Celebrating the Returning Son

Knowing the Fathers Presence

Knowing the Fathers Presence

Reading: Luke 15:11-32

Introduction

The story of the Prodigal, Coin and the Sheep are all analogies of redemption but in my view it is the attitude of the Father, the widow and the shepherd which gives the greatest insight in understanding the love our heavenly Father has for each of us.

Growing up, it was always my father who dispensed judgement upon my siblings and I when we were naughty. I always dreaded the words of my mother “wait till your father gets home”; knowing I was to be smacked and spent the remaining time praying my mum would forget my bad deeds in the meantime.

As children, we often bring our childhood image of our fathers and mothers into our adult lives which are sometimes conveyed in how we see our heavenly Father, at least I did. So when I was saved I expected my heavenly Father to be the dispenser of judgment for my sins. Whilst there certainly will be an end time judgment as described in Revelation and the Father certainly does correct those he loves as we read in Hebrews, this is not however, the overwhelming image that is portrayed in scripture and definitely not in Luke 15.

Whilst the sheep wandered off and the coin was lost, it was the prodigal who chose his own path and it is therefore this parable which displays more powerfully the amazing love our Father has for his children.

The word prodigal actually means extravagant waist and I believe this story is very much about extravagant waist, not only of the son in relation to his inheritance but also the Father in relation to his love for his lost sons!

There is so much to unpack from this parable but one verse in particular I find most interesting and it relates not to the prodigal but to his big brother who STAYED on the farm. Many of us would be forgiven to think this story is just about the younger son but there are in fact four main characters in this story, the prodigal, the older brother, the father and the servants.

Some cultural Relevance

According to Jewish tradition and taken directly from Deuteronomy 21:17, the older son would have received twice as much inheritance than the younger son. The older son would have been responsible for the fattened calf and as the older son had already received his inheritance also then the farm in essence would have also been his responsibility, in fact the older son is stead of the father. This sheds light on the response of the older son when he hears celebration when returning from work.

Skinny Goat

In vs.28 the older son brings his argument to the father which in many ways makes a lot of sense. You can almost feel his frustration with his younger brother and with his father’s decision to respond how he did. Stating “Yet you never gave me a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends”. This is actually translated “skinny goat” in the original text.

It is however the father’s response which takes the prize and the real subject which I wish to highlight. Stating, “But Son you are always with me and everything I have is yours.” Vs31.

You have always been with me

What an amazing statement from the father regarding the son’s position. Throughout scripture we find again and again the promise that God is and will always be with us.

Matthew 28 in Jesus’ final words to his disciples was “Lo, I am with you always until the very end”. Psalms tells us that even when we walk through the fires and water that He (our Father) will always be there for us.

Yet how many times throughout your life have you felt alone or isolated from our heavenly Father’s presence?

Are we alone or is it perhaps we who don’t recognise as the older son that God the Father is always with us, that we are in fact sealed with His Spirit and are now Temples of the Holy Spirit.

Eden

When reading Genesis 3 and the Fall of Adam and Eve we have a glimpse of how sin and shame may cause us to believe we are alone.

The word Eden in ancient Hebrew means “pleasure” but can also mean “Presence”, not because of its location but of the type of fellowship Adam and Eve enjoyed in the garden, walking and talking with God in the cool of the day.

It was a result of Adam and Eve’s sin which saw that fellowship change. Suddenly they saw that they were naked. The Father’s response to this is amazing, “who told you that you were naked?” Indeed when we sin and lose that intimate fellowship with the Father we can feel naked and alone.

Our Lord Jesus, whilst on the cross cried out to the Father “why have you forsaken me” after taking the sins of the world upon himself. This must have felt similar insomuch as being alone.

Sin separates

After the fall of Adam and Eve the result was both a physical and emotional distance between the Father and his creation. Yet it was the Father who went looking for Adam and Eve and not visa versa!

