirements.

* That is what all religion in the world is:

Religion is:

“A set of man-made standards that are easier to keep than the law of God, devised so mankind can have some sense of self-satisfaction that they are good enough for Heaven, without meeting the requirements of the Law of God.

* The reason Jesus said that we must be “poor in spirit” is that we will longer trust in ourselves to meet God’s standard of holiness, but like a humble beggar, place all of our trust on the ability of The precious blood of Jesus to make us able to stand before a holy God.

Conclusion:

* Here is the conclusion of the first of the beatitudes this morning that demand action our part.

* For the person who has already called upon Jesus for salvation:

* Do you want to be truly happy in life this morning? Jesus came to show you how!

* Jesus said the first step is to “become poor in spirit.”

* I challenge you to examine your heart this morning. With Jesus the way us down, if you want God to bless you, lower your opinion of yourself, and God will bless you with true happiness.

* Now for anyone who has not called upon the name of Jesus for salvation this morning:

* There are millions in this world who will die and go to Hell because of pride.

* They will refuse to humble themselves before God with a repentant attitude, as one who is “poor in spirit.”

* Is that you this morning? Is the Holy Spirit of God pointing His finger at you this morning?

* Will you drop all your pride and come to Jesus with a humble heart and be saved and like the prodigal son, receive forgiveness of sin this morning.

* God your heavenly father desires the kill the fatted calf, put a robe on you, put a ring on your finger, and throw a party in heaven with you!