Embracing Joyful Sonship: The Heart of the Father
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, Risen Church! Today, we delved into the final part of our series on Luke 15, focusing on the parable of the prodigal son. This parable, which Jesus used to address the grumbling religious leaders, reveals the heart of God the Father through three stories: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. Each story emphasizes God's relentless pursuit of the lost and His joy in their return.
We explored the younger son's reckless wastefulness and his eventual repentance, highlighting the father's extravagant grace in welcoming him back. We also examined the older brother's self-righteousness and bitterness, which kept him from celebrating his brother's return. Both sons, despite their different paths, missed the heart of their father.
The focal point of the parable is the father, who represents God. His actions are radical and counter-cultural, embodying a lavish, extravagant love that defies human expectations. Jesus, through this parable, invites us to behold the faithful father, beware of the fallen counterfeit of this life, and bestow the same celebration and invitation we've received in Christ.
We are called to embrace our identity as beloved sons and daughters of a good father, participating in His mission with joy. This involves trusting in His timing and maturing at His pace, recognizing that our circumstances are part of His sovereign plan. The parable challenges us to align our hearts with God's, celebrating and participating in the harvest of souls He is bringing into His kingdom.
As we conclude, we are reminded that our relationship with God is not about religious duty but about joyful sonship. We are invited to live out this identity in gospel community, demonstrating grace to one another and participating in the mission of making disciples. This is the abundant life Jesus offers, a life of joy, celebration, and partnership with our heavenly Father.
### Key Takeaways
1. Behold Your Faithful Father: Jesus constantly points us to God as our Father, emphasizing His faithfulness even when we are not. This faithful father is patient, kind, and long-suffering, embodying a love that is warm and compassionate. Understanding God as our Father transforms our relationship with Him from one of duty to one of joyful sonship. [21:03]
2. Beware the Fallen Counterfeit: The parable warns us against the traps of both worldly rebellion and self-righteous religiosity. Both paths lead to destruction and squander our sonship. Jesus calls us to beware of these counterfeit saviors and align our hearts with the true heart of God, which is full of joy and celebration. [38:50]
3. Bestow the Same Celebration and Invitation: We are called to share the joy and celebration of our Father's heart with others. This involves participating in the mission of making disciples and living out the joy of our salvation. Our lives should reflect the abundant life Jesus offers, marked by joy, celebration, and partnership with God. [42:11]
4. Trust in God's Sovereign Plan: Part of sonship is trusting in God's timing and His sovereign plan for our lives. Even when circumstances seem unfair or challenging, we are called to trust that God knows what is best for us. This trust leads to maturity and a deeper relationship with our Father. [32:46]
5. Embrace Gospel Community: The church, though imperfect, is a place where we can experience and demonstrate the grace of God. Gospel community is essential for our growth and participation in God's mission. It is in this community that we can encourage one another, warn each other of false agendas, and celebrate the joy of our salvation together. [28:06]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:33] - Weekender Announcement
[03:48] - Introduction to Luke 15
[05:16] - The Parable of the Lost Sheep and Coin
[06:39] - The Prodigal Son: Younger Brother
[08:12] - The Prodigal Son: Older Brother
[09:49] - The Prodigal Father
[10:51] - The Nature of God
[12:31] - Embracing Sonship
[14:17] - Behold Your Faithful Father
[18:17] - The Father's Compassion
[21:03] - Jesus Reveals the Father
[24:55] - The Image of the Invisible God
[28:06] - Demonstrating Grace in Community
[32:46] - Trusting God's Sovereign Plan
[38:50] - Beware the Fallen Counterfeit
[42:11] - Bestow Celebration and Invitation
[45:44] - Community Group Fair Invitation
[47:37] - The Gospel Invitation
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son
2. John 14:8-11 - Jesus Reveals the Father
3. Colossians 1:15-20 - The Supremacy of Christ
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did the younger son take that led to his downfall, and how did he respond when he realized his mistake? (Luke 15:11-20)
2. How did the father react when he saw his younger son returning home? (Luke 15:20-24)
3. What was the older brother's reaction to the celebration of his younger brother's return, and how did the father address his concerns? (Luke 15:25-32)
4. According to John 14:8-11, how does Jesus describe His relationship with the Father, and what does this reveal about God's nature? (John 14:8-11)
