Walking with God: Embracing Grace and Redemption
Summary
The sermon begins with the pastor expressing gratitude for the opportunity to minister in the absence of the lead pastors. He transitions to the sermon series on "Walking with God," emphasizing the importance of understanding what it means to walk with God as individuals. The pastor highlights the influence of those we walk closely with, stating that whoever we walk close with will ultimately influence our lives. The pastor encourages believers to commit to walking closely with God as their primary goal in life, emphasizing that it is not just a theory but a lifestyle.
The pastor then focuses on the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15, emphasizing that the story is not just about the two sons, but about the father's endless love for his people. The pastor highlights the scandal of grace, explaining that God loves and pursues those who have denied Him or walked away from Him. The sermon encourages the congregation to recognize that God desires a relationship with each and every one of them, regardless of their past or current state. The pastor invites the listeners to reflect on which camp they fall into - the lost son or the self-righteous son - and prays for the Holy Spirit to work in their hearts and minds.
The pastor then discusses the concept of walking with the Lord and what it means to live a lifestyle aligned with the word of God. The pastor encourages the congregation to reflect on their daily lives and examine if their actions and choices are in line with righteousness and holiness. The pastor emphasizes that walking with the Lord is a privilege and reminds the congregation that it is God who chose them, not the other way around. The pastor highlights the heart of God, which is to seek and save lost people, and emphasizes that despite our sins and brokenness, God chooses to show His goodness and grace through us.
The pastor discusses the essence of sin and how it stems from the desire to be one's own god and lord. Sin is characterized by wanting to live life on our own terms, without any accountability or consequences. However, the pastor emphasizes that this cannot happen when we are in the presence of God, as the Holy Spirit convicts us and we feel shame and condemnation. The pastor draws a parallel to the prodigal son, who selfishly runs away from his father and squanders his inheritance. Similarly, when we walk away from God, it often boils down to our own selfishness.
In conclusion, the pastor reflects on the parable of the prodigal son. He imagines himself as the father in the story, eagerly waiting and searching for his lost son. The pastor emphasizes the father's unconditional love and compassion, highlighting how the father runs towards his son, breaking cultural norms and protocols to reconcile with him. The pastor draws a parallel between the father's actions and God's love for humanity, stating that God embraces and receives us, rather than scorning or rejecting us.
Key Takeaways:
- Walking with God is not just a theory but a lifestyle that influences every aspect of our lives. It is a commitment to align our actions and choices with righteousness and holiness. This is a privilege given to us by God, who chose us despite our sins and brokenness ([12:45]).
- The story of the prodigal son is not just about the two sons, but about the father's endless love for his people. God loves and pursues those who have denied Him or walked away from Him, desiring a relationship with each one of us regardless of our past or current state ([22:30]).
- Sin stems from the desire to be one's own god and lord, characterized by wanting to live life on our own terms, without any accountability or consequences. This cannot happen in the presence of God, as the Holy Spirit convicts us and we feel shame and condemnation ([35:15]).
- The father in the parable of the prodigal son breaks cultural norms and protocols to reconcile with his lost son, symbolizing God's unconditional love and compassion for humanity. God embraces and receives us, rather than scorning or rejecting us ([48:20]).
- The parable of the prodigal son serves as a warning to both the religious group, who may judge and condemn sinners, and the broken and ashamed group, who can relate to the son's feelings of hitting rock bottom. Sin often starts off pleasurable and enjoyable, but eventually leads to destruction and darkness ([52:10]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
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1. Luke 15:11-32: This passage narrates the parable of the prodigal son, a story of a father's unconditional love and forgiveness towards his wayward son.
2. 1 John 4:19: "We love because he first loved us." This verse emphasizes the origin of our ability to love, which is God's love for us.
3. Romans 5:8: "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This verse highlights the depth of God's love, which is so profound that He gave His only Son for us while we were still sinners.
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Observation Questions:
1. In Luke 15:11-32, what are the actions and attitudes of the younger son, the older son, and the father?
2. How does the father in the parable of the prodigal son respond to his younger son's return?
3. What does 1 John 4:19 and Romans 5:8 reveal about the nature of God's love?
Interpretation Questions:
1. What does the father's response to his younger son's return in the parable of the prodigal son tell us about God's love and grace?
2. How does the attitude of the older son in the parable reflect the attitudes of some people towards sinners and God's grace?
