Are You A Prodigal Child? Luke 15:11-32 #sermon
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From a Slave to a Son!
and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” Luke 15:19
The prodigal Son, one of the most famous parables for a reason, because we were all once this prodigal child, God our Father was dead to us, we wanted nothing to do with him, yet we wanted our inheritance! We wanted prosperity, we wanted health, we wanted protection, but we didn’t want anything to do with our Father in Heaven, can you relate?
Just like this prodigal, many of us found our way into the pig pen! We went into the far country, enjoying prodigal living, experiencing the blessings of our Father, yet we gave him no glory! We gave ourselves the glory, we wanted to build our own kingdoms, we wanted to build our own empires. Yet when the money went dry, we found out , it was all a lie from the pit of Hell.
What does it profit you to gain the whole world and lose your soul? (Mark 8:36) It profits us nothing! We end up with the swine, worse off than the slave. In fact we come to the realization, we are slaves! We are slaves to sin (John 8) slaves to immorality, slaves to drugs and alcohol, slaves to the world and the devil. And when we are all destroyed, Satan discards us like a carcass into the bone pile
However, then the Holy Spirit awakens our heart, we desire to come into the presence of our Heavenly Father, we think , if I could just be one of his servants, I would be satisfied. So we make long trek back to our Father, covered in our filth, with our heads buried in shame, how could God ever want to even look at me again?
Ah, prodigal Child, but the Holy Spirit enlights you about Christ, the Son of God died on the cross to pay for your sins, he washed you clean by his blood, you are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, you are a new Creation in God by Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
So we come to The Father, and what is his response? Our Heavenly Father greets us with open arms, all of Heaven celebrates! The sinner has come to repentance! (Luke 15:7) How can we ever be in the presence of our Father again? Jesus Christ has made you righteous before The Father! (2 Corinthians 5:21) We hoped to be just a hired servant, and because of Christ , we are now a Child of the Living God! (Galatians 4:6) Amen!
Saved Today, Condemned Tomorrow?
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Hebrews 13:8
Do you remember the day you were saved? Do you remember when the Father drew you to the Son? Do you remember when the Holy Spirit regenerated you and made you a new creation in Christ? If you are a Child of God, you probably remember this day like it was yesterday
If you have never been Born Again (John 3:3) then please, get on your knees and give your life to Jesus Christ today! The Lord is faithful and all His works on the cross are sufficient for our salvation! Unless you are Born Again, you wont see the Kingdom of God
However as the walk with Christ presses on, you find that its not easy being a Child of God. You find out that you will need to deny yourself , carry your cross , and follow our Master just as He said (Matthew 16:24) And some days you wondered if you were ever saved at all!
The good news friend is our Lord is the everlasting God, He was in the beginning at Creation (John 1:1-3) and He will be with us till we come into glory! Our Lord does not change! Jesus is the same today, yesterday, and forever! If you were sealed by the promise of the Holy Spirit today, you are still sealed by God tomorrow (Ephesians 1:13)
Some just can’t accept this Grace and Mercy of our Father in Heaven. They toil night and day trying to earn their salvation, they agonize that today they might have lost grace. Please don’t fall into the pit of false religion, its where Satan loves to dwell, to torture the lost sheep
Instead put your true faith in the Good Shepherd, Christ has never lost one of his sheep! (John 10:28) Never! There hasn’t been one sheep that was lost by the Great Shepherd, or God must be a liar. Friends, if we are able to lose our seal of the Holy Spirit, they we are all doomed, because nobody is worthy of Gods grace and salvation
Put your trust in the finished works of our Master, when He said “Teltelestai” meaning “It Is Finished (John 19:30) Your sin is forgiven, the atonement has been paid, you are a regenerated Child of God, no longer a slave to sin but part of the body of Christ, (1 Corinthians 12:27) Amen!
Only Begotten Son- John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Probably the most famous scripture in the Bible, maybe the most well known words in the world, however does the world understand this proclamation? Does the world understand the significance of the Only Begotten Son of God coming into the world to die for our sins?
