Many lifelong Christian believers feel they understand the basics of the Christian faith quite well and don’t think they need a primer. Nevertheless, one of the signs that you may not grasp the unique, radical nature of the gospel is that you are certain that you do.

conclusion: The abundance of His love for us leads to our being able to act out of abundance in generosity and love acceptance and forgiveness for others.

Culture wars.

Democratic vs. Republicans

Liberals vs. Conservatives

Whose side is Jesus on? Joshua to the angel: whose side are you on? Ours or the enemy…??

When we study the parable of the two sons one big surprise we may come up with is how similar the two sons really are:

Both reject the father,

both are interested only in their own agenda and not their love for their father

~the father reaches out to both of them

What does our church consist of? Will I be attracting younger brothers or are we full of elder brothers?

The lost younger brother

This younger brother is asking his father to tear his life apart… And the great surprise is that he does. (The Father surprises us at all stages here.) And He bears the agony.

The son comes to himself

The son’s plan to work as a hired hand. Apologies are not enough. I want to pay off debt.

The father sees the son returning and runs to meet him. The son starts his speech but the father interrupts. Then the father throws a huge party! The whole village is involved… (American’s don’t really have a clue how this goes’)

God’s love can pardon or restore any sinful person. There is no sin God’s grace and Love cannot match and exceed.