God's Grace Receives Repentant Sinners

Forgiven People Forgive

Week 5 — God's Grace Receives Repentant Sinners

  1. Sin promises more than it delivers.

… but no one gave him anything. (Lk 15:16b)  

  1. The way home _____________ with the _____________.

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants [μίσθιος (mēs-thē-ōs)] have more than enough bread, and I am dying from hunger! (Lk 15:17)
18 I will get up, go to my father, and tell him, “Father, I have sinned [ἁμαρτάνω (ha-mar-ta-nō)] against heaven and in your sight. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’ (Lk 15:18–19)

Sometimes God allows the _________________________ of our sin to ___________ away our self-deception so that we finally see both our _________ and the __________________ of our Father.

9 The heart is more deceitful than anything. It is beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 I, the Lord, am the one who searches the heart and examines the mind, to reward a man according to what he has done, according to what his deeds deserve. (Je 17:9–10)
God made him, who did not know sin, to become sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. (2 Co 5:21)
For God has said: I will never leave you, and I will never forsake you. (Heb 13:5b)
God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he changes his mind. (Nu 23:19a)

What lie is God trying to expose in this suffering?

Father, please help me see the lies that I believe. Expose them. Repent me! Help me to believe only your truth.

  1. The Father joyfully _________________ his ___________.

20 “He got up and went to his father. While he was still far away, his father saw him and was filled with compassion [σπλαγχνίζομαι (splag-chniz-o-mai)]. He ran, hugged his son, and kissed him. (Lk 15:20)

The Greek word σπλαγχνίζομαι (splag-chniz-o-mai) that Jesus uses describes ______________________ that comes from the ________________ part of a person's being. It is not a passing feeling. It is _________________, ___________________ compassion.

When he  saw the crowds, he was moved with compassion [σπλαγχνίζομαι (splag-chniz-o-mai)] for them, because they were troubled and downcast, like sheep without a shepherd. (Mt 9:36)
When Jesus stepped out of the boat, he saw a large crowd. His heart went out [σπλαγχνίζομαι (splag-chniz-o-mai)] to them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He began to teach them many things. (Mk 6:34)
When the Lord saw her, he had compassion [σπλαγχνίζομαι (splag-chniz-o-mai)] on her and said to her, “Do not cry.” (Lk 7:13)
The one who has seen me has seen the Father. (John 14:9)

Points to Ponder

  1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
  2. What caused the younger son to "come to his senses"?
  3. What did the younger son decide to say to his father?
  4. Why does the younger son first remember his father's generosity rather than his father's wealth?
  5. Why is it significant that the son never stops calling him "my father"?
  6. Why do people often resist seeing the consequences of their own sins as God's loving discipline?
  7. I asked you in the sermon: What lie is God trying to expose in this suffering? … Why is that an important question for Christians to ask?
  8. Is there a lie about God, yourself, or happiness that God's Word has exposed in your life? How has He used that experience to draw you closer to Him?
  9. When guilt makes you afraid to return to God, what gives you confidence to confess your sin to Him?

Homework: Luke 15