Both sons in this parable had similar tendencies. They both questioned their individual identity and these questions cause us to ask our own questions. What is your end vision? What are your longings and desires? What do you think happiness looks like? How does this relate to what the Gospel says? The younger son was unsatisfied and unfulfilled with the comforts of his father’s house. He loved independence and grumbled at what he did not have. He was motivated by finding his own self-worth. He couldn’t rejoice with what he had so he became a slave to what his expectations of his life should be. He soon realized he was the hindrance of enjoying God. His father has compassion on him and runs to him as he returns. The love of our Father is infinite. Our sonship is based only on God’s love for us, not on what we do or how we do it. We can’t add to it or do anything to make it more complete. The younger son realized he was a son when he saw that he didn’t deserve to be a son. It is only a gift of love. The older son was the dutiful and faithful son. He was deeply conflicted in his heart though. He didn’t understand his sonship either and felt like a servant. He couldn’t realize that sonship is a free gift. He wanted to earn something for himself. He loved his work and what he could earn from his father and peers. The father reminds him that what he’s been struggling to earn is actually already his as his son. None come to the table of the Father because of their own righteous deeds. When we were sinners, Christ made a way that we might be able to be sons. The Father pleads with us all to come. God in is His grace wants us to each know Him and to be known by Him.

Both sons in this parable had similar tendencies. They both questioned their individual identity and these questions cause us to ask our own questions. What is your end vision? What are your longings and desires? What do you think happiness looks like? How does this relate to what the Gospel says? The younger son was unsatisfied and unfulfilled with the comforts of his father’s house. He loved independence and grumbled at what he did not have. He was motivated by finding his own self-worth. He couldn’t rejoice with what he had so he became a slave to what his expectations of his life should be. He soon realized he was the hindrance of enjoying God. His father has compassion on him and runs to him as he returns. The love of our Father is infinite. Our sonship is based only on God’s love for us, not on what we do or how we do it. We can’t add to it or do anything to make it more complete. The younger son realized he was a son when he saw that he didn’t deserve to be a son. It is only a gift of love. The older son was the dutiful and faithful son. He was deeply conflicted in his heart though. He didn’t understand his sonship either and felt like a servant. He couldn’t realize that sonship is a free gift. He wanted to earn something for himself. He loved his work and what he could earn from his father and peers. The father reminds him that what he’s been struggling to earn is actually already his as his son. None come to the table of the Father because of their own righteous deeds. When we were sinners, Christ made a way that we might be able to be sons. The Father pleads with us all to come. God in is His grace wants us to each know Him and to be known by Him.

The rich, young ruler was convinced in what he was seeking to do, so he ran up to Jesus and kneels before Him to give him honor. He thought he could do something to inherit eternal life because he thought he had something good in himself. But we are all dead in our trespasses, our hearts are desperately wicked, we have all sinned and gone astray. There is nothing we can do to earn or merit salvation. It is only by grace through faith you are saved. Jesus loved the man enough to tell him that he is a sinner and in need of a Savior. Jesus leads us to the end of our resources and strength so that we can we can see that we can’t do what needs to be done to inherit eternal life. You will not make it any further until you let go of thinking that you can do it. This story relates to one who is not born-again, but it can also relate to one who is already a Christian. We can go back to this type of mentality thinking that we can fix our problems, marriages, and families ourselves as our own personal savior. If you think this, you lack one thing. Fix your eyes on Christ. He alone is our founder and perfecter of our salvation. Riches can come in various forms such as religious knowledge, experiences or intellect. It is anything we trust in. It is impossible to enter the Kingdom of God if you trust in anything other than God. You must trust in Christ alone for salvation. All things are possible with God. There is a blessing when you follow Christ. There may be times when Christ calls us to leave family, land or house, but you will inherit eternal life. Is God calling you to leave a place of comfort? Be willing to leave behind whatever Christ calls you to.

