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#Luke 15:1-32
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Dr. Robert Jeffress | The Value of Lost Things | June 18, 2022
- ♪ MUSIC ♪
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- [ANNOUNCER] FROM THE PULPIT
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- OF THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF DALLAS, TEXAS,
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- THIS IS "PATHWAY TO VICTORY," WITH DR. ROBERT JEFFRESS.
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- HI, I'M ROBERT JEFFRESS, AND WELCOME AGAIN
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- TO "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:00:16.673 --> 00:00:18.475
- WHEN YOU AND I SEE THE NEWS REPORTS
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- THAT EXPOSE EVIL OR CORRUPTION, IT MAKES US WONDER
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- DOES GOD REALLY LOVE THESE WICKED PEOPLE,
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- OR HAS HE WRITTEN THEM OFF AS A LOST CAUSE?
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- TODAY WE'LL BE LOOKING AT A PASSAGE IN THE BOOK OF LUKE
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- THAT REVEALS THE TENDER HEART OF GOD,
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- ESPECIALLY TOWARDS THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR WAY.
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- MY MESSAGE IS TITLED "THE VALUE OF LOST THINGS,"
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- ON TODAY'S EDITION OF "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
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- ♪ MUSIC ♪
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- ♪ THE SKY SHALL UNFOLD ♪
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- ♪ DECLARING HIS ENTRANCE ♪
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- ♪ THE STARS SHALL APPLAUD HIM ♪
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- ♪ WITH THUNDERS OF PRAISE ♪
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- ♪ AND THOSE WHO REMAIN SHALL ♪
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- ♪ SHALL BE CHANGED IN A MOMENT ♪
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- ♪ AND WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM ♪
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- ♪ THEN FACE TO FACE ♪
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- ♪ WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM ♪
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- ♪ FACE TO FACE IN ALL OF HIS GLORY ♪
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- ♪ WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM ♪
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- ♪ FACE TO FACE ♪
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- ♪ OUR SAVIOR AND LORD ♪
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- ♪ WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM ♪
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- ♪ OUR SAVIOR AND LORD ♪
- 00:03:36.506 --> 00:03:46.416
- -♪ OUR LORD ♪ -♪ OUR SAVIOR ♪
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- ♪ OUR LORD ♪
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- ♪ OUR SAVIOR AND LORD ♪
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- ♪ AMEN ♪
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- (APPLAUSE)
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- [ANNOUNCER] A RECENT NATIONAL SURVEY REVEALED
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- THAT A LARGE MAJORITY OF PARENTS TODAY
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- ARE CONCERNED WITH THEIR CHILDREN'S SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT.
- 00:04:20.450 --> 00:04:23.519
- AND IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES, "PATHWAY TO VICTORY"
- 00:04:23.519 --> 00:04:26.055
- IS DEDICATED TO SHARING THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL
- 00:04:26.055 --> 00:04:28.391
- FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.
- 00:04:28.391 --> 00:04:30.326
- RIGHT NOW, YOU CAN HELP SUPPORT THE FAITH FORMATION
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- OF THE NEXT GENERATION
- 00:04:32.995 --> 00:04:34.530
- BY GIVING TOWARD THE GOSPEL ADVANCE MATCHING CHALLENGE.
- 00:04:34.530 --> 00:04:37.834
- EVERY DOLLAR YOU GIVE BETWEEN NOW AND JULY 4TH
- 00:04:37.834 --> 00:04:40.269
- WILL BE MATCHED, AND THEREFORE DOUBLE IN MINISTRY IMPACT.
- 00:04:40.269 --> 00:04:43.539
- AND AS A THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFT,
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- WE'LL SEND YOU A BRAND-NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK BY DR. JEFFRESS,
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- CALLED "JESUS' FAVORITE STORIES FOR KIDS."
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- THANK YOU FOR PARTNERING WITH US IN THIS GOD-GIVEN MISSION
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- TO SHINE THE LIGHT OF GOD'S WORD IN OUR DARK NATION,
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- AND ADVANCE THE GOSPEL TO ALL GENERATIONS.
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- ♪ MUSIC ♪
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- I HAVE A CONFESSION TO MAKE THIS MORNING,
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- I LOSE THINGS, IMPORTANT THINGS ALL OF THE TIME.
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- I COME BY THAT BAD HABIT NATURALLY.
- 00:05:20.576 --> 00:05:24.280
- (CONGREGATION LAUGHING)
- 00:05:24.280 --> 00:05:25.548
- YOU REMEMBER THE SAYING, "A PLACE FOR EVERYTHING,
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- AND EVERYTHING IN ITS PLACE,"?
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- I NEVER HEARD THAT ONCE GROWING UP FROM MY PARENTS.
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- (CONGREGATION LAUGHING)
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- THEY WERE LOSING THINGS ALL THE TIME.
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- I REMEMBER AS A LITTLE KID HEARING THEM YELL
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- ACROSS THE ROOM TO ONE ANOTHER, "HAVE YOU SEEN MY KEYS?
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- HAVE YOU SEEN MY CHECKBOOK?
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- WHERE'S THE REMOTE CONTROL?"
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- YOU KNOW, THEY WERE LOSING THINGS CONSTANTLY,
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- AND THEY PASSED THAT DISEASE ONTO ME.
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- (CONGREGATION LAUGHING)
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- AND UNFORTUNATELY I'VE PASSED IT ON
- 00:05:51.741 --> 00:05:53.176
- -TO MY TWO DAUGHTERS AS WELL. -(CONGREGATION LAUGHING)
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- YOU KNOW, LOST THINGS HAVE VALUE,
- 00:05:55.344 --> 00:05:59.315
- AND THAT'S TRUE OF GOD AS WELL.
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- WHAT IS GOD'S ATTITUDE TOWARDS SINNERS?
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- GOD DOESN'T HATE SINNERS, GOD LOVES SINNERS.
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- HE SEARCHES FOR THEM, AND HE REJOICES WHEN HE FINDS THEM.
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- LOST PEOPLE ARE OF GREAT VALUE TO GOD.
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- AND TO UNDERSCORE THAT TRUTH, JESUS TOLD NOT ONE,
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- BUT THREE DIFFERENT STORIES TO EMPHASIZE THAT TRUTH.
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- AND WE'RE GOING TO LOOK AT THEM TODAY IN LUKE 15.
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- IF YOU HAVE YOUR BIBLES, TURN TO LUKE 15,
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- AS WE TALK ABOUT "THE VALUE OF LOST THINGS."
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- NOW THE OCCASION OF THIS PARABLE, OR THESE PARABLES,
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- IS VERY IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND.
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- JESUS DIDN'T JUST WAKE UP ONE DAY AND SAY,
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- "YOU KNOW WHAT, I THINK I'M GOING TO TELL SOME STORIES TODAY."
