We Believe... The Apostles' Creed: Week One
Summary
Reflecting on the journey of faith, I am reminded of the importance of understanding not just whether we believe in God, but what kind of God we believe in. This question is crucial as it shapes our relationship with Him and our understanding of His nature. Today, we embark on a new series exploring the Apostles' Creed, a foundational statement of faith that has guided believers for over 1,600 years. This creed encapsulates core truths about God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, serving as a compass for our faith journey.
In our exploration, we begin with God the Father, the creator of heaven and earth. Using the parable of the prodigal son from Luke 15, we delve into the nature of God as a loving and forgiving Father. This story illustrates God's immense love and grace, highlighting His willingness to grant us freedom, even when it leads us away from Him. The prodigal son's journey is not just about a sinner returning home; it is about a believer who strays and is welcomed back with open arms.
God grants us the freedom to make our own choices, to live our lives as we see fit. This freedom is a testament to His love, allowing us to choose our path, even if it means walking away from Him. Yet, when we come to our senses and return, God rejoices. He runs to us, embraces us, and restores us fully, showering us with His love and blessings. This is the essence of the Father we worship—a God who offers full restoration and celebrates our return.
In this year of Jubilee, a time for freedom, restoration, and renewal, we are called to return home to God. It is a time to renew our relationship with Him, to immerse ourselves in His word, and to engage in prayer and service. As we reflect on the prodigal son's story, let us remember that God is always ready to welcome us back, to forgive us, and to restore us. This is the God we believe in—a God of boundless love and grace.
Key Takeaways:
1. Understanding God's Nature: It's not enough to simply believe in God; we must understand the nature of the God we believe in. This understanding shapes our faith and our relationship with Him, guiding us in our spiritual journey. [03:45]
2. God Grants Us Freedom: God, like the father in the prodigal son story, grants us the freedom to make our own choices. This freedom is a testament to His love, allowing us to choose our path, even if it means walking away from Him. [12:42]
3. God Rejoices in Our Return: When we stray and return to God, He rejoices. He runs to us, embraces us, and restores us fully, showering us with His love and blessings. This is the essence of the Father we worship. [19:02]
4. Full Restoration: God offers us full restoration when we return to Him. He covers us with His grace, symbolized by the robe, ring, and sandals given to the prodigal son, signifying our belonging and His forgiveness. [21:24]
5. Year of Jubilee: In this year of Jubilee, we are called to return home to God, to renew our relationship with Him, and to engage in His word and service. It is a time for freedom, restoration, and renewal. [34:03]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [03:45] - Introduction to the Apostles' Creed
- [09:14] - The Parable of the Prodigal Son
- [12:42] - God Grants Us Freedom
- [16:11] - The Prodigal Son's Journey
- [19:02] - God Rejoices in Our Return
- [21:24] - Full Restoration
- [24:30] - The Significance of the Ring and Sandals
- [27:45] - The Year of Jubilee
- [30:15] - Returning Home to God
- [34:03] - God's Boundless Love
- [36:50] - Conclusion and Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
- Luke 15:11-24
Observation Questions:
1. In the parable of the prodigal son, what actions did the younger son take that led him away from his father? [09:14]
2. How did the father respond when he saw his son returning from a distance? [19:02]
3. What items did the father give to the returning son, and what might they symbolize? [21:24]
4. How does the story of the prodigal son illustrate the concept of freedom given by God? [16:11]
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the father's reaction to the son's return tell us about God's nature and His attitude towards repentance? [19:02]
2. How does the concept of free will play a role in the relationship between God and believers, as illustrated in the parable? [16:11]
3. In what ways does the parable of the prodigal son challenge common perceptions of God's judgment and forgiveness? [34:03]
4. How does the year of Jubilee relate to the themes of freedom and restoration in the parable? [34:03]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. What steps did you take to return, and how did you experience His welcome? [19:02]
2. The father in the parable grants his son freedom, even when it leads to poor choices. How can you apply this understanding of freedom in your relationships with others? [16:11]
3. Consider the symbols of restoration (robe, ring, sandals) given to the prodigal son. What are some ways you can remind yourself of your identity and belonging in God's family? [21:24]
4. In what areas of your life do you feel God is calling you to "come to your senses" and return to Him? How can you take practical steps towards this? [21:24]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of understanding the nature of God we believe in. How can you deepen your understanding of God's nature this week? [03:45]
6. How can the concept of the year of Jubilee inspire you to seek renewal and restoration in your spiritual life? [34:03]
7. Identify one area in your life where you have experienced God's boundless love and grace. How can you share this experience with someone else this week? [34:03]
Devotional
Day 1: Understanding the Nature of God
Understanding the nature of God is essential for shaping our faith and relationship with Him. It is not enough to simply believe in God; we must delve deeper into what kind of God we believe in. This understanding guides us in our spiritual journey and influences how we interact with Him. The Apostles' Creed serves as a foundational statement of faith, encapsulating core truths about God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. As we explore these truths, we begin with God the Father, the creator of heaven and earth, who is depicted as a loving and forgiving Father in the parable of the prodigal son. This story illustrates God's immense love and grace, highlighting His willingness to grant us freedom, even when it leads us away from Him. [03:45]
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: How does your current understanding of God's nature influence your daily decisions and interactions with others?
Day 2: The Freedom God Grants Us
God grants us the freedom to make our own choices, much like the father in the parable of the prodigal son. This freedom is a testament to His love, allowing us to choose our path, even if it means walking away from Him. The prodigal son's journey is not just about a sinner returning home; it is about a believer who strays and is welcomed back with open arms. This freedom is a gift, and it is up to us to use it wisely, knowing that God is always ready to welcome us back when we return to Him. [12:42]
"For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galatians 5:13, ESV)
Reflection: In what areas of your life are you exercising your God-given freedom, and how can you ensure that your choices align with His will?
