"A May that Matters" Part Three

Forgiveness Matters (Sermon by Bro. Rick Taylor on 5/17/09)

Check out the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-32. There are many lessons that we can learn from the prodigal son, but today we're going to look at forgiveness.

WHY DO WE NEED FORGIVENESS?

Because an offense has taken place:

1. The son's demand - "And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me, And he divided unto them his living." Luke 15:12
2. The son's devouring of his inheritance - "And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living." Luke 15:13 *The far country represents any place that we are or that we want to be that is out of God's will.
3. The son's devotion to another - "And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine." Luke 15:15 *The citizen of the far country represents our sin (and the devil).

The responses to sin - The younger son:

1. He recognized his sin. He knew that he was living in sin because of the way he had been raised. When he "came to himself" (Luke 15:17) he realized that he was living in sin. *Proverbs 22:6 "Train up a child in the way he should go" and when he is old, he will not depart from it." As parents, it is our responsibility to train our children in God's ways and educate them with God's word so they will recognize sin.
2. He repented of his sin. We cannot be forgiven of our sins until we ask for forgiveness. The son admitted his sins to his father and asked to be forgiven.
3. He was restored to his previous position. After the son asked for forgiveness, his father received him back into his home. This represents the way that God takes us in as His children when we repent. He not only restores us, but He promotes us - we are taken from being beggars and are made into children of the King!

The responses to sin - the father:

1. He was waiting for his son to return. This represents the way that God waits for us when we turn from Him and to sin. He patiently waits for us to come home, and he rejoices when we do.
2. He was wanting his son to return and he welcomed him with open arms. Just like the prodigal son's father welcomed him home, God is waiting to welcome us into His kingdom.
3. He was willing to forgive his son. God is willing to forgive us, too. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." Ephesians 1:7

God is that Father that is waiting for us to come back to Him. He wants to restore us and promote us to the place that we need to be.