Luke 15:11-24

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “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, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Many people will say that the most important question in life is “Do you believe in God?” But the greater question is “What kind of God do you believe in?” I fear that there is something far worse than being an atheist and that is believing in God, but having a misguided concept of Him. There are a multitude of religions in the world each presenting us with a different picture of God, many of which contain a grain of truth. After all a stopped clock is right twice a day, but a broken clock is actually worse than no clock because what it gives you is misleading information. You can believe in God, but if you have a false conception of God, what are you really believing in? When Jesus Christ came to earth he presented us with a pure picture of who God the Father really is. In Luke 15, He paints three pictures using parables giving us a portrait of the character and nature of God. It’s here that we see the story of lost sheep, the lost coin, and the story of the lost son. The last story is the one that is often referred to as the parable of the Prodigal Son, yet the key figure in the parable is the faithful Father. You see what Jesus was teaching here has more to do with the Father and His forgiveness. It is really the parable of the forgiving Father, Jesus was revealing who His Father was. It’s not enough to believe in God you need to believe in the real God, the one that Jesus came and showed us. It is here in this parable that we see clearly the true character of God and where we learn several key truths about Him. First He

• Regrets your rebellion

In the parable the younger son demanded that his father give him an inheritance early. Basically this younger son came and said to his dad, “I know you’re going to die someday, and I can’t wait so give me what I want now.” You see the younger son chose riches over a relationship, he wanted the fathers fortune but not the father. I am sure the father was wounded by the words of his son, yet he granted his ungracious demand. I wonder what the Father went through and what assets he had to liquidate to be able to give his son the money? As soon as the son has what he wants he runs after what riches can buy, failing to see the richness he has in family. You see this son chose the far country over the father. He is the perfect example of a rebellious, disrespectful child, who behaving acted like a brat and broke the father’s heart. We see here that God is a loving Father who will let us walk away from fellowship with Him even though it breaks His heart. I believe that the prodigal son represents those who have a relationship with God and as such teaches us an incredibly powerful principle, while you can break fellowship with the Father you cannot sever your relationship with Him. You see the whole time that the prodigal was away he was still a son, even though he had left the favor of his father. When we are saved God establishes an eternal love relationship with us. He is your Father and nothing you do will ever change that. But if we chose to rebel and run the Father will let us. While He will never leave us if we chose to walk out of fellowship with Him He will let us go. God loves you so much that He will never force you to remain in fellowship. If you are determined to do something as foolish as walk out on the Father He won’t stop you, that is why many find themselves in a mess. We have a God He who doesn’t coerce obedience and loyalty from us because He wants us to love Him freely. God didn’t stop Adam and Eve from eating the fruit or King David from committing adultery with Bathsheba for the same reason that the Father didn’t fling himself across the door and tell the son he couldn’t leave, because it’s not the nature of God. He loves you so much that He allows you to make choices even though He knows the outcome and consequences of those choices. Some of you are parents of adult prodigals and you understand the pain that the Father feels when His children walk out on Him. But just like the father you don’t want their love to be forced you want it to flow freely. It’s here in the parable of the prodigal that we see the greatness of God’s grace. There is a story told about a conference on comparative religions, where experts from around the world debated what, if any, belief was unique to the Christian faith. They began eliminating various possibilities. Incarnation? Other religions had different versions of gods appearing in human form. Resurrection? Again, other religions had accounts of return from death. The debate went on for some time until C. S. Lewis wandered into the room.  “What’s the rumpus all about?” He asked, and heard in reply that his colleagues were discussing Christianity’s unique contribution among world religions. Lewis responded, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s Grace.” The Buddhist eightfold path, the Hindu doctrine of karma, the Jewish covenant, the Muslim code of law, each of these offers a way to earn approval. It is only Christianity that dares to make God’s love unconditional. Jesus understood our human tendency to resistance the truth about God’s grace that is why He talked about it so often and so freely. You see we are accustomed to finding a catch in every promise, but here in Jesus story of extravagant grace there is no catch, there is no loophole that disqualifies us from God’s love. So let me ask you, “what kind of God do you believe in?”

Colossians 3:12-17

12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 13 Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. 14 Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful. 16 Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. 17 And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Here in Colossians 3 we not only see the call to live out our new position and put on Christ’s provision for the new life, but we are also reminded of the:

3. Priorities of the new life

Paul concludes this look at the new life by giving three priorities for our hearts. Christ’s followers who have put on the Fathers provision are not focused on disputing everything or controlling everything. They are to be concerned with the peace of Christ, the word of Christ, and the name of Christ.

