Welcome Home (Reach 1 | Luke 15:11-24) | Let Down Your Nets | Mike Kelsey

Good morning. How is Good morning. How is everyone doing? We are everyone doing? We are everyone doing? We are fine. Ready fine. Ready fine. Ready to dig deeper? Okay, let to dig deeper? Okay, let to dig deeper? Okay, let 's dig deeper. But 's dig deeper. But 's dig deeper. But before we before we before we do that, if this is your do that, if this is your do that, if this is your first time at our church first time at our church , we are so glad to have you , we are so glad to have you , we are so glad to have you with us today. My with us today. My with us today. My name is Mike, I'm one of the name is Mike, I'm one of the name is Mike, I'm one of the pastors here. We are pastors here. We are one church in several one church in several one church in several different locations different locations different locations around the Washington metropolitan area around the Washington metropolitan area around the Washington metropolitan area . So I . So I . So I want to welcome everyone want to welcome everyone want to welcome everyone who has gathered in who has gathered in who has gathered in Montgomery, Montgomery, Montgomery, Arlington, Loudoun, Arlington, Loudoun, Arlington, Loudoun, Prince William counties, and everyone Prince William counties, and everyone Prince William counties, and everyone who is watching us who is watching us who is watching us online. We will be immersed online. We will be immersed online. We will be immersed in God's Word as we in God's Word as we in God's Word as we continue and continue and continue and prepare to conclude prepare to conclude prepare to conclude this series, in which we this series, in which we this series, in which we essentially present essentially present essentially present and officially and officially and officially launch the launch the launch the five-year vision for five-year vision for five-year vision for our church. And if our church. And if our church. And if you haven't been with us you haven't been with us you haven't been with us the last few the last few the last few weeks, you may weeks, you may weeks, you may not have been following our not have been following our not have been following our vision. I encourage vision. I encourage vision. I encourage you to visit you to visit you to visit mcleanbible.org/vision, mcleanbible.org/vision, mcleanbible.org/vision, especially if you are especially if you are especially if you are new to our new to our new to our church, so you can church, so you can church, so you can see the heart of our see the heart of our see the heart of our church and where church and where church and where we believe God is leading we believe God is leading we believe God is leading us over the us over the us over the next five years next five years . But today we'll . But today we'll . But today we'll focus on the focus on the focus on the "achieve "achieve "achieve one" aspect of our one" aspect of our one" aspect of our five-year vision. five-year vision. five-year vision. Simply put, we Simply put, we Simply put, we want to reach want to reach want to reach one person at a time. It's one person at a time. It's one person at a time. It's all so simple.

all so simple. That's the core of our That's the core of our vision, the heartbeat of vision, the heartbeat of vision, the heartbeat of our vision—we our vision—we our vision—we simply want to better simply want to better simply want to better see people as see people as see people as God sees them, and God sees them, and God sees them, and engage them with God's engage them with God's engage them with God's love, sharing love, sharing love, sharing the Gospel, the Gospel, the Gospel, showing what it showing what it showing what it looks like in real looks like in real looks like in real time. And this is a huge time. And this is a huge time. And this is a huge part of what part of what part of what we believe the Lord is leading us to we believe the Lord is leading us to we believe the Lord is leading us to . So we . So we . So we want to want to want to talk about this today talk about this today talk about this today based on God's Word. based on God's Word. based on God's Word. And here is the plan after And here is the plan after And here is the plan after this week. this week. this week. Next Sunday Next Sunday Next Sunday you will have the opportunity you will have the opportunity you will have the opportunity to hear your pastor to hear your pastor to hear your pastor on site. We'll take on site. We'll take on site. We'll take this big vision and this big vision and this big vision and bring it down to the bring it down to the bring it down to the local level to local level to local level to discuss what it discuss what it discuss what it looks like in the context of looks like in the context of looks like in the context of these different places these different places these different places around the DMV. And what are some around the DMV. And what are some around the DMV. And what are some specific ways specific ways specific ways you can get involved? you can get involved? you can get involved? And then, And then, And then, God willing, on God willing, on God willing, on October 25th, we will begin a October 25th, we will begin a October 25th, we will begin a new new new verse-by-verse study of the book of Jude. It is verse-by-verse study of the book of Jude. It is verse-by-verse study of the book of Jude. It is one of the shortest one of the shortest one of the shortest books in the Bible with one books in the Bible with one books in the Bible with one of the most important of the most important of the most important messages, especially for messages, especially for messages, especially for the time and culture in the time and culture in the time and culture in which we live. So, which we live. So, which we live. So, questions like, “What is it like questions like, “What is it like questions like, “What is it like to stand firm in to stand firm in to stand firm in your faith when your faith when your faith when you are pressured you are pressured you are pressured to compromise?” to compromise?” Or how should we view Or how should we view Christians who Christians who Christians who fall away from the faith?

fall away from the faith? How do you discern what How do you discern what is true and what is not is true and what is not is true and what is not when so many different when so many different when so many different people are saying people are saying people are saying so many different things, so many different things, so many different things, and they are all and they are all and they are all using the name of using the name of using the name of Jesus? These are just some of the Jesus? These are just some of the Jesus? These are just some of the issues we want issues we want issues we want to discuss and to discuss and to discuss and cover, God willing, cover, God willing, cover, God willing, during our during our during our study of the epistle of study of the epistle of study of the epistle of Jude. So stay tuned Jude. So stay tuned Jude. So stay tuned for the next for the next for the next series of sermons. But series of sermons. But series of sermons. But today we're going today we're going today we're going to look at one of the to look at one of the to look at one of the most moving most moving most moving stories in the Bible, and stories in the Bible, and stories in the Bible, and it reminds me of it reminds me of it reminds me of one of the most one of the most one of the most moving moments moving moments moving moments in sports history. in sports history. Some of you probably Some of you probably saw this saw this saw this live. Others of us live. Others of us live. Others of us have seen it on TikTok or have seen it on TikTok or have seen it on TikTok or YouTube. We've all seen YouTube. We've all seen YouTube. We've all seen clips of this moment. clips of this moment. At the At the 1992 Olympics in 1992 Olympics in 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, ​​there was a runner, a Barcelona, ​​there was a runner, a Barcelona, ​​there was a runner, a sprinter from Britain sprinter from Britain sprinter from Britain named Derek Redmond, named Derek Redmond, named Derek Redmond, who was competing in the who was competing in the who was competing in the 400- 400- 400- meter semifinals. He had suffered a meter semifinals. He had suffered a meter semifinals. He had suffered a bunch of injuries in bunch of injuries in bunch of injuries in previous years, previous years, previous years, even even even months before those months before those months before those particular games. But particular games. But particular games. But in Barcelona, ​​everything in Barcelona, ​​everything in Barcelona, ​​everything seemed to be going well seemed to be going well . In fact, he was . In fact, he was . In fact, he was simply on top. To be simply on top. To be simply on top. To be honest, honest, honest, he even he even he even set a record that day. He set a record that day. He set a record that day. He did great. And did great. And did great. And then, somewhere around the 150th then, somewhere around the 150th then, somewhere around the 150th meter of the semifinal meter of the semifinal meter of the semifinal race, he race, he race, he tore his tore his hamstring. And that hamstring. And that loud groan—that's loud groan—that's loud groan—that's how the entire how the entire how the entire stadium reacted when he stadium reacted when he stadium reacted when he fell to the ground in fell to the ground in fell to the ground in pain. He writhes

pain. He writhes pain. He writhes in pain. You can in pain. You can in pain. You can find this video. He find this video. He find this video. He writhes in pain on the writhes in pain on the writhes in pain on the ground, but he is a ground, but he is a ground, but he is a true fighter. And that true fighter. And that true fighter. And that 's why he wants to 's why he wants to 's why he wants to finish the race. finish the race. He gets up and He gets up and limps down the limps down the limps down the track to the finish track to the finish track to the finish line. This is a line. This is a line. This is a beautiful beautiful beautiful story in itself. But the reason story in itself. But the reason story in itself. But the reason this moment this moment this moment is etched in is etched in is etched in sports history is because of what sports history is because of what happened next. Suddenly, there was a commotion in one part of the stadium was a commotion in one part of the stadium . A man . A man . A man broke through the broke through the broke through the security. He ran out onto the security. He ran out onto the security. He ran out onto the track and ran track and ran track and ran after Derek after Derek after Derek Redmond. It was a Redmond. It was a Redmond. It was a man named Jim man named Jim man named Jim Redmond, Redmond, Redmond, Derek Redmond's father. He Derek Redmond's father. He Derek Redmond's father. He hugged his son and hugged his son and hugged his son and helped him walk the helped him walk the helped him walk the rest of the way. rest of the way. rest of the way. Officials tried Officials tried Officials tried to stop him. As to stop him. As to stop him. As they neared the they neared the they neared the finish line, he finish line, he finish line, he waved them away and waved them away and waved them away and supported his son all the way to the supported his son all the way to the supported his son all the way to the finish line, finish line, finish line, and the stadium erupted in and the stadium erupted in and the stadium erupted in applause. More than 65,000 applause. More than 65,000 applause. More than 65,000 people rose from people rose from people rose from their seats. They their seats. They their seats. They cheered and cheered and cheered and applauded. They were applauded. They were applauded. They were delighted. And this is one of the delighted. And this is one of the delighted. And this is one of the most moving most moving most moving scenes in the entire history of scenes in the entire history of scenes in the entire history of sports. And the reason sports. And the reason sports. And the reason it it it resonates with us resonates with us is because some of is because some of is because some of you cry about everything.

you cry about everything. you cry about everything. Your eyes are already in a Your eyes are already in a Your eyes are already in a wet place. Just wet place. Just wet place. Just from a story I heard. from a story I heard. The reason this The reason this touches us so much—there are touches us so much—there are touches us so much—there are many different reasons, many different reasons, many different reasons, but one of them is but one of them is but one of them is certainly that certainly that certainly that in a world where in a world where in a world where everything depends on everything depends on everything depends on achievement and success, achievement and success, achievement and success, we all long for we all long for we all long for examples and experiences examples and experiences examples and experiences of that kind of unconditional of that kind of unconditional of that kind of unconditional love, that kind of stubborn love, that kind of stubborn , persistent , persistent , persistent grace. We are all grace. We are all grace. We are all touched by the love of a touched by the love of a touched by the love of a father for his son. father for his son. And this is exactly what we see in the And this is exactly what we see in the history we history we history we will study today. This is a very will study today. This is a very will study today. This is a very famous story, famous story, famous story, chapter 15 of the Gospel of chapter 15 of the Gospel of chapter 15 of the Gospel of Luke. But I want to Luke. But I want to Luke. But I want to encourage us encourage us encourage us to look at this to look at this to look at this story in a new way. I story in a new way. I story in a new way. I want us to want us to want us to slow down together and slow down together and slow down together and ask God for a ask God for a ask God for a new revelation of His new revelation of His new revelation of His tireless love and tireless love and tireless love and grace. So before grace. So before grace. So before we dive into we dive into we dive into it, I want to give you a it, I want to give you a it, I want to give you a moment alone with moment alone with moment alone with God to ask God to ask God to ask Him to Him to Him to speak to you personally speak to you personally speak to you personally through His Word.

