WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.439 Luke chapter 15. If you ever lost anything, it is frustrating and can be upsetting. 00:00:13.740 --> 00:00:18.300 It was when we lost Boo, a 16-year-old dog. 00:00:20.440 --> 00:00:25.539 Walked out an open gate in the backyard, and he was no more. 00:00:25.539 --> 00:00:42.039 He could hardly walk across the yard, but somehow, somewhere, and with all the tears and search parties of that cold December night, we never found that dog. 00:00:42.039 --> 00:01:00.120 One of my dearest friends, a pastor's dearest friend, owned a monument shop, and he made a headstone for my dog with his name, Boo, his dates, and a quote from Genesis 5. 00:01:00.840 --> 00:01:03.200 He walked with God and was no more. 00:01:03.200 --> 00:01:23.079 As I prepared for this sermon, I thought when they raked the yard and the leaves off of that monument in the yard of the house that I just sold, that lady may be freaked out. 00:01:23.079 --> 00:01:28.200 Not knowing what Boo means. 00:01:29.159 --> 00:01:39.019 It was incredible, and it was horrible, but if I would have found him, I bet it would have been a celebration like Luke chapter 15. 00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:46.180 Notice what Jesus says in Luke chapter 15, verse 4. 00:01:46.180 --> 00:02:00.180 What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lost one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open country and go after the one that he's lost until he finds it? 00:02:01.700 --> 00:02:07.700 And when he finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 00:02:07.700 --> 00:02:18.020 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, rejoice with me, for I found my sheep that was lost. 00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:32.439 Just so, I tell you, there'll be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance. 00:02:32.439 --> 00:02:43.900 Of course, Jesus tells that story, not about a lost dog, and not really about a lost sheep. 00:02:46.060 --> 00:02:55.360 He tells that story about a lost soul, and how heaven celebrates when one comes to the Lord. 00:02:56.300 --> 00:02:58.020 And we ought to celebrate too. 00:02:58.020 --> 00:03:08.080 He spoke that parable because he was in the midst of a bunch of church folk that didn't like the sinners that he was hanging around. 00:03:09.780 --> 00:03:13.219 I want you to notice the context in which he speaks. 00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:16.740 It states it in verses 1 through 3, and it says this, 00:03:17.300 --> 00:03:21.280 And the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to him. 00:03:21.280 --> 00:03:29.199 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, this man receives sinners and eats with them. 00:03:29.979 --> 00:03:33.099 So he told them this parable. 00:03:33.280 --> 00:03:38.240 So he told this parable because people were complaining about who he was ministering to. 00:03:40.319 --> 00:03:42.039 I've met folks like that before. 00:03:42.039 --> 00:03:45.639 It is disheartening. 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:54.060 Especially when you understand how Jesus used the term sinners here and what people mean by that. 00:03:54.319 --> 00:03:58.560 Now, some folks that they're talking about are sin-sick rebels. 00:03:59.659 --> 00:04:01.979 And some were just Gentiles. 00:04:02.519 --> 00:04:08.959 I mean, when it says tax collectors, what that means is people who were authorized by the government to collect taxes. 00:04:08.960 --> 00:04:13.780 And if their responsibility was to recover $100 worth of taxes, 00:04:14.120 --> 00:04:18.819 they could put a fee on that, a collection fee on that, 00:04:19.139 --> 00:04:22.100 with the authority of the Roman Empire behind them. 00:04:23.340 --> 00:04:26.240 And knowing that the Roman Empire's authority was behind them, 00:04:26.280 --> 00:04:27.759 they could do just about anything they wanted to. 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:30.240 They were thieves, you know. 00:04:31.079 --> 00:04:32.060 It's kind of like the IRA. 00:04:32.240 --> 00:04:32.980 No, no, no, anyway. 00:04:32.980 --> 00:04:33.360 But. 00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:42.040 And then some of them are just sin-sick. 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:44.980 And some of them are Gentiles. 00:04:45.100 --> 00:04:49.699 People that Jesus should not have eaten with because he was a good Jew. 00:04:50.800 --> 00:04:52.340 And Gentiles were unclean. 00:04:54.020 --> 00:04:57.319 Some people will tell you who you ought to eat with today. 00:04:58.319 --> 00:05:00.600 They'll tell you who we ought to minister to today. 00:05:00.600 --> 00:05:05.640 It's not wrong to call these people sinners, but you need to understand, 00:05:05.860 --> 00:05:11.260 don't separate yourselves out as saints because a proud saint is a dirty sinner too. 00:05:12.580 --> 00:05:16.980 And the only thing that separates the sinner from the saint is the grace of God. 00:05:17.960 --> 00:05:18.600 That's it. 00:05:19.680 --> 00:05:21.240 And that's who Jesus is addressing. 00:05:21.240 --> 00:05:24.920 So if you're going to celebrate the lost being found, 00:05:25.139 --> 00:05:33.480 you have to spend time with the lost and be a part of that process, that finding. 00:05:34.000 --> 00:05:38.699 Because we are here to help them be found. 00:05:39.360 --> 00:05:40.960 The fields are wide under harvest. 