Heart of the Father
Stewardship Collection • Sermon • Submitted
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· 16 viewsGod is for you...stewardship is living a life that is for God
Notes
Transcript
Scripture
Scripture
11 He also said, “A man had two sons.
12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them.
13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living.
14 After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.
15 Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16 He longed to eat his fill from the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything.
17 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!
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. Make me like one of your hired workers.” ’
20 So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.
21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
23 Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast,
24 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.
Illustration
Illustration
I recall about 10 years ago, one of the scariest moments of my life. I was at our church in Jacksonville and I lost my son. I remember the moment of pure panic as I frantically ran around our giant arena looking for him.
It’s amazing the roller coaster your mind can take you on in seconds. The 5 stages of grief seemed to be flooding my emotions at the same time…denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
I came around the corner and he was just standing in front of one of the tv’s playing Nintendo. I could have yelled at him. I could have corrected him. Truth is, I didn’t think of any of that because I was just glad I found him.
Transition
Transition
Often times, we have an image of God that isn’t a true reflection of who He is. In fact, Christians and pastors can weaponize the Bible and God in an effort to “fix” people. I believe there are 2 Jesus’…the one in the Bible and the one that people edit to fit their agenda.
Jesus is perfect theology. When we see Him we see God. When we hear His words, we hear God. When we see how He treats people, we see the heart of God.
Observations/Points
Observations/Points
God is not sitting on a throne waiting to strike you with a lightening bolt. Listen to how God describes Himself
6 The Lord passed in front of him and proclaimed: The Lord—the Lord is a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in faithful love and truth,
7 maintaining faithful love to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But he will not leave the guilty unpunished, bringing the consequences of the fathers’ iniquity on the children and grandchildren to the third and fourth generation.
God doesn’t excuse sins, but He does forgive them. His grace and mercy are there to make us better, not be a license to act carnally.
God isn’t made at you. He loves you. He is for you.
The Father Pursues Us
The Father Pursues Us
The text says, while he was a ways off, the father saw him and ran towards him.
8 Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
The Father Provides for Us
The Father Provides for Us
The son’s behavior should have disqualified him. He should have had to work his way back into his fathers good graces. However, the father gave him the BEST robe, ring and sandals. He hasn’t even taken a bath yet. I love how God provides even when we don’t deserve it. God crowns us before He cleans us.
The Father Positions Us
The Father Positions Us
They have a party. The father gives the son a seat at His table. The ring signifies that he is a part of the family. Still smelling like where he’s been but he has a seat.
Closing
Closing
The son’s older brother is heated. He’s been doing everything right and yet there is this big party for his sinful brother. That sound familiar? Some perfect privileged kid upset at how the less fortunate one is being treated like an equal.
31 “ ‘Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”
The father loves both. He honors both. However, He says, we HAVE to celebrate and rejoice because this brother of YOURS was dead and now is alive; lost and is now found
The heart of the Father is to bring unity. Unity with Him and each other.
God is for you; stewardship is living a life that is for God
Altar
Altar
It’s time to come home…God loves you.
It’s time to love one another…God loves us.
God is for you; stewardship is living a life that is for God