Everything a Prodigal Believer Need's to Know

11/28/2021 AM Service Meditation In Work Still

Luke 15:10-32

WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES SAY ABOUT THE PRODIGAL SON?

10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. 11And he said, A certain man had two sons: 12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. 29And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. 31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

IS THE YOUNGER BROTHER BE A BELIEVER?

WHERE DID HE GO WRONG?

WHAT WAS HIS FATHER'S RESPONSE?

WHOSE STRENGTH DO WE NEED?

Emphasis placed on "... when he came to himself". The prodigal son turned to himself when he was in desperate need. At first, he thought he could work his own way out of it. This can be in a good way in the world, taking responsibility for yourself. Nothing wrong with trying to work out things that arise, trying to repair your bad choices. The Parable is more about the spiritual condition than, the physical condition.

When we are hungry spiritually, at first we tend to think we can do something to get ourselves back on track. This was me, after working so much I had drifted out of church. Too tired, too busy. That is the first violation of scripture. Heb 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

It doesn't seem to be as important when you read this, at first you justify that you have a strong faith and it won't impact you. You lost the first battle, I lost the first battle.

Things in life start to distract you, you get discouraged, you turn back to stress relievers that worked for you in the past. Before long, you don't find yourself hearing the small voice of God, calling you. As life, moves on you find more and more things taking you down your path, not God's path for you. Eventually, as a believer, you, hear God's voice again. You try to fix the things in your life, to get you back on track. You work, and work and work but are getting nowhere spiritually. You start praying again, reading God's word again, going to church again hoping to hear that voice more clearly. God, tell me what to do you cry out. Sometimes, you don't get an immediate response, and you give up, but then you hear that voice again. Convicting you or perhaps you know you need God to help you with your life.

You hear God challenging the things in your life. How is your tabernacle, have you followed the instructions God left you for worshipping Him? Your know your works will do nothing for your salvation, you're not worried about your salvation, you are worried about your circumstance. Nothing is changing regarding how hard you work to fix it. At some point, finally, frustration reaches a point in your life, you cry out to God, "I lose every time God, every time I try I lose. I always fail in the flesh, I can not do it". It may not be these exact words, but similar in meaning. When we reach a point, just like when we were saved, we know it is not from us, we can do nothing, at this point God reaches out and does it for us. He doesn't always change your circumstance, but he gives you a message. To me when I reached this crying out to God, "I lose every time....", yelling at God, he responds by speaking through others. To me in the next few hours, it was through a church sermon where the minister said "God wins". Such odd words within a few hours of me crying out. Following through, God says "...my grace is sufficient."

He told me my circumstances, are not going to change, but he will help me get through them. The rest of today's service minister talking about the term is repentance, change our mind, turn from the direction I was headed in. The next step after repentance is to be reconciled. Even as believers we can drift. But isn't it incredible in verse 20, "... Father saw him and ran"? This is the next step after being reconciled. We are in a relationship with God.

There are many theories on can you lose your salvation. I don't think God allows this to happen. He calls out to us, still up to us. In Revelation, in end times with Anti-Christ deceiving everyone, it says "even if it were possible to deceive the very elect". This means it is not possible. We do need to do things, like turn, follow, which are not works for salvation but following God's instructions for doing His will while we are here. It is not always a blessing, sometimes it is persecution. But, we always need to be walking in the Spirit, to not follow after the flesh.