Coming to Our Senses: God's Scandalous Grace

``and so he makes his way home. And this is my favorite part of the story we read together, is that scripture tells us that while he was far off, his daddy saw him, and he ran out to him to meet him. Now, no self respecting Jewish man would run, let alone run to someone who squandered their inheritance, basically said, dad, I wish you were dead so I could have your money, And yet, this loving father ran to this prodigal son. Didn't demand an apology, didn't expect any groveling, no crossed arms, and scowled face, just open arms and profound grace. [00:52:48] (60 seconds)  #GraceRunsHome

This father who embraces this son, who throws a party for him, God is always watching, always ready to welcome us home, to throw a party and celebrate and kill the fattened calf for our return. God is always waiting for our return. The challenge for us is do we really believe that? Can we really believe God loves us that much? That God has no judgment for us, just grace, just love. God is always ready to receive us. [00:57:13] (40 seconds)  #GodAlwaysWelcomes

See, here's the thing. God is throwing a party for everyone. God is throwing a party for all of God's children. The question is, will we join it? Will we come to our senses about God's scandalous, radical, abundant grace? Will we stop judging and start celebrating? My friends, the party is happening. The question is, are we going to join it? [01:02:55] (30 seconds)  #JoinTheGraceParty

Now coming to our senses, it's not a one and done. This is a daily thing. This is a daily yielding ourselves, surrendering ourselves to God's grace, and recognizing that that grace extends far beyond us and into those that we like to stand in judgment of. It's a forever beginning, isn't it? This coming to our senses to stop judging, to start loving, to join the party that God is throwing for all people. [01:03:25] (29 seconds)  #DailySurrender

So as we think briefly about this younger son, we can think about our own lives. Perhaps each of us have places, maybe large, maybe small, where we're kind of feeding pigs, it's not quite living up to who God created us to be. And when we recognize that, when we can see that we're not living into our fullest potential of who God has called and created us to be, when that happens, that's the beginning of the doorway opening to God's grace. [00:55:12] (31 seconds)  #DoorwayToGrace

Maybe it's a relationship that needs to be restored or a habit or addiction that needs to be broken. Maybe it's a path that you're on that that God is calling you to leave behind so that you can claim grace in front of you. What does it mean for you to come to your senses today? All you have to do is stop pretending and admit that you're hungry for home. [00:56:08] (27 seconds)  #HungryForHome

Let's focus on these characters, these three men, the father, the younger son, the older son that we find in this scripture text. Again, this story being told to the Pharisees. Don't forget the audience here. The younger son finally came to his senses. He recognized the true condition, and recognizing his condition was was the beginning of the doorway to grace that he would find later. [00:54:43] (29 seconds)  #SensesToGrace

Now I wanna ask you a question. This is what I've been hoping you could come up with here as I've planted this for you. Think about those pharisees Jesus is telling this story to. Who do you think he Jesus wants the pharisees to relate to in this story? This is critical thinking skills one zero one right here. Jesus wants them to recognize themselves in the story of the older brother. You got it. I I coached you a little bit, some of you. [00:59:30] (36 seconds)  #WhichBrotherAreYou