through His Word. through His Word. Find a moment of Find a moment of Find a moment of silence to calm silence to calm silence to calm your heart, focus your your heart, focus your your heart, focus your attention, and let's attention, and let's attention, and let's hear God together. hear God together. hear God together. Take a minute. Take a minute. Father, we thank You Father, we thank You for the grace for the grace for the grace revealed in Your revealed in Your revealed in Your Word. We pray, Word. We pray, Word. We pray, God, that You would not only God, that You would not only God, that You would not only speak to our speak to our speak to our hearts, but also work in hearts, but also work in hearts, but also work in them by the power of Your them by the power of Your them by the power of Your Holy Spirit. And Father, Holy Spirit. And Father, Holy Spirit. And Father, as I have prayed all as I have prayed all as I have prayed all week and today week and today week and today throughout the day, I ask, throughout the day, I ask, throughout the day, I ask, God, that You do what I God, that You do what I cannot do cannot do cannot do . Lord, there is little I . Lord, there is little I . Lord, there is little I can do from this can do from this can do from this pulpit except pulpit except pulpit except simply preach simply preach simply preach Your Word. But God, Your Word. But God, Your Word. But God, You can raise You can raise You can raise spiritually dead spiritually dead spiritually dead people to life. God, people to life. God, people to life. God, you can give hope to you can give hope to you can give hope to those of us who have longed to those of us who have longed to see people see people we love we love we love return to faith return to faith return to faith in Jesus. Oh God, we in Jesus. Oh God, we in Jesus. Oh God, we pray that You will pray that You will pray that You will do this today in the do this today in the do this today in the name of Jesus. Amen.

name of Jesus. Amen. name of Jesus. Amen. Amen. Well, let's Amen. Well, let's Amen. Well, let's go through this go through this go through this story scene by story scene by story scene by scene. Chapter 15 of scene. Chapter 15 of scene. Chapter 15 of the Gospel of Luke, the Gospel of Luke, the Gospel of Luke, let's start with the first let's start with the first let's start with the first verse. Are we ready? So let's verse. Are we ready? So let's verse. Are we ready? So let's begin. It says: begin. It says: begin. It says: “Meanwhile, “Meanwhile, “Meanwhile, all the all the all the tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to Jesus.” tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to Jesus.” tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to Jesus.” This creates the This creates the This creates the right atmosphere right atmosphere . Let's stop . Let's stop . Let's stop here for a minute, because this is here for a minute, because this is here for a minute, because this is one of my one of my one of my favorite images of favorite images of favorite images of Jesus in the Bible. And I Jesus in the Bible. And I Jesus in the Bible. And I think it's because think it's because think it's because Jesus was somehow Jesus was somehow Jesus was somehow able to live a able to live a able to live a completely holy completely holy completely holy life. He never life. He never life. He never compromised with compromised with compromised with any of God's any of God's any of God's standards. And yet standards. And yet standards. And yet , there is something about His , there is something about His , there is something about His mercy and mercy and mercy and purpose purpose purpose that helps other that helps other that helps other people see and people see and people see and feel God's heart. feel God's heart. And they are drawn to And they are drawn to Him. This is a real-time snapshot of Him. This is a real-time snapshot of Him. This is a real-time snapshot of Jesus' mission Jesus' mission Jesus' mission . Jesus . Jesus . Jesus was very clear in was very clear in was very clear in Luke chapter 19. He himself Luke chapter 19. He himself Luke chapter 19. He himself said: "I came to said: "I came to said: "I came to seek and to save the seek and to save the seek and to save the lost." To seek out those lost." To seek out those lost." To seek out those people who are people who are people who are desperately seeking desperately seeking desperately seeking God's love, even God's love, even God's love, even if they themselves do not if they themselves do not if they themselves do not realize what it is they are realize what it is they are realize what it is they are seeking. Jesus said, seeking. Jesus said, seeking. Jesus said, "I came to "I came to "I came to find these people." And find these people." And find these people." And this mission defined this mission defined this mission defined His earthly life and His earthly life and His earthly life and ministry. Listen to ministry. Listen to ministry. Listen to me, church family me, church family , this mission must , this mission must , this mission must define both our define both our define both our lives and the ministry of lives and the ministry of lives and the ministry of our church. Amen?

our church. Amen? our church. Amen? Amen. Amen. Amen. Okay, we're Okay, we're Okay, we're warming up with warming up with warming up with these "amen." these "amen." these "amen." Listen to me. Listen to me. Listen to me. Let me make this Let me make this Let me make this very clear, especially very clear, especially very clear, especially if this is your first time at if this is your first time at if this is your first time at our church: we are not our church: we are not our church: we are not building a building a building a spiritual retreat center spiritual retreat center . This is not what we are . This is not what we are . This is not what we are here for. We are not here to here for. We are not here to build a bigger build a bigger church so that those of us who are church so that those of us who are church so that those of us who are already in it can feel more already in it can feel more already in it can feel more comfortable. We are not comfortable. We are not comfortable. We are not building a building a building a spiritual retreat center spiritual retreat center . We are on a spiritual . We are on a spiritual . We are on a spiritual rescue mission. rescue mission. rescue mission. That's what we're here for. That's what we're here for. That's what we're here for. This is the mission of our church This is the mission of our church : to meet people : to meet people : to meet people where they are and where they are and where they are and help them experience help them experience help them experience life abundantly in life abundantly in life abundantly in Jesus. Because Jesus saw Jesus. Because Jesus saw Jesus. Because Jesus saw every person, every every person, every every person, every interaction, every interaction, every interaction, every relationship through the relationship through the relationship through the prism of God's love, prism of God's love, prism of God's love, revealed in the Gospel. revealed in the Gospel. Yes. Yes. Amen. Amen. That is why He That is why He took time to took time to took time to associate with those associate with those associate with those people with whom the people with whom the people with whom the religious leaders of the time would religious leaders of the time would religious leaders of the time would never never never associate. associate. My friend, Pastor Ian My friend, Pastor Ian Simpkins, serves at The Simpkins, serves at The Simpkins, serves at The Bridge Church Bridge Church Bridge Church near Nashville, near Nashville, near Nashville, Tennessee. He has Tennessee. He has Tennessee. He has just published what I think is just published what I think is just published what I think is one of the one of the one of the most beautiful and most beautiful and most beautiful and important books important books important books of the year. It's a book of the year. It's a book of the year. It's a book called called called Every Table and Every Table and Every Table and Altar, and I encourage Altar, and I encourage Altar, and I encourage you to pick it up, you to pick it up, you to pick it up, read it on your own, read it on your own, read it on your own, or use it for or use it for or use it for study in your study in your study in your church group. "Every church group. "Every church group. "Every Table and Altar". And he has Table and Altar". And he has Table and Altar". And he has one phrase that I can't one phrase that I can't one phrase that I can't forget. He forget. He forget. He writes like this. He says, “ writes like this. He says, “ Perhaps the most Perhaps the most Perhaps the most controversial controversial controversial part of part of part of Jesus’ ministry was not his Jesus’ ministry was not his Jesus’ ministry was not his miracles, but who he miracles, but who he miracles, but who he ate with.” You see this

ate with.” You see this ate with.” You see this throughout throughout throughout the Gospels: Matthew, the Gospels: Matthew, the Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Mark, Luke, and John. Mark, Luke, and John. Every time He Every time He Every time He sat down to eat with someone, sat down to eat with someone, sat down to eat with someone, He revealed something He revealed something He revealed something about the essence of the Gospel, about the essence of the Gospel, about the essence of the Gospel, about the heart of God, about about the heart of God, about about the heart of God, about some aspect of His some aspect of His some aspect of His ministry. And you ministry. And you ministry. And you understand the situation understand the situation understand the situation because when you because when you because when you really study it, really study it, really study it, Luke, when he uses Luke, when he uses Luke, when he uses the word “sinners” here, is not the word “sinners” here, is not the word “sinners” here, is not just using just using just using it the way it the way it the way Christians use Christians use Christians use it today. When it today. When it today. When we talk about we talk about we talk about sinners today, sinners today, sinners today, we mean that we mean that we mean that everyone is a sinner, everyone is a sinner, everyone is a sinner, right? Because we all fall short of right? Because we all fall short of God's perfect God's perfect standards. It's all of us. standards. It's all of us. standards. It's all of us. But in this context, But in this context, But in this context, the word "sinner" had a the word "sinner" had a the word "sinner" had a more specific, more specific, more specific, technical meaning. It technical meaning. It technical meaning. It was a label was a label was a label given to people known for given to people known for given to people known for their sinful their sinful their sinful lifestyle. So the lifestyle. So the lifestyle. So the modern term would be modern term would be modern term would be scum, scum, scum, degenerates, or the degenerates, or the degenerates, or the waste of society. waste of society. Whatever you Whatever you call them, that's what they meant call them, that's what they meant call them, that's what they meant by " by " sinners." And sinners." And sinners." And the tax collectors were the the tax collectors were the the tax collectors were the worst kind of worst kind of worst kind of sinners, because they were sinners, because they were sinners, because they were Jews who made Jews who made Jews who made money by working for the money by working for the money by working for the Roman government and Roman government and Roman government and exploiting their own exploiting their own exploiting their own people. These are the people people. These are the people people. These are the people whom whom whom Jesus attracted and who Jesus attracted and who Jesus attracted and who drew near to Him.

