sf668 - HOW TO GET HOME FROM WHERE YOU ARE (Luke 15 11-32)
LUKE 15:11-32
INTRODUCTION
Have you ever been lost?
Why is it we hate to ask for Directions?
Men are the worst. We will drive 20 miles out of our way to keep from asking for directions.
The irony is that we waste time and money trying to figure out how to get where we are going. When we could simply ask for directions.
Isn't that foolish!
But the truth is many of us here today are lost… no not physically but spiritually.
We have a sense of separation.
We have a sense of uneasiness when it comes to spiritual matters.
A feeling of, well lostness we know something is wrong, but we are afraid to ask for directions.
Let's stop pretending this morning and find our way Home…
Our scripture this morning tells the story of a young man, who left home and finally found his way back.
His story is my story, it could be each our story.
Luke 15:11-32: To find my way home …
1A. I Must Resist the Pull to "Do it My Way" (11-13)
1B. I must not disrespect the Father (11-12)
At best simple greed
At worst, he was wishing his father were dead
Most of us live as if God were dead
2B. I must not desire "Freedom" more than I desire to be with the Father (13)
The distant country is more of an attitude than an address.
2A. I Must Remember the Price of "Doing it My Way" (14-16)
1B. What I stand to loose if I leave.
Food
Friends
Fortune
Freedom
2B. What I should learn from the Prodigal
Sin promises freedom but brings slavery
Sin promises success but brings failure
Sin promises life but brings death
When God is left out of my life - enjoyment becomes enslavement
3A. I Must Return Promptly when I Realize that I am away from the Father (17-19)
1B. My repentance begins with right thinking.
About myself (17a)
"Came to himself" = regained his right mind
About my situation (17b)
About my sin (18-19)
Ø I must accept full responsibility for my actions
"I have sinned..." = confession
Isaiah. 1:18-19 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;
Ø I must seek reconciliation
Ø I must plea for mercy not justice
Ø I must adopt a "make me," not "give me" attitude
Ø I must see God as my ally, not as my enemy
2B. My repentance will result in right doing.
I must desire to change (18a)
"I will set out…"
"I will go..."
"I will say..."
ACT 26:20...they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
I must be determined to change (20a)
"So he got up and went…"
4A. I Must Personally Receive the Father's Forgiveness
1B. The Father is waiting to receive me when I finally come home. (20b)
He is watching with compassion not with condemnation
He is looking for an opportunity to restore not and excuse to reject!
He will run to meet me once I begin the journey home!
Ø His running demonstrates His love
Ø His hugging insures His protection - the law demanded the son's death (DEU 21:18‑21)
2B. The Father is willing to restore me when I finally come home. (22-24)
He will forgive me! - The kiss = God's grace
He will accept me! - The robe = honor and righteousness
He will restore me! - The ring = authority, complete love and sonship
He will free me! - The shoes = freedom and victory
Ø Slaves did not were shoes
He will celebrate my return! - The calf = redemption and celebration
5A. I Must Rejoice when other Prodigals Return (25-32)
Application
The Waiting Father
Young man from a good family left home and disgraced his family. Finally, he decided to return home. He was ashamed to meet his family but he knew that his mother would let him in. So he returned but did not say a word to his mother.
He spent the next several days locked away in his room, too embarrassed and prideful to face his family. Finally, word came that his mother had fallen gravely ill.
He went to her bedside and begged for forgiveness. She answered "My dear boy, I would have forgiven you long ago if you had only accepted it."
Our heavenly Father is waiting to forgive you!
Will you come home?
HOW TO GET HOME FROM WHERE YOU ARE!
July 28, 1998 - Luke 15:11-32
1A. I Must Resist the _____ to "Do it My Way" (11-13)
1B. I must not disrespect the Father (11-12)
2B. I must not desire "____________" more than I desire to be with the Father (13)
The distant country is more of an attitude than an address.
2A. I Must Remember the _____________ of "Doing it My Way" (14-16)
1B. What I stand to loose if I leave.
____________
Friends
____________
Freedom
2B. What I should ____________ from the Prodigal
Sin promises freedom but brings _________
Sin promises success but brings ___________
Sin promises life but brings _______________
When God is left out of my life - enjoyment becomes enslavement
3A. I Must _____________ Promptly when I Realize that I am away from the Father (17-19)
1B. My repentance begins with ___________ thinking.
About ______________ (17a)
About my ______________ (17b)
About my ___________ (18-19)
Isaiah. 1:18-19 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land;
2B. My repentance will result in _____________ doing.
I must ______________ to change (18a)
ACT 26:20...they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
I must be _____________ to change (20a)
"So he got up and went…"
4A. I Must Personally _____________ the Father's Forgiveness
1B. The Father is waiting to __________ me when I finally come home. (20b)
2B. The Father is willing to ___________ me when I finally come home. (22-24)
5A. I Must _____________ when other Prodigals Return (25-32)