A Servant Son

John 13:4

He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.

John 13:12-16

12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? 13 Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. 16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.

In John’s version of the night Jesus was betrayed, this scene is included where Jesus washes the feet of His disciples. Without doubt, He clothed Himself in servant hood. He removed His outer garment and girded Himself with a towel.

Gird— to bind tightly

Somehow He tied this towel tightly to Himself. Just as He had clothed Himself as a servant in human form (Phil) He

Philippians 2:7

But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

girds Himself in servant hood to teach His disciples truth about their service to the kingdom of God.

There is a lot of talk in the church nowadays about authority and sonship, but there isn’t a lot of talk about servanthood. The reality is that most people don’t even really serve God—they serve self. I’m not saying that you specifically don’t serve God. That’s between you and the Lord and that’s for you to figure out. I’m saying that most people aren’t serving the Lord. Instead, they’re serving themselves and what they do, they do to be seen by men.

We all have it—ego centric. It’s part of the Adamic nature, “Look at my good, look at my goods, look at me, ‘I am good!’”

It is important that we recognize this, so we can let the Lord kill it, because a servant isn’t working for himself, a servant is working for his Lord.

That’s the message today

A Servant Son

Servant—1. Literally, a slave either willingly or unwillingly 2. One who gives himself up to another's will

Jesus, the eternal Son served the Father with absolute devotion. He served not to gain sonship. He served because He is the Son, and the Son serves His Father’s will.

The Father is looking for sons that will serve. It’s not our kingdom. It’s His kingdom, but the problem that humans have is that we are all very aware of self and very consumed with the prospect of serving and preserving self. Self preservation is a very telling symptom that connects our fallen nature to the actions of the serpent.

We are serving Him and His Kingdom and that does not automatically equate to the local house of God, but at the same time, what about the local house of God?

Jesus was able to see these traits in the lives of certain humans. How offensive would it be if someone told you, “You are of your father the devil?”

I think that I would be offended by that. Yet, Jesus told that to the religious leaders. My point to this line of reasoning is that the message is a servant son, that was Jesus, and that’s supposed to be us. And a servant doesn’t live for himself or his own will—he lives for the will of his master. Therefore, if a believer is a servant son, like His Lord, he will desire to live the will of the Father and not his own will.

There is a direct contrast that takes place in the scripture between Jesus and the Pharisees. I keep thinking of the prodigal son and how I want so badly for that brother to get over himself and go seek and save his little brother, but then I’m constantly reminded that the older brother represents the religious leaders and they don’t love. They hate and when the elder brother sees his younger brother all he can think about is how he is about to lose part of his possessions and inheritance as he sees his father clothe his brother in the robe and put the ring on his finger [identity].

The brother

You know it’s really important that we start paying attention to the thoughts in our minds and the feelings in our hearts. It’s really important that we start coming clean with the Lord and stop ignoring those symptoms of envy and jealousy and anger and disgust that are in us, because those are signs that our heart is not like Jesus.

This is the difference about the servanthood of Jesus vs the superiority of the Pharisees. God said Israel was His firstborn too in Exodus 4, but Israel as a son is operating in superiority and Jesus as a Son is a servant. The Pharisees are all about protecting their lives and their position. Jesus is all about laying down His life to please His Father and further His Father’s kingdom.

One of the most profound passages of scripture that I have seen through the years showing this thought of self preservation is a passage out of John, but before we go there, let’s gain an insight into the motives of the religious mind.

Matthew 23:5-7 KJV

5 But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

                        the place of honor at feasts ESV                            Preeminence

6 And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 And greetings in the markets,  and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi.

This is them—they/we want people to know what they/we did, and if you try to take this adulation away from them/us, they will want to hurt you. In the real world today, they may not try to nail you to a literal cross, but in their hearts, it’s brewing.

We

The further away you get, the easier it is to recognize when it’s abnormal.

Rehab toilet

John 11:46-53 ESV.                       KJV miracles

46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done. 47 So the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the council and said, “What are we to  do? For this man performs many signs. 48 If we let him go on like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” 49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. 50 Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish.” 51 He did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, 52 and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. 53 So from that day on they made plans to put him to death.

JN 9:22

What amazing audacity! By this time people are recognizing that Jesus is messiah and He is performing miracles and instead of embracing Him as the long awaited Messiah, they plot His death so they can preserve their position.

How often do these symptoms show up in our own lives? On the job, in our businesses, in our friendships and family relationships? The preservation of self instead of trusting God and allowing the dying of self? How often do the thoughts of our heart plot and the words of our mouth speak malice and slander and harm onto people’s lives?

In the real life comparison/ contrast between Jesus and the Pharisees, we see the battle for us between the fallen nature received from Adam in the fall and the Divine nature received from Jesus in the new birth.

The Pharisees Father was the devil—they’re trying to protect their position. They don’t want Jesus to have His place, “what will happen to us?” They say.

The struggle of the Spirit and the flesh. His winnowing fan is in His hand. He will bring the wheat into the storage house and burn away the chaff with unquenchable fire.

Jesus reveals the paternity test is in the word.

John 8:28-47

28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. 29 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. 30 As he spake these words,  many believed on him. 31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;

Mismo

Continue/Abide

32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

33 They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? 34 Jesus answered them,  Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

Commiteth

Present tense active

Factory

to produce, construct, form, fashion, etc.to be the authors of, the cause

Abraham: father of faith. Abraham believed God and His word

Man: Jesus… how are you going to build a church like that?