drew near to Him. And it was so And it was so incomprehensible to the incomprehensible to the incomprehensible to the Jewish leaders of the time Jewish leaders of the time Jewish leaders of the time . The Pharisees and . The Pharisees and . The Pharisees and scribes were some of the scribes were some of the scribes were some of the most respected most respected most respected and respected leaders of the and respected leaders of the and respected leaders of the time. They were time. They were time. They were puzzled, and you puzzled, and you puzzled, and you must understand why: must understand why: must understand why: how could someone who how could someone who how could someone who claimed to be so claimed to be so claimed to be so holy holy holy associate with those associate with those associate with those who were so wicked? who were so wicked? That is why the Pharisees and That is why the Pharisees and scribes scribes scribes reacted as reacted as reacted as described in the second described in the second described in the second verse. Let's continue verse. Let's continue verse. Let's continue the story from the second the story from the second the story from the second verse. And the Pharisees and verse. And the Pharisees and verse. And the Pharisees and scribes grumbled, scribes grumbled, scribes grumbled, saying, “This man saying, “This man saying, “This man welcomes sinners and welcomes sinners and welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So Jesus eats with them.” So Jesus eats with them.” So Jesus tells them three tells them three tells them three parables in Luke 15 parables in Luke 15 to show to show how far their hearts are how far their hearts are how far their hearts are from from from God’s heart. The first parable God’s heart. The first parable is about a shepherd who is about a shepherd who is about a shepherd who lost one of his lost one of his lost one of his sheep, and although he has sheep, and although he has sheep, and although he has 99 left, he 99 left, he 99 left, he leaves them and goes to leaves them and goes to leaves them and goes to look for the one. We look for the one. We look for the one. We talked about that talked about that talked about that parable back in February. The parable back in February. The parable back in February. The second parable is about second parable is about second parable is about a woman who loses a woman who loses a woman who loses one of her 10 one of her 10 one of her 10 silver coins and silver coins and silver coins and searches the entire house searches the entire house searches the entire house until she until she until she finds it. And in both of finds it. And in both of finds it. And in both of these stories, when these stories, when these stories, when the lost is found, the lost is found, the lost is found, there is a there is a there is a grand grand grand celebration. A celebration. A huge feast, a huge feast, a big celebration, and everyone big celebration, and everyone big celebration, and everyone would understand why. Because, would understand why. Because, would understand why. Because, of course, you will go of course, you will go of course, you will go looking for something of looking for something of looking for something of value that you have value that you have value that you have lost. Today, these lost. Today, these lost. Today, these examples no longer have the same examples no longer have the same examples no longer have the same impact in impact in impact in our culture.

our culture. our culture. Let's Let's Let's modernize this a bit. If modernize this a bit. If modernize this a bit. If you lost one of you lost one of you lost one of your credit your credit your credit cards, you wouldn't be cards, you wouldn't be cards, you wouldn't be reassured just reassured just reassured just because you have other because you have other because you have other cards in your wallet. You will cards in your wallet. You will cards in your wallet. You will go look for that one go look for that one go look for that one lost card. You lost card. You lost card. You will be looking under the will be looking under the will be looking under the seat cushions. You seat cushions. You seat cushions. You will return to will return to will return to the store you the store you the store you were just in. You were just in. You were just in. You call the call the call the Uber driver, right, Uber driver, right, Uber driver, right, to check if to check if to check if she's left in the she's left in the she's left in the car. You will car. You will car. You will look for her. Everyone look for her. Everyone look for her. Everyone understands, right, understands, right, understands, right, the value of a lost the value of a lost the value of a lost thing. But here is what thing. But here is what thing. But here is what Jesus exposes. Why do Jesus exposes. Why do Jesus exposes. Why do you care so much about you care so much about you care so much about lost things, but lost things, but lost things, but so little about so little about lost people? lost people? Amen. Amen. This is the tension that This is the tension that builds under the builds under the builds under the first two parables. And first two parables. And first two parables. And so Jesus tells so Jesus tells so Jesus tells them a third parable. But them a third parable. But them a third parable. But this time it is not this time it is not this time it is not about a lost sheep about a lost sheep about a lost sheep or a lost coin, or a lost coin, or a lost coin, but about a lost but about a lost but about a lost son, or even two. son, or even two. son, or even two. Verse 11, He said: “A Verse 11, He said: “A certain man had two certain man had two certain man had two sons. And as we'll sons. And as we'll sons. And as we'll see, Father... see, Father... let me let me let me help you, if help you, if help you, if you're new to the Bible, you're new to the Bible, you're new to the Bible, let me help let me help let me help you put all this you put all this you put all this together. The Father personifies together. The Father personifies together. The Father personifies God. The two sons God. The two sons God. The two sons represent different represent different represent different ways in which people ways in which people ways in which people can drift away can drift away can drift away from God. You can from God. You can from God. You can distance yourself from God distance yourself from God distance yourself from God through your rebellion, you through your rebellion, you through your rebellion, you can distance yourself can distance yourself can distance yourself from God through from God through from God through religion, because it all religion, because it all religion, because it all depends on what depends on what depends on what you put your you put your you put your hope in.

hope in. hope in. Yes. Yes. And today we will And today we will focus on the focus on the focus on the youngest son. The youngest son. The youngest son. The father has two sons. father has two sons. father has two sons. Verse 12: And the younger Verse 12: And the younger Verse 12: And the younger of them said to of them said to of them said to his father, “Father, give his father, “Father, give his father, “Father, give me the share of me the share of me the share of the estate that falls the estate that falls the estate that falls to me.” In other to me.” In other to me.” In other words: "Father, give words: "Father, give words: "Father, give me my inheritance right me my inheritance right me my inheritance right now." I...I'm nervous now." I...I'm nervous now." I...I'm nervous just saying this, just saying this, just saying this, just imagining just imagining just imagining saying this to my saying this to my saying this to my father, anything to father, anything to father, anything to my dad right now. my dad right now. And the father divided And the father divided his estate between them. his estate between them. Now you must Now you must hear this story as a hear this story as a first-century Jew would have heard it, for first-century Jew would have heard it, for when they heard it, when they heard it, when they heard it, they would have been utterly they would have been utterly they would have been utterly horrified, for it would have been the horrified, for it would have been the horrified, for it would have been the ultimate disrespect ultimate disrespect to ask for an inheritance to ask for an inheritance to ask for an inheritance while the father was still alive. while the father was still alive. You are essentially saying, " Father, I want you to Father, I want you to Father, I want you to die." I want what die." I want what die." I want what you have to you have to you have to offer, but I offer, but I offer, but I don't want you. don't want you.

Right. Right. This is the ultimate disrespect. This is the ultimate disrespect. But the son doesn't care. But the son doesn't care. Verse 13: “A few Verse 13: “A few Verse 13: “A few days later the younger son days later the younger son days later the younger son gathered all he had and gathered all he had and gathered all he had and traveled to a distant traveled to a distant traveled to a distant country.” "He found a country.” "He found a country.” "He found a job." He moved job." He moved job." He moved to a big city. "His to a big city. "His to a big city. "His life looks life looks life looks incredible on incredible on incredible on social media." "And there he social media." "And there he social media." "And there he squandered his squandered his squandered his property in property in property in riotous living." riotous living." Listen to me. This is the Listen to me. This is the essence of sin. Isn't that right? essence of sin. Isn't that right? essence of sin. Isn't that right? This is the essence of sin. That This is the essence of sin. That This is the essence of sin. That we want God's gifts we want God's gifts , but we don't want God. , but we don't want God. We want the life We want the life He gave us. We want the He gave us. We want the He gave us. We want the oxygen He oxygen He oxygen He gives us. We want to live gives us. We want to live gives us. We want to live in the world He in the world He in the world He created for us, but created for us, but created for us, but we want to live on we want to live on we want to live on our own terms. And this is our own terms. And this is our own terms. And this is not just the story of not just the story of not just the story of this younger son. this younger son. this younger son. This is the story of each of This is the story of each of This is the story of each of us, starting from the us, starting from the us, starting from the Garden of Eden. And just as Garden of Eden. And just as Garden of Eden. And just as we we we will see in this will see in this will see in this story, God's desire is for story, God's desire is for story, God's desire is for us to us to us to turn from turn from turn from our sin and our sin and our sin and self-confidence. and self-confidence. and self-confidence. and return home return home return home to him. But here's what to him. But here's what to him. But here's what we see in this we see in this we see in this story. The journey home story. The journey home story. The journey home begins when you are begins when you are begins when you are ready to admit two ready to admit two ready to admit two things. And hear things. And hear things. And hear me out before we me out before we me out before we continue this continue this continue this story. If someone story. If someone story. If someone close to you close to you close to you has strayed from God, has strayed from God, has strayed from God, pray even pray even pray even now, as I now, as I now, as I preach, that God will

preach, that God will preach, that God will do these two things in do these two things in do these two things in their hearts. And if their hearts. And if their hearts. And if this applies to you, this applies to you, this applies to you, if you have drifted away if you have drifted away if you have drifted away from God, we are glad from God, we are glad from God, we are glad you are here, and there is a reason you are here, and there is a reason you are here, and there is a reason why God wants you to why God wants you to why God wants you to hear this message hear this message hear this message today. I have prayed, today. I have prayed, today. I have prayed, we have prayed for you, we have prayed for you, we have prayed for you, that you will come to a point where you that you will come to a point where you that you will come to a point where you are are are ready to acknowledge these two ready to acknowledge these two ready to acknowledge these two things. First: God, I things. First: God, I things. First: God, I need You. need You. God, I God, I need you. Look need you. Look need you. Look at verse 14. And when he at verse 14. And when he at verse 14. And when he had spent everything, there arose a had spent everything, there arose a had spent everything, there arose a great famine in that great famine in that great famine in that country, and he began to be in country, and he began to be in country, and he began to be in want. So he want. So he want. So he went and hired himself out to went and hired himself out to went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of one of the citizens of one of the citizens of that country. Things don't go that country. Things don't go that country. Things don't go as he as he as he expected, because the man expected, because the man expected, because the man sent him to his sent him to his sent him to his fields to feed pigs. And fields to feed pigs. And fields to feed pigs. And he longed to fill he longed to fill he longed to fill his stomach with his stomach with his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating the pods that the pigs were eating the pods that the pigs were eating , but no one , but no one , but no one gave him anything. gave him anything. This son has finally hit rock bottom This son has finally hit rock bottom . And maybe that's where . And maybe that's where you you you are right now this are right now this are right now this morning. I don't need to morning. I don't need to morning. I don't need to convince you, you convince you, you convince you, you know you're in a know you're in a know you're in a desperate desperate desperate situation. But here is the situation. But here is the situation. But here is the tragedy of many of tragedy of many of tragedy of many of us: often favorable us: often favorable us: often favorable circumstances can circumstances can circumstances can hide our hide our hide our need for God. When need for God. When need for God. When life is going well, we have a life is going well, we have a life is going well, we have a good relationship, a good relationship, a good relationship, a good marriage, a good good marriage, a good good marriage, a good job, good grades job, good grades , good money, a , good money, a , good money, a good therapist— good therapist— we don't feel like we're we don't feel like we're we don't feel like we're at the bottom, because by at the bottom, because by at the bottom, because by worldly standards we're worldly standards we're worldly standards we're quite successful.

quite successful. The problem is that The problem is that life has a way of life has a way of life has a way of bringing you to the bringing you to the bringing you to the truth, and it truth, and it does. does. either on this side of either on this side of either on this side of eternity, or when you eternity, or when you eternity, or when you stand before stand before stand before God face to face. And we God face to face. And we God face to face. And we must reach a point where must reach a point where must reach a point where we are we are we are ready to fully ready to fully ready to fully admit: God, I admit: God, I admit: God, I need You. need You. need You. Amen. Amen. I don't want to live I don't want to live in illusions anymore. I in illusions anymore. I in illusions anymore. I need you. But it's not need you. But it's not need you. But it's not just "I just "I just "I need you," it's not need you," it's not need you," it's not just "I need just "I need just "I need you because I want things I you because I want things I you because I want things I can't have can't have can't have without you." No, it's " without you." No, it's " God, I God, I God, I need You," and you need You," and you need You," and you have to come to the point of have to come to the point of have to come to the point of admitting: I admitting: I admitting: I don't deserve all of don't deserve all of don't deserve all of this. God, I this. God, I this. God, I need You, and God, I have need You, and God, I have need You, and God, I have sinned against You. And that's sinned against You. And that's sinned against You. And that's exactly what happens exactly what happens exactly what happens in verse 17. When this in verse 17. When this in verse 17. When this son recovered. And son recovered. And son recovered. And man, thank God, man, thank God, man, thank God, that moment came for that moment came for that moment came for me when I was a me when I was a me when I was a student at the student at the University of Maryland. When University of Maryland. When he came to himself, he came to himself, he came to himself, he said, “How many of he said, “How many of he said, “How many of my father’s hired servants my father’s hired servants my father’s hired servants have bread have bread have bread to spare, and I am to spare, and I am to spare, and I am dying of hunger?” dying of hunger?” Why am I here chasing Why am I here chasing things that constantly things that constantly things that constantly leave me leave me leave me empty when at home empty when at home empty when at home I have access to I have access to I have access to everything that could everything that could everything that could satisfy me?” satisfy me?” satisfy me?” Amen.