1. Peace of Christ

The Greek word for peace includes both the concept of an agreement as well as an attitude of rest and security. Here in Colossians 3 we see both aspects. Objectively, believers are at peace with God: Romans 5:1 tells us, “Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. The conflict and resulting separation between the rebellious sinner and a righteous God has been satisfied by the Savior and His sacrifice on the cross. Because of His blood believers are at rest, safe and secure. Paul told the Philippians in chapter 4, verse 7, that the “peace of God… shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”. Here he calls it the peace of Christ because it is the peace He brings: John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.“ But it’s not just about the provision and protection of His peace but also the direction as we let His peace pilot our lives. The Greek word for rule was used to describe the activity of an umpire in deciding the outcome of an athletic contest. The peace of Christ should guide and direct us in making decisions. Wherever there is a conflict of motives or desires, it is the peace of Christ that must step in to have the final say and decide which should prevail. In this life there are many umpires that we can allow to control our hearts other than His peace. Those who love money end up letting it control their thoughts, which effects their attitudes and actions. Who gets hurt and what is right is not important, money, and the getting of more of it is what rules their reason. Some people allow pleasure to control them. Pleasure becomes their pursuit and their purpose regardless of the relationships it ruins. Others allow the desire for control to control them. It’s a my way or the highway mentality, a my way or no way. What is ruling your life? How do you know? The easiest way is to ask is it restoring or ruining your life? Only the peace of Christ should rule. So when the bills pile up, it is not the bills that control our actions and attitude but the peace of Christ. When health falters and fails, it is not the body that controls the spirit it is Christ’s peace. When we find ourselves in a disagreement with someone, it is our emotions that control our thoughts and actions but the peace of Christ. Christ’s peace decides how I’m going to respond to the events and people of my life. Not only is peace objective and subjective, but it is also relational. As believers we are called to live in peace with one another. Individuals who have peace with Christ should have peace with His children. Instead of hate there should be harmony. Disunity among God’s disciples is not only a disgrace but it fails to point people to God’s peace. The greatest way to preach peace is to model the message and practice it. So let me ask you what is ruling your heart? What determines what you do and how you will act in life? We say that we want peace in our lives yet many of us refuse to give control to Christ and let His peace rule our lives. Who is on the throne of your life, self or the Savior?

1. Word of Christ

Let the message of Christ fill your life, literally means to let the Word of God be at home in your life. This is a call to let the Word take up residence and be at home in your heart. There is a difference between a guest and someone who dwells in a home. A guest comes and goes according to what is convenient for him and for his host, a dweller remains regardless of the circumstances. The truths of Scripture should so permeate every aspect of our lives as believers that it governs every thought, word, and deed. That means that we are not just called to read and study the Word but to live it out loud. Are you letting the Word of God take up permanent residence in your life? This command is in the present tense which means that we must keep on doing so. Acts 2:42 described the life of the early believers: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Are you devoted to the Word or just dabbling in the Word? The early disciples were devoted, they persevered and remained faithful to the Word. The word richness can be translated “abundantly or extravagantly rich.” It’s a reminder that the real riches are not found in the world but in His Word. What is filling you up, the word or the world?

1. Name of Christ

Whatever you do or say do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, whether in the church or in the world, for there is no sacred-secular split in God’s eyes for He is Sovereign over all. The simplest, most basic rule of thumb for living the Christian life is to do everything, in the name of the Lord Jesus whether by lip or life. Lastly not only do we see the priorities for the new life but also the:

4. Pattern of the new life Vs 15-17

Paul says, “. . . and be thankful . . .” At first glance this may seem like an afterthought thrown in for good measure. But Paul was being very intentional when he tied peace and thankfulness together. When I am thankful for my brothers and sisters in Christ, then I can be at peace with them. And when I remember what God has done by bringing me into a relationship with Himself through Jesus and am thankful for that, then I can let the peace of Christ control every thought, every action, every word. The more thanks, the more peace. The two are in direct proportion to one another. You want peace then why not try being thankful. Three times in three verses Paul tells us to be thankful. Appreciation is the appropriate response of believers to all that God has done. It is ingratitude that marks unbelievers while a thankful spirit cannot be contained that is why Colossians 2:7 declares that we should be “…overflowing with thankfulness.” How about you, what are you overflowing with, is it an attitude of gratitude or one of grumbling? Do you find yourself whistling or whining?