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- NO, THERE WAS A CONTEXT FOR THE STORIES,
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- AND WE FIND THE CONTEXT IN VERSES 1 AND 2.
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- "NOW ALL THE TAX GATHERERS AND THE SINNERS
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- WERE COMING NEAR JESUS TO LISTEN TO HIM.
- 00:06:59.075 --> 00:07:02.011
- AND BOTH THE PHARISEES AND THE SCRIBES BEGIN TO GRUMBLE,
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- SAYING, 'THIS MAN RECEIVES SINNERS, AND HE EATS WITH THEM.'"
- 00:07:05.081 --> 00:07:10.953
- NOW, REMEMBER THE TAX GATHERERS,
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- THEY WERE THE SCUM OF SOCIETY
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- TO THE RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT.
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- TAX GATHERERS WERE JEWS WHO HAD SOLD OUT
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- TO THE ROMAN GOVERNMENT,
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- AND COLLECTED TAXES FOR THE GOVERNMENT
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- TO SUPPORT THE OPPRESSIVE ROMAN GOVERNMENT.
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- THE JEWS HATED THEIR OWN CITIZENS
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- THEY CONSIDERED TO BE TRAITORS.
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- THE SINNERS WERE GENTILES, WHO HAD BECOME INVOLVED
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- IN DEBAUCHED LIVING.
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- THE RELIGIOUS ESTABLISHMENT
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- HAD ABSOLUTE SCORN FOR THESE PEOPLE,
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- AND THAT'S WHY THEY HAD NO INTEREST
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- IN LISTENING TO THE PHARISEES.
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- WHO WANTS TO LISTEN TO SOMEBODY YOU THINK HATES YOU?
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- AND SO TO PROVE THAT POINT, THAT GOD DOESN'T HATE SINNERS,
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- GOD LOVES SINNERS, HE TELLS THESE THREE PARABLES.
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- NOW LET'S LOOK AT THEM FOR JUST A MOMENT,
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- AN OVERVIEW OF ALL THREE PARABLES IN VERSE 4.
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- HE SAYS, "WHAT MAN AMONG YOU, IF HE HAS 100 SHEEP,
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- AND HE'S LOST ONE OF THEM, DOES NOT LEAVE THE 99
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- IN THE OPEN PASTURE, AND GO AFTER THE ONE WHICH IS LOST
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- UNTIL HE FINDS IT?"
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- IF YOU HAVE 100 SHEEP AND YOU LOSE ONE OF THEM,
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- WHAT DO YOU SAY ABOUT THE LOST SHEEP?
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- "WELL, IF HE WANTS TO WONDER AWAY,
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- THAT'S FINE WITH ME, LET HIM GO.
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- I HOPE HE GETS EATEN BY A WOLF."
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- IS THAT WHAT HE SAYS?
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- NO, HE LEAVES THE 99 TO GO SEARCH
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- FOR THAT SHEEP THAT IS LOST.
- 00:08:31.667 --> 00:08:33.035
- VERSE 5, "AND WHEN HE HAS FOUND IT,
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- HE LAYS IT ON HIS SHOULDERS, REJOICING.
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- AND WHEN HE COMES HOME, HE CALLS TOGETHER HIS FRIENDS
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- AND NEIGHBORS, SAYING TO THEM, 'REJOICE WITH ME,
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- FOR I HAVE FOUND MY SHEEP WHICH WAS LOST.'
- 00:08:44.113 --> 00:08:47.083
- I TELL YOU THAT IN THE SAME WAY,
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- THERE WILL BE MORE JOY IN HEAVEN OVER ONE SINNER WHO REPENTS
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- THAN OVER 99 RIGHTEOUS PERSONS."
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- IF THEY HAD QUOTATION MARKS BACK THEN,
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- THAT'S WHAT THEY WOULD'VE PUT AROUND IT.
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- LUKE SAID, "99 SO-CALLED RIGHTEOUS PERSONS,
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- WHO FEEL LIKE THEY NEED NO REPENTANCE."
- 00:09:04.533 --> 00:09:08.304
- VERSE 8, "OR WHAT WOMAN, IF SHE HAS 10 SILVER COINS,
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- AND LOSES ONE COIN DOES NOT LIGHT A LAMP,
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- AND SWEEP THE HOUSE AND SEARCH CAREFULLY
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- UNTIL SHE FINDS IT?
- 00:09:17.747 --> 00:09:19.615
- AND WHEN SHE HAS FOUND IT, SHE CALLS TOGETHER
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- HER FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS, SAYING, 'REJOICE WITH ME,
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- FOR I HAVE FOUND THE COIN WHICH I HAD LOST.'
- 00:09:24.687 --> 00:09:27.623
- IN THE SAME WAY, I TELL YOU THERE IS JOY
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- IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGELS OF GOD
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- OVER ONE SINNER WHO REPENTS."
- 00:09:32.328 --> 00:09:35.698
- AND IN THE FINAL STORY, JESUS TELLS A STORY ABOUT A FATHER
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- WHO HAS TWO SONS, AND ONE REBELS, BUT WHEN HE COMES HOME,
- 00:09:39.001 --> 00:09:43.739
- WHAT'S THE FATHER'S ATTITUDE?
- 00:09:43.739 --> 00:09:45.007
- DOES HE SLAM THE DOOR SHUT IN THE BOY'S FACE,
- 00:09:45.007 --> 00:09:47.410
- AND SAY, "YOU'RE DEAD TO ME,"?
- 00:09:47.410 --> 00:09:49.278
- NO, HE REJOICES WHEN THE SON COMES HOME.
- 00:09:49.278 --> 00:09:55.017
- SO IT IS WITH GOD.
- 00:09:55.017 --> 00:09:57.319
- I WANT YOU TO NOTICE TWO TRUTHS
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- ABOUT ALL THREE OF THESE PARABLES.
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- FIRST OF ALL, ALL THREE OF THESE PARABLES
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- REMIND US OF THE VALUE OF LOST THINGS.
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- ALL THREE OF THESE ITEMS THAT WERE LOST HAVE GREAT VALUE.
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- THE SHEEP IS VALUABLE, THE COIN IS VALUABLE,
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- AND CERTAINLY THE SON IS VALUABLE.
- 00:10:17.373 --> 00:10:19.975
- AND THE SAME THING IS TRUE OF SINNERS IN THE SIGHT OF GOD.
- 00:10:19.975 --> 00:10:24.613
- SINNERS, LOST PEOPLE, HAVE GREAT VALUE TO GOD.
- 00:10:24.613 --> 00:10:31.087
- THE SECOND TRUTH WE SEE IN ALL THREE OF THESE STORIES
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- IS THE ACTIVITY OF A CARING GOD.
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- THESE THREE STORIES REMIND US
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- THAT GOD IS ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR US, EVEN WHEN WE ARE LOST.