The rich, young ruler was convinced in what he was seeking to do, so he ran up to Jesus and kneels before Him to give him honor. He thought he could do something to inherit eternal life because he thought he had something good in himself. But we are all dead in our trespasses, our hearts are desperately wicked, we have all sinned and gone astray. There is nothing we can do to earn or merit salvation. It is only by grace through faith you are saved. Jesus loved the man enough to tell him that he is a sinner and in need of a Savior. Jesus leads us to the end of our resources and strength so that we can we can see that we can’t do what needs to be done to inherit eternal life. You will not make it any further until you let go of thinking that you can do it. This story relates to one who is not born-again, but it can also relate to one who is already a Christian. We can go back to this type of mentality thinking that we can fix our problems, marriages, and families ourselves as our own personal savior. If you think this, you lack one thing. Fix your eyes on Christ. He alone is our founder and perfecter of our salvation. Riches can come in various forms such as religious knowledge, experiences or intellect. It is anything we trust in. It is impossible to enter the Kingdom of God if you trust in anything other than God. You must trust in Christ alone for salvation. All things are possible with God. There is a blessing when you follow Christ. There may be times when Christ calls us to leave family, land or house, but you will inherit eternal life. Is God calling you to leave a place of comfort? Be willing to leave behind whatever Christ calls you to.

As a pastor, Paul desires that the church would draw deeper into Christ. He wants them to ask probing questions about who they are in light of who Christ is. How does Christ’s humility reflect in your life? Who are you becoming in relation to Christ? Is Christ transforming every part of your life? Paul tells the church to work out their own salvation--first on their own, but also as a body. Bring your struggles to the church. God has given us each other so that we can hold others up and to hold one another accountable. We do not work for our salvation--we respond to the grace that God has given us. Knowing that Christ is working through you, how is this affecting you? Be willing to ask hard questions about your life and about the will of God for your life. Grumbling is denying God’s providence. Dissatisfaction causes bitterness and joylessness. We become dissatisfied when our expectations and wants conflict with reality. What are you becoming as a result of your complaining? Think of the joy that would be created in you if you didn’t complain when things didn’t go your way. Do all things without secret displeasure or arguing. God has providentially brought all things to pass. See how your desires affect the light you are giving off. We are possessors of the light that comes from God. Be willing to lose your life. There is no other way to press into Christ unless you are willing to lose your longings and desires. Hold on to the Word of Life as you let go of your life. All that is promised in Christ will be yours. Value what is advancing the Kingdom of God more than your life. Continually offer up your life and plans to God. Choose to value Christ above all else.

As a pastor, Paul desires that the church would draw deeper into Christ. He wants them to ask probing questions about who they are in light of who Christ is. How does Christ’s humility reflect in your life? Who are you becoming in relation to Christ? Is Christ transforming every part of your life? Paul tells the church to work out their own salvation--first on their own, but also as a body. Bring your struggles to the church. God has given us each other so that we can hold others up and to hold one another accountable. We do not work for our salvation--we respond to the grace that God has given us. Knowing that Christ is working through you, how is this affecting you? Be willing to ask hard questions about your life and about the will of God for your life. Grumbling is denying God’s providence. Dissatisfaction causes bitterness and joylessness. We become dissatisfied when our expectations and wants conflict with reality. What are you becoming as a result of your complaining? Think of the joy that would be created in you if you didn’t complain when things didn’t go your way. Do all things without secret displeasure or arguing. God has providentially brought all things to pass. See how your desires affect the light you are giving off. We are possessors of the light that comes from God. Be willing to lose your life. There is no other way to press into Christ unless you are willing to lose your longings and desires. Hold on to the Word of Life as you let go of your life. All that is promised in Christ will be yours. Value what is advancing the Kingdom of God more than your life. Continually offer up your life and plans to God. Choose to value Christ above all else.

John the Baptist had been sent to bear witness of Jesus Christ. God had personally revealed to John who Christ is. Jesus is the propitiation of the sins of the whole world, to take away your sin through faith. Have you beheld the lamb of God? Have you followed Him yourself? It is a work of grace by the power of the Holy Spirit to awaken your conscience. We must individually know that we have found the Messiah. You may begin to follow Christ based on the testimony of others, but have you had the truth of the Gospel revealed to your own heart? Why do you come to church every week? What are you seeking? You cannot follow Christ purely based on the testimony of someone else. Jesus is ever ready to meet with you and will not cast you out. You must be convinced yourself that Jesus is the Messiah. The disciple Philip didn’t need any convincing to follow Christ himself. Like Philip, some people will follow Christ quickly without needing any other information. Others need to search and have their questions answered before believing. Nathanael was only focused on his preconceived ideas of who the Christ would be and where He would come from. Beware of these prejudices because they can be barriers to believing the Gospel. Lay down your prejudices and examine the evidence of Christ for yourself. If you have any preconceived ideas of Christ and Christianity, come to Christ and see for yourself. The Lord personally revealed Himself to Nathanael, and he believed. We all need this type of revelation. We must know in the depths of our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God and the King of Israel. Allow Christ to speak to the secret place of your heart.