00:05:41.220 --> 00:05:43.500 I preached last week on compel them to come. 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:47.079 He calls us to be a part of that process. 00:05:47.079 --> 00:05:51.620 And the Pharisees and the scribes love this story because there's rejoicing over the lost. 00:05:51.740 --> 00:05:56.159 They just did not like the thought of looking for the lost. 00:05:57.399 --> 00:05:59.019 Playing a part in that process. 00:06:00.479 --> 00:06:05.799 And I do believe Jesus was getting a dig in when he followed that story with verse 7. 00:06:06.259 --> 00:06:08.419 It says, just so I tell you, there'll be more joy. 00:06:08.519 --> 00:06:08.860 Excuse me. 00:06:08.919 --> 00:06:10.099 He ends that story with verse 7. 00:06:10.100 --> 00:06:18.660 Just so I tell you, there'll be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who need no repentance. 00:06:20.120 --> 00:06:21.580 Who doesn't need repentance? 00:06:25.160 --> 00:06:27.180 But there's a lot of people that think they don't. 00:06:28.800 --> 00:06:30.240 He don't stop there though. 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:34.200 You have to admire Christ for a lot of reasons. 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:40.639 And one of them is, when it gets a little uneasy, he just digs a little deeper. 00:06:43.039 --> 00:06:43.899 He continues. 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:53.740 He says, or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 00:06:55.019 --> 00:06:59.199 And when she's found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors saying, rejoice with me. 00:06:59.199 --> 00:07:01.019 For I found the coin that I lost. 00:07:01.259 --> 00:07:07.719 Just so I tell you, there's joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. 00:07:09.659 --> 00:07:13.300 Last year, the church in which I was serving, we had a fall festival. 00:07:14.500 --> 00:07:19.519 And at that fall festival, Millie lost a hoop earring. 00:07:21.079 --> 00:07:22.779 And it was apparently a good one. 00:07:22.779 --> 00:07:32.399 Guys, if you didn't know, I found out that day, there are apparently a lot of different qualities of earrings. 00:07:33.719 --> 00:07:36.339 Even the ones that, you know, don't have diamonds and stuff. 00:07:36.399 --> 00:07:37.739 I mean, just pieces of metal. 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:39.359 But there's some that are precious. 00:07:41.959 --> 00:07:45.299 And it made her nervous to tell her mother that she had lost the hoop earring. 00:07:45.300 --> 00:07:51.939 So the first question I asked her was one of the most helpful questions people always ask when you lose something. 00:07:52.960 --> 00:07:54.660 Have you retraced your steps? 00:07:56.780 --> 00:07:58.520 And then I said, well, where have you been? 00:08:01.500 --> 00:08:03.580 And she said, and I'll retrace them. 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:05.000 And, of course, it's a fall festival. 00:08:05.340 --> 00:08:06.920 She's been all over the building, you know. 00:08:07.480 --> 00:08:09.620 She's been in all the rooms of the building. 00:08:09.720 --> 00:08:10.639 She's been in the gymnasium. 00:08:10.780 --> 00:08:12.340 She's been through all that. 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:14.259 We're at a fall festival. 00:08:14.259 --> 00:08:15.379 She's been everywhere. 00:08:16.639 --> 00:08:18.439 And we're looking for it. 00:08:19.019 --> 00:08:24.779 And so I'm walking around the gym with my head down, looking around. 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:27.379 And somebody comes by and says, Pastor, get your head up, you know. 00:08:27.719 --> 00:08:29.659 And I said, no, you get your head down. 00:08:29.699 --> 00:08:31.019 I'm looking for an earring, you know. 00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:34.700 We looked and looked and looked. 00:08:34.799 --> 00:08:40.919 And when the gym had basically been cleaned up, we jointly confessed to her mother. 00:08:40.919 --> 00:08:44.620 Who reminded us, those are good hoops. 00:08:47.759 --> 00:08:50.240 By the way, they were on a dresser at the house. 00:08:50.339 --> 00:08:51.639 She never put one of them in. 00:08:57.240 --> 00:08:59.019 Story of my life. 00:08:59.019 --> 00:09:06.259 I bet that this dear lady in Luke chapter 15 would have had similar thoughts. 00:09:07.939 --> 00:09:10.980 When she apparently had lost a tenth of the money she had. 00:09:13.179 --> 00:09:14.740 She looked intensely. 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:18.980 Especially if it was a special coin. 00:09:19.980 --> 00:09:21.439 And some believe it was. 00:09:21.440 --> 00:09:27.340 Some scholars believe that Jesus was speaking of these kind of coins. 00:09:28.340 --> 00:09:36.360 Which in that tradition was silver coins linked together by a silver chain to make a headdress to show that the woman was married. 00:09:36.360 --> 00:09:41.680 That was the wedding ring of the day. 00:09:43.759 --> 00:09:48.379 She searched like she lost her wedding ring. 00:09:49.899 --> 00:09:52.300 To find such a thing would be so relieving. 00:09:52.419 --> 00:09:52.960 What a blessing. 00:09:53.680 --> 00:09:58.419 He compared that to heaven rejoicing when the lost are saved. 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:01.080 And then he got much more specific. 00:10:03.379 --> 00:10:04.980 He's not talking about a sheep. 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:08.139 He's not talking about a coin. 00:10:09.980 --> 00:10:12.340 He's talking about when people get right. 