Embracing Grace: The Father's Unconditional Love
Summary
### Summary
Today, we gathered to surrender our burdens to the Lord, exchanging our heaviness for His lightness and delight. We celebrated baptisms, a significant step in a believer's journey, symbolizing death to the old life and resurrection into new life in Christ. We then delved into the parable of the prodigal son from Luke 15, focusing on the father's actions towards his returning son. This story beautifully illustrates God's grace, mercy, and unconditional love.
The prodigal son, after squandering his inheritance, decides to return home, hoping for mercy. Instead, he finds grace. The father, filled with love and compassion, runs to meet his son, embraces him despite his filth, and lavishes affection upon him. This parable reveals five key actions of the father: he sees, he cares, he runs, he embraces, and he lavishes love. These actions reflect God's nature towards us. He sees our struggles and small acts of obedience, cares deeply for us, runs to meet us in our brokenness, embraces us despite our flaws, and lavishes us with love and affection.
God's love is not an automated response but a deeply felt compassion. He is not a distant, stoic figure but an affectionate Father who delights in us. Even in our weakest moments, He does not despise us but pursues us with relentless love. This understanding should encourage us to draw near to God, knowing that He is always ready to embrace us and transform our lives.
### Key Takeaways
1. God Sees Us Completely: God sees everything about us—the good, the bad, and the ugly. He is aware of our secret sins and our small acts of obedience. Despite seeing our flaws and failures, He does not despise us. Instead, He continues to pursue us with love and compassion, demonstrating that His knowledge of us is not a cause for condemnation but an invitation to grace. [58:51]
2. God Cares Deeply for Us: The father in the parable was filled with love and compassion when he saw his son returning. This reflects God's heart towards us. He is not filled with frustration or anger but with a deep, overflowing love and compassion. God's care for us is not an automated response but a genuine, heartfelt affection that desires our well-being and restoration. [01:05:36]
3. God Runs to Meet Us: The father ran to his son, casting off all restraint and dignity. This act of running signifies God's eagerness to meet us in our brokenness. He is not a distant, slow-moving deity but a Father who is quick to respond to our return. God's pursuit of us is relentless, and He is always ready to bridge the gap created by our sins and failures. [01:11:57]
4. God Embraces Us as We Are: The father embraced his son despite his filth and stench. Similarly, God embraces us in our brokenness and sin. We do not need to clean ourselves up before coming to Him. God's embrace is unconditional, and He pulls us close, demonstrating His acceptance and love. This embrace is a powerful act of grace that transforms our lives. [01:18:53]
5. God Lavishes His Love on Us: The father lavished affection on his son, kissing him and celebrating his return. This reflects God's abundant love for us. He is not just a God of duty but a God of deep affection. His love is everlasting and perpetual, continually drawing us closer to Him. This lavish love is a source of our identity and strength, enabling us to live in holiness and freedom. [01:23:40]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[30:21] - Surrendering to God
[31:20] - Baptisms and Obedience
[33:54] - Marissa's Baptism
[39:12] - Leanne's Baptism
[42:21] - The Father's Love
[53:02] - Group Fair Announcement
[54:16] - Returning Home
[55:42] - The Prodigal Son's Story
[57:13] - Seeking Mercy, Finding Grace
[58:51] - God Sees Everything
[01:00:37] - God's Compassion
[01:02:16] - God's Relentless Pursuit
[01:04:02] - Embracing Our Brokenness
[01:05:36] - Lavishing Love and Affection
[01:11:57] - The Father's Run
[01:18:53] - Embracing Us as We Are
[01:23:40] - Everlasting Love
[01:30:22] - Invitation to Come Home
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 15:17-24 (NIV)
> "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."
