Your Move | Saturday
Saturday | June 20
Focus of the Week:
As part of the Church, we have a responsibility to further Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost. Everyone who believes in Him has a part to play in this and it is often not as complicated as we make it out to be.
As part of the Church, we have a responsibility to further Jesus' mission to seek and save the lost. Everyone who believes in Him has a part to play in this and it is often not as complicated as we make it out to be.
Scripture
Scripture Helps Us Hear God And Live His Truth.
"Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”
Luke 15: 30-32 NLT
Luke 15: 30-32 NLT
Returned Brother
Each day this past week, we've unpacked different facets of engaging the lost and celebrating their turn to Christ. Today, we wrestle with the realization that God's grace is not limited to those who have never heard but extends to those who have heard and walked away.
Jesus' story of the two brothers in Luke 15 helps us see this clearly. One who has always known the father and remained by his side, and the other who knows the father's goodness yet leaves to pursue his desires. When he realizes this path has left him empty and broken, the departing brother returns home, confesses his sin, and resigns himself to working as one of his father's servants. Yet the father chooses to show this wayward son love, grace, and mercy, which he does not deserve.
The brother who remained responds with anger and jealousy at the grace shown to his rebellious sibling and refuses to celebrate his return. The father reminds him that he has full inheritance, that the brother returning has taken nothing from him, and to celebrate for his brother, who was lost, presumed dead, but is alive!
There are many perspectives we can align with in this story. Perhaps you find yourself the brother who has been shown grace from the Father after living a life of disobedience. Or maybe you align more closely to the brother who is embittered by the grace shown to someone else returning to God.
Regardless of where you find yourself, the father's exhortation remains the same: celebrate and be glad! Rejoice in knowing there is repentance and faith in Christ. How great a God we serve that His love precedes our acknowledgment,"for while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Jesus' story of the two brothers in Luke 15 helps us see this clearly. One who has always known the father and remained by his side, and the other who knows the father's goodness yet leaves to pursue his desires. When he realizes this path has left him empty and broken, the departing brother returns home, confesses his sin, and resigns himself to working as one of his father's servants. Yet the father chooses to show this wayward son love, grace, and mercy, which he does not deserve.
The brother who remained responds with anger and jealousy at the grace shown to his rebellious sibling and refuses to celebrate his return. The father reminds him that he has full inheritance, that the brother returning has taken nothing from him, and to celebrate for his brother, who was lost, presumed dead, but is alive!
There are many perspectives we can align with in this story. Perhaps you find yourself the brother who has been shown grace from the Father after living a life of disobedience. Or maybe you align more closely to the brother who is embittered by the grace shown to someone else returning to God.
Regardless of where you find yourself, the father's exhortation remains the same: celebrate and be glad! Rejoice in knowing there is repentance and faith in Christ. How great a God we serve that His love precedes our acknowledgment,"for while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Reflection
Reflection Helps Us Pause, Listen, And Let God Speak To Our Hearts.
- Are there areas of disobedience in my life that need surrender?
- Am I holding onto bitterness toward someone or God's grace instead of celebrating their repentance?
- Where is God leading me to show his grace that he may be made known?
Journaling Prompts
This Is A Safe Place To Be Honest With God
- What can I do differently to express God's love, grace and mercy to people?
- Is there someone I have been withholding forgiveness from?
- Can I celebrate those who turn back to God in a better way?
Weekly Memory Verse
Read It Once A Day. Let It Shape How You Think And Pray This Week.
"Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity."
Colossians 4: 5 NLT
Colossians 4: 5 NLT
Prayer
Through Prayer, We Talk To God And Listen For His Guidance.
Lord, thank you for your grace. Help me to see others how you see them and not through my flawed perspectives. Teach me to rejoice with those who turn back to you with my whole heart. Amen.
Come Back Next Week
Join us Monday as we dive into personal stories and how they impact the kingdom of God.