00:10:13.460 --> 00:10:14.460 And then he shares. 00:10:16.360 --> 00:10:18.000 The most famous parable. 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:19.840 That he ever shared. 00:10:21.680 --> 00:10:22.720 And he said this. 00:10:23.759 --> 00:10:24.580 There was a man. 00:10:25.420 --> 00:10:26.680 Who had two sons. 00:10:28.019 --> 00:10:29.860 And the younger of them said to his father. 00:10:29.960 --> 00:10:32.740 Father give me the share of property that's coming to me. 00:10:32.740 --> 00:10:35.200 And he divided his property between them. 00:10:36.200 --> 00:10:41.120 And not many days later the younger son gathered all that he had and took a journey into a far country. 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:46.000 And there he squandered his property in reckless living. 00:10:46.000 --> 00:10:48.440 And when he had spent everything. 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:52.019 A severe famine arose in that country. 00:10:52.019 --> 00:10:53.200 And he began to be in need. 00:10:53.299 --> 00:10:56.500 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country. 00:10:57.299 --> 00:10:59.480 Who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 00:10:59.620 --> 00:11:03.000 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate. 00:11:03.000 --> 00:11:08.000 And no one gave him anything. 00:11:10.700 --> 00:11:12.419 But when he came to himself. 00:11:13.419 --> 00:11:18.639 He said how many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread. 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:20.080 But I perish here with hunger. 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:23.700 I will arise and go to my father. 00:11:23.700 --> 00:11:31.560 And I'll say to him father. 00:11:32.720 --> 00:11:33.879 I've sinned against heaven. 00:11:33.980 --> 00:11:36.520 And before you I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 00:11:36.640 --> 00:11:38.540 Treat me as one of your hired servants. 00:11:39.060 --> 00:11:40.740 And he arose and he came to his father. 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:42.220 But while he was still a long way off. 00:11:42.280 --> 00:11:43.160 His father saw him. 00:11:43.259 --> 00:11:44.560 He felt compassion. 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:45.259 And ran. 00:11:45.379 --> 00:11:46.120 And embraced him. 00:11:46.180 --> 00:11:46.780 And kissed him. 00:11:46.900 --> 00:11:48.500 And the son said to him. 00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:50.259 Father I have sinned against heaven. 00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:55.419 And before you I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:58.379 But the father said to his servants. 00:11:58.740 --> 00:11:59.980 Bring quickly the best robe. 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:02.059 Put it on him. 00:12:02.799 --> 00:12:03.879 Put a ring on his hand. 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:04.919 Shoes on his feet. 00:12:05.059 --> 00:12:06.399 Bring the fatted calf and kill it. 00:12:06.439 --> 00:12:07.500 And let us eat and celebrate. 00:12:07.720 --> 00:12:10.840 For this my son was dead and is alive again. 00:12:10.860 --> 00:12:11.860 He was lost and is found. 00:12:11.939 --> 00:12:13.879 And they began to celebrate. 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:18.139 It is a message to each and every one of us. 00:12:18.539 --> 00:12:19.939 Friend it is time. 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:21.200 To come home. 00:12:22.139 --> 00:12:23.539 All of us have sinned. 00:12:24.220 --> 00:12:25.899 All of us have wandered away. 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:29.439 What is wrong in our lives need to be made right. 00:12:29.559 --> 00:12:30.860 And if we haven't made it right. 00:12:30.939 --> 00:12:32.279 It's time to make it right. 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:34.840 So the question is. 00:12:34.939 --> 00:12:36.580 How do you come home to the father? 00:12:36.700 --> 00:12:38.200 Well what do I mean by that? 00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:40.639 Well. 00:12:43.139 --> 00:12:45.439 The first step is we realize what we've done. 00:12:45.440 --> 00:12:51.520 The scandal of this young man was absolutely horrible. 00:12:52.860 --> 00:12:57.300 He lived in a culture that to ask his dad for his inheritance before his dad died. 00:12:57.400 --> 00:13:00.440 And before he cared for his dad in his elderly years. 00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:02.300 And cared for that estate. 00:13:02.460 --> 00:13:04.860 Was to wish his father as good as dead. 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:07.180 It was wrong for what he did. 00:13:07.179 --> 00:13:09.299 It is shocking still today. 00:13:10.339 --> 00:13:12.959 In that culture for such a request. 00:13:13.759 --> 00:13:16.239 Even more shocking is what his dad did. 00:13:17.359 --> 00:13:19.099 If my kids came to me and said. 00:13:19.399 --> 00:13:21.359 Dad give me what I got coming to me. 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:21.879 I would. 00:13:22.419 --> 00:13:23.879 I'd give him what he had coming to him. 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:27.759 That's not what he did. 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:30.740 Even more shocking was. 00:13:30.899 --> 00:13:32.419 That he had squandered. 