No Longer Worthy. Really

Happy Sunday. Last week we ended in the midst of the story of the prodigal son. Today we begin with big trouble. This young man is broke, hungry, homeless, alone. Backsliding does that to people; they find themselves in places that they never thought they would be.

It's likely that you know of someone who also took a wrong turn in life. When you pray for them, you pray that they would wake up and see the error of their ways. I've prayed that prayer for many people: Lord, wake them up. Our story today begins with good news.

Luke 15:17 begins by telling us that he woke up. He came to his senses. He was ready to go back home. He had to wonder what his reception would be like if he did dare go back home. Would he be welcome? Would he be escorted off the property?

Would the people of his village even let him walk the streets? And what about his father? I mean, he demanded his inheritance before his father was dead. Would his father even recognize him, talk to him? We can tell of his fear as we read all of the verses from 17 to 19 in Luke 15.

It's says of the son, "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. I'll go home to my father and say, "Father, I've sinned against both heaven and you, and I'm no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant."'" That was his plan.

What's really interesting to me is that the son has already ruled out any good outcome related to his bad decisions. He has no belief whatsoever that his father could forgive him. He figures that he has lost his sunship. "I am no longer worthy of being called your son." He practiced that in his head: "Please take me on as a hired servant."

If we have limited knowledge of God, we will ignore grace and mercy and forgiveness and run straight to judgment. So many people have the wrong view of God. In years past, I've met so many that have tried to disqualify themselves for one reason or another. People at times self judge themselves to be unforgivable: God just can't forgive me for where I've been, what I've done.

Please know that this type of thinking is straight from hell, and it smells like smoke. God can forgive all who ask. Recall, Moses was a murderer, David an adulterer, Jacob a thief and a liar. All the disciples rest, wrestled with doubt. Let's get back to the story and see what happens.

I begin at Luke 15:20. "So he set off and he went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, put his arms around him, and kissed him. And then the father said to him, then the son said to the father, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I'm no longer worthy to be called your son.'

"But the father said, said to the slaves, 'Quickly, bring out a robe, the best one, put it on him, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. And get the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate, for the son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And so they began to celebrate."

It's a beautiful picture. It's a great story. If you recall, this story is all about the worth of people; that's how Luke 15 begins. At times we can forget that God is head over heels in love with us. Earlier in Luke 15 we find these words. This is verse 7.

We're told, "There will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance." Jesus wants all of us to come home. He loves it when sinners turn back and come towards him. This once prodical son was loved and forgiven and restored. God specializes in exactly that.

Please never determine your worth by your feelings. Let God's word build your theology. Now, if you're watching this, there's a good chance that you're in good standing with the father. However, there's also a decent chance that you may have given up on someone that has wandered off. Maybe you need to start praying once again for that person who's been camping out on Fool's Hill for way too long.

For those who have wandered away, it's vital that we continue to show them the love of God. While I was preparing this message, I received a call to go and visit a person who's in hospice care. Our families go way back, and I was told that the one who is under hospice care hasn't been to church in decades. They're getting their house in order. They want to come back home, and I love that, and God really loves that.

John 3:17 is a beautiful verse. There we are told, "God did not send the son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him." That's what God wants. It's not too late.

Last week I asked for prayer for two friends, Ryan and Tiffany. Ryan got some great news, and so many prayers are answered, so thank you for that. Please keep, keep praying for Tiffany. Pray with me.

Father, help us to be prayer warriors for those that have gone the wrong way. Help us to not give up, because you certainly don't. Thank you for this beautiful story of love and forgiveness and restoration. And help us to not judge ourselves on our own thoughts and feelings, but to judge ourselves on what scripture says. And scripture tells us we can come to you and you'll receive us, and we thank you for that. In Jesus' name we pray, amen.

God bless. Thanks for joining me today.