- 00:10:38.060 --> 00:10:43.933
- IF YOU'RE A CHRISTIAN TODAY,
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- IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU HAVE DONE,
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- IT'S BECAUSE OF WHAT GOD HAS DONE.
- 00:10:46.635 --> 00:10:49.138
- GOD TOOK THE INITIATIVE OF LOOKING FOR YOU AND ME.
- 00:10:49.138 --> 00:10:52.108
- 1 JOHN 4:10 SAYS, "AND HEREIN IS LOVE,
- 00:10:52.108 --> 00:10:55.511
- NOT THAT WE LOVED GOD, BUT THAT GOD LOVED US,
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- AND SENT HIS SON TO BE THE PROPITIATION,
- 00:10:59.915 --> 00:11:02.885
- THE SATISFACTION, FOR OUR SINS."
- 00:11:02.885 --> 00:11:06.288
- BOTH OF THESE TRUTHS, THE VALUE OF LOST THINGS,
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- THE ACTIVITY OF A CARING GOD,
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- BOTH OF THESE TRUTHS WERE LOST ON THE PHARISEES.
- 00:11:12.695 --> 00:11:18.901
- THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE LOST PEOPLE HAD VALUE TO GOD.
- 00:11:18.901 --> 00:11:20.803
- GOD HATES LOST PEOPLE, THEY ARE SCUM, THEY'RE WORTHLESS.
- 00:11:20.803 --> 00:11:25.608
- AND THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE GOD
- 00:11:25.608 --> 00:11:26.742
- WAS ACTIVELY LOOKING FOR SINNERS.
- 00:11:26.742 --> 00:11:28.177
- THEY THOUGHT GOD WAS DOING EVERYTHING HE COULD
- 00:11:28.177 --> 00:11:29.712
- TO SHUT THE GATES OF HEAVEN,
- 00:11:29.712 --> 00:11:31.213
- SO THAT SINNERS COULDN'T COME IN.
- 00:11:31.213 --> 00:11:34.216
- JESUS SAID, "NO, YOU'VE GOT IT WRONG.
- 00:11:34.216 --> 00:11:36.685
- GOD LOVES LOST PEOPLE, HE SEARCHES FOR THEM,
- 00:11:36.685 --> 00:11:40.689
- AND HE REJOICES WHEN HE FINDS THEM."
- 00:11:40.689 --> 00:11:43.559
- AND TO UNDERSCORE THAT TRUTH, HE TELLS THIS CLIMACTIC STORY,
- 00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:48.297
- THE STORY OF THE LOST SON,
- 00:11:48.297 --> 00:11:50.666
- THE STORY WE OFTEN CALL THE STORY OF THE PRODIGAL SON.
- 00:11:50.666 --> 00:11:55.104
- I WANT YOU TO NOTICE THAT JESUS TELLS THE STORY
- 00:11:55.104 --> 00:11:58.307
- IN FOUR ACTS, LOOK AT VERSE 11,
- 00:11:58.307 --> 00:12:01.277
- "AND JESUS SAID, 'A CERTAIN MAN HAD TWO SONS.
- 00:12:01.277 --> 00:12:07.483
- AND WHEN THE YOUNGER OF THEM SAID TO HIS FATHER,
- 00:12:07.483 --> 00:12:09.819
- "FATHER, GIVE ME THE SHARE OF THE ESTATE THAT FALLS TO ME,"
- 00:12:09.819 --> 00:12:13.823
- AND THE FATHER DIVIDED HIS WEALTH BETWEEN THEM.'"
- 00:12:13.823 --> 00:12:17.893
- GARY INRIG SAYS, "THIS DEMAND FROM THE YOUNGER SON
- 00:12:17.893 --> 00:12:21.931
- MUST HAVE COME LIKE A DAGGER INTO HIS FATHER'S HEART."
- 00:12:21.931 --> 00:12:26.435
- HERE'S WHAT THE SON WAS REALLY SAYING.
- 00:12:26.435 --> 00:12:28.938
- HE WAS SAYING, "DAD, I HATE LIVING IN THIS HOUSE,
- 00:12:28.938 --> 00:12:32.441
- AND HAVING YOU AS MY FATHER.
- 00:12:32.441 --> 00:12:34.944
- I WISH YOU WERE DEAD SO I COULD HAVE MY INHERITANCE
- 00:12:34.944 --> 00:12:38.347
- AND GET OUT OF HERE.
- 00:12:38.347 --> 00:12:39.748
- BUT SINCE IT LOOKS LIKE YOU'RE GOING TO BE ALIVE
- 00:12:39.748 --> 00:12:41.717
- FOR A LITTLE LONGER,
- 00:12:41.717 --> 00:12:42.952
- I JUST WANT YOU TO GIVE ME WHAT BELONGS TO ME
- 00:12:42.952 --> 00:12:44.987
- SO I CAN GET OUT OF THIS PLACE."
- 00:12:44.987 --> 00:12:47.122
- THAT'S WHAT HE'S SAYING, "DAD, I WISH YOU WERE DEAD,
- 00:12:47.122 --> 00:12:49.925
- BUT SINCE YOU'RE NOT, GIVE ME WHAT'S MINE,
- 00:12:49.925 --> 00:12:52.094
- AND I'LL GET OUT OF HERE."
- 00:12:52.094 --> 00:12:54.930
- THE FATHER APPARENTLY PLEADED WITH THE SON FOR SEVERAL DAYS,
- 00:12:54.930 --> 00:12:58.100
- AS WE SEE IN VERSE 13.
- 00:12:58.100 --> 00:13:00.636
- YOU SEE, ACCORDING TO JEWISH LAW,
- 00:13:00.636 --> 00:13:03.505
- WHEN A FATHER HAD TWO SONS,
- 00:13:03.505 --> 00:13:05.341
- THE OLDER SON WAS ENTITLED TO 2/3 OF THE ESTATE.
- 00:13:05.341 --> 00:13:09.044
- THE YOUNGER SON WAS ENTITLED TO 1/3.
- 00:13:09.044 --> 00:13:12.081
- AND SO HE SAID, "I WANT MY INHERITANCE NOW."
- 00:13:12.081 --> 00:13:14.984
- THE FATHER PLED WITH THE SON, AND VERSE 13 SAYS,
- 00:13:14.984 --> 00:13:17.319
- "AND NOT MANY DAYS LATER,
- 00:13:17.319 --> 00:13:19.722
- THE YOUNGER SON GATHERED EVERYTHING TOGETHER,
- 00:13:19.722 --> 00:13:23.359
- AND HE WENT ON A JOURNEY INTO A DISTANT COUNTRY.
- 00:13:23.359 --> 00:13:27.196
- AND THERE HE SQUANDERED HIS ESTATE WITH LOOSE LIVING.
