God's Invitation: Embracing Love and Restoration
Summary
Summary (300-500 words):
Easter is a powerful reminder that God is not finished with us yet. No matter where we find ourselves—whether we feel close to God or far away, whether we’re new to faith or have been walking with Jesus for decades—God is always inviting us to take our next step toward Him. This is a season of growth and expansion for our church, and it’s a joy to see so many people gathering, seeking, and finding community. But more than numbers or locations, what matters most to God is people—each individual life, each story, each heart.
To help us see God’s heart, Jesus told three stories in Luke 15: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. Each story follows the same rhythm: something precious is lost, it is searched for and found, and then there is a celebration. These stories reveal that God is not distant or indifferent; He is actively seeking those who are far from Him, longing for their return, and rejoicing when they come home. The story of the prodigal son, in particular, shows us a Father whose love is wastefully extravagant—who runs to meet His lost child, not to punish, but to restore and embrace.
This love is not just for the obviously lost, but also for those who have stayed close yet have grown cold or self-righteous. Both sons in the story are separated from the father’s heart in different ways, but the father pursues them both. The true prodigal in the story is the father, whose love is lavish and unrestrained. This is the heart of Easter: God’s love is not passive or theoretical. It is demonstrated in action—Jesus came, lived, died, and rose again to get ahead of our punishment, to make a way for us to be restored.
Easter is not just a story to be celebrated; it’s an invitation to experience God’s love personally. No matter how broken, lost, or unworthy we may feel, God is waiting, watching, and ready to run to us. His love is not limited by our failures or our doubts. The resurrection proves that God has the power to make all things new, to forgive, to restore, and to celebrate every person who comes home. Today, we are invited to respond—to take our next step, to come home, and to live in the reality of God’s amazing grace.
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Key Takeaways
- Our Perspective of God Shapes Everything
The way we see God determines how we relate to Him. If our picture of God is distorted—seeing Him as angry, distant, or demanding—we will miss the depth of His love and the joy of relationship with Him. Jesus came to correct our vision, to show us that God is a loving Father who desires closeness, not just compliance. [05:59]
- God’s Heart is for the Lost and the Found
In the stories Jesus told, every lost thing mattered deeply to its owner. God counts what matters to Him, and what matters most is people. Whether we are far from God or have never left, His heart is to seek, to find, and to celebrate each of us. No one is overlooked or forgotten in God’s economy. [11:15]
- Repentance Begins with Honest Self-Reflection
The turning point for the prodigal son was a moment of clarity—“How did I get here?” True repentance starts when we come to our senses, recognize our need, and decide to return to the Father. God is not waiting to shame us, but to welcome us home with compassion and restoration. [14:32]
- God’s Love Runs Ahead of Our Punishment
The father in the story ran to his son not just out of affection, but to shield him from the condemnation of others. In the same way, God in Christ came running to get ahead of our punishment, to absorb our shame, and to restore us as sons and daughters. His love is proactive, sacrificial, and always seeking our good. [18:15]
- Easter is an Invitation to Experience, Not Just Celebrate
The resurrection is not just a historical event; it is a present reality that invites us to move from brokenness to newness of life. God’s love is demonstrated, not just declared. Today, each of us is invited to respond—to come home, to receive forgiveness, and to live as beloved children of God. [24:48]
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YouTube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Church Family & Connection Card
[02:00] - Six-Week Challenge and Community Invitation
[03:30] - Upcoming Series: What’s Next
[04:15] - The Red Light Ticket Story
[05:59] - The Power of Perspective: How We See God
[06:22] - Jesus’ Mission: Revealing the Father
[08:00] - The Audience: Tax Collectors, Sinners, and Pharisees
[09:30] - Three Stories: Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Lost Son
[11:15] - The Prodigal Son: The Younger Brother’s Journey
[13:54] - Hitting Rock Bottom: “How Did I Get Here?”
[15:03] - The Father’s Compassion and Running to the Son
[18:15] - The Kazaza Ceremony and the Father’s Intervention
[20:38] - The Older Brother: Resentment and the Father’s Pursuit
[23:37] - The True Prodigal: The Father’s Extravagant Love
[24:48] - The Easter Story: Love Demonstrated in Action
[26:39] - The Cross and Resurrection: Power to Make New
[27:39] - Reframing Our Picture of God
[28:41] - Spiritual Survey: Where Are You With God?