Why would the immortal Creator become one of the creation, to suffer and die the most horrible death in our history? Because God so loved the world, because the Creator does love His creation. Even though the world curses his name on a daily basis, even though the world rebels in lawlessness on a daily basis, God wants all to come to repentance and be saved (2 Peter 3:9)
You might say God doesn’t love me! Look at the pain and suffering of the world, how can a loving God allow this to happen? First, God demonstrated His love towards, while we were still sinners, Chist died for You! (Romans 5:8) He gave His only begotten Son,how can you say God doesn’t love you, when he bled and died for you?
Your sin, your rebellion put Christ on that cross! Your sin brought the curse upon the whole world, that includes pain and suffering, your sin is the disease and Christ is the only cure! Why do you harden your hearts at the name of Jesus? Because your heart is hardened , you are deceived by the Father of lies , Satan (John 8:44)
But whoever believes in Him, in who? In the Only Begotten Son of God, Jesus Christ, whoever puts their faith in Christ for salvation, whoever puts their trust in the finished works of Christ on the cross, will have everlasting life!
The head of the serpent was crushed (Genesis 3:15) sin, death, Hell, and Satan were all defeated at the cross! Thanks be to God for our victory we have in the Only Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, do you believe?
Romans 8- Will of God
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30
One thing we have to remember is “God is in complete control” Many people will argue against the existence of God because of the evil in this world, but understand this world is under the curse because of sin (Genesis 3:17) However even though this world is under the control of the evil one (1 John 5:19) God is in control, and “God will work all things for our good” (v28) This is a difficult concept for our minds to comprehend, how can anything good come from this fallen world, but in Christ we have the final victory as Jesus has already overcome the world (John 16:33)
Let me ask you, are you fulfilling your calling in Christ? As the Apostle Paul reveals here “to them who are called according to His purpose” You might say I don’t see God working in my life or I don’t see spiritual fruit being produced, the question you should be asking yourself are you following Gods will for your life? Or are you trying to enforce your own will on God? As the Apostle James says “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” (James 4:3) You are enforcing your own will instead Gods will for your life, therefor you never grow in The Lord
So what is Gods will for our life? Here is good insight by the Apostle Paul “to be conformed to the image of his Son” The goal in our life should be to be like our Lord Jesus. This is a process call sanctification of the Holy Spirit, (Titus 3:5) you should be growing in The Lord, The Holy Spirit is working on you every day, to be more like Jesus. The carnally minded person says “I don’t want that”, well then your not Born Again in Christ (John 3:3)
Then the Apostle Paul gives us some great theology here , first God calls, then justifies, then glorifies. You are first called by Christ to be saved (1 Corinthians 1:9) Yes we need to respond to this calling, but God has called you to come home! But of course we are separated from God because of our sin (Isaiah 59:2) This is what Jesus did for us on the cross, he died for our sins and made us justified before our Father (2 Corinthians 5:21) You might say, but I’m still stuck in this sinful body, one day you will be resurrected into a glorified perfect body (1 Corinthians 15:42-44) During this process our souls are being sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and we are sealed for the day of our redemption (Ephesians 1:13)
This is the will for your life, be more like Jesus, how to be more like Christ? Repent and turn to Jesus , Christ will save and transform your life, Amen!
Romans 7- Are You Good?
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. Romans 7:18-20
Are you a good person? Most people when asked this they will say “Yes”, I do this and that, I’m not as bad as this other person, the majority of people have a false sense of security in their own salvation. And if you ask people, are you going to Heaven? Oh yes, why should God let you into Heaven? Well I’m a good person, I give to charity, I did this and that. God will surely let me , right?
Jesus said “Nobody is “good” except God alone” (Mark 10:18) What does Jesus mean by this? If you look at the Greek word translated as “good” here its “agathos” that word means morally excellent. What Jesus is saying is “Nobody is sinless except God” So let me ask you again, are you a good person? Well maybe? The Apostle Paul said “For ALL have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God” (Romans 3:23) All mean all, that mean myself, you, and everyone. There is nobody “good”, there is nobody who is going to make it into Heaven based on their moral character.
