ON MISSION Part 3: The Father

God doesn’t see you as broken. He sees you as loved.

We must follow Jesus more for what He has given us than for what He will do for us.

“You can escape God as much through morality and religion as you can escape God through Immorality and irreligion ”
~Tim Keller

Let’s start at the end

Luke 15:31-32 NLT
31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

The story ends without resolution because it’s meant for us to decide how we will respond

Will we run towards the Father or choose to run away from Him?

Today’s insights are a foundation for how we interact with others to better point them and us to God

Luke 15:12 NLT
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.

Freedom

Genesis 2:15 NLT
15 The Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to tend and watch over it.

People need freedom to choose how they live Not Legislate how they should live

Luke 15:17 NLT
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!

Stability

Philippians 4:19 NLT
19 And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.

When someone’s life is falling apart they usually lean on people with stable lives

Luke 15:20 NLT
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.

Compassion

Genesis 3:21 NLT
21 And the Lord God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.

When someones life devolves into utter chaos despite your warnings, Remove “I told you so” from your vocabulary

Luke 15:21-22 NLT
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.

Unbound Forgiveness

Romans 4:7-8 NLT
7 “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. 8 Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”

Do not label people by what they have been forgiven of

Luke 15:28 NLT
28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him,

Consistent

Matthew 5:43-48 NLT
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Treat people equal

Luke 15:31-32 NLT
31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”

Teacher

Psalms 32:8 NLT
8 The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.I will advise you and watch over you.

Take time to understand what you believe and how to communicate it