God's Grace Receives Repentant Sinners

Forgiven People Forgive

Week 6 — God's Grace Receives Repentant Sinners

  1. Sin promises more than it delivers.

  2. The way home begins with the Father.

  3. The Father joyfully __________________ his ___________.

21 The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned [ἁμαρτάνω (ha-mar-ta-nō)] against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ (Lk 15:21)

The Greek word translated “sin [ἁμαρτάνω (ha-mar-ta-nō)]” literally means to miss the _________. The mark is __________ _________ _________—loving Him with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind, and loving our neighbor as ourselves. To miss God's mark is to ___________ _______________ the _______ who set the mark.

In fact, whoever keeps the whole law but stumbles in one point has become guilty of breaking all of it. (Jas 2:10)
22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick, bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. (Lk 15:22)
23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us eat and celebrate, (Lk 15:23)
24 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate. (Lk 15:24)
They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, due to the hardness of their hearts. (Eph 4:18)
You were dead in your trespasses and sins, (Eph 2:1)
For the mind-set of the sinful flesh is hostile to God, since it does not submit to God’s law, and in fact, it cannot. (Ro 8:7)

  1. The Father _______________ the _____________________________.

25 “His older son was in the field. As he approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. 27 The servant told him, ‘Your brother is here! Your father killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 The older brother was angry [ὀργίζομαι (or-gē-zō-mai)] and refused to go in. His father came out and began to plead [παρακαλέω (pa-ra-ka-le-ō] with him. (Lk 15:25–28)
29 “He answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I’ve been serving [δουλεύω (do-lew-ō)] you, and I never disobeyed your command, but you never gave me even a young goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours arrived after wasting your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ (Lk 15:29–30)
… he wasted his wealth with reckless living. (Lk 15:13b)
31 “The father said to him, ‘Son [τέκνον (tek-non)], you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ ” (Lk 15:31–32)
11 Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons [υἱός (wee-os)]. (Lk 15:11)

The older son is focused on _______________________. The father is focused on _______________.

32 But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ ” (Lk 15:32)
32 But it was fitting to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ ” (Lk 15:32)
I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent. (Lk 15:7)

Points to Ponder

  1. What is one thing that stood out for you from this week’s message?
  2. How did the father respond after hearing the younger son's confession?
  3. Why did the older brother refuse to enter the celebration?
  4. What do the robe, ring, sandals, and feast teach about the father's response to repentant sinners?
  5. Why does the father call the older son "Child" before answering his complaint?
  6. Why is it so difficult for people to believe that God's grace can be completely free?
  7. How can faithful church members begin thinking like the older brother without realizing it?
  8. Which temptation do you recognize more readily in yourself: the younger son's rebellion or the older brother's self-righteousness? How does this parable address both?
  9. How does knowing that your heavenly Father delights in bringing sinners home change the way you think about confessing your own sins?

Homework: Matthew 18