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did the father take when he saw his son returning home? ([55:42])
2. How did the father’s reaction differ from what the son expected? ([57:13])
3. What does the father’s embrace signify about his feelings towards his son despite his condition? ([01:16:34])
4. How does the father’s act of running to his son break cultural norms of the time? ([01:13:29])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the father’s willingness to run and embrace his son tell us about God’s nature? ([01:11:57])
2. How does the parable of the prodigal son illustrate the concept of grace versus mercy? ([57:13])
3. In what ways does the father’s lavish affection reflect God’s love for us? ([01:23:40])
4. How does understanding God’s deep compassion and love change our perspective on our own weaknesses and failures? ([01:00:37])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did you experience His pursuit and embrace in your life? ([01:18:53])
2. The father in the parable saw his son from a long way off. How can we be more aware of God’s presence and His watchful eye in our daily lives? ([58:51])
3. How can we show the same kind of unconditional love and compassion to others that the father showed to his son? ([01:05:36])
4. What are some practical steps you can take to surrender your burdens to God and exchange your heaviness for His lightness? ([30:21])
5. How can you cultivate a deeper understanding of God’s grace in your life, especially in moments of failure or weakness? ([01:02:16])
6. Think of someone in your life who might feel unworthy or distant from God. How can you reach out to them and show them God’s love and acceptance this week? ([01:16:34])
7. How does knowing that God’s love is not an automated response but a deeply felt compassion impact your relationship with Him? ([01:07:03])
Devotional
Day 1: God Sees Us Completely
God sees everything about us—the good, the bad, and the ugly. He is aware of our secret sins and our small acts of obedience. Despite seeing our flaws and failures, He does not despise us. Instead, He continues to pursue us with love and compassion, demonstrating that His knowledge of us is not a cause for condemnation but an invitation to grace. This understanding should encourage us to draw near to God, knowing that He is always ready to embrace us and transform our lives. [58:51]
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars." (2 Chronicles 16:9, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a moment when you felt unseen or misunderstood. How does knowing that God sees you completely and still loves you change your perspective on that moment?
Day 2: God Cares Deeply for Us
The father in the parable was filled with love and compassion when he saw his son returning. This reflects God's heart towards us. He is not filled with frustration or anger but with a deep, overflowing love and compassion. God's care for us is not an automated response but a genuine, heartfelt affection that desires our well-being and restoration. This understanding should encourage us to draw near to God, knowing that He is always ready to embrace us and transform our lives. [01:05:36]
"The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever." (Psalm 103:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt overwhelmed by your circumstances. How can you remind yourself of God's deep care and compassion for you in similar situations?
Day 3: God Runs to Meet Us
The father ran to his son, casting off all restraint and dignity. This act of running signifies God's eagerness to meet us in our brokenness. He is not a distant, slow-moving deity but a Father who is quick to respond to our return. God's pursuit of us is relentless, and He is always ready to bridge the gap created by our sins and failures. This understanding should encourage us to draw near to God, knowing that He is always ready to embrace us and transform our lives. [01:11:57]
"Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded." (James 4:8, ESV)
Reflection: Think about an area of your life where you feel distant from God. What steps can you take today to draw near to Him, knowing that He is eager to meet you?
Day 4: God Embraces Us as We Are
The father embraced his son despite his filth and stench. Similarly, God embraces us in our brokenness and sin. We do not need to clean ourselves up before coming to Him. God's embrace is unconditional, and He pulls us close, demonstrating His acceptance and love. This embrace is a powerful act of grace that transforms our lives. This understanding should encourage us to draw near to God, knowing that He is always ready to embrace us and transform our lives. [01:18:53]
"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 like crimson, they shall become like wool." (Isaiah 1:18, ESV)
Reflection: Is there something in your life that makes you feel unworthy of God's love? How can you bring this to God today, trusting in His unconditional embrace?
Day 5: God Lavishes His Love on Us
The father lavished affection on his son, kissing him and celebrating his return. This reflects God's abundant love for us. He is not just a God of duty but a God of deep affection. His love is everlasting and perpetual, continually drawing us closer to Him. This lavish love is a source of our identity and strength, enabling us to live in holiness and freedom. This understanding should encourage us to draw near to God, knowing that He is always ready to embrace us and transform our lives. [01:23:40]
"The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." (Zephaniah 3:17, ESV)
Reflection: How can you allow God's lavish love to shape your identity and actions today? What is one practical way you can live out this love in your interactions with others?