- 00:13:27.196 --> 00:13:32.768
- NOW, WHEN HE HAD SPENT EVERYTHING,
- 00:13:32.768 --> 00:13:35.504
- A SEVERE FAMINE OCCURRED IN THAT COUNTRY,
- 00:13:35.504 --> 00:13:38.474
- AND HE BEGAN TO BE IN NEED."
- 00:13:38.474 --> 00:13:42.611
- WHAT HAPPENED TO ALL OF HIS FRIENDS?
- 00:13:42.611 --> 00:13:45.581
- ONCE HIS MONEY RAN OUT, HIS FRIENDS RAN AWAY.
- 00:13:45.581 --> 00:13:49.985
- ONCE HIS MONEY WAS GONE, HIS FRIENDS WERE GONE AS WELL.
- 00:13:49.985 --> 00:13:53.522
- HE FOUND HIMSELF ALL ALONE, WITH NO RESOURCES WHATSOEVER.
- 00:13:53.522 --> 00:13:57.927
- SO WHAT DID HE DO?
- 00:13:57.927 --> 00:13:59.461
- VERSE 15, "HE WENT AND HE ATTACHED HIM HIMSELF OUT
- 00:13:59.461 --> 00:14:01.530
- TO ONE OF THE CITIZENS OF THAT COUNTRY.
- 00:14:01.530 --> 00:14:04.233
- AND HE SENT HIM, SENT THE SON, INTO HIS FIELDS
- 00:14:04.233 --> 00:14:07.436
- TO FEED THE SWINE.
- 00:14:07.436 --> 00:14:09.805
- AND HE WAS SO HUNGRY," VERSE 16,
- 00:14:09.805 --> 00:14:11.373
- "HE WAS LONGING TO FILL HIS STOMACH
- 00:14:11.373 --> 00:14:13.776
- WITH THE PODS THAT THE SWINE WERE EATING,
- 00:14:13.776 --> 00:14:16.679
- AND NO ONE WAS GIVING ANYTHING TO HIM."
- 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:21.917
- NOW NOTICE THE STEPS THAT LED TO THE RETURN OF THE SON,
- 00:14:21.917 --> 00:14:24.620
- VERSE 17, "BUT WHEN HE HAD COME TO HIS SENSES,
- 00:14:24.620 --> 00:14:30.492
- AND HE SAID, 'HOW MANY OF MY FATHER'S HIRED MEN
- 00:14:30.492 --> 00:14:33.929
- HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH BREAD?
- 00:14:33.929 --> 00:14:35.331
- BUT I AM DYING HERE WITH HUNGER.
- 00:14:35.331 --> 00:14:38.367
- MY FATHER'S SERVANTS ARE LIVING BETTER THAN I AM.
- 00:14:38.367 --> 00:14:41.303
- WHAT AM I DOING IN THIS PIG PEN, FEEDING THE SWINE?'"
- 00:14:41.303 --> 00:14:45.374
- VERSE 18 HE RESOLVED, THIS IS WHAT I'M GOING TO DO,
- 00:14:45.374 --> 00:14:48.744
- "I WILL GET UP, AND I WILL GO TO MY FATHER.
- 00:14:48.744 --> 00:14:52.514
- AND I WILL SAY TO HIM, 'FATHER,
- 00:14:52.514 --> 00:14:54.049
- I HAVE SINNED AGAINST HEAVEN, AND IN YOUR SIGHT.
- 00:14:54.049 --> 00:14:56.785
- I'M NO LONGER WORTHY TO BE CALLED YOUR SON.
- 00:14:56.785 --> 00:14:59.488
- MAKE ME AS ONE OF YOUR HIRED MEN.'
- 00:14:59.488 --> 00:15:02.291
- AND HE GOT UP AND HE CAME HOME TO HIS FATHER."
- 00:15:02.291 --> 00:15:08.697
- THE SON TOOK THE FIRST STEP BACK TOWARD HIS FATHER.
- 00:15:08.697 --> 00:15:12.968
- BUT YOU KNOW WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN THIS STORY?
- 00:15:12.968 --> 00:15:15.404
- IT'S NOT THE RETURN OF THE SON,
- 00:15:15.404 --> 00:15:18.340
- IT'S THE RESPONSE OF THE FATHER.
- 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:20.709
- SEE, WHAT REALLY MATTERS IN THIS STORY
- 00:15:20.709 --> 00:15:22.678
- IS THE RESPONSE OF THE FATHER.
- 00:15:22.678 --> 00:15:25.280
- WHAT REALLY MATTERS TO YOU AND ME
- 00:15:25.280 --> 00:15:26.782
- IS IF WE DO TAKE THAT STEP BACK TOWARD GOD,
- 00:15:26.782 --> 00:15:29.618
- HOW IS GOD GOING TO RESPOND?
- 00:15:29.618 --> 00:15:32.621
- LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENS IN VERSE 20,
- 00:15:32.621 --> 00:15:34.556
- "BUT WHILE THE SON WAS STILL A LONG WAY OFF,
- 00:15:34.556 --> 00:15:40.295
- HIS FATHER SAW HIM."
- 00:15:40.295 --> 00:15:43.098
- AND THE FATHER LIFTS UP HIS ROBE,
- 00:15:43.098 --> 00:15:45.768
- AND HE BEGINS RUNNING AS FAST AS HE CAN TO MEET HIS SON.
- 00:15:45.768 --> 00:15:52.174
- YOU SEE, IN THE MIDDLE EAST, A WEALTHY LANDOWNER
- 00:15:52.174 --> 00:15:53.675
- WOULDN'T RUN FOR ANYTHING, THAT WASN'T DIGNIFIED.
- 00:15:53.675 --> 00:15:57.679
- BUT THIS FATHER DIDN'T CARE ANYTHING ABOUT DIGNITY.
- 00:15:57.679 --> 00:16:00.516
- HIS SON WAS COMING BACK, AND HE WANTED TO MEET HIM.
- 00:16:00.516 --> 00:16:03.886
- AND AS THE SON WALKED, THE FATHER RAN.
- 00:16:03.886 --> 00:16:07.189
- AND WHEN HE CAME TO THE SON, HE EMBRACED HIM,
- 00:16:07.189 --> 00:16:10.059
- AND BEGAN TO KISS HIM, AND THE SON THOUGHT,
- 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:12.094
- "NOW HERE'S THE TIME," AND HE BEGINS HIS SPEECH,
- 00:16:12.094 --> 00:16:14.663
- "FATHER, I HAVE SINNED IN YOUR SIGHT,
- 00:16:14.663 --> 00:16:16.799
- AND IN THE SIGHT OF HEAVEN AND," THE FATHER CUTS HIM OFF.
