Embracing Grace: The Prodigal Son's Journey

 

Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound theme of "Lost and Found," drawing from the parable of the prodigal son. This story is a powerful reminder of God's unending grace and love, which is not contingent upon our actions or worthiness. We began by acknowledging the common human experience of being certain about something, only to later realize we were mistaken. This humility is crucial as we approach the divine, recognizing that our understanding is limited and often flawed.

The parable presents two sons, each representing different aspects of our spiritual journey. The younger son, who squanders his inheritance, symbolizes those moments when we stray from our path, making choices that lead us away from God. Yet, even in our lowest moments, God's love remains steadfast, welcoming us back with open arms. This is the essence of grace—unearned and unconditional love that does not depend on our actions.

Conversely, the older son, who remains with the father, reflects the danger of self-righteousness and entitlement. His resentment towards the celebration of his brother's return highlights a misunderstanding of grace. It is a reminder that God's love is not transactional; it is not something we earn through good deeds or moral superiority. Both sons, in their own ways, are lost, yet both are equally loved by the father.

This narrative challenges us to reconsider our perceptions of worthiness and sin. It invites us to embrace a theology of grace that transcends human judgment and embraces all, regardless of their past. As we prepare for communion, we are reminded that this sacrament is not about our worthiness but about remembering Christ's sacrifice and the grace it embodies.

Key Takeaways:

- Grace is Unearned: God's grace is a gift that cannot be earned through actions or moral superiority. It is freely given, reflecting God's unconditional love for all, regardless of our past mistakes or current state. [54:00]

- The Danger of Self-Righteousness: The older son's resentment highlights the pitfalls of self-righteousness. We must guard against the belief that we are more deserving of God's love due to our actions, recognizing that grace is not transactional. [01:06:30]

- God's Love is Unconditional: The parable illustrates that God's love is not contingent upon our behavior. Even when we stray, God's love remains constant, always welcoming us back with open arms. [01:01:19]

- The Importance of Humility: Acknowledging our limitations and the possibility of being wrong is crucial in our spiritual journey. Humility allows us to remain open to God's guidance and grace. [48:30]

- Communion as a Reminder of Grace: The act of communion is a powerful reminder of Christ's sacrifice and the grace it represents. It is an opportunity to reflect on God's love and our place within the body of Christ. [01:15:53]

Youtube Chapters:

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:02:00] - Introduction and Mission Statement
[00:05:00] - Announcements and Upcoming Events
[00:10:00] - Invitation to Maundy Thursday Dinner
[00:15:00] - Midweek Bible Study Introduction
[00:20:00] - Passing of the Peace
[00:25:00] - Opening Prayer
[00:30:00] - Sermon Introduction: Lost and Found
[00:35:00] - The Parable of the Prodigal Son
[00:40:00] - Understanding Grace
[00:45:00] - The Danger of Self-Righteousness
[00:50:00] - God's Unconditional Love
[00:55:00] - Communion and Grace
[01:00:00] - Invitation to Communion
[01:05:00] - Closing Remarks and Invitation to Easter Service

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Lost and Found

Bible Reading:
1. Luke 15:11-32 (The Parable of the Prodigal Son)
2. Romans 3:23 (For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God)
3. John 3:16 (For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son)

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Observation Questions:

1. In the parable of the prodigal son, what actions did the younger son take that led him away from his father? How did his situation change over time? [54:00]

2. How did the older son react to the return of his younger brother, and what does this reveal about his understanding of his father's love? [01:06:30]

3. What was the reaction of the scribes and Pharisees to Jesus welcoming sinners, and how does this reflect their understanding of sin and grace? [48:30]

4. How does the sermon describe the concept of grace, and what examples are given to illustrate that grace is unearned? [54:00]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does the younger son's journey away from and back to his father illustrate the concept of grace as described in the sermon? [54:00]

2. In what ways does the older son's reaction to his brother's return highlight the dangers of self-righteousness and entitlement? [01:06:30]

3. How does the sermon challenge traditional views of worthiness and sin, particularly in the context of the Pharisees' and scribes' reactions to Jesus? [48:30]

4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of humility in our spiritual journey, and how does this relate to our understanding of God's grace? [48:30]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's love. How can the understanding of grace as unearned and unconditional change your perspective on that experience? [54:00]