Quotes
1. "We're a family and we're following Jesus together and so this is the biggest moment for you as a follower of Christ is once you receive the Lord and after you come to the Lord the the most significant thing that you need to do after you say yes to Jesus is to get water baptized because Jesus commanded you to do it and what happens is when we're when we're baptized in water what what's happening is we are experiencing a death a burial and a resurrection we're dying to our old life in the waters of baptism and we're being resurrected into a new life in Christ." [31:20] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "If you're following Jesus alone, then you're doing it wrong. And you're probably not doing it well. Right? Hey, also one other thing real quick before we jump into the message on September 8th, we are going, and you know, we need this today. We are going to two back to two services. We're going back to two services on the 8th of September. And so that's going to be awesome. Our service times are going to be nine to 11." [53:02] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So he returned home to his father. And while he was a long way off, the father saw him coming filled with love and compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, father, I've sinned against heaven and you, and I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. And the story continues. And we're going to be getting into that as we go in this series. But what the son said is I'll go home. Maybe my father will be merciful to me." [57:13] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So he went seeking mercy and he found grace. And this is what we have. When we come to Jesus, we go seeking forgiveness. We go seeking acceptance for God. And God goes, I got so much more. Than acceptance for you. I've got reinstatement to sonship. I've got a new identity for you. And so when we, we, we look at this story, the father has five actions that he demonstrates to the son." [57:13] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I want you to understand this, that God isn't just looking to, to, to punish you for the wickedness that you're living in. While he was still a way off, and he was, he was a lot farther in proximity of his heart than he was in distance, in literal distance. But the father saw him coming. I want you to understand that God knows all. God sees all. He sees you. He is aware. The good, the bad, and the ugly, God sees it. All of it." [58:51] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "He also sees the little obedience that you have. And sometimes we think, man, you know, it's just a little thing. It's not that big of a deal. It's a little five-minute prayer. It's a little, hey, I'm going to listen to worship on the way to work today. God sees that. God also sees the, the compromise. God also sees the bitterness. He sees the things that you're carrying. He sees the secrets. You can't keep any secrets from God. Good secrets or bad secrets. You can't keep any secrets from God." [01:00:37] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Even in your frail weakness, he does not despise you. Job has this beautiful verse that says, God is mighty. He's powerful. He's strong, but he does not despise men. He is mighty and firm in his purpose. He is mighty. He is strong, but he doesn't look at you and go, you're just such a frail, broken prodigal. You're just a miserable sinner. And many have painted and they had this image of God that God sees them. And he's like, he's like put out with you. He's just so done." [01:02:16] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "I want to tell you today, that you don't have to get cleaned up to come to God. You don't have to get sober. You don't have to go and deal with all the drama that you've had in your family. You don't have to get a handle on your addiction before you come to the father. You come just like you are, stinky and mangled. And the father who sees and knows and gets all of it, embraces you. pulls you in. But God demonstrated, Romans 5a, his love for us while we were sinners. Christ died for us out of his mercy." [01:18:53] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "God is affectionate. We've talked about how God is emotional and he's, he's, he's obviously emotional through this, through the scriptures. Some of us don't like that. Especially men were like, Oh, God's not emotional. He's kind of stoic. You got God wrong. God is high. Where do you think, where do you think human emotions came from? They came from God. We're not, we're not meant to be, we're not meant to, to live according to what we're feeling, but emotions are, the, the seasoning of life." [01:20:26] (27 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "How great. It's the love of the father that he has lavished on us, that we should be called the children of God. And this is what we are. A father who sees our mess and goes, I hate that you're in this mess. I want to get you out of it. Come on. me pull you close. Let me lavish on you. These five acts that we see the nature of the father, his pursuit, he sees, he cares, he runs, he embraces, and he lavishes love. He's affectionate with you. God is affectionate." [01:25:27] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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