00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:34.820 Not only the interest of the estate. 00:13:35.659 --> 00:13:37.580 That his dad had partially inherited. 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:39.080 And partially grown for himself. 00:13:39.240 --> 00:13:41.120 But he squandered the principle too. 00:13:43.120 --> 00:13:45.220 And it wasn't in a bad business deal. 00:13:46.220 --> 00:13:48.200 It wasn't just due to a downed economy. 00:13:48.940 --> 00:13:51.080 It was in drinking and carousing. 00:13:51.299 --> 00:13:53.039 And running with women that do. 00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:54.480 I mean that's what he was doing. 00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:58.139 And I hear of those that win millions in the lottery. 00:13:58.439 --> 00:14:00.599 And blow it all in a couple of years. 00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:03.879 With nothing but debt and taxes left. 00:14:05.059 --> 00:14:06.419 If you win the lottery. 00:14:06.679 --> 00:14:07.679 And you don't want to lose it all. 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:08.559 Come see me. 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:09.019 Okay. 00:14:09.500 --> 00:14:11.039 I will help you out. 00:14:12.959 --> 00:14:14.019 But even worse. 00:14:14.079 --> 00:14:15.159 To take the family estate. 00:14:15.379 --> 00:14:16.899 And burn it up partying. 00:14:18.419 --> 00:14:18.879 I mean. 00:14:19.319 --> 00:14:21.259 What do you think good church people think. 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:23.100 When they listen to Jesus story. 00:14:23.259 --> 00:14:25.100 About somebody who'd do something like that. 00:14:27.899 --> 00:14:29.559 Probably similar to what we're thinking. 00:14:30.799 --> 00:14:32.019 And it gets worse. 00:14:32.720 --> 00:14:34.399 Because while he was doing that. 00:14:34.460 --> 00:14:35.659 The economy went bust. 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:37.519 Gas went to four dollars. 00:14:37.700 --> 00:14:38.639 Groceries went high. 00:14:38.639 --> 00:14:41.120 And the government wasn't even helping out. 00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:42.639 But may I not digress. 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:46.139 He had to find work. 00:14:46.419 --> 00:14:49.539 When there was little work to do. 00:14:49.740 --> 00:14:51.199 And so he went and fed the swine. 00:14:51.279 --> 00:14:55.559 The worst job a Jew could ever have. 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:57.500 Feeding unclean animals. 00:14:57.919 --> 00:15:00.120 The most unclean. 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:04.519 I remember when I was in college. 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:07.259 Transferred from Greenville Tech. 00:15:07.340 --> 00:15:08.000 To Gardner Webb. 00:15:08.200 --> 00:15:11.580 And entered their religious studies program. 00:15:11.960 --> 00:15:14.820 And God engaged me with a couple of men. 00:15:14.820 --> 00:15:16.820 That gave me opportunities to preach. 00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:17.899 Throughout North Carolina. 00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:20.679 As a 20, 21 year old kid. 00:15:22.820 --> 00:15:24.100 First sermon I ever preached. 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:25.460 Was on Luke 15. 00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:27.899 About coming home. 00:15:27.899 --> 00:15:30.659 I was preaching out of the King James Version. 00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:32.840 And that phrase. 00:15:32.939 --> 00:15:33.699 I didn't even know what it meant. 00:15:33.759 --> 00:15:34.399 But I loved it. 00:15:34.439 --> 00:15:35.360 And I've loved it ever since. 00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:37.199 He feigned to fill his belly. 00:15:37.199 --> 00:15:39.079 With the husk that the swine did eat. 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:42.439 That feigned me. 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:44.059 He was dying for it. 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:44.579 I mean you know. 00:15:45.559 --> 00:15:46.879 It's like when you're at the fair. 00:15:46.939 --> 00:15:48.600 And somebody eats a funnel cake next to you. 00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:48.840 You know. 00:15:49.079 --> 00:15:50.519 You feigned to fill your belly. 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:52.039 With the funnel cake that they did eat. 00:15:52.139 --> 00:15:52.360 You know. 00:15:52.699 --> 00:15:53.259 I mean that's what. 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:54.679 But it was the. 00:15:55.579 --> 00:15:56.340 It was the. 00:15:57.899 --> 00:16:00.319 It was pig slop. 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:07.819 And while he's sitting there in the mud. 00:16:10.199 --> 00:16:10.879 Envious. 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:13.720 Of the hogs. 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:17.439 Something clicked. 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:24.340 I thank God for the Holy Spirit click. 00:16:26.940 --> 00:16:28.620 When something within us. 00:16:28.700 --> 00:16:29.700 And it's not of us. 00:16:29.920 --> 00:16:30.440 Thank God. 00:16:31.860 --> 00:16:33.340 Says what in the world are you doing? 00:16:34.020 --> 00:16:36.080 What in the world are you doing? 