- 00:16:16.799 --> 00:16:19.868
- HE DOESN'T NEED TO HEAR ANY SPEECH.
- 00:16:19.868 --> 00:16:22.004
- ALL HE NEEDED TO HEAR WERE THE WORDS, "I AM SORRY."
- 00:16:22.004 --> 00:16:25.207
- AND NOTICE WHAT THE FATHER SAYS,
- 00:16:25.207 --> 00:16:26.975
- "THE FATHER SAYS, 'QUICKLY,' TO HIS SERVANTS,
- 00:16:26.975 --> 00:16:29.945
- 'BRING OUT THE BEST ROBE, A FESTIVAL ROBE,
- 00:16:29.945 --> 00:16:33.248
- AND PUT IT ON MY SON.
- 00:16:33.248 --> 00:16:35.317
- AND PUT A RING ON HIS HAND,'"
- 00:16:35.317 --> 00:16:37.352
- THE SIGNET RING, THAT SHOWED THE AUTHORITY OF THE FATHER,
- 00:16:37.352 --> 00:16:39.955
- "'AND SANDALS ON HIS FEET,
- 00:16:39.955 --> 00:16:41.757
- AND BRING THE FATTENED CALF, KILL IT,
- 00:16:41.757 --> 00:16:44.526
- AND LET US EAT AND BE MERRY,
- 00:16:44.526 --> 00:16:46.962
- FOR THIS SON OF MINE WAS DEAD, AND HAS COME TO LIFE AGAIN.
- 00:16:46.962 --> 00:16:51.433
- HE WAS LOST, AND HE HAS BEEN FOUND.'
- 00:16:51.433 --> 00:16:54.336
- AND THEY BEGIN TO BE MERRY."
- 00:16:54.336 --> 00:16:59.174
- NOW THAT WOULD'VE BEEN A GOOD PLACE TO END THE STORY,
- 00:16:59.174 --> 00:17:03.112
- BUT THE STORY DOESN'T END THERE,
- 00:17:03.112 --> 00:17:05.881
- BECAUSE REMEMBER, IF THE SON REPRESENTS
- 00:17:05.881 --> 00:17:08.083
- THE SINNER WHO COMES BACK TO GOD,
- 00:17:08.083 --> 00:17:10.419
- THE FATHER REPRESENTS THE GOD WHO WELCOMES HIM HOME.
- 00:17:10.419 --> 00:17:15.224
- THE OLDER BROTHER REPRESENTS THE PHARISEES.
- 00:17:15.224 --> 00:17:18.360
- REMEMBER THIS STORY WAS TOLD
- 00:17:18.360 --> 00:17:20.028
- FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE PHARISEES.
- 00:17:20.028 --> 00:17:23.532
- THE PHARISEES DIDN'T REJOICE WHEN SINNERS COME TO GOD,
- 00:17:23.532 --> 00:17:27.703
- THEY HATED IT.
- 00:17:27.703 --> 00:17:29.138
- AND YOU SEE THAT IN THE REACTION OF THE OLDER BROTHER.
- 00:17:29.138 --> 00:17:32.241
- LOOK AT VERSE 25, "NOW HIS OLDER SON WAS IN THE FIELD,
- 00:17:32.241 --> 00:17:38.413
- AND WHEN HE CAME AND APPROACHED THE HOUSE,
- 00:17:38.413 --> 00:17:40.682
- HE HEARD MUSIC AND DANCING.
- 00:17:40.682 --> 00:17:42.951
- AND HE SUMMONED ONE OF THE SERVANTS,
- 00:17:42.951 --> 00:17:45.120
- AND BEGAN INQUIRING WHAT THESE THINGS COULD BE.
- 00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:48.257
- AND HE SAID TO HIM, 'YOUR BROTHER HAS COME,
- 00:17:48.257 --> 00:17:51.460
- AND YOUR FATHER HAS KILLED THE FATTENED CALF,
- 00:17:51.460 --> 00:17:53.762
- BECAUSE HE HAS RECEIVED HIM BACK SAFE AND SOUND.'
- 00:17:53.762 --> 00:17:57.766
- BUT THE OLDER BROTHER BECAME ANGRY,
- 00:17:57.766 --> 00:18:00.269
- AND WAS NOT WILLING TO GO IN."
- 00:18:00.269 --> 00:18:04.506
- AS THE OLDEST SON, IT WAS HIS DUTY
- 00:18:04.506 --> 00:18:06.708
- TO BE THE COHOST OF ANY CELEBRATION
- 00:18:06.708 --> 00:18:08.777
- THE FATHER WOULD THROW IN HIS HOUSE.
- 00:18:08.777 --> 00:18:11.246
- BUT THE SON WAS SO ANGRY ABOUT HIS YOUNGER SON
- 00:18:11.246 --> 00:18:15.250
- BEING WELCOMED BACK AGAIN, THAT HE REFUSED TO COME IN
- 00:18:15.250 --> 00:18:18.587
- AND JOIN THE CELEBRATION.
- 00:18:18.587 --> 00:18:20.789
- VERSE 28, SO THE FATHER LEAVES THE CELEBRATION,
- 00:18:20.789 --> 00:18:24.026
- AND HE GOES OUTSIDE TO TALK TO HIS OLDER SON,
- 00:18:24.026 --> 00:18:26.762
- AND HE BEGINS TO ENTREAT HIM, TO BEG HIM.
- 00:18:26.762 --> 00:18:30.666
- VERSE 29, "BUT HE ANSWERED AND SAID TO HIS FATHER,
- 00:18:30.666 --> 00:18:34.036
- 'LOOK, FOR SO MANY YEARS, I HAVE BEEN SERVING YOU,
- 00:18:34.036 --> 00:18:38.740
- AND I'VE NEVER NEGLECTED A COMMAND OF YOURS.
- 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:41.677
- AND YET YOU HAVE NEVER GIVEN ME A KID, A FATTENED CALF,
- 00:18:41.677 --> 00:18:45.347
- THAT I MIGHT BE MERRY WITH MY FRIENDS.
- 00:18:45.347 --> 00:18:48.083
- AND WHEN THIS SON OF YOURS CAME,
- 00:18:48.083 --> 00:18:51.286
- WHO HAS DEVOURED YOUR WEALTH WITH HARLOTS,
- 00:18:51.286 --> 00:18:54.056
- YOU KILLED THE FATTENED CALF FOR HIM.'"
- 00:18:54.056 --> 00:18:58.126
- NOW, I THINK IF WE'RE ALL HONEST
- 00:18:58.126 --> 00:19:00.062
- FOR JUST A MOMENT THIS MORNING,
- 00:19:00.062 --> 00:19:03.498
- WE HAVE TO SAY WE'RE SOMEWHAT SYMPATHETIC
- 00:19:03.498 --> 00:19:06.468
- WITH THE OLDER SON.