#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the father's reaction to both sons in the parable reveal about God's character and His approach to forgiveness and grace? (Luke 15:20-32)
2. How does Jesus' statement in John 14:9, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father," help us understand the nature of God? (John 14:9) [24:15]
3. In Colossians 1:15-20, what does it mean that Jesus is the "image of the invisible God" and how does this passage deepen our understanding of the relationship between Jesus and the Father? (Colossians 1:15-20)
4. How do the actions of the younger and older brothers in the parable reflect common attitudes towards God and His grace in today's world? (Luke 15:11-32) [06:39]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did you respond, and what steps can you take to return to Him, similar to the younger son? (Luke 15:17-20) [17:44]
2. The father in the parable shows extravagant grace and forgiveness. How can you demonstrate similar grace and forgiveness in your relationships this week? (Luke 15:20-24) [18:17]
3. The older brother struggled with self-righteousness and bitterness. Are there areas in your life where you might be harboring similar feelings? How can you address them? (Luke 15:25-32) [19:54]
4. Jesus invites us to see God as a loving Father. How does this perspective change the way you pray and interact with God daily? (John 14:8-11) [21:03]
5. The sermon emphasized the importance of gospel community. How can you actively participate in and contribute to your church community to experience and demonstrate God's grace? (Luke 15:28-32) [28:06]
6. Trusting in God's sovereign plan can be challenging, especially during difficult times. What are some practical ways you can remind yourself of God's faithfulness and sovereignty in your current circumstances? (Proverbs 3:5-6) [32:46]
7. The parable calls us to celebrate and participate in God's mission. Identify one specific way you can share the joy of your salvation with someone this week. (Matthew 28:19-20) [42:11]
Devotional
Day 1: Behold Your Faithful Father
God is not just a distant deity; He is a loving and faithful Father who is patient, kind, and long-suffering. This understanding transforms our relationship with Him from one of mere duty to one of joyful sonship. When we see God as our Father, we begin to grasp the depth of His love and compassion for us. This perspective changes how we approach Him, not out of fear or obligation, but out of love and trust. Jesus constantly points us to this truth, inviting us to experience the warmth and compassion of our heavenly Father. [21:03]
Isaiah 64:8 (ESV): "But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand."
Reflection: Think about your current relationship with God. Do you see Him as a loving Father or as a distant authority figure? How can you begin to approach Him with the trust and love of a child today?
Day 2: Beware the Fallen Counterfeit
The parable of the prodigal son warns us against two dangerous paths: worldly rebellion and self-righteous religiosity. Both paths lead to destruction and squander our sonship. The younger son's reckless living and the older brother's self-righteousness are both traps that keep us from experiencing the true joy and celebration of our Father's heart. Jesus calls us to beware of these counterfeit saviors and align our hearts with the true heart of God, which is full of joy and celebration. [38:50]
Jeremiah 2:13 (ESV): "For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed out cisterns for themselves, broken cisterns that can hold no water."
Reflection: Reflect on your life and identify any areas where you might be relying on worldly rebellion or self-righteousness. How can you realign your heart with the true joy and celebration found in God's love?
Day 3: Bestow the Same Celebration and Invitation
We are called to share the joy and celebration of our Father's heart with others. This involves participating in the mission of making disciples and living out the joy of our salvation. Our lives should reflect the abundant life Jesus offers, marked by joy, celebration, and partnership with God. As we have received grace and love from our Father, we are to extend that same grace and love to others, inviting them to experience the joy of being part of God's family. [42:11]
1 Peter 4:10 (ESV): "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who needs to experience the joy and love of God. How can you extend an invitation to them to share in the celebration of God's grace today?
Day 4: Trust in God's Sovereign Plan
Part of sonship is trusting in God's timing and His sovereign plan for our lives. Even when circumstances seem unfair or challenging, we are called to trust that God knows what is best for us. This trust leads to maturity and a deeper relationship with our Father. Recognizing that our circumstances are part of His sovereign plan helps us to grow in faith and patience, knowing that He is working all things for our good. [32:46]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Consider a challenging circumstance you are currently facing. How can you trust in God's sovereign plan and timing in this situation? What steps can you take to surrender your worries to Him today?