I battled in trying to understand recently why though God made coverings firstly from leaves and then by a blood sacrifice with skins and that they could still not stay in the garden. The answer came quickly when in discussion with a friend reminded me that whilst God redeemed Adam and Eve for their sins by shedding the blood of animals that they must also experience the process of sanctification.

When the soldier pierced the side of our Lord scriptures says “blood and water flowed”. This represents the redemptive and sanctifying work of the Spirit of Christ in each of our lives. In sanctification we understand why we must “wander” through the desert of our lives and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal every area of our lives which needs the touch of the Father.

Abel

On a side note, it is interesting to understand that after Cain killed Abel he wandered into the land of Nod, which literally means wandering!!!

Though redeemed from the hands of Pharaoh, the Israelites wandered in the desert for forty years. Through various miracles and lots of grumbling the Lord revealed the weaknesses of the people and ultimately prepared them for their inheritance!

 

 

The Holy Spirit is God’s seal of His presence in our lives

Acts 1:8, Jesus tells the disciples not to go until they receive the promise of the Holy Spirit. This was a direct response to the prophecy of Joel 2 when the Holy Spirit would finally be poured out on all flesh.

The comforter (Paraclete) is our advocate that never leaves our side and is our proof of God’s presence in our lives.

Just as for the Israelites in the desert, the Holy Spirit goes before us both night and day be our covering and shelter from life’s storms.

He (Holy Spirit) is leading us and preparing us daily to be the son’s of God. (Rom 8).

 

God is light and the light symbolises his presence in the world

·         Light in ancient Hebrew also a symbol of God’s everlasting presence in the earth.

·         A rainbow is also confirmation of God’s promise to never flood the earth again.

·         A rainbow is simply light refracting!

·         Jesus called himself Light of the World (John 8:12)

·         Jesus declared that we are both salt and Light.

·         Paul calls us Children of Light in Thessalonians 5 and Light in the darkness on Ephesians 5.

 

Symbols of God’s Presence

·         Smoking furnace, burning lamp – Genesis 15:17

·         Consuming Fire

·         Pillar of Fire

·         The Lords Furnace

·         Strange Fire

·         Wind, Fire, Oil, Light, The Dove, The Cloud, The Seal, Water, Wine

 

Prayer & Praise the Key to Knowing God’s Presence

I believe the Father, since the beginning of sin in our world, has been working to restore relationship and specifically his presence in every area of our lives. Not just for Sunday Revival services!

We have been called, literally, to come or draw nigh unto Him (Jam 4:4). He, the Father is longing like the father of the prodigal and his older brother for us to come to Him and enjoy his presence without a works mentality nor that of a slave but as true sons that we are.

Psalm 16 says “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”

King David spoke of the Father’s presence in this way “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:4

Despite his sins and at time poor judgement in making the right decisions in life, King David became known as a “man after God’s own heart” (Acts 13:22; 1 Sam 13:14).

What was his key to becoming this man? His amazing love and focus on nothing but our God and Lord!

 

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus!

Matthew 14 Jesus walks on the water to the disciples whom went ahead of him in the boat. When they see Jesus they think it’s a ghost. Jesus reassures them it is him.

Vs 28 Peter says “if it’s you Lord, then tell me to come.” Jesus simply says “come”.

Peter steps out of the boat on to the water and walks towards Jesus. Vs 30, But when Peter “saw the wind, he was afraid”.

Colossians 3:2 says “Fix your eyes on things above, and not on things below!”

Hebrews 12:2 says to “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

Where is Jesus? Seated at the right hand of the Father.

Where are we? Ephesians says we are seated with him in heavenly realms.

 

It is not the absence of Troubles in our life, but the presence of God that brings the victory!

Ten Benefits of His Presence

1. Faith, (Romans 10:17) “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God”      

2. Wisdom- Proverbs 2:1-1        

3. Filling with the Holy Spirit    Ephesians 5:18    “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.   ¹⁹ Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to  always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

4. Joy  Psalm 16.11 “You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. “

5. Prevention from backsliding      Isaiah 55:6-7 “Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near. {7} Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon."   James 4:8  “ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

6. Spiritual Strength and encouragement.  Isaiah 40:31, Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired, They will walk and not become weary.        