- 00:19:06.468 --> 00:19:07.970
- DON'T YOU FEEL A LITTLE BIT SYMPATHETIC WITH HIM?
- 00:19:07.970 --> 00:19:11.940
- LOYAL, HARDWORKING, NEVER CAUSED HIS DAD A DAY OF TROUBLE.
- 00:19:11.940 --> 00:19:16.278
- AND YET HERE'S THIS BOY, YOUNGER SON,
- 00:19:16.278 --> 00:19:19.715
- WHO DEVOURS 1/3 OF THE ESTATE.
- 00:19:19.715 --> 00:19:22.584
- HE SHAMES THE FAMILY'S NAME,
- 00:19:22.584 --> 00:19:25.420
- AND THEN HE COMES BACK AND HE'S RECEIVED WITH OPEN ARMS.
- 00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:28.657
- THERE'S SOMETHING NOT RIGHT ABOUT THAT.
- 00:19:28.657 --> 00:19:32.494
- YOU KNOW WHY WE SYMPATHIZE WITH THE OLDER SON?
- 00:19:32.494 --> 00:19:36.098
- BECAUSE WE SEE OURSELVES AS THE OLDER SON
- 00:19:36.098 --> 00:19:40.335
- IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.
- 00:19:40.335 --> 00:19:42.504
- WE THINK OF OURSELVES AS GOOD PEOPLE,
- 00:19:42.504 --> 00:19:45.474
- OBEDIENT TO OUR HEAVENLY FATHER.
- 00:19:45.474 --> 00:19:48.076
- BEEN THERE WITH HIM FROM THE BEGINNING.
- 00:19:48.076 --> 00:19:50.312
- AND YET YOU'RE GOING TO TELL ME
- 00:19:50.312 --> 00:19:51.880
- THAT SOME IMMORAL SINNER OUT HERE,
- 00:19:51.880 --> 00:19:54.249
- WHO SQUANDERS HIS LIFE, DOING WHATEVER HE WANT TO,
- 00:19:54.249 --> 00:19:57.185
- AT THE LAST MOMENT, HE'S WELCOMED INTO HEAVEN
- 00:19:57.185 --> 00:20:00.789
- BECAUSE HE ASKED JESUS TO FORGIVE HIM?
- 00:20:00.789 --> 00:20:02.791
- THAT DOESN'T SEEM RIGHT.
- 00:20:02.791 --> 00:20:05.394
- OR YOU'RE TELLING ME SOMEBODY WHO CLAIMS TO BE A CHRISTIAN,
- 00:20:05.394 --> 00:20:08.530
- PART OF THE CHURCH,
- 00:20:08.530 --> 00:20:09.765
- AND THEN GOES OUT AND COMMITS IMMORALITY,
- 00:20:09.765 --> 00:20:12.668
- AND SHAMES NOT ONLY HIS OWN NAME,
- 00:20:12.668 --> 00:20:15.037
- BUT THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST,
- 00:20:15.037 --> 00:20:16.772
- THE PHARISEES DIDN'T GET THAT.
- 00:20:16.772 --> 00:20:18.140
- LOOK AT VERSE 31, "THE FATHER SAID TO HIM,
- 00:20:18.140 --> 00:20:20.842
- 'MY CHILD, YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN WITH ME,
- 00:20:20.842 --> 00:20:24.279
- AND ALL THAT IS MIND IS YOURS.
- 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:27.049
- BUT WE HAD TO BE MERRY AND REJOICE,
- 00:20:27.049 --> 00:20:29.751
- FOR THIS BROTHER OF YOURS WAS DEAD,
- 00:20:29.751 --> 00:20:32.587
- AND HAS BEGUN TO LIVE, AND WAS LOST AND HAS BEEN FOUND.'"
- 00:20:32.587 --> 00:20:39.428
- THESE PARABLES, ESPECIALLY THE LAST ONE,
- 00:20:39.428 --> 00:20:42.964
- HAVE TWO APPLICATIONS.
- 00:20:42.964 --> 00:20:45.133
- ONE, TO THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE PRODIGALS,
- 00:20:45.133 --> 00:20:51.340
- MAYBE I'M SPEAKING TO SOME OF YOU RIGHT NOW,
- 00:20:51.340 --> 00:20:53.875
- YOU FEEL LIKE THERE'S A GIANT GULF BETWEEN YOU AND GOD.
- 00:20:53.875 --> 00:20:57.079
- YOU THINK, "GOD WOULD NEVER LET ME INTO HEAVEN.
- 00:20:57.079 --> 00:21:00.248
- I COULD NEVER BECOME A CHRISTIAN,
- 00:21:00.248 --> 00:21:01.750
- BECAUSE, PASTOR, YOU JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT I'VE DONE."
- 00:21:01.750 --> 00:21:06.088
- LISTEN TO ME, GOD DOESN'T HATE YOU, HE LOVES YOU.
- 00:21:06.088 --> 00:21:10.759
- AND THE REASON HE LOVES YOU SO MUCH
- 00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:13.261
- IS BECAUSE HE WANTS YOU TO BE IN HEAVEN WITH HIM FOREVER.
- 00:21:13.261 --> 00:21:16.898
- AND THAT'S WHY HE SENT HIS SON, JESUS, TO DIE FOR YOU.
- 00:21:16.898 --> 00:21:21.336
- JESUS DIDN'T COME AND DIE FOR YOUR GOODNESS,
- 00:21:21.336 --> 00:21:24.373
- HE CAME AND DIED FOR YOUR BADNESS AND MY BADNESS.
- 00:21:24.373 --> 00:21:28.110
- HE DIDN'T DIE JUST FOR THOSE LITTLE SINS,
- 00:21:28.110 --> 00:21:30.779
- HE DIED FOR THOSE HUMONGOUS SINS.
- 00:21:30.779 --> 00:21:34.116
- GOD DOESN'T HATE YOU.
- 00:21:34.116 --> 00:21:37.152
- MAYBE YOU'RE A CHRISTIAN
- 00:21:37.152 --> 00:21:39.988
- BUT YOU'VE WANDERED AWAY FROM GOD,
- 00:21:39.988 --> 00:21:41.623
- AND YOU'VE WONDERED, "CAN GOD EVER RECEIVE ME BACK AGAIN?
- 00:21:41.623 --> 00:21:45.894
- CAN I EVER RESTORE THAT RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM
- 00:21:45.894 --> 00:21:48.563
- THAT I'VE SQUANDERED?"
- 00:21:48.563 --> 00:21:50.532
- LISTEN, IF YOU WILL TAKE ONE STEP TOWARD GOD,
- 00:21:50.532 --> 00:21:54.336
- HE WILL COME RUNNING TOWARD YOU.
