Message by Trey Hall
Luke 15:11-24 (NLT)
11 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons.
12 The younger son told his father, ”˜I want my share of your estate now before you die.”™ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.
14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve.
15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs.
16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ”˜At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger!
18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you,
19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.””™
20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
21 His son said to him, ”˜Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.”™
22 “But his father said to the servants, ”˜Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.
23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast,
24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.”™ So the party began.
Draw Closer to God
Step # 1
Recognize and Be Angry
Jeremiah 29:13 (The Message)
GOD: “You”™ll find me when you get serious about finding me and want it more than anything else”
Draw Closer to God
Step # 2
Take Responsibility and Own It
Isaiah 59:2
“Your sins have separated you from your God, and have hidden his face from you”
Isaiah 1:18 (NLT)
“The Lord says, ”˜No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow”™”
2 Corinthians 13:5 (The Message)
“Test yourself to make sure you”™re solid in the faith. Don”™t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourself regular checkups. If you fail the test, do something about it”
Draw Closer to God
Step # 3
Recognize Who God Is and Offer Yourself To Him
Romans 12:2 (NIV)
“Because God is merciful to you, offer yourselves as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God””this is your spiritual act of worship. And do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Draw Closer to God
Step # 4
Celebrate with Gratitude
Psalm 13:6 (NLT)
“I will sing to the Lord because he has been so good to me”
1 Corinthians 11:23-24
“On the night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took bread and spoke a prayer of thanksgiving. He broke the bread and said, ”˜This is my body, which is given for you. Do this to remember me.”