When Our Choices Leave Us Empty
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Hope in Empty Places Week 7: When Our Choices Leave Us Empty
Luke 15
October 29th, 2023
Filling the Empty We Create
To change “that” we have to change us.
Mercy is not getting what you deserve.
Grace is receiving what you couldn’t earn.
Luke 15:11b-12“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.
When you decide to walk away from the people who love you and the God who loves you, it’s not a short walk.
Squandered = “spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant.” The Oxford Dictionary
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.
The Greek word for resurrection literally means “to stand up”.
Repentance is the only path to Resurrections.
Turning around is the only thing that leads to standing up.
Resurrections always follow Repentance!
Turning around always leads to standing up.
Resurrections always produce more life than we could have ever dreamed. There is always more life in turning around and standing up than doubling down and staying put.
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 restored his security.
The ring restored his identity.
The celebration restored his significance.
Repentance is so much deeper than an “I am sorry” response – it is a returning action. Resurrections are much deeper than, “second chances” -they are fresh starts and full starts.”
Hope for Prodigals
Leave an open door.
Practice benevolent detachment.
Embrace a Work/Watch balance.
Trust God with the “ahhas”.