7. Divine Rest    Psalm 37.7 “Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for Him”

8. Freedom from Sin-Having a pure heart.    Psalms 51:10-11 “Create in me a clean heart, O God, And renew a steadfast spirit within me. {11} Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.”

9. Help during troubled times.    Psalms 46:1 NKJV) “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.”

10. Salvation, deliverance, and victory      Psalm 40:1-4a

 

Discussion

Why did the older son not enjoy the presence of the Father?

What sort of things might make us feel the same as the older son in our lives?

When feeling alone, what promises do we have to comfort us?

Can we experience the Father’s presence all the time? If not, why not?

What does scripture tell us about the presence of God?

Embracing the Cross

 

Embracing the Cross

Scenes from the passion

Jesus entering Jerusalem, triumphant on a foul of a donkey.https://youtu.be/Lj7QAdOR5h4; https://youtu.be/dwHBPC5V8MA

Jesus being crucified.https://youtu.be/i_Iue93PsoE

Two opposing scenes, one of victory and grandeur, the other of brokenness and suffering, which when viewed as a disciples must have caused greatest angst and doubt.

 

The Cross

To the Romans, the cross was a symbol and instrument of death, pain and torment!

That which the enemy meant for evil, God turned for Good!

 

Scripture indicates Jesus went resolutely after the cross

Resolutely = admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering.

In Isa. 50:7 and Ezek. 3:9 the "expressions, where the word is used, means that the "Messiah" would be firm and resolute amidst all contempt and scorn which "he would meet; that he had made up his mind to endure it, and" would not shrink from any kind or degree of suffering which would be necessary to accomplish the great work in which he was "engaged." (Comp. Ezek. 3:8, 9.) Isa 50 says Yet Christ set is face like flint for the cross, why?

 

The cross was a portal to the spiritual and kingdom realm of the Father

To the Roman world, the cross was a symbol of torture and death.

Christ Jesus understood the true value and purpose of the cross.

The cross represented his destiny and purpose, the Cross for Christ not only paved a path for salvation but also healing and reconciliation with the Father. Ultimately, the purpose of the cross was to see the exchange of our sinful identity with the righteous and holy identity of the Son of God.

 

Isa 53

Jesus death on the cross says “he was pierced for our transgressions and crushed for our iniquities…by his stripes we are healed”.

 

Jesus died to fulfill the requirement of the law but also to once and for all, break the curse of the sins of our forefathers.

As a result, we have not only access to our heavenly Father, but have restoration back into sonship.

 

The cross and all that Christ achieved on the cross was to restore mankind to their true identity

But was an opening for man to return to their true identity as sons of God with all the provisions and blessings that sons should know.

From the outset man was created in the image, likeness and to identify with the likeness of the Godhead

That likeness was marred by sin

 

Symbolism of sonship based on the Parable of the Prodigal Son

Christ bore our sins, sickness and false identity – the attitude of the older “doing’ son

Two sons, one who waisted his inheritance, the other who did not enter into the father’s presence nor receive his provision/treasures.

Christ opened the kingdom of our father for all mankind to enter into all the fullness that was planned for all of us at the beginning of creation.

So whilst the cross was meant to be an instrument of death, Jesus embraced the cross as he new its power was temporal which opened a dimension to the eternal.

 

We were not created to be instruments of sin, but rather to know our Father and our true identity as sons of God. Jesus being the “firstborn of many brothers”. Romans 8.

 

We are called also to embrace the cross, not the same cross that Christ bore but our own.

Matt 16:24 – Then Jesus said to his disciples, “if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me”. This is repeated in Luke 14:26 and says “…if he does not, he cannot be my disciple”.

