Family Matters - Part 3
September 24, 2022

Family Matters Series Art

All scripture references are NLT unless otherwise noted.


Part 3 - Loving the Prodigal

Hosea 11:1-4a “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and I called my son out of Egypt. But the more I called to him, the farther he moved from me, offering sacrifices to the images of Baal and burning incense to idols. I myself taught Israel how to walk, leading him along by the hand. But he doesn’t know or even care that it was I who took care of him. I led Israel along with my ropes of kindness and love.”

Luke 19:41-42 But as he came closer to Jerusalem and saw the city ahead, he began to weep. “How I wish today that you of all people would understand the way to peace. But now it is too late, and peace is hidden from your eyes.”

Jesus understands the

of rejection and loss

1. Let them

Luke 15:11-13 To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 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.
“A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.”

Part of God’s restorative measures include discipline and

.

2 . Keep your

up

We are all ultimately

for our own choices.

Galatians 6:5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

Tough Love is

for the one to whom it is offered and also for the ones extending it.

3 . Allow the prodigal to work through their

Luke 15:14-16 “About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.”

Allow God to

His work

Luke 15:17a “When he finally came to his senses…”

4 . Offer

Luke 15:20-21 “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. 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.’

Titus 3:4-5 But—When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

Be

Luke 15:23b-24 ‘We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.

A) Expectant in

The Kingdom of God is about reminding us that

deserves to be found.

B) Expectant in

Galatians 6:9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

C) Expectant in

Colossians 1:9a So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you.

God

you; God loves you, back to God!

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

Commit the prodigal to prayer