As the Apostle Paul states here “For I know that in me dwells nothing good” That’s a pretty strong statement. But the Apostle Paul understands his sinfulness and need for Christ, do you understand this? Someone recently asked me “Why do so few people actually accept Jesus”? And we can go into a deep theological debate, but to simplify I believe its because most people don’t understand their level of depravity. Most people think of themselves as “good” people who really don’t need a Savior. Just give us the golden ticket to Heaven and we’ll be on our way! But that’s not how this works, Jesus said “You must be Born Again” (John 3:3)
The Apostle Paul said “My flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit” (Galatians 5:17) How many people would be honest enough to admit this? As Paul says here “The good that I will to do, I do not do, but the evil I will not to do, I practice” (v19) This is a shocking statement from the Apostle, right? Imagine if your Pastor was honest enough to tell you this? Are you honest to state this? We must crucify our flesh daily, every minute , every hour, every second (Galatians 5:24)
We hate our sin, but our flesh desires it, this is why we desperately need Jesus Christ, we need Jesus every second, every minute, every hour. As soon as we unyoke from Christ, we are like dogs back to our own vomit (Proverbs 26:11) I reflect upon the woman caught in adultery, (John 8) On here knees about to be executed for her sins, but she cries out to The Lord and clings to Him. You do the same, cling to Jesus for salvation and go and sin no more! (John 8:11) Amen!
Romans 7- Spirit vs Flesh
Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Romans 7:13-17
Do you love your sin? This may seem like a strange question, but this really shows the heart of the matter so to speak. The Apostle Paul talked about previously how The Law reveals our sin, and reveals our wretched nature in need of a savior. And many people repent of their sins on a daily or maybe a weekly basis, but do they really want turn away from their sin? Or is our repentance just lip service to God?
The Apostle Paul says “Godly sorrow produces repentance that leads to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10) Do we have sorrow over our sins? When we sin, does it make us sick or do we we just keep sinning and wait for Sunday morning all over again? This is what the Apostle Paul is addressing in our scriptures today, The Law reveals our sinful nature, but our New Nature in Christ mourns over this spiritual depravity
“The Law is Spiritual , but I am Carnal, a slave to sin” Most people probably don’t think of The Law as Spiritual, this is why we hate The Law of God. Think about it, try reading the Ten Commandments to people and see their response, even to self professed “Christians”, people hate The Law because we are carnal and The Law is spiritual. However The Law reveals Gods nature and our depravity, The Law turns us to Christ and not to ourselves for salvation!
The battle with the flesh and spirit are real, this is why we are commanded to “Take up our cross daily” (Luke 9:23) You are still a prisoner in this fallen body, as the Apostle Paul states here “ what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do.” (v15) Unless I crucify my flesh, I seek the desires of the flesh, unless I walk in the Spirit, I will not produce fruits of The Spirit. Its a daily spiritual battle of the flesh and the spirit!
So back to the original question, do you love your sin or do you hate it? The Apostle Paul describes it here “But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” (v17) This is why you will never be able to save yourself, you will never be able to “earn your salvation” it’s only in Christ, by Christ, and through Christ we can be saved! Amen!
Romans 7- The Law
What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet. But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Romans 7:7-12
As Christians, we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8) So how does The Law factor into our lives? Many Christians would say the Law has been abolished, but The Lord Jesus said “ I have not come to abolish The Law but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17) Infact without The Law there is no Gospel, how do we know we are sinners without The Law? How do we know we need a Savior without The Law? The Law is our tutor/schoolmaster/trainer/guardian that leads us to Christ (Galatians 3:24)
The Apostle Paul begins with the question “Is The Law Sin”? He answers with a big No, The Law is not sin, The Law reveals our sins to us. As Paul says “I would have not known sin, except by The Law” The Law reveals our sinful nature, as a mirror (James 1:23) The Law is Gods Holy Nature and reveals to us how far we have fallen short. As Paul said “ I would have not know covetousness without The Law” How could we possibly have known we were sinners without The Law?
Consider when the Rich Young Ruler had an encounter with The Lord (Mark 10:17-22), he asked Jesus “What must I do to inherit eternal life”? This is a good question that everyone should ask and ponder, what must you do to inherit eternal life? But Christs response might have been surprising for some, what did Jesus do? He walked the man through The Law. Why? Because Jesus wanted to reveal to the man his sinful nature in need of a savior. The man still refused to repent and walked away from The Lord and salvation. If you walked many people through The Law, how many do you believe would be honest and admit they are a sinner in need of a Savior? How many would actually repent of their sins and put their faith in Christ for salvation instead of themselves?