John the Baptist had been sent to bear witness of Jesus Christ. God had personally revealed to John who Christ is. Jesus is the propitiation of the sins of the whole world, to take away your sin through faith. Have you beheld the lamb of God? Have you followed Him yourself? It is a work of grace by the power of the Holy Spirit to awaken your conscience. We must individually know that we have found the Messiah. You may begin to follow Christ based on the testimony of others, but have you had the truth of the Gospel revealed to your own heart? Why do you come to church every week? What are you seeking? You cannot follow Christ purely based on the testimony of someone else. Jesus is ever ready to meet with you and will not cast you out. You must be convinced yourself that Jesus is the Messiah. The disciple Philip didn’t need any convincing to follow Christ himself. Like Philip, some people will follow Christ quickly without needing any other information. Others need to search and have their questions answered before believing. Nathanael was only focused on his preconceived ideas of who the Christ would be and where He would come from. Beware of these prejudices because they can be barriers to believing the Gospel. Lay down your prejudices and examine the evidence of Christ for yourself. If you have any preconceived ideas of Christ and Christianity, come to Christ and see for yourself. The Lord personally revealed Himself to Nathanael, and he believed. We all need this type of revelation. We must know in the depths of our hearts that Jesus is the Son of God and the King of Israel. Allow Christ to speak to the secret place of your heart.

Faith is not blind. Faith defines how we experience the present, deal with the past, and help with the future. Will trials cause disillusionment in your life? Disillusionment is a feeling of emptiness after something not going as expected, or failed to meet your expectations. Will trials make you withdraw from God, or invite you closer to God? Do you, like Thomas, struggle with fear or understanding what’s happening around you? Thomas’s hope was in what he thought Jesus would do for him. He likely was disappointed and isolated himself. We have a choice when faced with trials--will we turn from God or will we press in to God? Be willing to work through the feelings of disillusionment so that Christ can bring healing. God wants us to find true joy and satisfaction in Him alone. Be willing to allow Jesus to be who He wants to be in your life, not just who you want Him to be. Like Thomas, we can lack confidence and live within safe boundaries that we’ve set up in our lives to prevent us from pain and disappointment. God is drawing us out of these places and drawing us to Himself. He often uses community for us to receive a new way to believe when we have these feeling. Have faith that there is fullness, abundance and plenty for you in God, but if we refuse to come to God, we will find scarcity. Jesus is gracious and will do everything to help us believe. He doesn’t want to leave us in our fear and doubts and He doesn’t ask us to work out our fears before coming to Him. Jesus is kind and opens our eyes to greater revelations of who He is, and His love for us. Wherever you are bound in our mind, Jesus wants to rescue you! The safety and refuge you desire is only found in Jesus.

Faith is not blind. Faith defines how we experience the present, deal with the past, and help with the future. Will trials cause disillusionment in your life? Disillusionment is a feeling of emptiness after something not going as expected, or failed to meet your expectations. Will trials make you withdraw from God, or invite you closer to God? Do you, like Thomas, struggle with fear or understanding what’s happening around you? Thomas’s hope was in what he thought Jesus would do for him. He likely was disappointed and isolated himself. We have a choice when faced with trials--will we turn from God or will we press in to God? Be willing to work through the feelings of disillusionment so that Christ can bring healing. God wants us to find true joy and satisfaction in Him alone. Be willing to allow Jesus to be who He wants to be in your life, not just who you want Him to be. Like Thomas, we can lack confidence and live within safe boundaries that we’ve set up in our lives to prevent us from pain and disappointment. God is drawing us out of these places and drawing us to Himself. He often uses community for us to receive a new way to believe when we have these feeling. Have faith that there is fullness, abundance and plenty for you in God, but if we refuse to come to God, we will find scarcity. Jesus is gracious and will do everything to help us believe. He doesn’t want to leave us in our fear and doubts and He doesn’t ask us to work out our fears before coming to Him. Jesus is kind and opens our eyes to greater revelations of who He is, and His love for us. Wherever you are bound in our mind, Jesus wants to rescue you! The safety and refuge you desire is only found in Jesus.