- 00:21:54.336 --> 00:21:57.806
- IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE YOU ARE TODAY,
- 00:21:57.806 --> 00:21:59.975
- HOW FAR YOU ARE AWAY FROM GOD, GOD LOVES YOU,
- 00:21:59.975 --> 00:22:04.613
- AND HE REJOICES WHEN YOU COME HOME.
- 00:22:04.613 --> 00:22:08.784
- BUT THERE'S A SECOND APPLICATION TO THE OLDER BROTHERS
- 00:22:08.784 --> 00:22:13.455
- WHO MAY BE LISTENING TO THIS MESSAGE.
- 00:22:13.455 --> 00:22:16.525
- PERHAPS YOU SEE YOURSELF AS A GOOD, MORAL, RELIGIOUS PERSON.
- 00:22:16.525 --> 00:22:20.796
- YOU FIND YOURSELF LOOKING DOWN WITH CONTEMPT
- 00:22:20.796 --> 00:22:23.765
- ON PEOPLE YOU CONSIDER TO BE SINNERS,
- 00:22:23.765 --> 00:22:25.734
- "THANK GOD I'M NOT LIKE THEM.
- 00:22:25.734 --> 00:22:28.670
- THANK GOD I'M NOT A DRUG DEALER.
- 00:22:28.670 --> 00:22:31.239
- I'M NOT AN ADULTERER, I'M NOT A CHILD MOLESTER.
- 00:22:31.239 --> 00:22:33.775
- I'M A GOOD PERSON.
- 00:22:33.775 --> 00:22:35.210
- THANK GOD I'M NOT LIKE THEM."
- 00:22:35.210 --> 00:22:37.712
- AND FRANKLY, IT KIND OF MAKES YOU A LITTLE NAUSEATED
- 00:22:37.712 --> 00:22:39.948
- WHEN YOU SEE SOMEBODY WHO WAS A SINNER
- 00:22:39.948 --> 00:22:42.317
- CLAIMING TO COME TO GOD IN FAITH.
- 00:22:42.317 --> 00:22:44.686
- YOU VIEW THAT WITH SUSPICION,
- 00:22:44.686 --> 00:22:46.054
- "HOW COULD THAT PERSON EVER BE SAVED?"
- 00:22:46.054 --> 00:22:48.657
- LISTEN, IF THAT'S YOUR ATTITUDE,
- 00:22:48.657 --> 00:22:50.692
- YOU ARE JUST AS FAR OUTSIDE THE FATHER'S HOUSE
- 00:22:50.692 --> 00:22:54.296
- AS THE MOST VILE SINNER IS.
- 00:22:54.296 --> 00:22:58.867
- THESE STORIES ARE FOR ANY OF YOU
- 00:22:58.867 --> 00:23:02.571
- WHO ARE LIVING OUTSIDE THE FATHER'S HOUSE RIGHT NOW.
- 00:23:02.571 --> 00:23:06.475
- MAYBE YOU'RE OUTSIDE GOD'S HOUSE,
- 00:23:06.475 --> 00:23:08.243
- BECAUSE OF BLATANT SIN IN YOUR LIFE.
- 00:23:08.243 --> 00:23:11.513
- MAYBE YOU'RE AWAY FROM THE FATHER
- 00:23:11.513 --> 00:23:13.048
- BECAUSE OF A SENSE OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS.
- 00:23:13.048 --> 00:23:16.184
- BUT WHATEVER THE REASON, GOD'S MESSAGE TO YOU IS THE SAME,
- 00:23:16.184 --> 00:23:23.425
- "COME HOME, COME HOME TO THE FATHER WHO LOVES YOU."
- 00:23:23.425 --> 00:23:30.799
- ♪ MUSIC ♪
- 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:35.837
- EVEN AT THIS VERY MOMENT,
- 00:23:35.837 --> 00:23:37.839
- I KNOW THAT GOD IS CALLING HIS CHILDREN TO COME HOME.
- 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:41.643
- IF YOU'RE TAKING THAT STEP TODAY,
- 00:23:41.643 --> 00:23:43.945
- LET ME BE THE FIRST TO AFFIRM YOUR WISE DECISION.
- 00:23:43.945 --> 00:23:47.749
- OUR LOVING GOD IS STANDING AT THE DOOR WITH OPEN ARMS,
- 00:23:47.749 --> 00:23:51.453
- PREPARED TO RECEIVE YOU.
- 00:23:51.453 --> 00:23:53.822
- AS WE CONCLUDE TODAY'S PROGRAM, I'M PLEASED TO REPORT
- 00:23:53.822 --> 00:23:57.092
- THAT MANY HAVE STEPPED FORWARD
- 00:23:57.092 --> 00:23:58.627
- TO INVEST IN THE MINISTRY OF "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:23:58.627 --> 00:24:01.463
- AND YOUR INVESTMENT IS BEARING FRUIT.
- 00:24:01.463 --> 00:24:04.399
- THERE'S STILL TIME TO MULTIPLY YOUR GIFT AS WELL
- 00:24:04.399 --> 00:24:07.536
- WHILE THE GOSPEL ADVANCE MATCHING CHALLENGE REMAINS ACTIVE.
- 00:24:07.536 --> 00:24:11.239
- REMEMBER, ANYTHING YOU'RE ABLE TO GIVE
- 00:24:11.239 --> 00:24:13.341
- BEFORE THE DEADLINE ON JULY 4TH
- 00:24:13.341 --> 00:24:15.710
- WILL BE MATCHED DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR.
- 00:24:15.710 --> 00:24:18.246
- THAT MEANS YOUR GIFT HAS TWICE THE IMPACT.
- 00:24:18.246 --> 00:24:21.316
- THE NATION WE LOVE IS DEEPLY DIVIDED
- 00:24:21.316 --> 00:24:23.552
- OVER ISSUES LIKE THE SANCTITY OF LIFE,
- 00:24:23.552 --> 00:24:26.221
- AND THE PROTECTION OF OUR CHILDREN IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
- 00:24:26.221 --> 00:24:29.658
- THE DARKNESS OF THESE ONGOING BATTLES FEELS FOREBODING.
- 00:24:29.658 --> 00:24:33.662
- BUT THE HOPE OF THE GOSPEL SHINES EVEN BRIGHTER.
- 00:24:33.662 --> 00:24:37.098
- AND OUR TROUBLED NATION NEEDS THIS HOPE AND TRUTH TODAY,
- 00:24:37.098 --> 00:24:40.569
- MORE THAN EVER BEFORE.
- 00:24:40.569 --> 00:24:42.671
- PLEASE GIVE GENEROUSLY TOWARD THE MATCHING CHALLENGE.
- 00:24:42.671 --> 00:24:46.007
- NOW STAY RIGHT THERE, I'LL BE BACK WITH
- 00:24:46.007 --> 00:24:47.776
- THE WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT IN JUST A MOMENT.