Amen. Amen. He says, “I will arise and He says, “I will arise and He says, “I will arise and go to my father go to my father go to my father and say to him, ‘Father, and say to him, ‘Father, and say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven.’ I have sinned against heaven.’ I have sinned against heaven.’ That is, I have That is, I have That is, I have sinned against God, and sinned against God, and sinned against God, and Father, I have sinned Father, I have sinned Father, I have sinned against you. I am against you. I am against you. I am no longer worthy to be called no longer worthy to be called no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat your son. Treat your son. Treat me as one me as one me as one of your own.” No of your own.” No of your own.” No excuses. No excuses. No excuses. No rationalizations. It's like this rationalizations. It's like this rationalizations. It's like this : God, I have sinned : God, I have sinned : God, I have sinned against You. I don't against You. I don't against You. I don't deserve anything deserve anything deserve anything good, but I simply good, but I simply good, but I simply beg for Your beg for Your beg for Your mercy. And here's what we mercy. And here's what we mercy. And here's what we need to understand. need to understand. need to understand. Listen to me, this is Listen to me, this is Listen to me, this is very important. If you very important. If you very important. If you are studying are studying are studying Christianity, it is Christianity, it is Christianity, it is important for you to understand that important for you to understand that important for you to understand that sin is not just a sin is not just a sin is not just a violation of a rule, violation of a rule, violation of a rule, sin is a violation of a sin is a violation of a sin is a violation of a relationship. This is not relationship. This is not relationship. This is not just breaking just breaking just breaking God's law, it is God's law, it is God's law, it is breaking God's breaking God's breaking God's heart and rejecting heart and rejecting heart and rejecting His authority His authority His authority over and over and over and over and over and over and over again. And realizing over again. And realizing over again. And realizing this is a turning this is a turning this is a turning point. point. Realizing Realizing how serious how serious how serious this sin is, how this sin is, how this sin is, how offensive it is, and how offensive it is, and how offensive it is, and how shamefully you have shamefully you have shamefully you have behaved toward the God who behaved toward the God who behaved toward the God who created you. This created you. This created you. This is a turning point is a turning point is a turning point because we tend to because we tend to because we tend to think about sin think about sin differently. Some of us differently. Some of us differently. Some of us think of sin simply think of sin simply think of sin simply as breaking the as breaking the as breaking the rules. Some of us rules. Some of us rules. Some of us think of sin simply think of sin simply think of sin simply as causing as causing as causing harm to other people—do no harm to other people—do no harm to other people—do no harm. Some of us harm. Some of us harm. Some of us think of sin as a think of sin as a think of sin as a betrayal of our own betrayal of our own betrayal of our own values ​​or a values ​​or a values ​​or a violation of our own violation of our own violation of our own truth. But the Bible truth. But the Bible truth. But the Bible teaches that sin is, teaches that sin is, teaches that sin is, ultimately, an offense against ultimately, an offense against ultimately, an offense against God himself. The God God himself. The God God himself. The God who created you, the who created you, the who created you, the God who loves you, God who loves you, God who loves you, and the God who ultimately and the God who ultimately and the God who ultimately has the right to judge you.

has the right to judge you. And the journey home And the journey home begins when begins when begins when you are ready you are ready you are ready to admit two things. to admit two things. to admit two things. God, I God, I God, I need you. And God, I have need you. And God, I have need you. And God, I have sinned against You. sinned against You. So, verse 20: he So, verse 20: he got up. And he came got up. And he came got up. And he came to his father. But to his father. But to his father. But when he was still when he was still when he was still far away. You all didn't far away. You all didn't far away. You all didn't hear what I hear what I hear what I just read. But just read. But just read. But when he... This was my when he... This was my when he... This was my church, where I grew up, this is where the church, where I grew up, this is where the church, where I grew up, this is where the organist organist organist started his journey to the started his journey to the started his journey to the organ. Here. But organ. Here. But organ. Here. But when he was still when he was still when he was still far away. Listen to far away. Listen to far away. Listen to me. Let me... me. Let me... let me let me let me help you. help you. help you. Listen to me. This Listen to me. This Listen to me. This son finally set off on his son finally set off on his son finally set off on his journey home. He journey home. He journey home. He rehearses his rehearses his apology speech. And apology speech. And listen to me, none listen to me, none listen to me, none of this would have surprised of this would have surprised of this would have surprised the Pharisees and the Pharisees and the Pharisees and scribes. Absolutely nothing. scribes. Absolutely nothing. scribes. Absolutely nothing. Of course, the son should come to his senses Of course, the son should come to his senses Of course, the son should come to his senses . Of course, . Of course, . Of course, he would eventually crawl he would eventually crawl he would eventually crawl home. Of course, the son would home. Of course, the son would home. Of course, the son would beg his father beg his father beg his father to take him back.

to take him back. to take him back. None of this would be None of this would be None of this would be surprising, and none surprising, and none surprising, and none of this is the point of of this is the point of of this is the point of this story. What would be this story. What would be this story. What would be strange, what would be strange, what would be strange, what would be shocking and deeply shocking and deeply shocking and deeply scandalous, is scandalous, is scandalous, is not what the son did, but not what the son did, but not what the son did, but what the father did. what the father did. But when he was still But when he was still far away, before he far away, before he far away, before he had a chance to state had a chance to state had a chance to state his case, before he his case, before he his case, before he could even try to make could even try to make could even try to make amends or amends or amends or clear his name, before clear his name, before clear his name, before he could prove himself he could prove himself he could prove himself right, when he was right, when he was right, when he was still far away, his father still far away, his father still far away, his father saw him. His saw him. His saw him. His father saw him. father saw him. And while the religious And while the religious leaders would feel leaders would feel leaders would feel disgust and contempt, what disgust and contempt, what disgust and contempt, what did the father feel? He did the father feel? He did the father feel? He felt compassion. And felt compassion. And felt compassion. And he ran, hugged he ran, hugged he ran, hugged him, and kissed him. And him, and kissed him. And him, and kissed him. And the son said to him, “ the son said to him, “ Father, I have sinned against Father, I have sinned against Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am heaven and before you. I am heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to no longer worthy to no longer worthy to be called your be called your be called your son." But it seems as son." But it seems as son." But it seems as if his father is if his father is if his father is interrupting him.

interrupting him. interrupting him. The father said to his The father said to his The father said to his servants: “Quickly bring out the servants: “Quickly bring out the servants: “Quickly bring out the best best best robe and put it on him robe and put it on him .” And put a ring on .” And put a ring on .” And put a ring on his hand and shoes on his his hand and shoes on his his hand and shoes on his feet. And bring the feet. And bring the feet. And bring the fattened calf, fattened calf, fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat kill it, and let us eat kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this and celebrate. For this and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and has son of mine was dead and has son of mine was dead and has come to life again. "He was lost and come to life again. "He was lost and come to life again. "He was lost and found." And they found." And they found." And they began to celebrate. began to celebrate. They began to They began to celebrate. Okay, celebrate. Okay, celebrate. Okay, that was a very light that was a very light that was a very light celebration. We're celebration. We're celebration. We're going to, we, we, we, going to, we, we, we, going to, we, we, we, we, we're going to we, we're going to we, we're going to But, I tell But, I tell But, I tell you, friends, the you, friends, the you, friends, the Spirit Spirit Spirit has been weighing on my heart all week. has been weighing on my heart all week. I was just praying for I was just praying for revival in our revival in our revival in our church. He especially church. He especially church. He especially prayed: "God, prayed: "God, prayed: "God, could You not bring could You not bring could You not bring the lost back home?" the lost back home?" Because that's what you have to Because that's what you have to understand. understand. understand. Here's what you should Here's what you should Here's what you should see in this see in this see in this story. We're going to put story. We're going to put story. We're going to put this on the screen because I want this on the screen because I want this on the screen because I want you to understand it. you to understand it. you to understand it. The most scandalous The most scandalous The most scandalous part of this story is part of this story is not the son's sin.

not the son's sin. The most scandalous The most scandalous part of this story part of this story is the is the is the father's love and grace. That's the father's love and grace. That's the father's love and grace. That's the scandal. So, scandal. So, scandal. So, I warn you I warn you I warn you in advance, in advance, in advance, listen to me. listen to me. listen to me. I warn you I warn you I warn you in advance. In a in advance. In a in advance. In a few minutes few minutes few minutes at the end of this at the end of this at the end of this sermon, I will give you sermon, I will give you sermon, I will give you the opportunity right here the opportunity right here the opportunity right here and now to make and now to make and now to make a decision to receive this a decision to receive this a decision to receive this love and grace love and grace love and grace through faith in Jesus. Because through faith in Jesus. Because through faith in Jesus. Because we want you to be we want you to be we want you to be part of the part of the part of the scandal that we scandal that we scandal that we got into only got into only got into only by God's by God's by God's grace. We want to grace. We want to grace. We want to give you the opportunity give you the opportunity give you the opportunity to say to God: "God, to say to God: "God, to say to God: "God, I want to go I want to go I want to go home." For this is the home." For this is the home." For this is the heart of our Father— heart of our Father— He loves to welcome He loves to welcome He loves to welcome lost people lost people lost people home. And when you home. And when you home. And when you study the whole story, study the whole story, study the whole story, you see that God's you see that God's you see that God's heart belongs to both of heart belongs to both of heart belongs to both of His lost His lost His lost sons: the one who sons: the one who sons: the one who was lost in rebellion and was lost in rebellion and was lost in rebellion and the one who was lost in the one who was lost in the one who was lost in religion; to the one who religion; to the one who religion; to the one who ran away from the Father's house, and to the one ran away from the Father's house, and to the one ran away from the Father's house, and to the one who thought he who thought he who thought he deserved it. Because deserved it. Because deserved it. Because they were both they were both they were both lost. And the God lost. And the God lost. And the God revealed in revealed in revealed in the Gospel is the God the Gospel is the God the Gospel is the God who leaves home and who leaves home and who leaves home and runs after one runs after one runs after one son who is lost in son who is lost in son who is lost in rebellion, and He rebellion, and He rebellion, and He leaves the feast to leaves the feast to leaves the feast to catch up with another catch up with another catch up with another son who is lost son who is lost son who is lost in religion and in religion and in religion and self-righteousness. This self-righteousness. This self-righteousness. This is the grace of God in is the grace of God in is the grace of God in the Gospel, and this is what the Gospel, and this is what the Gospel, and this is what makes the Gospel of makes the Gospel of makes the Gospel of Jesus Christ so