1 Cor 2:2 - Paul also encourages us, “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.…”.

Galatians 6:14 “But as for me, may I never boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world”.

 

Once again, the answer lies in the cross, Christ stepped down and identified with man

Philippians 2:6-9

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross. 9Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names,…”.

Whilst the cross to the world symbolizes death and pain, it also represents the laying down of what we know to be obedient to the father.

 

We must be born again and become like little children

Jesus said we must come to him as little children, with the innocence and vulnerability of children.

Matthew 18:2-4 2He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. 3And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

Mark 10:15 15Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

Matthew 19:14 14Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

 

The concept of Self - Identity

In the domain in which I operate, the establishment of identity and “the self” lay at the heart to the development and maturity of an individual.

At an early age, self-concept ensures an individual has the prospects to ensure their wellbeing, without it, we are deemed vulnerable.

If we have an established identity, we know as CWs that the Y/P will have a good self image, self-esteem and be self-reliant.

Yet as we embrace the cross, first and foremost we are called to laydown all that we know to subject ourselves to the will of the Father.

Philippians says that Christ stepped down and became man, literally Emmanuel, became flesh.

 

Visit to see Tom and Oswald Chambers

Unlearning all that I have learnt throughout my life, so that I can become more like Christ.

 

Jesus calls you and I to embrace the cross of Christ and all that he achieved

 

Carrying our own cross and denying our own will and sense of self-worth

Taking up our own cross each day is about dying to all that we know and trust in our selves to completely and fully rely on Christ for all that we need.

Matt 26:39 - 3 times Christ prayed let this cup pass by me, yet not my will but your will be done father.

See Matt 6:33

 

My Testimony

My first opportunity to embrace God’s identity over my own.

1997, I was fired and quickly reinvented myself

2007. the Lord’s Rhema came to me and I began to embrace my identity in Christ in earnest.

2017, I was able to truly understand my identity was in Christ but at this time, everything that kept me safe was stripped away. I would be given the opportunity to not only have the concept of identity in Christ but through the stripping away, fully embrace it.

Everything that gave me a sense of success, my ministry, my company and business, my home that I built, my role as a husband and father.

Today, whilst I have many memories of the blessings experienced as a son, they are no longer connected to my concept of self-reliance but to and purely to my faith that all things will work together for good, for those who are called in Christ Jesus.

For the first time in 35 years of knowing Christ, I can honestly say, there is nothing left within myself that I can stand on as an assurance of who I am.

 

It is no longer I that live

I can hear the words of Paul and say it is truly no longer I live, but Christ who lives in me.

Solomon said his life of power and influence was a chasing after the wind

Paul was kicking against the pricks, referring to his attempts to stop the church.

 

What is the moral of this story as we take up our cross daily, deny ourselves and follow Christ?

Did not Christ die once for all humanity? Why must I take up the cross and deny myself to be a follower of Christ?

As we do this, we are letting go of the things which the world sees as successful, titles, roles, training, knowledge, and skills. We remove the structures such as our homes, jobs and even the people who validate and support us to maintain those worldly things.

Jesus set the prime example in embracing the cross, denying what he wanted to follow and pursue the father’s plans for all humanity.

Joseph had to lay day his dreams, be recognized as a slave and prisoner so that he could one day reign as a king.

Abraham had to leave his homeland and become a foreigner and never realized the dream of the nation of Israel or what it meant to be known as a Hebrew.

Moses toiled in the desert for 40 years with a bunch of wingers to only himself see a glimpse of the promised land.

David let go of his glory and majesty of his kingly rule to abide in a cave whilst his son illegitimately reigned in his stead.

All however, in letting go of what they wanted and those things which gave them a false sense of security, embraced the plans and true identity the Father had planned for them and received the greatest crown, to know Christ and all his suffering.

Romans 6:13 Offer your body not to sin but to God as an instrument of righteousness.

James 4:7 Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil and he shall flee.