00:16:36.080 --> 00:16:36.140 What in the world are you doing? 00:16:40.780 --> 00:16:42.360 He not only realized what he had done. 00:16:42.420 --> 00:16:43.420 He realized where he was. 00:16:43.500 --> 00:16:44.420 And we have to too. 00:16:44.520 --> 00:16:45.400 When we are in sin. 00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:47.279 And the second step to coming to the father is. 00:16:47.459 --> 00:16:49.120 We realize where we are. 00:16:50.319 --> 00:16:51.939 It's not only realizing what we've done. 00:16:52.000 --> 00:16:53.000 It's realize where we are. 00:16:53.079 --> 00:16:55.039 I'm wanting to eat after the pigs. 00:16:57.500 --> 00:17:00.079 The servant in my father's house are better than this. 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:01.259 And I'm going to repent. 00:17:01.360 --> 00:17:02.759 Which means I'm going to turn around. 00:17:02.759 --> 00:17:03.899 And there's a good. 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:05.839 That's a good place to be. 00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:07.859 To know the change needs to come. 00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:09.639 That happens a lot on Sunday morning. 00:17:12.639 --> 00:17:14.119 People come to the point. 00:17:14.240 --> 00:17:16.000 Where some of you are right now. 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:19.779 Where you know that there needs to be a change in your life. 00:17:20.679 --> 00:17:22.659 Something is eating at you. 00:17:22.719 --> 00:17:26.479 And you know that you need to make a change in your life. 00:17:26.539 --> 00:17:28.799 It happens a lot on Sunday morning. 00:17:28.979 --> 00:17:30.559 I hear about it later. 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:35.200 But there's one more crucial step. 00:17:37.139 --> 00:17:39.480 It's not just realizing what we've done. 00:17:40.099 --> 00:17:42.359 It's not just realizing where we are. 00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:45.720 It is that we got to get up. 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:47.480 And make it right. 00:17:49.720 --> 00:17:51.379 We've got to move. 00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:54.579 You've got to move on it. 00:17:54.619 --> 00:17:55.559 You've got to repent. 00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:58.740 You've got to change the direction of your life. 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.859 And follow the Lord. 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:02.140 And if there's something in you. 00:18:02.259 --> 00:18:03.720 That is twitching you. 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.779 That is showing you. 00:18:04.839 --> 00:18:05.620 That something's wrong. 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:06.599 I will tell you. 00:18:06.740 --> 00:18:08.920 You didn't come up with that on your own. 00:18:09.079 --> 00:18:11.460 That is nothing but the Holy Spirit of God. 00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:14.079 Moving and working in your life. 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:15.599 And you have a responsibility. 00:18:16.099 --> 00:18:17.599 To respond to that. 00:18:18.440 --> 00:18:20.799 It's good to know that you need to do something. 00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:22.220 But that is not enough. 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:25.099 And when he came. 00:18:25.200 --> 00:18:26.859 The father ran to meet him. 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:27.900 That's unheard of. 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:32.099 That an older man would run to receive anybody. 00:18:32.319 --> 00:18:35.400 Let alone a son that had burned up much of his estate. 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:37.160 Yet that's what the dad did. 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:40.019 He met him where he was. 00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:40.900 And he robed him. 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.599 That's the honor. 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:44.220 He gave him a ring of authority. 00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:45.059 You know what that means? 00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:47.460 A signet ring is a power of attorney. 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:51.539 The shoes. 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:53.359 Man he wasn't a servant. 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:54.200 He was a son. 00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:56.759 To a slave. 00:18:56.759 --> 00:18:58.220 A shoe is a sign of freedom. 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:59.559 It was then. 00:19:00.119 --> 00:19:02.240 Probably was 160 years ago in America. 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:05.099 And then they pulled out the fatted calf. 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:05.759 You know what that is? 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.740 That's prime rib. 00:19:07.140 --> 00:19:08.700 That's a tomahawk rib. 00:19:08.799 --> 00:19:09.879 I mean a tomahawk steak. 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.400 Rib eye. 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:11.500 That's the best. 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:15.220 He's celebrating the rebirth of his son. 00:19:15.440 --> 00:19:16.839 He says he was dead. 