As the Apostle Paul continues “For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me and it killed me” There are others who think they can “Keep The Law”, they believe they are righteous and holy enough to endure The Law. However they are deceived and ultimately The Law killed them. Why? For the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) They tried to remove Jesus and obtain their own righteousness, but they are deceived by their own flesh. Noone is justified before God by The Law (Galatians 3:11) Its actually the opposite we are all condemned by The Law and need a Savior
I will end with the words of Paul “The Law is Holy, righteous, and good” Its not The Law itself that condemns people , its us that condemns ourselves. The Law is Gods nature, it reveals how far away we are from being worthy of Gods prescense. But the sinless lamb of God, took our sins, so we can be declared righteous before God (2 Corinthians 5:21) Amen!
Romans 7- Freed From The Law
Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Romans 7:1-4
Jesus said “If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed” (John 8:36) But what has Christ set us free from? Many don’t realize they are held in bondage under the law, there are only 2 options in this life, you are under the law or you are under grace. But the person will say “I don’t believe in God’ and “I don’t believe in the law” Regardless of what you believe, the reality is “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) You are under the law, and will be judged by the law unless you are reconciled through Jesus Christ
Why do you think Jesus died on that cross? The sinless lamb of God didn’t die for himself, Christ became flesh to die for the sins of the world (John 1:29) Christ became sin, so we can be declared righteous before God the Father (2 Corinthians 5:21) Jesus took your place on that cross, yet most people cure and blaspheme the name of The Lord on a daily basis. As the Apostle Paul states “Do you not know brethren, The Law has dominion over a man as long as he lives”
The Apostle Paul , under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, then uses the example of the covenant of marriage with The Law. As long as a husband or wife is alive, they are legally bound under God to their spouse. Remember what Jesus said “Two become one flesh, let no man separate” (Matthew 19:6) Its the same the unsaved person is bound to The Law. The sinner can deny God all they want, but they are bound to The Law, and when they die they will be judged by The Law, which The Law equals death (Romans 8:2)
So here is the good news (the gospel) as the Apostle Paul states “you have become dead to The Law through the body of Christ” When Jesus said on the cross “It Is Finished” (John 19:30) This is the Greek word “Tetelestai” which mean the debt is paid, paid in full, meaning Jesus paid the penalty of your sins on the cross, it is finished, its a done deal.
Jesus Christ is the only One who can pay that penalty, this is why Jesus is the only way to salvation (John 14:6, Acts 4:12) Repent of your sins, put your faith and trust in The Lord Jesus Christ for salvation, be filled with the Holy Spirit, and you are free indeed! Amen!
Romans 6- Wages of Sin Is Death
For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:20-23
Why did Jesus die on the cross? At first glance, it doesn’t seem to make sense, the sinless Son of God needs to become flesh and be nailed to a tree. Why would God do this? Well to understand this question, we need to understand our depravity as humans. Jesus willingly became human to be the Lamb of God who take away the sins of the world (John 1:29) Jesus came to save us, because we are unable to save ourselves
As the Apostle Paul states “The wages of sin is death” Go back to the beginning of humanity, Adam and Eve in paradise, God warned them not to partake of the forbidden tree of good and evil, or they will die. (Genesis 2:17) But what was Satan’s response, who has been a liar since the beginning (John 8:44), “You surely won’t die” (Genesis 3:4) The lie that Adam and Eve believed, and is still deceiving the world today. But as God said “The wages of sin is death”
People ask “Why is there so much evil and suffering in the world today”? Well the reason is because of our sin, your sin, my sin, (Romans 5:12) We are living in a fallen world because of the consequences of our sin, not only has sin destroyed our souls but it has destroyed the entire world. “From dust you are, and dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19)
You need to understand the severity of sin and its consequences, the whole world and humanity is under the curse of sin and death. As Jesus said “He who doesn’t believe (In Christ) is condemned already” (John 3:18) Many people like to quote John 3:16, but go a few verses and understand the world needs Jesus, our only hope is in Christ and what He accomplished at the cross
So now that you know the bad news, what is the good news? The rest of the verse “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” In order to understand why Jesus is good news (gospel) we have to understand the bad news. As going back to the garden, God already prepared the way, “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed;He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.”(Genesis 3:15)
Jesus said “I lay down my life for the sheep” (John 10:15) Christ gave his life for you, will you live for him today? Amen!
Unashamed of Jesus 