Jesus Christ so Jesus Christ so extraordinary, because Jesus does extraordinary, because Jesus does extraordinary, because Jesus does not simply tell us that not simply tell us that not simply tell us that God is willing to forgive God is willing to forgive God is willing to forgive sinners. No, Jesus sinners. No, Jesus sinners. No, Jesus tells us that He tells us that He tells us that He came to make came to make came to make this forgiveness possible. this forgiveness possible. For God is not only a For God is not only a loving Father, but loving Father, but loving Father, but also a holy and righteous also a holy and righteous also a holy and righteous Judge. The same Judge. The same Judge. The same goodness that prompts goodness that prompts goodness that prompts Him to seek you is the Him to seek you is the Him to seek you is the same goodness that will same goodness that will same goodness that will not allow Him not allow Him not allow Him to tolerate sin, to tolerate sin, to tolerate sin, brokenness, and anything that brokenness, and anything that brokenness, and anything that violates, defiles, and violates, defiles, and violates, defiles, and destroys His goodness in destroys His goodness in destroys His goodness in His creation. God is a His creation. God is a loving Father, God is a holy loving Father, God is a holy and righteous and righteous and righteous Judge, and our sin is Judge, and our sin is Judge, and our sin is real. Our real. Our real. Our guilt is real. It is guilt is real. It is guilt is real. It is not fictional. It is not not fictional. It is not not fictional. It is not cultural. It is not cultural. It is not cultural. It is not subjective. Our subjective. Our subjective. Our guilt is real guilt is real guilt is real before the objective before the objective before the objective standard of a perfectly standard of a perfectly standard of a perfectly holy God, and God's holy God, and God's holy God, and God's judgment on our sin is judgment on our sin is judgment on our sin is real. God real. God real. God loves us so much that loves us so much that loves us so much that He sent His Son, He sent His Son, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to do what Jesus Christ, to do what Jesus Christ, to do what we we we could never do on our own could never do on our own . Jesus lived a life that . Jesus lived a life that . Jesus lived a life that we could not we could not we could not live. Jesus died live. Jesus died live. Jesus died on the cross to on the cross to on the cross to pay for our pay for our pay for our sins. He rose from the sins. He rose from the sins. He rose from the dead so that everyone dead so that everyone dead so that everyone who puts who puts who puts their hope in Him can be their hope in Him can be their hope in Him can be forgiven, reconciled, forgiven, reconciled, forgiven, reconciled, and accepted into His and accepted into His and accepted into His family. Listen to family. Listen to family. Listen to me, this is the story of me, this is the story of me, this is the story of the Gospel: the God the Gospel: the God the Gospel: the God we rejected is the we rejected is the we rejected is the same God who same God who same God who came to came to came to save us. The God

save us. The God save us. The God we have sinned against we have sinned against is the same God who is the same God who is the same God who sacrificed Himself sacrificed Himself sacrificed Himself for us. for us. Listen, we didn't Listen, we didn't have to have to have to find our way back find our way back find our way back to God on our own. In Jesus to God on our own. In Jesus to God on our own. In Jesus Christ, God came to Christ, God came to Christ, God came to find us. This is find us. This is find us. This is the Gospel. And, church, the Gospel. And, church, the Gospel. And, church, how does this relate to how does this relate to how does this relate to our vision? Because our vision? Because our vision? Because if this is the heart of the Father, then if this is the heart of the Father, then if this is the heart of the Father, then this must be the heart of this must be the heart of this must be the heart of our church. That is our church. That is our church. That is why "reaching one why "reaching one " is the basis of this " is the basis of this " is the basis of this struggle. It's not about struggle. It's not about struggle. It's not about the numbers. It's about the numbers. It's about the numbers. It's about reaching out to reaching out to reaching out to God, reaching God, reaching God, reaching one person at a time. one person at a time. To say that we To say that we will not be satisfied with will not be satisfied with will not be satisfied with just building a just building a just building a bigger church for bigger church for bigger church for ourselves, but will do everything we ourselves, but will do everything we ourselves, but will do everything we can and can and can and use our use our use our lives and resources to lives and resources to lives and resources to find those who find those who find those who need to know that need to know that need to know that God loves them and to know God loves them and to know what God has done to what God has done to what God has done to provide that love.

provide that love. It is reaching out one It is reaching out one person at a time, and we person at a time, and we person at a time, and we want to want to want to pray better and be more pray better and be more pray better and be more focused with the focused with the focused with the people God people God people God puts before us. puts before us. puts before us. Why? Because God Why? Because God Why? Because God is seeking them with His is seeking them with His is seeking them with His love and love and love and grace, and He grace, and He grace, and He invites us to be a invites us to be a invites us to be a part of it. So part of it. So part of it. So we want to do this in we want to do this in we want to do this in our personal our personal our personal lives, but also lives, but also lives, but also together as a church together as a church together as a church family, in the family, in the family, in the simplest way possible. simplest way possible. simplest way possible. Let me give Let me give Let me give you one example. you one example. A few months ago A few months ago we were at a housewarming party for we were at a housewarming party for a family from our a family from our church. At some church. At some church. At some point in the evening, as point in the evening, as point in the evening, as we were having a wonderful we were having a wonderful we were having a wonderful time, we decided time, we decided time, we decided to pause so that to pause so that to pause so that everyone could say everyone could say everyone could say words of support to words of support to words of support to this couple in this couple in this couple in their new home their new home their new home before we before we before we prayed for them and prayed for them and prayed for them and their home. And one their home. And one their home. And one brother from our brother from our brother from our church family, and I church family, and I church family, and I know this guy. I know this guy. I know this guy. I mean, he's a mean, he's a mean, he's a leader in our church, he leader in our church, he leader in our church, he serves in our serves in our serves in our church. I have known him for church. I have known him for church. I have known him for several years. I did several years. I did several years. I did n't even know his n't even know his n't even know his story. He story. He story. He looked at looked at looked at the man. He said, the man. He said, the man. He said, “I need to “I need to “I need to share this with share this with share this with you.

you. you. He first He first He first came to our came to our came to our church a few years ago. He church a few years ago. He church a few years ago. He desperately desperately desperately needed spiritual needed spiritual needed spiritual community in his community in his community in his life. So he life. So he life. So he attends attends attends McLean Bible Church. He McLean Bible Church. He McLean Bible Church. He comes week after comes week after comes week after week for week for week for several weeks. He does several weeks. He does n't meet anyone. Everyone is moving fast. Everyone is moving fast. Everyone talks to Everyone talks to Everyone talks to people they know. people they know. people they know. He, you know, got He, you know, got He, you know, got a few smiles from a few smiles from a few smiles from overly cheerful overly cheerful overly cheerful greeters. Thank you greeters. Thank you greeters. Thank you to the greetings. I know to the greetings. I know to the greetings. I know you introverts you introverts you introverts hate this, but we're hate this, but we're hate this, but we're going to keep doing it going to keep doing it going to keep doing it . No . No . No personal connection, personal connection, personal connection, and he so craves and he so craves and he so craves community. And so he community. And so he community. And so he arrives on Sunday, arrives on Sunday, arrives on Sunday, which, as he told which, as he told which, as he told himself, would be his last. himself, would be his last. Now he shares Now he shares it at a it at a it at a housewarming party, with housewarming party, with housewarming party, with tears in his eyes. He tears in his eyes. He tears in his eyes. He looks at him and looks at him and looks at him and says, “But says, “But says, “But you came up to you came up to you came up to me that Sunday. And he just said, me that Sunday. And he just said, me that Sunday. And he just said, "Hello." You "Hello." You "Hello." You introduced yourself. They introduced yourself. They introduced yourself. They started talking.

started talking. started talking. They found They found They found common interests. common interests. common interests. One says, "Hey, do you One says, "Hey, do you One says, "Hey, do you know this person? Oh, know this person? Oh, know this person? Oh, let me introduce let me introduce let me introduce you to this person." They you to this person." They you to this person." They started talking. started talking. started talking. He is invited into a He is invited into a He is invited into a kind of circle of kind of circle of kind of circle of friends. And the community friends. And the community friends. And the community he so desired, that he he so desired, that he he so desired, that he almost gave up on almost gave up on almost gave up on , has now become , has now become , has now become his life: he his life: he his life: he serves in our serves in our serves in our church, his family church, his family church, his family has taken root here, and has taken root here, and has taken root here, and his son and my son his son and my son his son and my son are competing to see who will be the are competing to see who will be the are competing to see who will be the first to become a first to become a first to become a professional. He is professional. He is professional. He is fully involved. fully involved. fully involved. Listen. Through a Listen. Through a Listen. Through a very simple step of very simple step of very simple step of faith: “Hi, my faith: “Hi, my faith: “Hi, my name is this, what’s yours?” name is this, what’s yours?” A brother who is willing to A brother who is willing to just take a just take a just take a simple step of faith and simple step of faith and simple step of faith and cast his cast his cast his net in the simplest net in the simplest net in the simplest way possible. Listen way possible. Listen way possible. Listen to me: every interaction to me: every interaction , every relationship, , every relationship, , every relationship, every gathering we have as a every gathering we have as a every gathering we have as a church—it is church—it is church—it is an opportunity to help an opportunity to help an opportunity to help people feel the people feel the people feel the Father’s heart in a real, Father’s heart in a real, Father’s heart in a real, tangible way. We tangible way. We tangible way. We have the opportunity have the opportunity have the opportunity to step beyond to step beyond to step beyond ourselves, our comfort, and ourselves, our comfort, and ourselves, our comfort, and convenience to become convenience to become convenience to become accessible to God and accessible to God and accessible to God and help others help others help others experience His heart in a experience His heart in a experience His heart in a real, tangible real, tangible real, tangible way. And we won't be way. And we won't be way. And we won't be able to achieve able to achieve able to achieve this with this with this with one campaign. This one campaign. This one campaign. This should become our should become our should become our culture. So we culture. So we culture. So we will be will be working on this purposefully working on this purposefully over the next over the next over the next five years. So I'd five years. So I'd five years. So I'd like to like to like to move on to move on to move on to extremely