Mk 10:28 Peter said he has left everything to follow you.

Luke 14:33 Jesus said, “In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he cannot be my disciples”.

Phil 3:8 Paul said, “I consider everything a loss, compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ”.

Turning – Sin and Repentance A Prodigal’s Response

 

Turning – Sin and Repentance

A Prodigal’s Response

Introduction

The purpose of this study is not to identify individual sins, as described and labelled in scripture, but rather understand the underlying attitude and ideology that lies behind sin.

 

Reflections of Luke 15:11-32

The story of the prodigal is one in the same of the parables of Luke 15 of the Lost coin and lost sheep, they all reflect the heart of the Father towards his beloved children.

Points to reflect in the Parable of the Prodigal:

To ask the Father for his inheritance was to wish the father dead, a great offence and insult.

The Father gives “both” his sons their inheritance and the older son, according to tradition, would have received twice the inheritance as the younger son.

The younger son takes his inheritance and travels to a “foreign” land, symbolic of a heathen or unbelieving people which is confirmed in their relationship to swine and eating of “unclean” foods.

After “extravagantly wasting” his inheritance, the younger son’s experiences difficult times and becomes “subject” to the foreigners and their famine. Effectively becoming a “slave” to sin as indicative in scripture.

After coming to his “senses”, which would indicate a level of reflection and revelation about his poor decisions, he concludes he is better off as a “servant” in his Father house than his current predicament and “turns” back to the place of his belonging.

Upon his return to the ‘Father’s House’, the prodigal is greeted by his ever watching and waiting father, who treats him not as the servant, that he believes he deserves, but as a Son of righteousness, symbolic of the regalia of his rob, sandals and signet ring. But he does not stop there, at the very place of their reunion, the Father kills the fattened calm and confirms his blood covenant with his son, fully and completely reinstating him as “Son”.

To complete the scene of the sons home coming and subsequent “rebirth”, the Father throws a great celebration which is rejected by the religious bitter older son.

 

Sin – A Definition

The Hebrew word for "sin" is חטאה (hhatah, Strong's #2403) and literally means "miss the mark.”

Reference is made to the archer who does not hit his mark or target.

Sin therefore, is not so much about a list of do’s or don’t but rather about the position, role or purpose for which you were made in God’s image

 

Jesus has dealt with our sin on the cross, both past, present and future sins. Hebrews 9:12, 13:8 says Jesus, as the High Priest for all mankind, entered the Holy of Holies by His blood, not by the blood of sacrificed animals but by laying down his own life for us.

There is a response to what Jesus has done for us…

Imagine your son comes to me and says, “dad, I am just going out to play” and I say in return “son, be careful not to play near the rock shelf, if you fall from it you could die”.  My son gives me his reassurance that he won’t and a few minutes later I hear “help, help…” I run to the rock shelf to find my son laying at the bottom in the gully. My son calls out, “forgive me dad, I disobeyed you and now I have fallen from the rock shelf”. If at this point I reply to my son, “that’s OK my son, I forgive you” and then I walk away. Have I saved my son? No, I have not, not only do I need to rescue him, but he also needs to change his behaviour and cease playing where it is dangerous.

Grace is not a card we play when we want to get out of trouble. Nor is forgiveness just words we say when we have been caught in sin. Grace enables sinners the opportunity to change and behave like sons and forgiveness is requires action by those asking for forgiveness.

 

Types of Sin

Society grades sin, into acceptable and unacceptable sins but Romans 3:23 says “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”

From my understanding of the Bible, there are two types of sin, ignorant and intentional

Paul writing to the church in Ephesus 4:18 & Peter in his first book, chapter 1:14 refer to ignorant sin.

However, Hebrews 9:26 says that Jesus dealt with all our sins.

My catholic colleague at work explained that according to their traditions, there are two kinds of sins, venial sins, which don’t lead to sin and mortal sins, which lead to death and which require pardoning by a priest.