[29:33] - Responding to God’s Invitation
[31:34] - Closing Prayer and Worship
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Easter – God’s Heart for the Lost and the Found
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### Bible Reading
- Luke 15:1-32 (The parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son)
- Romans 5:8 (“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”)
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### Observation Questions
1. In the three stories Jesus tells in Luke 15, what is the common pattern or rhythm that each story follows? (lost, searched for, found, celebration)
2. What are the differences between the two sons in the parable of the prodigal son, and how does the father respond to each of them?
3. According to the sermon, what was the cultural significance of the father running to meet his son? [18:15]
4. In Romans 5:8, what does it say about the timing and nature of God’s love for us?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to tell three different stories (lost sheep, lost coin, lost son) to the same audience? What might He be trying to communicate about God’s heart? [09:30]
2. The sermon says that our perspective of God shapes everything. How can having a distorted view of God affect someone’s relationship with Him? [05:59]
3. The father’s actions in the story go against cultural expectations. What does this reveal about God’s character and His approach to those who have failed or wandered away? [15:03]
4. The older brother stayed home but was still distant from the father’s heart. What does this teach us about the dangers of self-righteousness or going through the motions in our faith? [20:38]
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon said, “If you have the wrong information about God, you will always have the wrong perspective of who He is.” What are some wrong pictures of God you’ve had in the past, and how did they affect your faith or life? [05:59]
2. Jesus describes a father who is “wastefully extravagant” with his love. Is it hard for you to believe that God loves you this way? Why or why not? [23:37]
3. The turning point for the prodigal son was when he “came to his senses.” Have you ever had a moment like this in your life? What helped you realize you needed to take a step back toward God? [14:32]
4. The father ran to meet his son to get ahead of the punishment and shame. In what ways have you experienced God’s grace running ahead of your mistakes or failures? [18:15]
5. The older brother struggled with resentment and comparison. Are there areas in your life where you feel overlooked or where you struggle to celebrate others? How can you bring these feelings honestly to God? [20:38]
6. The sermon said, “Easter is not just a story to be celebrated; it’s an invitation to experience God’s love personally.” What would it look like for you to take a “next step” toward God this week? Be specific. [24:48]
7. The resurrection means God can make all things new. Is there a part of your life that feels too broken or hopeless for God to restore? What would it look like to trust Him with that area? [26:39]
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Close in prayer, inviting God to help each person experience His love and take their next step toward Him.
Devotional
Day 1: Seeing God as a Loving Father, Not a Distant Judge
How we perceive God shapes every interaction we have with Him. If we imagine God as angry, distant, or merely demanding obedience, we miss the profound depth of His love and the joy found in relationship with Him. Jesus came to reveal the true nature of God—a Father who desires intimacy and connection, not just rule-following. This shift in perspective invites us to approach God with confidence and openness, knowing He welcomes us with grace.
When we begin to see God as a loving Father, it changes how we respond to life’s challenges and our own shortcomings. Instead of fear or shame, we can embrace His presence as a source of comfort and strength. This new vision encourages us to draw near, trusting that God’s heart is for relationship, not condemnation. [05:59]
Psalm 103:13-14 (ESV)
“As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. For he knows our frame; he remembers that we are dust.”
Reflection: What is one way your current view of God limits your ability to experience His love? Today, ask God to help you see Him more clearly as a compassionate Father who desires closeness with you.
Day 2: God Pursues Every Lost and Found Soul
The stories Jesus told about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son reveal a God who values every individual deeply. Nothing is too small or insignificant to escape His notice. Whether you feel far from God or have never left His side, His heart is to seek you out, find you, and celebrate your return. This divine pursuit is relentless and personal, showing that no one is overlooked or forgotten in God’s kingdom.
Understanding that God’s love extends to both the obviously lost and those who have drifted or grown cold challenges us to embrace His mission of restoration. It reminds us that every person’s story matters and that God rejoices over every step taken toward Him. [11:15]
Zephaniah 3:17 (ESV)
“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.”
Reflection: Who in your life feels lost or distant from God? How can you reflect God’s heart by seeking, welcoming, or celebrating them today?
Day 3: Repentance Begins with Honest Self-Reflection
The prodigal son’s turning point came when he honestly asked himself, “How did I get here?” True repentance starts with this moment of clarity—recognizing where we are, acknowledging our need, and deciding to return to the Father. It is not about shame or punishment but about awakening to God’s invitation to restoration.
This process requires courage to face our brokenness and humility to accept God’s grace. When we come to our senses, we find a Father who is ready to welcome us home with compassion and healing. Repentance is less about guilt and more about rediscovering our place in God’s heart. [14:32]
Lamentations 3:40 (ESV)
“Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!”
Reflection: Take a moment to honestly assess where you feel distant from God or stuck in old patterns. What is one step you can take today to turn back toward Him with openness and trust?