extremely extremely practical things for a minute. There are practical things for a minute. There are practical things for a minute. There are two ways we two ways we two ways we want to work on the want to work on the want to work on the “achieve “achieve “achieve one” culture over the one” culture over the one” culture over the next few next few next few months. We only give you months. We only give you months. We only give you a little at a time. a little at a time. a little at a time. Just two things. Just two things. Just two things. The first is something new The first is something new The first is something new that we call “ that we call “ that we call “ open days.” open days.” open days.” Say it all: Say it all: Say it all: open house. This is open house. This is open house. This is exactly what you exactly what you exactly what you thought. This is a thought. This is a thought. This is a specially created specially created specially created environment that environment that environment that introduces people to introduces people to introduces people to our church our church our church family. By design, family. By design, family. By design, this is an informal this is an informal this is an informal meeting. It is meeting. It is meeting. It is designed so designed so designed so that you can take a that you can take a that you can take a look around, look around, look around, learn more about learn more about learn more about us, meet our us, meet our us, meet our pastors and pastors and pastors and staff, staff, staff, see how we see how we see how we work, and how you work, and how you work, and how you can join. And can join. And can join. And for those who are already for those who are already for those who are already part of our part of our part of our church, “ church, “ church, “ open days” open days” open days” will be a clear will be a clear will be a clear next step for the next step for the next step for the friends you friends you friends you invite to church. invite to church. invite to church. You can invite You can invite You can invite them to come to an them to come to an them to come to an open house open house open house or, even better, go or, even better, go or, even better, go with them, because it's with them, because it's with them, because it's much easier to walk much easier to walk much easier to walk into a room like that when into a room like that when into a room like that when someone you know is there. someone you know is there. someone you know is there. So, the first " So, the first " So, the first " open days" open days" open days" will take place on Sunday, will take place on Sunday, will take place on Sunday, October 25, at all our October 25, at all our October 25, at all our locations. So, if you are locations. So, if you are locations. So, if you are new to our new to our new to our church and want church and want church and want to learn more about it to learn more about it to learn more about it , you can , you can , you can attend the " attend the " attend the " open house" on open house" on open house" on October 25th. You can October 25th. You can October 25th. You can check out our website check out our website check out our website or talk to or talk to or talk to one of the leaders in one of the leaders in one of the leaders in your location for your location for your location for details.

details. details. So, "open days So, "open days So, "open days ." Here's the second ." Here's the second ." Here's the second thing we're thing we're thing we're launching this launching this launching this fall. It's fall. It's fall. It's called " called " Reach One Laboratories." Reach One Laboratories." Reach One Laboratories." All together say: " All together say: " Reach One Labs." You say, Reach One Labs." You say, Reach One Labs." You say, "That sounds strange." I do "That sounds strange." I do "That sounds strange." I do n't even know what I'm getting myself into n't even know what I'm getting myself into n't even know what I'm getting myself into . Let . Let . Let me explain. Reach One me explain. Reach One me explain. Reach One Labs is where our Labs is where our Labs is where our vision of reaching vision of reaching vision of reaching every person becomes every person becomes every person becomes completely practical. We completely practical. We completely practical. We want to teach you how want to teach you how want to teach you how to get to know people to get to know people to get to know people and help them and help them and help them get to know Jesus. It's get to know Jesus. It's get to know Jesus. It's that simple. Some of that simple. Some of that simple. Some of you may ask, “Well, why do you may ask, “Well, why do you may ask, “Well, why do n’t we just n’t we just n’t we just learn how to learn how to learn how to help people help people help people know Jesus?” Because know Jesus?” Because know Jesus?” Because you don't know how to you don't know how to you don't know how to get to know people. get to know people. get to know people. We We We don't know how to do this in our culture. We don't know how to do this in our culture. We don't know how to do this in our culture. We lost it. We lost it. We lost it. We pull into the garage. pull into the garage. pull into the garage. We take We take We take the elevator to our the elevator to our the elevator to our apartment. We don't apartment. We don't apartment. We don't want...We want...We want...We put our AirPods in on the put our AirPods in on the put our AirPods in on the subway, you know, and it subway, you know, and it subway, you know, and it becomes strange for everyone becomes strange for everyone becomes strange for everyone if a neighbor if a neighbor if a neighbor knocks on the knocks on the knocks on the door without asking and brings door without asking and brings door without asking and brings pastries. You start pastries. You start ... You want to take ... You want to take ... You want to take it to some government it to some government it to some government agency to agency to agency to check it out. We...We do check it out. We...We do check it out. We...We do n't know how to n't know how to n't know how to meet people anymore. meet people anymore.

So we want to teach So we want to teach you to just be a you to just be a you to just be a normal person. Not normal person. Not normal person. Not strange, but simply strange, but simply strange, but simply getting to know people getting to know people getting to know people and helping them and helping them and helping them get to know Jesus. So, get to know Jesus. So, get to know Jesus. So, mark your mark your mark your calendars for Sunday, calendars for Sunday, calendars for Sunday, November 8th. Sunday, November 8th. Sunday, November 8th. Sunday, November 8. You November 8. You November 8. You will receive more will receive more will receive more details on how to details on how to details on how to register at register at register at your specific your specific your specific location. Listen, this is location. Listen, this is location. Listen, this is a laboratory. This is not a laboratory. This is not a laboratory. This is not a lecture. This is not a lecture. a lecture. This is not a lecture. a lecture. This is not a lecture. This is an interactive This is an interactive This is an interactive environment where you environment where you environment where you will learn to genuinely will learn to genuinely will learn to genuinely invest in the invest in the invest in the relationships around you relationships around you relationships around you and point people and point people and point people to Jesus in to Jesus in to Jesus in everyday everyday everyday conversations. And that's exactly what conversations. And that's exactly what conversations. And that's exactly what happened in the story happened in the story happened in the story we captured on we captured on this week's episode of our "Vision" podcast this week's episode of our "Vision" podcast . This was an interesting . This was an interesting . This was an interesting interview for me, and I interview for me, and I interview for me, and I look forward to you look forward to you look forward to you seeing it. Two colleagues seeing it. Two colleagues seeing it. Two colleagues here at our church. here at our church. here at our church. He was a believer, a He was a believer, a He was a believer, a relatively new relatively new relatively new believer. She believer. She believer. She was not a believer. was not a believer. was not a believer. She eventually came She eventually came She eventually came to faith after to faith after to faith after he invited her to he invited her to he invited her to church and she turned church and she turned church and she turned him down several times him down several times him down several times . But he . But he . But he was loving, there for me, and was loving, there for me, and was loving, there for me, and persistent in persistent in persistent in being a good being a good being a good friend. And...man, the friend. And...man, the friend. And...man, the full episode is full episode is full episode is coming out this week, coming out this week, coming out this week, but I want to show but I want to show but I want to show you this short you this short you this short snippet of their snippet of their snippet of their interaction.

interaction. interaction. You know, you are truly You know, you are truly You know, you are truly empowered by the Holy empowered by the Holy empowered by the Holy Spirit. You know, Paul Spirit. You know, Paul Spirit. You know, Paul says that the Holy Spirit does not says that the Holy Spirit does not says that the Holy Spirit does not make us timid, make us timid, make us timid, but gives us the power of love but gives us the power of love but gives us the power of love and self-discipline. And and self-discipline. And and self-discipline. And as in her case, as in her case, as in her case, I didn't have to I didn't have to I didn't have to do much. I just do much. I just do much. I just told her to told her to told her to come to church. come to church. come to church. Yes. Yes. Yes. That's all that was That's all that was That's all that was needed. needed. needed. And she said no And she said no And she said no 17 times. 17 times. 17 times. But I just, you know, don't But I just, you know, don't But I just, you know, don't worry worry worry about not knowing about not knowing about not knowing what to say. You know, what to say. You know, what to say. You know, sometimes just sometimes just sometimes just an invitation is enough. an invitation is enough. an invitation is enough. An invitation works, or An invitation works, or An invitation works, or just to show the just to show the just to show the other person that you other person that you other person that you care. You care. You care. You know, you never know, you never know, you never know, because the Lord know, because the Lord know, because the Lord can create anything can create anything can create anything from nothing. Don't from nothing. Don't from nothing. Don't complicate things. complicate things. complicate things. Because when he asked Because when he asked Because when he asked me questions and me questions and me questions and engaged me, it doesn't engaged me, it doesn't engaged me, it doesn't mean he was the one who mean he was the one who mean he was the one who saved me. God saved me. God saved me. God has already acted. I was already has already acted. I was already has already acted. I was already open to this, open to this, open to this, right? That is, everything has already right? That is, everything has already right? That is, everything has already happened. All happened. All happened. All he had to he had to he had to do was do was do was push me push me push me downstream. So I downstream. So I downstream. So I believe that it is not worth believe that it is not worth believe that it is not worth taking on the burden of taking on the burden of taking on the burden of salvation, because someone has salvation, because someone has salvation, because someone has already taken on this burden already taken on this burden already taken on this burden . .

God, this is such a God, this is such a beautiful story. I beautiful story. I beautiful story. I mean, she has mean, she has mean, she has now joined now joined now joined our church. They are our church. They are our church. They are great friends, they have become great friends, they have become great friends, they have become part of the community. part of the community. part of the community. That's what it's all about, and we That's what it's all about, and we That's what it's all about, and we pray that God will pray that God will pray that God will use us to do that use us to do that use us to do that , one person at a time , one person at a time , one person at a time . But I want to . But I want to . But I want to close this with just close this with just close this with just one short one short one short thought, a final thought, a final thought, a final thought from the 15th chapter of thought from the 15th chapter of thought from the 15th chapter of Luke. I shared this Luke. I shared this Luke. I shared this during the series we did during the series we did during the series we did in February, and I in February, and I in February, and I want us want us want us to stop here because it's to stop here because it's to stop here because it's so easy for us to just so easy for us to just so easy for us to just hear it. I want hear it. I want hear it. I want us to immerse ourselves in the us to immerse ourselves in the us to immerse ourselves in the story and really story and really story and really feel the weight of God's feel the weight of God's feel the weight of God's grace in this grace in this grace in this story. I want story. I want story. I want you to imagine for a moment you to imagine for a moment you to imagine for a moment that prodigal that prodigal that prodigal son on his way home. son on his way home. I want you to imagine I want you to imagine this journey. Not just a this journey. Not just a this journey. Not just a physical journey, but I physical journey, but I physical journey, but I want you to imagine a want you to imagine a want you to imagine a mental and emotional mental and emotional mental and emotional journey as he journey as he journey as he returns home returns home returns home unsure, unsure, unsure, confused, full of confused, full of confused, full of shame because he shame because he shame because he doesn't know how his father doesn't know how his father doesn't know how his father will react to him, will react to him, will react to him, but then, but then, but then, rehearsing his rehearsing his rehearsing his apology, he apology, he apology, he speaks. We've speaks. We've speaks. We've seen this before. He sees seen this before. He sees seen this before. He sees his father from afar, his father from afar, his father from afar, running towards him.

