November 20, 2011 How Do You Love God? (II)
11.20.11
Luke 15
How do you love God?
15:1-2
Bike week in Myrtle Beach
one persons party can be annoying to others
Jesus is explaining why he has been partying with people who seem to be not the right kind of people
15:3-10
main theme rejoicing and celebrating
over something that had been lost but is now found
God’s love seen in his rejoicing over someone who had rejected him
but has now returned
15:11-12
1/3 given to younger son
eldest son gets a double portion
younger son turns his share into cash
shame to the Father
abandoned his duty to care for his father and family, breaks up family estate
to ask for his share was to reject the Father
I don’t want you, I want your stuff
(shocking to their culture)
human Father would beat or drive the boy out (shocking to their culture he does not)
15:13-16
this is the part seen as sin: wild living
but not the real sin
rejecting of Father– this is what sin is
one stayed and did responsible things
one left and lived wild and irresponsible
both rejected the Father
15:17-19
everything he had in this world came from his father and his only hope is his father
confesses his sin, repents
I will serve you– pay you back and make restitution
do good and pay back for his rejection
this offer is refused
loving God is not paying him back for what you did wrong
15:20
Fathers do not run, undignified
also undignified to welcome such a child
God not like normal human Fathers
his love and sacrifice much greater
15:21-22
cover my son with the robe of honor
he had done nothing to receive this honor
not worthy– you don’t come to God worthy
15:23-24
fatted calf was a delicacy reserved for the biggest, most important parties
God missed those who rejected him
welcomed those who returned to him
and parties over their return
this is love! God is partying over you!
how do you love God?
i. party with God
is your life a party with God?
You can’t love God without the joy of the party of God.
party over being loved by God and finding a new life
The Tree of Life– father of a family
“I wanted to be loved because I was great. A big man. I am nothing. I could not see the glory around me. I lived in shame. I dishonored it all and didn’t notice the glory. A foolish man.”
we are not seeing the glory– we don’t party
our own shame and sadness and anger at not getting what we wanted– keeps us from partying with God over new life in him
we wonder why we never see anyone converted? One reason is our sour and depressive and somber disposition.
They don’t see joy in us so why would they have what we are having.
only those who are mourning can really party with God (younger brother)
mourn over sin then you party over the forgiveness of sin and the new life in Jesus
mourn over troubles in this life
party in the face of your troubles because you know the Father will save you from them
how do you love God?
ii. party with other believers
the worship service is a party
Lord’s Supper is a party
a smaller gathering is a party
worship services are dull gatherings when the people are not partying with God
two buildings next to each other
on a Sunday night both have people
both have a church sign out front
one has a group of people studying the Bible, very serious, somber, dry
second is a party with eating, drinking, music, and dancing
the second one was loving God because they were partying– celebrating God’s love for a man who had come to faith
the first one had no joy so no love
Lk 15:25-32
both sons rejecting the Father
older thinks he is good and obedient so he rejects the party of salvation for sinners
pursuing his own good and what he wants through work and being good
older son does not want to party in the love of the Father over the younger brother
your religion and moralism can make you distance yourself from people and God’s party– as the Pharisees did
iii. party with those who are not yet believers
(join in the party not the sin)
Jesus taught in synagogues
and did outdoor preaching
he also partied with people
Lk 5:29-30; 7:33-34
Jesus partied with people before they repented
and called them to repentance
We are holding services and having sermons.
Waiting for them to come here.
We should be going out there and partying with them.
what if someone would never go to church, read a religious book, or watch a religious show?
you must take the party to them
if you are waiting for the pastor to do it
I am the one least likely to do it
an unbeliever does not want to talk to a pastor, they run from me
this is your job
I am here to help you party with God and believers but then you must take the party out there into the city!!
a stranger will not listen to you (999 times out of 1000)
the only one who will listen to you is people who are friends
the people you party with, the people you share things with, share your lives with
You are going to have to make some new friends and party with people you don’t know right now
invite them to God’s party
iv. party with new believers
imagine if on Sunday we were partying with new believers?
imagine if we were baptizing adults and teens who has just repented and believed?
imagine if people stood up and said this is what Jesus did in my life!
the party in heaven would be in here
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