Day 4: God’s Love Intervenes Before Punishment
The father in the prodigal son’s story ran to meet his child not only out of affection but to protect him from condemnation. Similarly, God in Christ comes running ahead of our punishment, absorbing our shame and restoring us as beloved children. His love is proactive and sacrificial, always seeking our good before we even ask.
This truth frees us from living in fear of judgment and invites us to rest in the assurance that God’s love covers our failures. It challenges us to trust in His intervention and to live in the freedom of being fully accepted and restored. [18:15]
Isaiah 53:4-5 (ESV)
“Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.”
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God’s love. How can embracing His proactive love change the way you live and relate to Him today?
Day 5: Easter Invites Us into New Life, Not Just Celebration
Easter is more than a historical event to celebrate; it is a present reality inviting each of us to move from brokenness into newness of life. God’s love is demonstrated through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, making a way for forgiveness, restoration, and transformation.
This invitation calls for a response—to come home, receive grace, and live as beloved children of God. It is an ongoing journey of experiencing God’s amazing grace daily, not just remembering it once a year. Easter’s power is alive now, ready to renew and empower every person willing to step into it. [24:48]
Colossians 2:12-13 (ESV)
“...having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses.”
Reflection: What is one practical way you can live out the new life Easter offers today? How can you remind yourself daily that you are a forgiven and beloved child of God?
Quotes
``If you have the wrong picture of something, you're gonna get a wrong perspective on it. And this is true about every part of our life. If you get the wrong input, you're gonna have the wrong output. But I wanna say this Easter weekend, this perspective is entirely true about God. If you have the wrong information about God, you will always have the wrong. [00:06:03] (19 seconds)
To understand what he says, it starts in Luke chapter 15 verse one by telling us who he was talking to. It says, now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. Let's just pause here for just a moment. We read this and it's like, what's the big deal? But tax collectors were hated among the Jewish people. These were people who were Jewish by birth, but they had sold out to the Roman government in order just to have a job. But the job was going to their Jewish neighbors, family, and friends and collecting the taxes that would fund the government in Rome that was oppressing all of the Jewish people. They were seen as sellouts. And there was the tax collectors and the sinners. And in Greek, this word sinners, it literally is this kind of junk word, junk drawer kind of word that literally is like the worst of the worst people. So the tax collectors and sinners, people who were nothing like God, they were all gathering around to hear Jesus. Now what does this mean to me? To me, this means people who were nothing like Jesus liked Jesus. And if your experience with followers of Jesus has been anything other than delightful and full of love and joy, that's not a good representative or a good picture of who Jesus was because people who were nothing like him liked him. [00:09:58] (74 seconds)
You ever have this moment when it feels like the bottom has fallen out and life isn't going your way? How did I get here? Now, this is my translation of it. Here's how Jesus said it. Six words. When he came to his senses. [00:14:34] (16 seconds)
Why did the father come running? It wasn't just because it was his boy, it was to get ahead of the punishments. This, by the way, is the Easter story. Let's go back to the story. So the boy, he gets to his father and he goes into his speech. Number one, father, I've sinned against heaven and against you. I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. And number three, and before he can get number three out, the dad's like, but shut your mouth, listen to me. He says, but the father said to his servants, quick, bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger, it symbolizes family, and you're a part of this family. And put sandals on his feet. Let's bring the fattened calf and kill it. Come on, ribeyes and fillets for everybody up in here tonight. Let's have a feast and celebrate. Why? For the son of mine was dead and is alive again. [00:19:47] (52 seconds)
To this audience and to us today, he has this wastefully extravagant love for the irreligious and the religious, for the rebellious and the self -righteous, and check this out, for the lost and the found. Why did the father come running? It was to get ahead of the punishment. And this, friends, is the Easter story, that you and I find ourselves at one point or another in our lives like this, broken, worthless, irreparable, having no real value whatsoever. [00:24:07] (41 seconds)
The Easter story is that God shows his love. Let's be real for a moment. We live in a world that has wildly misidentified and misdefined love. Love is not a feeling. Love is not a hope. Love is an action. It's something you do. [00:25:01] (18 seconds)
Part of understanding God is understanding that at the same time, he is both fully love, and full of justice. He's full of love. He really does love you. Like the prodigal's father, he stands waiting for you just to come home. He was willing to do anything for you, but he's also full of justice. [00:26:22] (20 seconds)
There is a limit to my love, but God's love is beautiful, unconditional, so perfect. It's the reason the only adjective that feels adequate to describe his grace is amazing. [00:28:17] (14 seconds)
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