running towards him. Some Some New Testament scholars New Testament scholars New Testament scholars say that running here is the say that running here is the say that running here is the essence of the entire parable, essence of the entire parable, essence of the entire parable, because running would be such a because running would be such a because running would be such a disgrace, it would be embarrassing for a disgrace, it would be embarrassing for a disgrace, it would be embarrassing for a man of such man of such man of such status to lift his status to lift his status to lift his clothes and bare his legs to clothes and bare his legs to clothes and bare his legs to run after the son run after the son run after the son who had disgraced not who had disgraced not who had disgraced not only him but only him but only him but his entire household. He sees his entire household. He sees his entire household. He sees his father from afar, his father from afar, his father from afar, running towards him. running towards him. What a moment. What a What a moment. What a relief. But as relief. But as relief. But as I reflected on this I reflected on this I reflected on this story in a new way, I story in a new way, I story in a new way, I thought to myself: thought to myself: as they walk as they walk home, as the father home, as the father home, as the father hugs his son, a hugs his son, a question must arise deep in the son's soul. I know my father I know my father loves me, but what about loves me, but what about loves me, but what about everyone else in everyone else in everyone else in my father's house? Me, I was my father's house? Me, I was my father's house? Me, I was nervous, but I'm so nervous, but I'm so nervous, but I'm so glad I've finally glad I've finally glad I've finally reached the point where I reached the point where I reached the point where I know the know the know the Father loves me.

Father loves me. Father loves me. But, but how will everyone else in But, but how will everyone else in But, but how will everyone else in my father's house my father's house my father's house react to me react to me react to me when they, they when they, they when they, they find out what I've find out what I've find out what I've done, what kind of life I've done, what kind of life I've done, what kind of life I've lived, what, what lived, what, what lived, what, what pain and shame I've pain and shame I've pain and shame I've caused? How will everyone caused? How will everyone caused? How will everyone else react to else react to else react to me? And listen to me? And listen to me? And listen to me, listen to me me, listen to me . Some of us, some of . Some of us, some of . Some of us, some of us, have allowed us, have allowed us, have allowed the shortcomings of the church the shortcomings of the church the shortcomings of the church to distance us from to distance us from to distance us from the love of the Father. Hear the love of the Father. Hear the love of the Father. Hear me. Yes, the church can me. Yes, the church can me. Yes, the church can be judgmental. Yes, be judgmental. Yes, be judgmental. Yes, the church can be the church can be the church can be hypocritical. Yes, hypocritical. Yes, hypocritical. Yes, the church can be the church can be the church can be too politicized. too politicized. too politicized. But listen to me, that's why But listen to me, that's why But listen to me, that's why Jesus Jesus Jesus told this parable. told this parable. So that you do not lose the So that you do not lose the Father's love just because of Father's love just because of Father's love just because of the shortcomings of other the shortcomings of other the shortcomings of other religious people. religious people. When they When they returned home, returned home, returned home, what did the father say to what did the father say to what did the father say to his servants? Do his servants? Do his servants? Do you remember? The father you remember? The father you remember? The father looks at his looks at his looks at his servants, anticipating servants, anticipating servants, anticipating anything they might anything they might anything they might think or say at think or say at think or say at that moment, and says, " that moment, and says, " Bring him Bring him Bring him sandals and the best sandals and the best sandals and the best robe." Why? So that he robe." Why? So that he robe." Why? So that he knows that he belongs here knows that he belongs here knows that he belongs here and he doesn't and he doesn't and he doesn't need to need to need to prove anything anymore. Bring prove anything anymore. Bring prove anything anymore. Bring him the ring.

him the ring. Ring with a family Ring with a family seal. Why? So that seal. Why? So that seal. Why? So that he and everyone else knows, he and everyone else knows, he and everyone else knows, wherever he goes in wherever he goes in wherever he goes in this realm, he this realm, he this realm, he has access to everything. has access to everything. He is a son. And although he He is a son. And although he didn't deserve it didn't deserve it , he couldn't earn it, and he , he couldn't earn it, and he disqualified himself from disqualified himself from all of it. This is all of it. This is all of it. This is evidence that evidence that evidence that his identity is his identity is his identity is still reliable. He still reliable. He still reliable. He has access to everything has access to everything has access to everything I have. Slaughter the I have. Slaughter the I have. Slaughter the fattened calf. fattened calf. Let's feast. Let's feast. Let's have a holiday. Why Let's have a holiday. Why ? So that he knows that ? So that he knows that ? So that he knows that his father doesn't just his father doesn't just his father doesn't just tolerate him. His tolerate him. His tolerate him. His father is happy for him. father is happy for him. Listen to me. This is a Listen to me. This is a picture of exquisite picture of exquisite picture of exquisite grace. Exquisite grace. Exquisite grace. Exquisite grace. And in grace. And in grace. And in a sense, we are all prodigal a sense, we are all prodigal sons and sons and sons and daughters. We all are, right daughters. We all are, right daughters. We all are, right ? We needed and ? We needed and ? We needed and continue to continue to continue to need need need the grace of the Father. And the grace of the Father. And the grace of the Father. And yet, in another sense, for yet, in another sense, for yet, in another sense, for those of us who those of us who those of us who have received the have received the have received the Father's grace in Jesus, you and I Father's grace in Jesus, you and I Father's grace in Jesus, you and I can be like the can be like the can be like the father's servants in this father's servants in this father's servants in this story. Greeting story. Greeting story. Greeting people. Helping them people. Helping them people. Helping them feel the Father's heart.

feel the Father's heart. feel the Father's heart. His love for them. His love for them. His love for them. Showing people Showing people Showing people the love and respect the love and respect the love and respect they were created they were created they were created to feel in their relationship to feel in their relationship to feel in their relationship with God. So with God. So with God. So let me let me let me say this. You don't say this. You don't say this. You don't just register just register just register children. You greet them with the children. You greet them with the children. You greet them with the Father's love so that Father's love so that Father's love so that they know: I don't they know: I don't they know: I don't need to know need to know need to know everything about you to understand everything about you to understand everything about you to understand that God wants to see that God wants to see that God wants to see you here. You're not just you here. You're not just you here. You're not just standing outside in the standing outside in the standing outside in the cold directing traffic cold directing traffic cold directing traffic in a parking lot. in a parking lot. in a parking lot. No, you are the first No, you are the first No, you are the first communication people communication people communication people receive when they receive when they receive when they arrive at our arrive at our arrive at our locations. From afar, just locations. From afar, just locations. From afar, just as the son saw as the son saw as the son saw his father from afar, you his father from afar, you his father from afar, you become the first person become the first person become the first person they see and the they see and the they see and the first reminder: first reminder: first reminder: no matter no matter no matter what brought you on this what brought you on this what brought you on this journey, we are glad journey, we are glad journey, we are glad you are here, and we want you are here, and we want you are here, and we want you to know—the Father’s heart is you to know—the Father’s heart is you to know—the Father’s heart is with you. When with you. When with you. When you do something simple you do something simple , even a little , even a little , even a little awkward, like say, " awkward, like say, " Hi, my name is Hi, my name is Hi, my name is so-and-so, what's your name?" You so-and-so, what's your name?" You so-and-so, what's your name?" You don't just make don't just make don't just make friends. You friends. You friends. You look someone in the eye look someone in the eye look someone in the eye and remind them, “You are and remind them, “You are and remind them, “You are important. I see you, important. I see you, important. I see you, and more importantly, and more importantly, and more importantly, your Father in your Father in your Father in heaven sees you.” We have heaven sees you.” We have heaven sees you.” We have the opportunity and great the opportunity and great the opportunity and great privilege to serve in privilege to serve in privilege to serve in this church and live in this church and live in this church and live in this world in a way that this world in a way that this world in a way that shows people the shows people the shows people the heart of the Father. So I want

heart of the Father. So I want heart of the Father. So I want to close by to close by to close by asking you two asking you two asking you two questions. And I want to questions. And I want to questions. And I want to give you space to give you space to give you space to reflect and respond to reflect and respond to reflect and respond to God. First: Who do you God. First: Who do you God. First: Who do you most desire to most desire to most desire to see see see return home return home return home in faith in Jesus? Who do in faith in Jesus? Who do in faith in Jesus? Who do you want to wish to you want to wish to you want to wish to experience the exquisite experience the exquisite experience the exquisite grace that you yourself were able to grace that you yourself were able to grace that you yourself were able to experience? I want to experience? I want to experience? I want to give you a little time give you a little time give you a little time so you can mention so you can mention so you can mention their names before their names before their names before God. And let me God. And let me God. And let me tell you: if you're the tell you: if you're the tell you: if you're the person person person your friend your friend your friend or family member is sitting next to, and you or family member is sitting next to, and you or family member is sitting next to, and you know they're know they're know they're eager for you to eager for you to come home. I come home. I hope that at this hope that at this hope that at this moment you will feel—and moment you will feel—and moment you will feel—and see it from the see it from the see it from the Scriptures themselves—that it is not Scriptures themselves—that it is not Scriptures themselves—that it is not just them: God just them: God just them: God loved you loved you loved you so much that He so much that He so much that He worked throughout worked throughout worked throughout history to arrange history to arrange history to arrange things so that you could things so that you could things so that you could hear directly hear directly hear directly from Him in His from Him in His from Him in His word that He loves word that He loves word that He loves you and longs for you to you and longs for you to you and longs for you to come home. And come home. And come home. And if this is about you, I if this is about you, I if this is about you, I want to ask you a want to ask you a want to ask you a simple question. Are you, simple question. Are you, are you ready are you ready to go home?

to go home? Are you ready to say, Are you ready to say, “God, I “God, I “God, I need You, and God, I have need You, and God, I have need You, and God, I have sinned against You. And sinned against You. And sinned against You. And if this Gospel is if this Gospel is true, I am willing to true, I am willing to true, I am willing to place my trust place my trust place my trust in the life, death, and in the life, death, and in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus resurrection of Jesus resurrection of Jesus for the forgiveness of my for the forgiveness of my for the forgiveness of my sins and invite sins and invite sins and invite Him to be the Him to be the Him to be the guide of my guide of my guide of my life from now on and life from now on and life from now on and forever. And if that's you forever. And if that's you , we want to give you , we want to give you , we want to give you the space to the space to the space to talk talk talk directly to directly to directly to God. I understand that God. I understand that God. I understand that you may not have the you may not have the you may not have the right words, so right words, so right words, so we will display the prayer we will display the prayer we will display the prayer on the screen. You can on the screen. You can on the screen. You can use these use these use these words as your own words as your own words as your own prayer to God or prayer to God or prayer to God or as a prompt for your as a prompt for your as a prompt for your own thoughts. In own thoughts. In any case, this is a moment any case, this is a moment any case, this is a moment for you to make a for you to make a for you to make a personal decision personal decision that could change the that could change the eternal course of your eternal course of your eternal course of your life. So we'll give you life. So we'll give you life. So we'll give you a few minutes to a few minutes to a few minutes to pray, and then I or pray, and then I or pray, and then I or one of the leaders in one of the leaders in one of the leaders in your your your meeting place will continue meeting place will continue meeting place will continue and suggest the next and suggest the next and suggest the next steps. In the meantime, steps. In the meantime, steps. In the meantime, take a moment take a moment take a moment to commune with God.