3. How do the verses 1 John 4:19 and Romans 5:8 relate to the concept of walking with God and living a lifestyle aligned with His word?
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your own life. Are there areas where you are living life on your own terms, without any accountability or consequences, similar to the prodigal son?
2. Can you identify a recent situation where you acted more like the older brother in the parable, judging or condemning others? How can you respond differently in the future?
3. What is one specific way you can demonstrate your commitment to walking closely with God in your daily life this week?
4. Think of a person in your life who has walked away from God. How can you show them God's love and grace, as the father did in the parable of the prodigal son?
5. How can you remind yourself daily of God's love for you, as expressed in 1 John 4:19 and Romans 5:8, especially during challenging times?
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing a Lifestyle of Walking with God
Walking with God is not a mere concept, but a lifestyle that permeates every aspect of our lives. It is a commitment to align our actions and choices with righteousness and holiness. This is a privilege given to us by God, who chose us despite our sins and brokenness. [12:45]
Micah 6:8 - "He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."
Reflection: Reflect on your daily routine. What is one specific area where you can better align your actions and choices with righteousness and holiness?
Day 2: Understanding God's Endless Love
The story of the prodigal son is not just about the two sons, but about the father's endless love for his people. God loves and pursues those who have denied Him or walked away from Him, desiring a relationship with each one of us regardless of our past or current state. [22:30]
Romans 5:8 - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How can you remind yourself of God's endless love during such times?
Day 3: Recognizing the Root of Sin
Sin stems from the desire to be one's own god and lord, characterized by wanting to live life on our own terms, without any accountability or consequences. This cannot happen in the presence of God, as the Holy Spirit convicts us and we feel shame and condemnation. [35:15]
James 1:14-15 - "But each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death."
Reflection: What is one area in your life where you are trying to be your own god and lord? How can you surrender this area to God?
Day 4: Embracing God's Unconditional Love
The father in the parable of the prodigal son breaks cultural norms and protocols to reconcile with his lost son, symbolizing God's unconditional love and compassion for humanity. God embraces and receives us, rather than scorning or rejecting us. [48:20]
Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt unworthy of God's love. How can you remind yourself of God's unconditional love and grace during such times?
Day 5: Understanding the Consequences of Sin
The parable of the prodigal son serves as a warning to both the religious group, who may judge and condemn sinners, and the broken and ashamed group, who can relate to the son's feelings of hitting rock bottom. Sin often starts off pleasurable and enjoyable, but eventually leads to destruction and darkness. [52:10]
Proverbs 14:12 - "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death."
Reflection: Reflect on a sin that you struggle with. How can you remind yourself of its destructive consequences and seek God's help in overcoming it?
Quotes
"Whoever you walk close with will influence your life... it's this affiliation with those that are close to us in our lives that ultimately have the biggest influence on our lives." #!!01:39!!#
"In order for us to realize the fullness of God in our lives, it takes a commitment and an intention in walking close to God... we need to make this our primary goal in life." #!!02:13!!#
"You want to be your own God, you want to be your own Lord, you don't want to have to answer to anybody, you want to do your own thing, you want to come and go as you please, you want no consequences, you just want to do you, and that's really the essence of what sin is in our lives." #!!15:00!!#
"If you want to know if you're walking with the Lord today, I would ask you to reflect on your lifestyle, reflect on how you spent the last couple of nights, and if those nights were spent in righteousness and holiness, then you're probably walking with the Lord and aligned to his word." #!!03:26!!#
"God chooses you to show the world his goodness and his grace through you. How beautiful is that? So God is in the business of restoring us, he's in the business of saving and rescuing those that are broken and those that are lost and forgiving sinners. This is Jesus's life, this is his mission, the death and resurrection are all about restoration and reconciliation of God to his people ultimately for his glory." #!!04:47!!#
"God loves us so much it's the Scandal of Grace that God would love someone that has denied him that God would love someone that's walked away from him that God would love someone that's denied him and this is the great encouragement that each and every one of us could have is that God loves you God desires a relationship with you" #!!06:44!!#
"But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet, and bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate, for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to celebrate." #!!30:18!!#
"I can imagine the father crying out before God out on his porch just staring, just saying at any moment I know I'm going to see him coming. And the Beautiful Thing of the story is that the father, as he saw his son coming, he didn't wait, he wasn't caught up in indignation and hurt, but the Bible says that he ran towards his son, he was overwhelmed with compassion." #!!31:41!!#
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