Seek: The Running Father

SEEK: THE RUNNING FATHER

Pastor Aaron Sutherland

I.  THE GOOD FATHER SEEKS TO GIVE IN LOVE

LUKE 15:11-20a  

"Jesus continued 'There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, "Father, give me my share of the estate." So he divided his property between them. 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. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 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! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants." So he got up and went to his Father.'"

Proverbs 14:8

"The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception."

II. THE GOOD FATHER SEEKS TO BUILD IN HOPE

LUKE 15:20b-24

"'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.  The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son." 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. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." So they began to celebrate.'"

Regardless of how far you have fallen you never fall out of the love of the Father.

III. THE GOOD FATHER SEEKS TO CONNECT IN FAITH

Luke 15:25-32 

"'Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.  So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. "Your brother has come," he replied, "and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound." The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, "Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.  But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!" "My son," the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."'"

Our mistake is thinking that God’s love is earned, instead of realizing that God’s love is received.

Ephesians 2:8

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”

Discussion Questions

1. How have you experienced God’s love as a gift?

2. How have you been tempted to earn your way to God?

3. What do these parables reveal to me about my responsibility in my relationship with God?