In our fallen world, we often live with broken relationships. We face choices just like the father in this parable. We can choose to continue a broken relationship or seek reconciliation and return to fellowship.
Our faith in Jesus Christ should lead us to take the lead in seeking reconciliation, even if the problem is not ours.
[00:00:00] Welcome to the Bible Speaks with Elgin Carelock. The Bible Speaks is a weekly ministry of harvest international. Our prayer is that the Bible speaks for encourage you in your study of God's Word.
[00:00:38] You will be able to contact Elgin at the address given at the end of this broadcast. And now here's Elgin. Brothers and sisters, I welcome you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. To another edition of Words of Inspiration.
[00:00:56] And today we're going to speak on the topic of, you can always come home. In our spiritual inspiration comes from Luke chapter 15 verses 11 through 24. On this particular day Jesus will speak into a mixed group of people who had gathered to hear and teach.
[00:01:20] Two different groups are mentioned, tax collectors and others who religious leaders consider to be sinners. As well as Pharisees and scribes. Since tax collectors work with a Roman government, they were seen as outcasts and traders.
[00:01:39] At this particular moment Luke tells us that Pharisees and scribes had a problem with Jesus receiving and eating with these sinful people. As far as they were concerned, Jesus was guilty of sin because he associated with tax collectors and other sinners.
[00:01:57] Things that Pharisees and scribes would never do. Because they looked down on anyone who was not like them, Jesus decided to instruct these religious leaders with his special types of teaching. Using parables. He used three parables, the Law Sheet, which is in chapter 15 verses 3-7.
[00:02:20] The Law's Coin, which is verses 8-10 and the Law's Sun, which is this week's discussion. In each parable there was a lost object that was eventually found. What Jesus' listeners were to learn from these parables
[00:02:38] was that finding the Law's object was symbolic of the reconciliation or peacemaking that causes joy in heaven. The parable in our discussion today is often called a prodigal sign, but the word prodigal does not appear anywhere in our lesson texts.
[00:02:57] In fact, if term prodigal is taken from the Greek word translated to riotis, which comes from a word meaning wasteful. Although the prodigal sign is often seen as the main character, as we shall see, the forgiving father,
[00:03:15] is the one who provides the key spiritual lesson of the parable, emphasizing God's grace. In verses 11 and 12, Jesus continued, Bill was a man who had two sons, the young one said to the father, father, give me my share of the estate, so he divided this property between them.
[00:03:38] These verses are a perfect illustration of how we go to God many times. We already have everything figured out. All we need is him to get in line with the program, right? Through his permissive will, God does some time allow us to move forward
[00:03:55] by granting our requests, ultimately because He knows the lesson is coming. Verse 13, Not long after that, the younger son got together all He had, set off for a far distant country and they're squandered His wealth in while living. This isn't all too familiar story.
[00:04:17] Guys, grants us a blessing and we're so busy living in the overflow, that we are not mindful of being good steward and run through the resources far sooner than we anticipated. How many professional athletes and entertainers have we seen go through
[00:04:35] unimaginable amounts of money and now they're broke? Verse 14 through 16, After he had spent everything, there was a severe family in the whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself into a citizen of that country,
[00:04:56] who sent him in his field to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with pies that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. Isn't it interesting to note that things were fine while there were plenty of money?
[00:05:12] But when the money was gone a severe family began. This can be translated today to those who are with you doing good times, but as soon as you hit a rough patch, there are no where to be found.
[00:05:27] This can lead to desperation and us finding ourselves in places we never thought we'd be. Another thought is how these verses represent our separation from God's protection when we are in a sinful state. Verse 17, When he came to his senses, he said,
[00:05:47] How many of my fathers hire servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death? I think this is one of my favorite verses in his parable. The King James' version reads, When he came to himself, What do you think that means?
[00:06:05] For me coming to oneself or coming to your senses, realizing that you are living beneath the promises of God, surviving, not thriving. Jesus said he came that we may not only have life, but have it more abundantly, verses 18 through 20.
[00:06:26] I will set out and go back to my father and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I have no longer worthy to be called your son.
[00:06:37] Make me like one of your hired servants so he got up and he went to his father. Second chronicles chapter 30, verse 9, reads, For the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.
[00:06:56] But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him. He ran to his son through his arms around him and kissed him. Zechariah 1, verse 3, Be reads, Return to me declares the Lord Almighty and I will return to you.
[00:07:16] Says the Lord Almighty. Verse 21, The son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.
[00:07:29] If we take a deeper look at this verse from the standpoint of us coming to Jesus to confess our sins, we can see how Satan can use guilt as a way to make us feel unworthy of God's grace and mercy. First John chapter 1, verse 9 reads,
[00:07:46] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all and righteousness. The enemy likes to use our past as a way of keeping us from God's grace
[00:08:02] by making us feel past transgressions, disqualify us from future blessings or getting into God's will for our lives. Verse 22 through 24, But the father said to his servants, quick, bring me the best robe and put it on him, put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
[00:08:23] Bring the fatter calf and kill it. Let's have a feast in celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found, so they begin to celebrate. Joel chapter 2 verse 13, reading from the new living translation reads,
[00:08:43] don't tell your clothes and your grief but tell your heart instead. Return to the Lord your God for His merciful and compassionate. Slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not to punish.
[00:09:00] As we re-verses seven and ten, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Brothers and sisters in our fallen world, we often live with broken relationships. We face choices just like the father in this parable.
[00:09:21] We can choose to continue a broken relationship or seek reconciliation and return to fellowship. Our faith in Jesus Christ should lead us to take the lead in seeking reconciliation, even if the problem is not ours. Jesus' self-righteous critics couldn't understand his association with sinners.
[00:09:44] His parable of the prodigal sign illustrates a great spiritual truth. As far as God is concerned, it does not matter where one has been or what one has done. God is standing by to joyfully receive anyone who will repent and turn to him in faith.
[00:10:03] God's forgiveness extends to both unsaved and those who have wandered away from fellowship and the heavenly Father. For goodness and restoration await them all at the Father's house. Brothers and sisters, I thank you once again for joining me and I look forward to our conversation on tomorrow.
[00:10:23] Until then, God bless. This program is cared for by listeners who care, your prayers and financial investment in this ministry helps to keep the good news on the air. We look forward to hearing from you and invite
[00:10:47] you to write us at Harvest International Post Office Box 66090 O'CalaFlora 3448. Again, that's Harvest International Post Office Box 66090 O'CalaFlora 3448.