In scripture we see sin described as vain talk, contempt for others, foolish thoughts, unbelief, neglect of opportunity, transgression of the law and all unrighteousness.

Jesus told the “experts in law”, the Pharisees, the two greatest commands are “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second is like it: Love your neighbour as yourself. All the law and prophets hang on these two commandments”.

The Ten Commandments are divided into two groups, sins committed towards God and those committed towards other people.

 

Original Sin

Gen 2:16-17And the LORD God commanded him, “You may eat freely from every tree of the garden, but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.”

Ezekiel 18:4 For every living soul belongs to me, the father as well as the son--both alike belong to me. The soul who sins is the one who will die.

Adam and Eve’s eyes were open to good and evil when they rebelled against God

Gen 3:6 outlines how Eve, then Adam were deceived by the serpent. The serpent questioned God’s commands and also creates a sense of loss within Eve that by obeying God she would miss out on something.

When sharing the gospel with people, what I am often asked “what must I give up”. This sense that we lose something when we choose Christ still exists today. Yet when we look at the garden of Eden, we find that there was no lack within the garden.

Eden is a ‘type’ or picture of heaven and when we read Revelation 21 we get a sense that Eden is being restored as the New Heaven.

In Eden, Adam and Eve had every seed bearing fruit and tree at their disposal. They walked with God in the cool of the day. His presence and provision surrounded them but they were deceived into believing they had ‘missed out’ on something.

The first verse of the Satan bible is “do as thou wilt”. When we think of rebellion it is often defined as ‘standing against authority’ but at its simplest form, it is choosing your own path over the path created for you.

Jesus again and again throughout scripture sort to know and do the father’s will. Jesus himself said ‘you will know them by their fruits’ and commands each of us to obey His commands.

Adam and Eve did not immediately die when they sinned, but they did allow death to enter their hearts as they walked away from God’s presence. The word Eden also means place of God’s presence.

Also, as they wandered, the land of Nod, they left behind the provision of God in the garden, the fruit of the trees.

Jesus rebutted the devil’s temptation with God’s words, as a result, he went our from the place of temptation in the ‘power of the Spirit’.

The results of their sin was the curse: Genesis 3:18-21

“increased labor in childbirth…your husband will rule over you”.

“by the sweat of your brow you will eat your food…for dust you are and dust you will return”

When I walk each morning, a common theme I hear discussed by woman is their children and family, by men it is their work. This demonstrates how the curse continues to be seen in our society today.

Wandering is a common theme throughout scripture.

Cain was sent wandering the land of Nod just as his parents Adam and Eve.

Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years and only two of the original Israelites actually entered the promised land. Not even Moses entered, nor Abraham to whom God had given the vision.

 

The Prodigal’s Sin

Home is not just ‘where the heart is’, it is the very place of our belonging and place our Father has created for us and for which we have been created.

Belonging has little to do with the physical environment but everything to do with our emotional and unconditional acceptance as “belonging” to that place.

Belonging is represented by the mother who spends her days in the kitchen preparing loving meals for her children, the father who proudly shows his son how to change the wheel on his car and takes him for his first driving lesson despite being “scared as hell”. Or the father who spends hours in the garage building bikes, go karts or playhouses for the children he loves.

Whilst we can be physically present for others we love, we might also be emotionally distant. Being present in the moment gives others a sense of belonging, knowing that you care enough to focus on them.

 

A Definition of Repentance

-          In the Hebrew - Teshubah.  In Biblical Hebrew the idea of repentance is represented by two verbs—"shub" (to return) and "niḥam" (to feel sorrow; comp. Job 42:6, "I . . . repent in dust and ashes," and Joel 2: 14, "he will return and repent"). The underlying idea has been adequately expressed in Greek by μετάνοια, a word which denotes "change of mind and heart."

The symbolism in scripture shows a man who has turned his back to his sin and the path of sin he was on and who now resolutely looks to the Father. Isa says Jesus set his face like flint after the cross.