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.559 And is alive again. 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:19.379 He's lost. 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:21.139 And is found. 00:19:22.419 --> 00:19:24.679 Like a lost sheep that's now found. 00:19:24.679 --> 00:19:27.940 Like a precious jewel or a valuable coin now found. 00:19:28.159 --> 00:19:32.980 A lost soul who has repented and changed makes heaven joyful. 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:35.500 Leads heaven to cheer. 00:19:36.139 --> 00:19:38.879 Leads the father to throw a party. 00:19:38.880 --> 00:19:45.560 People often wonder what in the world are those that I love that have went on to glory. 00:19:45.920 --> 00:19:48.720 What do they know about what's going on on the earth? 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:53.200 And what do they understand? 00:19:53.660 --> 00:19:54.820 Or what do they see? 00:19:55.020 --> 00:19:56.880 And I don't have all those answers. 00:19:57.260 --> 00:20:01.900 In 2023 I plan to preach a series of sermons on heaven and hell called the reality of eternity. 00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:03.080 And we'll talk about some of that. 00:20:03.079 --> 00:20:06.240 I'll tell you what scripture says though. 00:20:07.759 --> 00:20:11.220 Scripture says when somebody gets saved, heaven rejoices. 00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:13.599 They're throwing a party. 00:20:14.639 --> 00:20:15.839 They're rejoicing. 00:20:18.099 --> 00:20:24.199 However, not everybody acts like that when somebody comes. 00:20:27.159 --> 00:20:32.159 Verse 25 says, now his older son was in the field. 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:37.240 And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:41.299 And he called one of his servants and asked what these things meant. 00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:43.460 And he said to him, your brother's come. 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:46.799 And your father just killed a fattened calf. 00:20:47.879 --> 00:20:52.879 Because he's received him back here safe and sound. 00:20:54.839 --> 00:20:56.759 But that older brother was angry. 00:20:58.179 --> 00:20:59.879 And he refused to go in. 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:01.919 His father came out and treated him. 00:21:01.920 --> 00:21:03.420 But he answered his father, look. 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:08.279 These many years I've served you and I've never disobeyed your command. 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:12.039 That you never gave me a young goat that I may celebrate my friends. 00:21:13.320 --> 00:21:19.019 But when this son of yours came. 00:21:19.480 --> 00:21:21.920 Who's devoured your property with prostitutes. 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:25.600 You killed a fattened calf for him. 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:29.119 And he said to him, son. 00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:32.419 You are always with me. 00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:36.159 And all that is mine is yours. 00:21:36.980 --> 00:21:37.419 Literally. 00:21:39.559 --> 00:21:41.839 It's fitting to celebrate and be glad for this. 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:43.219 Your brother was dead. 00:21:44.119 --> 00:21:45.279 And is alive. 00:21:45.939 --> 00:21:47.000 He's lost. 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:49.619 And is found. 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:55.119 I want to tell you something this morning. 00:21:57.660 --> 00:22:01.839 The Holy Spirit of God is speaking to your heart and life about getting a matter straight in your life. 00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:02.980 That you haven't got straight. 00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:04.480 You need to respond to him in obedience. 00:22:04.480 --> 00:22:08.460 And when you get it right. 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:12.019 Don't expect everybody to be happy about it. 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:14.680 Because everybody won't be. 00:22:16.299 --> 00:22:19.620 To make a decision for Christ that leads you to stop doing it your way. 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:21.279 And start doing it his way. 00:22:21.460 --> 00:22:25.440 Is to make a decision that everyone is not going to like. 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:29.100 Now I'm not talking about a hokey pokey decision. 00:22:29.320 --> 00:22:29.500 You know. 00:22:29.620 --> 00:22:30.340 One foot in. 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:31.259 One foot out. 00:22:31.380 --> 00:22:32.240 Not knowing what to do. 00:22:32.440 --> 00:22:33.740 I'm talking about all in. 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:36.660 I'm talking about completely. 00:22:38.059 --> 00:22:40.059 When you do that. 00:22:40.240 --> 00:22:41.840 Everyone will not applaud. 00:22:41.960 --> 00:22:43.519 Some will be angry at the attention you got. 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:47.480 You know what that boy's been doing? 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:51.059 I mean here I am. 00:22:51.100 --> 00:22:52.519 I've been faithful this whole time. 