Sunday Highlights
In addition to launching our Bellevue campus, we launched our new series “People of the Second Chance” (big thanks to Jud Wilhite & Mike Foster for letting us use their name)
The Prodigal by Pete Wilson
Luke 15:1-2, 11-32
People that were nothing like Jesus, liked Jesus.
If our actions don’t have the same affect on people that Jesus’ actions did, are we really living our life like He did?
The two brothers represent the ways we are alienated from God and how we try to work our way back to God.
Both the irreligious and the religious can be spiritually lost.
Foundation for temptation: There is a life I want that God is trying to keep me from.
When we’re running from God, we tend to run into some pretty destructive places.
When you run from God, you start to make decisions that aren’t logical.
Proverbs 14:12 “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.”
We all have the capacity for self-deception.
When you think you know better, you are going to get yourself into all kinds of messes.
The Prodigal:
- Runs because he thinks he knows better
- Turns around because he longs for home
- Is reluctant because he fears the reaction of his father
You can’t earn God’s acceptance by serving Him. God says “You are my son/daughter. You are not going to work for me. You are my family.”
God allows you to experience the consequences of your running from Him, not to pay you back, but to bring you back.
There is a God that is not just waiting for you, but who is going to run to you and meet you as soon as you start to take a step towards Him.
**Resource Recommendation: The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith
