Easter 2020: Bridges Not Ladders

We really don’t climb ladders to accumulate stuff and status what we are really reaching for is security, identity, and significance.

Luke 15:11“There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So, he divided his property between them.

Luke 15:13-16 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

THE STAND-UP MOMENT

Luke 15:17-20 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

Repentance is a key word in the Gospel.

·      Repentance means to own your choices and to recognize the emptiness and brokenness that they have brought.

·      To Repent is to turn around and walk in another direction.

·      Repentance is a decision before it is ever an action and it’s a decision grounded in fact.

Luke 15:20a “so he got up and went to his father.”

The Greek word for resurrection literally means “to stand up”. 

·      Repentance is the only path to Resurrections.

·      Resurrections always follow Repentance!

·      Resurrections always produce more life than we could have ever dreamed.

Luke 15:20b “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Luke 15:21-24 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So, they began to celebrate.

·      The robe resurrected his security – no more scavenging for food.

·      The ring resurrected his identity – he was a part of a family again.

·      The celebration resurrected his significance…to be the son of his father.

The Father’s love created the bridge.

John 3:16,17 says, “16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 

RESPOND AT:

GatewayFranklin.com/Easter2020.