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:54.779 Ain't nobody celebrating me. 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:57.759 I'm the one towing the line. 00:22:57.840 --> 00:22:58.860 Ain't nobody celebrating me. 00:22:58.960 --> 00:23:00.460 But this old boy squandered years. 00:23:01.080 --> 00:23:02.100 And yet he comes back. 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:06.759 Some folks are so full of self. 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:12.019 That they fail to see the hand of God changing lives. 00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:16.620 They just want to bring up the past. 00:23:18.740 --> 00:23:20.539 You know who else wants to bring up the past? 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:22.039 The evil one himself. 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:25.380 And thankfully the father. 00:23:25.440 --> 00:23:26.080 The evil one. 00:23:26.080 --> 00:23:27.900 With just as much compassion. 00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:28.700 Invites. 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:31.799 This other prodigal. 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:33.320 To the celebration. 00:23:35.259 --> 00:23:36.539 I am thankful today. 00:23:36.640 --> 00:23:37.799 That God does not get exhausted. 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:39.200 With the recklessly lost. 00:23:39.820 --> 00:23:41.700 Nor the piously proud. 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:44.500 He loves us all. 00:23:44.620 --> 00:23:46.160 And he calls us all to come home. 00:23:46.160 --> 00:23:49.700 So if you're a believer today. 00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:52.160 And are doing nothing to reach the world. 00:23:53.120 --> 00:23:58.019 Maybe even self-righteously jealous of God doing a new thing in someone else. 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:01.800 Realize where you are. 00:24:02.980 --> 00:24:04.340 Realize what you've done. 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:07.259 And get up and make it right. 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:11.960 And if you've never surrendered your life to Christ. 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:16.000 And you've been too busy for the world and for yourself. 00:24:17.819 --> 00:24:18.220 Repent. 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:20.039 Turn to Christ. 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:21.420 And obey him today. 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:26.200 And I will tell you all of heaven will celebrate the change in your life. 00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:31.480 And I'll tell you the folks that love Jesus and are right with Jesus. 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:34.360 At Pickens First Baptist Church. 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.640 Will celebrate with you. 00:24:37.080 --> 00:24:38.940 That you've made a change in your life. 00:24:40.360 --> 00:24:41.660 But if you're a Christian this morning. 00:24:41.740 --> 00:24:43.220 But living like you're lost. 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:47.940 Living like one that's not been changed by the blood of the Lamb. 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:52.220 Living by one who's not pouring it out. 00:24:52.420 --> 00:24:53.620 To the one who poured it out. 00:24:57.100 --> 00:24:59.160 If you're living like the lost world half the time. 00:24:59.440 --> 00:25:00.259 It's time to repent. 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.820 It's time to change. 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:03.100 It's time to turn your life around. 00:25:03.380 --> 00:25:05.200 By realizing what you've done. 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:07.720 Realizing where you are. 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:10.420 And to get up. 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:12.340 And make it right. 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:16.240 It has been my prayer this week. 00:25:17.940 --> 00:25:19.559 God help us to see. 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:21.720 What we've done. 00:25:24.340 --> 00:25:26.200 God help us to see. 00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:28.580 Each individual. 00:25:30.360 --> 00:25:31.559 Where we are. 00:25:35.100 --> 00:25:36.700 But seeing what we've done. 00:25:37.700 --> 00:25:39.820 And seeing what we where we are. 00:25:40.620 --> 00:25:41.799 Is not enough. 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:45.000 You got to do something about it. 00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:48.640 And as long as we're reluctant. 00:25:50.440 --> 00:25:52.500 To publicly be obedient to the Lord. 00:25:53.819 --> 00:25:55.559 We're not going to be obedient to the Lord. 00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:59.180 So I'm telling you as God speaks today. 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:00.859 Get up. 00:26:02.380 --> 00:26:03.000 Trust him. 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:05.059 He's good for it. 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.660 I promise you. 00:26:06.460 --> 00:26:08.319 And he'll receive you with open arms. 00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:11.140 And so will I. 00:26:11.140 --> 00:26:13.420 With every head bowed. 00:26:13.480 --> 00:26:14.140 Every eye closed. 