Repentance is a ‘doing’ verb, an action in response to our heart’ state. Repentance is more than “I am sorry”, it is action to change behaviour based on a remorseful heart.

Whilst forgiveness is a given, salvation is a process and action which continually seeks to please Father God and choose the path he has chosen for us.

The prodigal’s response is reflected in the Greek understanding of this scripture where it says he “came to his senses”. The senses refers to the nerves which evaluate our environment and send signals to the brain that something is wrong.

We could also speak about the conscience of man which speaks of the ‘God breathed’ part of our being which is sensitive to the Spirit’s sweet still voice.

2 Corinthians 7:10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.  (11) For behold what earnestness this very thing, this godly sorrow, has produced in you: what vindication of yourselves, w h a t i n d i g n a t i o n , w h a t f e a r , w h a t l o n g i n g , w h a t z e a l, w h a t a v e n g i n g o f w r o n g ! I n e v e r y t h i n g y o u demonstrated yourselves to be innocent in the matter.

What repentance looks like:

Isa 22:12 “On that day the Lord GOD of Hosts called for weeping, for wailing, for shaven heads, and for the wearing of sackcloth.”

Joel 2:12 “Even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, ... with fasting and weeping and mourning.”

Acts 3:19 “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord,”

 

The Prodigal comes to His Senses

Repentance is an action, it requires a response from the repentant believer which is not just a statement of sorrow.

Whilst it is easy to think there is no action required by the believer, and we must always remember that God’s grace is sufficient and mercy is new each morning, but we are required to walk out in our own lives that which has been given to us.

Grace is not a get out of jail card, but rather an opportunity to live as we were originally created, as sons of the most high God. Just as Christ came and sought the will of his Father, we too are called to seek the will of our Father as Jesus indicated in Matthew 6 and the Lords prayer. Just as Christ commanded also for us to forgive those that sin against us.

James says “Faith without works is dead”. This does not mean our works result in our salvation, but our works are a result of the saving Grace of our Lord.

Revelation also shows that every believer must “wash their robes”, indicating the participatory works of every believer.

 

Three Keys Found in the Father Response to the Older Son- For Righteous Living - Esther

-          After grumbling about his younger sibling’s poor behaviour and his father’s lack of insight by restoring him, the father reminds him…

-          You have always been with me and everything I have is yours

 

1.       Go after God and His Presence

Matthew 6:33 Seek first the kingdom of God and it’s righteousness

Colossians 3:10 Set your mind on things above and not on things below

See heaven as your ultimate destination

 

Turn your back on the things which cause you to sin, leave the people and places which trigger sin and go after God’s presence.

Establish godly patterns and practice for your life, such as prioritising prayer and reading of God’s word and promises. Make time in your day to practice the presence of God and be intentional about it.

Establish godly boundaries for life, if you end up drunk each time you go to the pub then don’t go to the pub or make an agreement with your friends not to drink in excess. If they are true friends, they will honour and respect your choose.

Grace is a gift that should not be wasted.

Each person has 24 hours in the day, what you get from it, depends on how you spend it or waste it.

 

2.       Go after the Provision of God

Know what you have at hand…

What you bind on earth…

The kingdom is within you…

Know your state and your standing

 

2 Peter 1:3 “God's divine power has given us everything we need for life and for godliness. This power was given to us through knowledge of the one who called us by his own ...”

Ephesians 1:3 “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with ...”

Ephesians 2:6 “For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. ... God raised us from ...”

 

3.       Go after the Identity of sons and daughters of God

You are created in His Image for dominion and authority

Jesus is the first born of many brothers

Know where you are seated, with Christ

Romans 8:11 “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by ...”

1 Cor 6:19 “Do you not know that your body is the temple of The Spirit of Holiness who dwells within you, whom you have received from God, and you are not your own?”

As God’s creation, you are called to rule and reign with him in Righteousness. God gave Adam and Eve dominion over every living thing.