Day 5: Embrace Gospel Community
The church, though imperfect, is a place where we can experience and demonstrate the grace of God. Gospel community is essential for our growth and participation in God's mission. It is in this community that we can encourage one another, warn each other of false agendas, and celebrate the joy of our salvation together. Embracing gospel community means committing to relationships that reflect God's love and grace, helping each other grow in faith and maturity. [28:06]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Reflect on your involvement in your church community. How can you more actively participate in and contribute to the growth and encouragement of your gospel community? What specific steps can you take this week to build deeper relationships within your church?
Quotes
1. "I think we very much believe in the power of gospel community because Jesus does too. And so we'll talk a little bit about that this morning. But I also want to put on your radar before we dive in here that we have the Weekender coming up. So the Weekender is happening October 11th and 12th. And so it's a Friday evening and a Saturday morning. It's an event that we have that is, it's not an overnight stay, but it is a time where you come together." [01:33] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The younger son had a way of thinking about his father that was wrong. So did the older brother. Jesus is saying, behold who God the Father really is. Trust me. I know I'm God the Son. Like both Jesus and Hosea here and the full counsel of God's word testify to the true heart of God. While the circumstances of this world and our own fickle emotions, they might tell you that he's distant, Jesus and the Bible, they make it clear that he is near and he's attentive and that he's standing at the door of your hearts and he's knocking." [36:10] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "This is the heart of the overwhelming, never-ending, all-consuming love and kindness of God the Father. This is who Jesus is pointing us to in this parable. The younger son had a way of thinking about his father that was wrong. So did the older brother. Jesus is saying, behold who God the Father really is. Trust me. I know I'm God the Son. Like both Jesus and Hosea here and the full counsel of God's word testify to the true heart of God." [35:32] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "This is the abundant relational life that Jesus invites us to receive and walk in. But the more you look to the counterfeit saviors, in yourself and the counterfeit saviors in this world, the more you indulge in those things, listen to me, the more false projections that you have will be painted. Like the more this false picture of who God is and the more of those projections will be put on him. The more of these ideas, these counterfeit projections will preach to your heart because you have actually looked to yourself, your own self-righteousness to be your savior." [38:03] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "This is the power of gospel community. And so again, it's easy to project our own experiences or our own ideas of what God the father's like. So Jesus has come to reveal the truth. Like whether your sin issue is religious lostness, like the older brother, or worldly rebellion, like the younger brother, or both. Like he's come to show us who God the father truly is, that the younger and older brother have both confused." [28:45] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "This is the invitation. So for the rest of our time, we're gonna hone in on who God the Father is and what he's ultimately calling us all to. And then, so as a framework here, for the rest of our time, I've got three things Jesus calls us to in this parable. Number one, behold your faithful father. Behold your faithful father. Number two, beware, a little alliteration, beware the fallen counterfeit of this life and then bestow the same celebration and invitation you've received in Christ." [14:17] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "This is Christianity, guys. The scriptures use all kinds of language to describe what the redeemed life is like in Christ, but this in Luke 15 here, we're told that it's like embracing our identity as the body of Christ. As the beloved sons of a lavishly good father. Again, this is sonship. All of us, guys, men and women, this is about sonship, and that doesn't leave out the women and daughters, but the reason I'm using sonship is to include all of us in this because it's got implications that have to do with biblical inheritance as the firstborn son." [12:31] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "This is the kind of abundant life Jesus invites, us to live is the kind of life that we share in Christ, our risen Lord with each other, our city, and beyond. And because you're not perfect, we don't do this perfectly well, but we try to because we're perfectly loved. And we need to share and show grace to one another. We don't just preach grace, we demonstrate it. Amen? This is why the church is not perfect. Because we aren't just, we're not just a declaration of grace, we're a demonstration of it." [28:06] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "This is the heart of the prodigal father toward his children. This is the heart of the overwhelming, never-ending, all-consuming love and kindness of God the Father. This is who Jesus is pointing us to in this parable. The younger son had a way of thinking about his father that was wrong. So did the older brother. Jesus is saying, behold who God the Father really is. Trust me. I know I'm God the Son." [35:32] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "This is the gospel. God became a man. He lived the life we couldn't live. He died the death we deserve to die. He conquered death in the grave and he paved the way to eternal life. He broke down the barriers through his resurrection. And he invites us to enjoy the spirit he now has bestowed upon us to fill us from the inside out and guide us and call us son. Will you take him up on that invitation and that identity?" [48:10] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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