Rev. Mike Smith's Sermon Notes

Sunday, June 16, 2013

"Father Knows Best"

Last Sunday, as we looked at Colossians 3, we discovered characteristics Christians should display in our daily living, which includes compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forgiveness.   Unfortunately, in our individual lives and in our collective church lives, we live more for the kingdom of self rather than the Kingdom of God.  We fail to remember that, “whatever we do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

 

This Sunday morning, as we continue to contrast the kingdom of self and the Kingdom of God, we will examine the familiar parable of the prodigal son/forgiving father.  In this parable, we find significant lessons for living from the actions and attitude of the younger brother, the older brother, and the father. One would think that in this family, we would find an ideal role model for families, but a closer examination reveals rebellion, jealously, resentment, rivalry, and anger.  Perhaps this family is not much different from our own. 

 

Through the perfected gift of story-telling, Jesus uses this parable to teach God’s love, mercy, and forgiveness to those who were seeking, while challenging the religious leaders to put away their arrogance and condemnation.  Had we been there for the telling of this story, in which group would we find ourselves?  Do we need forgiveness for our rebellious nature and selfish perspective?  Or are we so content in our faith that we look down upon and condemn those we to perceive to not be as faithful as we consider ourselves? The good news is that God’s love, mercy, grace, and forgiveness is available to all of us.