2. Consider a situation where you may have felt resentment towards someone who received grace or forgiveness. How can you work towards embracing a more grace-filled perspective? [01:06:30]

3. How can you practice humility in your daily life to remain open to God's guidance and grace, especially in situations where you might be wrong? [48:30]

4. Identify an area in your life where you might be relying on self-righteousness or moral superiority. How can you shift your focus to embrace God's unconditional love instead? [01:06:30]

5. As you prepare for communion, how can you use this sacrament as a reminder of Christ's sacrifice and the grace it represents in your life? [01:15:53]

6. Think of someone in your life who might feel lost or unworthy. How can you extend grace and love to them in a way that reflects God's unconditional love? [01:01:19]

7. How can you actively remind yourself of God's love and grace in moments of doubt or when you feel distant from God? What practical steps can you take to draw closer to Him? [01:01:19]

Devotional

Day 1: Grace as a Gift Beyond Merit
Grace is a divine gift that transcends human merit, reflecting God's unconditional love for all. It is not something that can be earned through good deeds or moral superiority. This understanding of grace challenges us to let go of the notion that we must prove ourselves worthy of God's love. Instead, we are invited to accept this gift with humility and gratitude, recognizing that it is freely given to all, regardless of our past mistakes or current state. This perspective encourages us to extend grace to others, mirroring the boundless love that God shows us. [54:00]

"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a time when you felt unworthy of love or forgiveness. How can you embrace the truth of God's grace in that situation today?


Day 2: The Perils of Self-Righteousness
Self-righteousness can blind us to the true nature of grace, leading us to believe that we are more deserving of God's love due to our actions. The older son's resentment in the parable of the prodigal son serves as a cautionary tale against this mindset. It reminds us that God's love is not transactional and that we must guard against the belief that our good deeds make us superior to others. Instead, we are called to approach God with humility, recognizing that we are all equally in need of His grace. [01:06:30]

"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment." (John 7:24, ESV)

Reflection: Consider a situation where you have felt superior to someone else. How can you shift your perspective to see them through the lens of God's grace?


Day 3: Unwavering Divine Love
God's love is constant and unwavering, regardless of our behavior or the choices we make. The parable of the prodigal son illustrates this truth, showing that even when we stray, God's love remains steadfast, always ready to welcome us back with open arms. This understanding of divine love challenges us to let go of the fear that our mistakes can separate us from God. Instead, we are invited to rest in the assurance that His love is always available to us, no matter where we find ourselves on our spiritual journey. [01:01:19]

"The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How can you remind yourself of His unwavering love in your life today?


Day 4: Embracing Humility in Our Spiritual Walk
Humility is essential in our spiritual journey, allowing us to remain open to God's guidance and grace. Recognizing our limitations and the possibility of being wrong helps us approach the divine with a teachable spirit. This humility enables us to acknowledge that our understanding is limited and often flawed, creating space for God's wisdom to lead us. By embracing humility, we can better align ourselves with God's will and experience the fullness of His grace in our lives. [48:30]

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." (James 4:10, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where you struggle with pride. How can you practice humility in that area today?


Day 5: Communion as a Reflection of Grace
The act of communion serves as a powerful reminder of Christ's sacrifice and the grace it represents. It is an opportunity to reflect on God's love and our place within the body of Christ. Communion invites us to remember that our worthiness is not based on our actions but on the grace that Christ extends to us through His sacrifice. As we partake in this sacrament, we are reminded of the unity we share with other believers and the grace that binds us together as one body in Christ. [01:15:53]

"For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." (1 Corinthians 11:26, ESV)

Reflection: As you prepare for communion, consider how you can embody the grace of Christ in your interactions with others this week.