00:26:15.360 --> 00:26:16.759 I don't know what's going on. 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.800 In your lives. 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:20.720 I'm getting to know some more. 00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:22.240 But I don't know. 00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:24.020 I'm new. 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:27.180 We ain't walked through enough valleys together. 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:30.860 But the reality is. 00:26:30.920 --> 00:26:31.560 God knows. 00:26:33.560 --> 00:26:34.799 He knows what you need to do. 00:26:34.860 --> 00:26:35.960 My greatest burden today. 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:37.840 Is if you're here today. 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:40.140 And there's never been a time in your life. 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:41.940 When you concretely have made a decision. 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.620 To follow Christ as your Lord and Savior. 00:26:44.100 --> 00:26:45.460 I want you to know that today. 00:26:45.560 --> 00:26:46.500 Is the day of salvation. 00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:48.980 He'll save you today. 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:51.680 And the whole sense that you get. 00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:52.940 That you need salvation. 00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:54.560 That you need a change. 00:26:54.560 --> 00:26:55.500 Didn't come from you. 00:26:55.500 --> 00:26:57.140 You couldn't have developed that. 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:58.220 That came from God. 00:26:58.779 --> 00:27:00.160 God's working and moving. 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:01.619 In your heart and life right now. 00:27:01.940 --> 00:27:04.180 And he expects you to respond in obedience. 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.160 And so you do that. 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:07.940 But even more today. 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:10.000 There are those in this room. 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:10.819 Who are Christians. 00:27:11.000 --> 00:27:12.640 You've made a decision for Christ. 00:27:13.440 --> 00:27:14.359 You follow the Lord. 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.680 But you ain't following them close. 00:27:15.759 --> 00:27:16.319 And you might have. 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.880 Got real distant. 00:27:18.200 --> 00:27:19.460 Even went to a distant country. 00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:22.480 Even been eating in the wrong places. 00:27:22.480 --> 00:27:23.259 With the wrong people. 00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:24.859 Doing the wrong thing. 00:27:24.859 --> 00:27:26.699 And today you need to say. 00:27:26.699 --> 00:27:26.979 Lord. 00:27:27.479 --> 00:27:28.359 I'm coming home. 00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:29.240 I'm coming home. 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:30.000 I want it right. 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:32.359 I want to sit at your table. 00:27:32.359 --> 00:27:33.159 And make it right. 00:27:34.479 --> 00:27:35.539 I want to get it right. 00:27:36.619 --> 00:27:37.759 God's maybe leading you. 00:27:37.819 --> 00:27:38.779 To make a private decision. 00:27:38.779 --> 00:27:39.619 For the Lord public. 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.279 Through baptism. 00:27:41.319 --> 00:27:42.419 God may be leading you. 00:27:42.479 --> 00:27:43.579 To be a part of this church. 00:27:45.479 --> 00:27:46.779 One imperfect person. 00:27:47.379 --> 00:27:49.119 Joining up with other imperfect people. 00:27:50.439 --> 00:27:51.859 Joining in the journey together. 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:51.939 Father. 00:27:52.899 --> 00:27:54.059 Man let's stamp it out. 00:27:54.139 --> 00:27:55.199 For the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:27:56.519 --> 00:27:57.740 We welcome you to come. 00:27:59.119 --> 00:27:59.759 Heavenly Father. 00:27:59.899 --> 00:28:01.039 I don't know what you're doing. 00:28:01.099 --> 00:28:02.279 In people's hearts and lives. 00:28:02.279 --> 00:28:04.139 But I'm thankful for the sweet spirit. 00:28:05.099 --> 00:28:07.079 That I've sensed is moving in this place. 00:28:08.159 --> 00:28:09.659 Help us to simply be obedient. 00:28:09.779 --> 00:28:10.379 As you lead us. 00:28:10.419 --> 00:28:11.059 Father I pray. 00:28:11.979 --> 00:28:12.919 Give us a boldness. 00:28:12.979 --> 00:28:14.000 That is beyond us. 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:16.319 Give us an insight. 00:28:16.439 --> 00:28:17.159 And an understanding. 00:28:17.479 --> 00:28:19.000 That we couldn't come up with. 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.980 Just on our own dear God. 00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:23.319 Give us a fortitude. 00:28:23.319 --> 00:28:24.640 That we'll not back up. 00:28:24.839 --> 00:28:25.759 From doing everything. 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:26.660 You'd have us to do. 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:28.819 In Jesus precious name. 00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.319 Amen.