- 00:24:47.776 --> 00:24:52.080
- GOD BLESSED AMY AND ME
- 00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:53.381
- WITH THREE BEAUTIFUL TRIPLET GRANDCHILDREN.
- 00:24:53.381 --> 00:24:56.585
- AND THAT LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE IGNITED IN ME
- 00:24:56.585 --> 00:24:59.988
- A FRESH PASSION TO ADVANCE THE GOSPEL
- 00:24:59.988 --> 00:25:02.657
- TO THE NEXT GENERATION.
- 00:25:02.657 --> 00:25:04.559
- TODAY, I'M PLEASED TO SHARE WITH YOU
- 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:06.161
- MY NEWEST CHILDREN'S BOOK,
- 00:25:06.161 --> 00:25:08.029
- "JESUS' FAVORITE STORIES FOR KIDS."
- 00:25:08.029 --> 00:25:10.799
- [ANNOUNCER] THIS BRAND-NEW, FULL-COLOR BOOK
- 00:25:10.799 --> 00:25:12.334
- CONTAINS 10 EASY BIBLE LESSONS FOR CHILDREN
- 00:25:12.334 --> 00:25:14.869
- THAT PROVIDE A FOUNDATION FOR FAITH THAT ENDURES.
- 00:25:14.869 --> 00:25:17.839
- EACH LESSON CONTAINS A DISCUSSION QUESTION
- 00:25:17.839 --> 00:25:19.908
- TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION,
- 00:25:19.908 --> 00:25:21.576
- A PRAYER FOR YOU TO PRAY TOGETHER,
- 00:25:21.576 --> 00:25:23.411
- AND REAL LIFE APPLICATION TO HELP THEM
- 00:25:23.411 --> 00:25:25.480
- CONNECT THE SCRIPTURE TO THEIR YOUNG LIVES.
- 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:27.849
- I PRAY THESE BIBLE LESSONS HELP
- 00:25:27.849 --> 00:25:29.684
- THE CHILDREN IN YOUR LIFE GROW IN THEIR FAITH,
- 00:25:29.684 --> 00:25:32.387
- AS THEY UNDERSTAND MORE ABOUT GOD AND HIS WORD.
- 00:25:32.387 --> 00:25:36.124
- [ANNOUNCER] REQUEST YOUR COPY
- 00:25:36.124 --> 00:25:37.359
- OF "JESUS' FAVORITE STORIES FOR KIDS"
- 00:25:37.359 --> 00:25:39.094
- WHEN YOU GIVE A GENEROUS GIFT TO SUPPORT
- 00:25:39.094 --> 00:25:40.996
- THE MINISTRY OF "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:25:40.996 --> 00:25:43.198
- AND WHEN YOUR GIFT IS $75 OR MORE,
- 00:25:43.198 --> 00:25:45.867
- WE'LL ALSO SEND YOU ALL 15 MESSAGES
- 00:25:45.867 --> 00:25:48.103
- IN THE "JESUS' FAVORITE STORIES" TEACHING SERIES
- 00:25:48.103 --> 00:25:50.438
- ON CD AND DVD.
- 00:25:50.438 --> 00:25:52.440
- BECAUSE OF THE GOSPEL ADVANCE MATCHING CHALLENGE,
- 00:25:52.440 --> 00:25:54.976
- YOUR GENEROUS DONATION TODAY WILL BE MATCHED,
- 00:25:54.976 --> 00:25:57.345
- AND THEREFORE DOUBLED IN IMPACT,
- 00:25:57.345 --> 00:25:59.114
- THROUGH THE JULY 4TH DEADLINE.
- 00:25:59.114 --> 00:26:00.949
- THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH "PATHWAY TO VICTORY"
- 00:26:00.949 --> 00:26:03.284
- TO ADVANCE THE GOSPEL TO THE NEXT GENERATION.
- 00:26:03.284 --> 00:26:07.956
- ♪ MUSIC ♪
- 00:26:07.956 --> 00:26:09.491
- YES, GOD LOVES SINNERS,
- 00:26:09.491 --> 00:26:12.093
- AND HE REJOICES WHEN ONE OF HIS CHILDREN
- 00:26:12.093 --> 00:26:14.763
- DECIDES TO COME HOME.
- 00:26:14.763 --> 00:26:16.898
- NO ONE IS TOO LOST OR TOO SINFUL FOR GOD TO SAVE.
- 00:26:16.898 --> 00:26:22.971
- WELL, ANY WISE INVESTOR EXPECTS A RETURN
- 00:26:22.971 --> 00:26:24.773
- ON THE MONEY HE OR SHE INVESTS.
- 00:26:24.773 --> 00:26:27.042
- AND IN THE SAME WAY, GOD HAS HIGH EXPECTATIONS
- 00:26:27.042 --> 00:26:30.311
- FOR A RETURN ON HIS INVESTMENT IN US.
- 00:26:30.311 --> 00:26:33.648
- SO HOW ARE YOU MANAGING THE TIME, THE MONEY,
- 00:26:33.648 --> 00:26:36.718
- THE TALENTS THAT GOD HAS ENTRUSTED TO YOU?
- 00:26:36.718 --> 00:26:40.121
- STAY TUNED FOR A PREVIEW OF WHAT'S COMING UP NEXT
- 00:26:40.121 --> 00:26:42.590
- IN OUR SERIES, "JESUS' FAVORITE STORIES."
- 00:26:42.590 --> 00:26:46.761
- JESUS, OUR KING, IS IN A DISTANT LAND, HEAVEN.
- 00:26:46.761 --> 00:26:50.231
- HE'S COMING BACK AGAIN.
- 00:26:50.231 --> 00:26:52.434
- BUT IN THE MEANTIME, WHILE WE'RE ON EARTH,
- 00:26:52.434 --> 00:26:55.336
- HE IS ENTRUSTED TO EACH OF US A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY,
- 00:26:55.336 --> 00:26:59.340
- AS WELL AS GIFTS, AND TIME, AND OPPORTUNITIES.
- 00:26:59.340 --> 00:27:02.711
- HOW WE USE THE TREASURE GOD HAS GIVEN TO US, ON LOAN,
- 00:27:02.711 --> 00:27:08.883
- IS A TEST OF OUR FAITHFULNESS TO HIM.
- 00:27:08.883 --> 00:27:12.554
- [ANNOUNCER] SET YOUR DVR AND JOIN US NEXT TIME
- 00:27:12.554 --> 00:27:14.789
- FOR THE MESSAGE, "WHY MONEY MATTERS,"
- 00:27:14.789 --> 00:27:17.225
- HERE ON "PATHWAY TO VICTORY."
- 00:27:17.225 --> 00:27:18.827
- ♪ MUSIC ♪
- 00:27:18.827 --> 00:27:18.827