Quotes


God, for this gathering of your people, both here and online, thanks. Lord, I thank you for blessing them through this week, enabling them to be here today, to rise yet again. I thank you that all is as well as it is with them and their loved ones. I pray, God, even now, that you would look upon them. Lord, their unspoken needs, God. I ask you to do the work in their lives and to bless them. Send healing for those who need healing. [00:45:40]

Send for those who need comfort. Comfort, dear God. Send for those who need provision. Provision, God. And God, through your word today, send for this thy people, the assurance, God, that you are ever with them and that you do not leave them and that you certainly care for them. This is my prayer, asking for your presence. Amen. [00:46:17]

Why would he welcome them? What is it about grace that is important? Grace, my friends, is unearned. Grace is unearned. The fact that it is unearned means that there's nothing that you and I can do to gain great favor with God. Now, some people think that grace is earned. Think about these two young men in the story. The young one comes to his father and he says to his father, Look, I believe that I have a right to this inheritance. [00:54:00]

And let me, let me be on my way. And the father does just, just that. Gives the, gives the younger son, gives him his inheritance. And the Bible says that he goes, he takes the inheritance, and what does he do with it? He squanders it. Oh, he has a great time. Oh, he has a great, he doesn't have a budget. He doesn't follow any of the budgetary guidelines. Some of us have been there. Come on, say amen. [00:54:49]

Wanting, I mean, looking at the food that the pigs were eating and wanting. He was so hungry, he would have ate the same food that the pigs were eating. Now, this is interesting for a Jew, you know, because they would not, there's no eating a pork here. But to eat from the same, same, same trough as a pig, this is an amazing, amazing, you know, you can get so, the thing about this text that amazes me is that it touches upon all of us. [00:56:15]

So many of us say, well, I'll never do this or I'll never do that. Be careful what you say you'll never do because life can find you at your lowest point, a place where you never thought you would be, and you'll find yourself there. But even there, even there, as you see in the text, the father's love does not cease. Now, the other part of the story, you have one son who squanders his will. [00:57:00]

On the other end of the spectrum, you have this other son who keeps working for his father. And I mean, the natural human tendency of the reader, reading the text, reading the text is to say, oh, this is a good guy here. He stayed home. He worked for his father. He waited for his inheritance. He did everything right, eh? Until, until, until the younger son comes home, the father's rejoicing because he thought the younger son was dead, and the father says, look, we're going to throw a party because I thought he was lost, but now he's found, and the older son is upset. [00:57:40]

Now, this is another area of grace. Why is the older son upset? Because he thought, hey, surely, you never threw a party for me. I've been here slaving for you. I've been here working my butt off for you, and you've not done these things for me. My friends, this is the thing about grace. Grace is not earned. If there's any definition of grace that I want you to hold on to today, I want you to hold on to this idea that grace is the unmerited favor of God. [00:58:40]

By unmerited, what do I mean by grace being the unmerited favor of God? God, son, you could have worked here 20, 30 years, 40 years. I was going to love you whether you worked or not because I have that kind of love for you. This is the father has this kind of love for the son. God's love, my friends, is freely given to us, freely given to us. God is not a transactional. God is not transactional. [00:59:21]

God does not say, John, if you do this, then I'm going to do this for you. You need to do this in order for me to love you. You need to do that in order for me to love you. In fact, when I read in the Bible, the Bible says, even if you make your bed in hell, the Lord is going to be there with you because God's spirit is going to be there with you because God is always trying to draw us closer to God. God is always trying to bring us into God's foe. God does not require transactions. [00:59:56]

Let me tell you another thing. You can't name and claim your way into the love of God. You can't name it. You can't claim it. God just loves you just as you are, the song goes. And you can't, the other thing is, I used to think this as a child. The other thing that is evoked in the story is you can't do good your way into God's love. When I was younger, you know, I go to church, I go to Bible study, and they go often, y 'all. We didn't go often because it was not that kind of season in my life. [01:00:54]

But when I went, I get so convicted by the word of God, you know, because I knew I wasn't doing, I wasn't living up to my potential. And I get convicted by the word, and I would say, I would say, you know, I'm going to be good this week. I'm going to do good. I'm going to be good all this week. I'm going to be good. I will be good. I will do nothing but good things all this week. And in my mind, I felt that if I did nothing but good things all that week, that I would be worthy of God's love. [01:01:19]

And not being my best self convicted me. And I felt like, oh, I wasn't good, so I don't need to be in church this Sunday because I have really failed in doing right by God. And I think many people in the world feel this way, that in order to be in the presence of God, in order to be among you Christians, in order to be among you human beings, in order to consider yourself a Christian, that you need to always be doing good. But let me tell you, you cannot do good of your own. You can't work your way into God's grace. You can't do good your way into God's love. God loves you. God loves you. And this is why Jesus came. [01:02:09]

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Transcript
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