to commune with God. Father, we thank You Father, we thank You for Your word. God, for Your word. God, for Your word. God, your word is a your word is a your word is a revelation to us, revelation to us, revelation to us, but it is also but it is also but it is also an invitation to enter into an invitation to enter into an invitation to enter into your wonderful your wonderful your wonderful grace, into the grace, into the grace, into the incredible love that incredible love that incredible love that you have for us and that you you have for us and that you you have for us and that you have provided for us in have provided for us in have provided for us in Jesus. If we would just Jesus. If we would just Jesus. If we would just accept it by faith, and accept it by faith, and accept it by faith, and God, I pray that You will God, I pray that You will God, I pray that You will do this work in the do this work in the do this work in the hearts of everyone who hearts of everyone who hearts of everyone who hears this message. And

hears this message. And hears this message. And when they trust when they trust when they trust You, You will welcome them You, You will welcome them You, You will welcome them home, and You home, and You home, and You will use us to will use us to will use us to welcome them into Your welcome them into Your welcome them into Your family. We pray family. We pray family. We pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. this in Jesus' name. Amen. Amen. Listen, we're Amen. Listen, we're preparing preparing preparing to respond in to respond in to respond in a few different a few different a few different ways. This will be ways. This will be ways. This will be a little different a little different a little different from our usual from our usual from our usual Sunday routine. We Sunday routine. We Sunday routine. We will respond in one of will respond in one of will respond in one of two ways. For two ways. For two ways. For those of us who are those of us who are those of us who are followers of Jesus followers of Jesus , our worship team , our worship team is getting ready to go out. is getting ready to go out. They will lead us in They will lead us in They will lead us in songs of God's songs of God's songs of God's goodness, and we goodness, and we goodness, and we will sing and will sing and will sing and prepare our prepare our prepare our hearts for the hearts for the hearts for the Lord's Supper together. And Lord's Supper together. And Lord's Supper together. And if you are not a Christian if you are not a Christian , know this: every week we , know this: every week we , know this: every week we take bread and juice, which take bread and juice, which take bread and juice, which symbolize the body and symbolize the body and symbolize the body and blood of Jesus as a sacrifice blood of Jesus as a sacrifice blood of Jesus as a sacrifice for our sins. So, for our sins. So, for our sins. So, if you are not a Christian if you are not a Christian , I urge you not to , I urge you not to , I urge you not to participate in the participate in the participate in the Lord's Supper. This is for those Lord's Supper. This is for those Lord's Supper. This is for those of us who are of us who are of us who are Christians, who are Christians, who are Christians, who are followers of Jesus followers of Jesus . But I want to encourage . But I want to encourage . But I want to encourage you to think about what you to think about what you to think about what you've heard today you've heard today . If you are Christian, . If you are Christian, . If you are Christian, you you you can take the can take the can take the elements on one of the elements on one of the elements on one of the tables around you while singing. And tables around you while singing. And tables around you while singing. And after the singing, we after the singing, we after the singing, we will take the will take the will take the Lord's Supper together. So, the first Lord's Supper together. So, the first Lord's Supper together. So, the first answer: we answer: we answer: we Christians Christians Christians will sing and will sing and will sing and prepare prepare prepare to receive the to receive the to receive the Lord's Supper. Here is the second Lord's Supper. Here is the second Lord's Supper. Here is the second answer. If you have answer. If you have answer. If you have prayed this prayed this prayed this prayer with sincere prayer with sincere prayer with sincere faith and have faith and have faith and have made a decision today made a decision today to turn from to turn from your sin and your sin and your sin and put your hope put your hope put your hope in Jesus, then I want to

in Jesus, then I want to in Jesus, then I want to invite you invite you invite you to do something, and I will to do something, and I will to do something, and I will tell you right away that it will tell you right away that it will tell you right away that it will take take take some courage. It some courage. It some courage. It will require the same will require the same will require the same courage as that of the courage as that of the courage as that of the son who took step by son who took step by son who took step by step to step to step to return home. return home. While we're singing, I While we're singing, I want to invite our want to invite our want to invite our pastors, our pastors, our pastors, our prayer leaders, I prayer leaders, I prayer leaders, I want to invite them to want to invite them to want to invite them to come forward. While we come forward. While we come forward. While we sing, I want to sing, I want to sing, I want to invite you to stand invite you to stand invite you to stand and approach one of the and approach one of the and approach one of the leaders who are here leaders who are here leaders who are here . And the . And the . And the reason I want to reason I want to reason I want to invite you to do this is because invite you to do this is because we want to we want to pray for you. We pray for you. We pray for you. We want to support want to support want to support you. We want you. We want you. We want to give you a to give you a to give you a small gift that small gift that small gift that we believe we believe we believe will help you will help you will help you grow in your grow in your grow in your relationship with God. And I relationship with God. And I relationship with God. And I will say right away that you will say right away that you will say right away that you don't need anyone here don't need anyone here to be an to be an to be an intermediary between intermediary between intermediary between you and God. You you and God. You you and God. You already have a high priest, already have a high priest, already have a high priest, His name is Jesus, who His name is Jesus, who His name is Jesus, who has done everything necessary for has done everything necessary for has done everything necessary for you to be accepted. You have you to be accepted. You have you to be accepted. You have already spoken already spoken already spoken directly to directly to directly to God, and He longs to God, and He longs to God, and He longs to hear you. But we hear you. But we hear you. But we want to connect with want to connect with want to connect with you. Now I you. Now I you. Now I know what some of know what some of know what some of you are probably thinking.

you are probably thinking. you are probably thinking. Some of you are thinking, " Some of you are thinking, " Listen, preacher, the Listen, preacher, the Listen, preacher, the Commanders and the Commanders and the Commanders and the Giants are playing at Giants are playing at Giants are playing at one. We can't one. We can't one. We can't be here all day." be here all day." be here all day." Maybe that was just Maybe that was just Maybe that was just my personal opinion. my personal opinion. my personal opinion. Um, I can't even Um, I can't even Um, I can't even watch this. We have a watch this. We have a watch this. We have a meeting of meeting of meeting of presbyters today, which is not presbyters today, which is not presbyters today, which is not very well very well very well planned. Oh, so, planned. Oh, so, but seriously, you but seriously, you might be thinking, "Well, might be thinking, "Well, might be thinking, "Well, how will people perceive how will people perceive how will people perceive me if I come me if I come me if I come forward?" You may be forward?" You may be forward?" You may be a little nervous a little nervous a little nervous about interacting with about interacting with about interacting with people you've people you've people you've never never never met before, or because of the met before, or because of the met before, or because of the myriad of other thoughts myriad of other thoughts myriad of other thoughts that may arise. that may arise. that may arise. But can I But can I But can I give you give you give you one quick word of encouragement, one quick word of encouragement, one quick word of encouragement, based on based on based on Luke chapter 15? If Luke chapter 15? If Luke chapter 15? If Jesus says that heaven Jesus says that heaven Jesus says that heaven rejoices when one rejoices when one rejoices when one person repents, then person repents, then person repents, then surely the church should surely the church should surely the church should rejoice when you rejoice when you rejoice when you take even a take even a take even a small step of faith. small step of faith. So listen: we So listen: we are preparing to sing are preparing to sing are preparing to sing about God's mercy. And about God's mercy. And about God's mercy. And could you give us could you give us could you give us the opportunity to the opportunity to the opportunity to pray for you, pray for you, pray for you, rejoice with you rejoice with you , share our own , share our own , share our own testimony of God's testimony of God's testimony of God's grace in our grace in our grace in our lives, and support lives, and support lives, and support you as you take the you as you take the you as you take the next step of faith in next step of faith in next step of faith in your relationship with your relationship with your relationship with the Lord? And listen, the Lord? And listen, the Lord? And listen, if someone you if someone you if someone you came with wants to go came with wants to go came with wants to go forward, go with forward, go with forward, go with them. And while we're them. And while we're them. And while we're singing, if singing, if singing, if you see someone you see someone you see someone walking forward, I want walking forward, I want walking forward, I want you to join me in you to join me in you to join me in heaven. Don't give me that heaven. Don't give me that heaven. Don't give me that weak applause weak applause weak applause you gave me

you gave me you gave me during the sermon, during the sermon, during the sermon, okay? I want you to okay? I want you to okay? I want you to celebrate as if celebrate as if celebrate as if you are in heaven with the you are in heaven with the you are in heaven with the saints and angels, saints and angels, saints and angels, watching the watching the watching the joy of the Father joy of the Father joy of the Father welcoming his sons and welcoming his sons and welcoming his sons and daughters back home. daughters back home. So listen to me. So listen to me. If you have said this If you have said this If you have said this prayer in faith, then prayer in faith, then prayer in faith, then when our when our when our worship group begins to worship group begins to worship group begins to sing, and some sing, and some sing, and some prepare their hearts for the prepare their hearts for the prepare their hearts for the Lord's Supper, Lord's Supper, as soon as they as soon as they as soon as they begin to sing, you begin to sing, you begin to sing, you begin to walk. They begin to walk. They begin to walk. They start singing, you start singing, you start singing, you start walking, and we start walking, and we start walking, and we will be here to will be here to will be here to meet you, meet you, meet you, pray for you, and pray for you, and pray for you, and guide you on your next guide you on your next guide you on your next steps. Let me steps. Let me steps. Let me pray. Father, we pray. Father, we pray. Father, we thank You for Your thank You for Your thank You for Your grace that grace that grace that meets us where meets us where meets us where we are. And Lord, I we are. And Lord, I we are. And Lord, I ask for the boldness of the ask for the boldness of the ask for the boldness of the Holy Spirit in the hearts of Holy Spirit in the hearts of Holy Spirit in the hearts of men and women, men and women, men and women, boys and girls, who boys and girls, who boys and girls, who want to take this want to take this want to take this step, publicly step, publicly step, publicly acknowledging that acknowledging that acknowledging that they need You, that they they need You, that they they need You, that they have sinned against You, and have sinned against You, and have sinned against You, and are placing their are placing their are placing their trust in You. We trust in You. We trust in You. We pray for all this in pray for all this in pray for all this in Jesus' name. Amen. Jesus' name. Amen. Jesus' name. Amen. Amen.