Day 3: God Rejoices in Our Return
When we stray and return to God, He rejoices. The parable of the prodigal son beautifully illustrates this truth, showing how God runs to us, embraces us, and restores us fully, showering us with His love and blessings. This is the essence of the Father we worship—a God who celebrates our return and offers us full restoration. His joy in our return is a powerful reminder of His boundless love and grace, encouraging us to always seek Him, no matter how far we have wandered. [19:02]
"Return to me, says the Lord of hosts, and I will return to you, says the Lord of hosts." (Zechariah 1:3, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How did you experience His joy and love upon your return?
Day 4: Full Restoration in God
God offers us full restoration when we return to Him. In the parable of the prodigal son, this restoration is symbolized by the robe, ring, and sandals given to the son, signifying his belonging and the father's forgiveness. This act of restoration is a powerful testament to God's grace, reminding us that no matter how far we have strayed, we are always welcome back into His loving arms. God's restoration is complete and unconditional, covering us with His grace and reaffirming our identity as His beloved children. [21:24]
"And I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you." (Joel 2:25, ESV)
Reflection: What areas of your life are in need of God's restoration, and how can you invite Him to begin that work today?
Day 5: The Year of Jubilee
In this year of Jubilee, we are called to return home to God, to renew our relationship with Him, and to engage in His word and service. It is a time for freedom, restoration, and renewal. As we reflect on the prodigal son's story, let us remember that God is always ready to welcome us back, to forgive us, and to restore us. This is the God we believe in—a God of boundless love and grace. The year of Jubilee is an opportunity to embrace this truth and to live in the freedom and joy that comes from a renewed relationship with our Creator. [34:03]
"And you shall consecrate the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you, when each of you shall return to his property and each of you shall return to his clan." (Leviticus 25:10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in this year of Jubilee by renewing your relationship with God and serving others in your community?
Quotes
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It's very, very important to recognize and to be able to understand what it is that people have given themselves over to. Do they believe in one who is coming again? Do they trust in one who is coming again and who has promised to take those who believe in him to a heavenly home? [00:02:30]
Very, very simple description of the gospel, of certain truths in the gospel put in a statement in which they taught their church members. They taught their parishes, and they encouraged them to study, and to learn, and to memorize, and to be able to recite. Nowadays, we encourage you to, sure, there's certain Bible outlines, there's certain things that we want to memorize. Maybe when it comes to evangelism, there's a particular method, and I think that with there being so many methods, you choose the method that you think that best suits you and your way of being able to explain or to express the gospel. [00:06:15]
Luke chapter 15 is the chapter where Jesus talks about things that are lost, and whether it's a sheep or it's a coin or it's a young man, and about them being found again. Of course, we're going to talk about the prodigal son part of that. I've preached that here before. You've heard it brought a number of times, I'm sure, in your lifetime. But maybe today you're going to glean something from this. You're going to hear something today that perhaps you haven't heard or thought of going through this passage, this illustration before. In this, Jesus gives illustrations about God. [00:08:05]
God gives us that freedom. He doesn't chain us down into a relationship. He doesn't force us to love him. He doesn't force us to stay home. He lets us decide what we're going to do with the lives, with the gifts, with the blessings that he's given us. He allows us to decide are we going to serve him with the blessings that he's given us. He allows us to decide what are we going to do with the relationship that we have with him. [00:15:49]
God is a father who has given us an inheritance. He has given us a gift. He has given us his blessing. And he's also given us the freedom to choose what to do with that blessing. Now here's a question. Who does the prodigal son represent? In a lot of ways I've heard this taught in terms of a way of a sinner. But this isn't, this is about one who does sin, yes. But it isn't about someone who is lost. This is about a believer. [00:16:55]
God gives us the freedom to love him, to live for him to serve him, to follow in his ways or not. He gives us permission. God did not have to put that beautiful fruit in the Garden of Eden but it was there. He could have put barbed wire up around that tree to make certain that they didn't come anywhere close to it but that's not what he did. And that's why that principle of free will I think is so important for us to recognize that Jesus describes God that way. [00:20:28]
Now I know that as a dad and I know that as a man who has gotten to be the age that I am and have the experiences that I've had or the choices the poor choices and the good choices that I've made and the struggle with certain choices as well that I try to guide my four children to well and you know not do as dad did at times or to do as dad did to consider but in the end and this is what I tell the kids in fact I think I had a conversation like this last week on the couch and I told them in the end this is your decision to make and I'm not I'm not the best example all I can do is tell you what I realize now I should have done. [00:22:19]
The wayward son the wasteful son sorry the wasteful son wasn't faring too well and here's how Jesus describes it six words squandered his wealth in wild living the father knew it was going to happen but he gave the son the freedom to do it anyway and I think that's a big part of the story of the prodigal son that we don't emphasize enough yes God has given you the freedom what are you going to do with it how are you going to use that freedom now my my favorite phrase my favorite verse one of them I know I should have several but this is one of mine that every time it comes to mind I'm reminded once again that verse 17 the beginning of 17 is one of my favorites when he came to his senses [00:24:23]
That's why I think he represents the believer who turns away from the faith because I think that this passage as a whole which is different from the other two illustrations that are in here just slightly, ever so slightly I believe that it tells us something about God or reveals something to us about God that we don't necessarily see I don't want to say in other places of scripture but we don't necessarily see or heard within the context of us. [00:19:55]
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