Jesus: My definition of church building and your definition of church building are not the same

35 And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth  ever. 36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. 37 I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me,  because my word hath no place in you. 38 I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your  father. 39 They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, [IF] ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. 40 But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. 41 Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his  own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. 46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? 47 He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ,

the Son of the living God

Process

Galatians 4:1-7

1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,

crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

Romans 6:16-18

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Romans 6:14

For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.

No longer a slave but a son because you’re no longer under law but under grace. In this kingdom, it’s not you trying. In this kingdom, it’s you dying, in other words getting out of the way.

He is My Brother's Father

John 14:8-13 ESV

8 Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us.” 9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own authority, but the Father who dwells in me does his works. 11 Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else believe on account of the works themselves.

12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

Hebrews 2:9-12

9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.

10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying,

“I will tell of your name to my brothers;

in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.”

Hebrews 5:9-10

9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation, 10 being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 2:14

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

Hebrews 2:17

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

My Brother’s Father

My main thought: I can’t know the Father except through the Son, and I can’t know the Son, who is the living word, unless the Holy Spirit reveal Him through the written word.

Intimacy with God. The closest model that we have is family, and more specifically the family of God/ the church is supposed to be the fulfillment of that on earth. Looking at Israel as a nation of families that serve God together and separate from the world around them and this looks so different compared to American families and even ones in the church.

An understanding of how important family is to God, results in an understanding of how important it is to know the heart of Jesus, so that I can know my Father. Some cultures vary slightly, but for the most part there is identity in our connection to our families. We see ourselves in light of family. I’m of the Hebert clan. My name is Matt Hebert and I am Jimmy’s boy. Biblically, it would sound like this: I’m from the tribe of Judah, a son of Jesse, my name is David.

I used to have an uncle that would introduce me to family members: this is a Molaison your 2nd cousin once removed. What does that even mean?

Identity- the fact of being who or what a person or thing is. Who are you? What are you?

• People identify so many ways

• How do we identify?

I am a son of the creator of the universe. I am set apart from the created world which is fallen in Adam. I am a new creation in Christ. Through faith I identify with Jesus. I am one with Him in His death, burial and resurrection. I have been born again. I am a new creation. My original identity was dead to God and alive to sin. My new identity is alive to God and dead to sin. I am a son of God, because I have been made accepted in His beloved Son (Ephesians 1:6). I am part of the family of God.

Family is a beautiful thing on earth because it is a reflection of the Father’s plan from heaven: Bridegroom, bride, offspring…

But earthly family, like everything else can take on something it was never intended to be. Even in the lives of church goers, the concept of family can become bigger than Christ in our lives. I love my family. But I cannot let my family get between me and Jesus. And if they do, He says I am not worthy of Him (Matt 10:37; LK 14:26-30).

This is not God’s definition of Biblical family

• Mom’s—kids—soccer, swim, dance…

• Women—how they are accepted within a larger group of women

• Dad’s—provider—

• Men—work (ethic) Colossians and Ephesians not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God

• Kids—sports

Rudderless waves tossed on an ocean…

But let’s understand something our flesh, which is the remaining part of us that is still affected by the fall loves those things because they give us **recognition—and flesh will love a gospel that promotes these things.

In a world that is struggling with identity. Men that identify as women and vice versa. People that identify with the real Jesus are seen as weird, because it results in a denial of self while everyone else is being deceived to preserve self.

Everyone says, “I’m good with Him…” No, if our “old self” isn’t dying and Jesus isn’t being fashioned, we’re not okay with Him. The world is thrown into chaos, the church is thrown into chaos, families are thrown into chaos. Will the real Jesus please stand up. Could I please get a clear picture of the Lord, so I can know who I am, because I really need to know my Father?

John 1:18 KJV

No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.

John 1:18 NASB

No one has seen God at any time; the only begotten God who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.

John 1:18 AMP

No man has ever seen God at any time; the only unique Son, or the only begotten God, Who is in the bosom [in the intimate presence] of the Father, He has declared Him [He has revealed Him and brought Him out where He can be seen; He has interpreted Him and He has made Him known].

John’s writings refer to God the Father over 110 times

Bosom— Deut 13:6 “The wife of your bosom”

Moses Numbers 11:12 Did I conceive all this people? Did I give them birth, that you should say to me, Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing child,’ to the land that you swore to give their fathers?

That is the best description, the intimacy of when a mother puts her baby to her bosom for feeding and nurture. The bosom is a place of closeness, intimacy and protection.

John 13:23

Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved.

Through John, the Holy Spirit shows us something very important. Jesus was in the bosom of the Father and John made sure that he was in the bosom of Jesus.

John, through the Spirit, shows us that the only way to the bosom of the Father is to be close to the bosom of the Son. God reveals Himself to humanity through His Son. He is the Son of God for He is God born of God. He is the Son of man for He is God born of man. He is the only way that man can know God.

God is my Brother’s Father and because of the self denial of my brother God has become my Father too. I cannot know our Father except through my elder brother.

His Son is His beloved, and His beloved Son manifest the Father to a lost and dying world. He desires to see His Son..because His Son glorifies the Father. Our Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name [reputation/character] your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven….

John 17:4

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do.

John 17:6

“I have manifested your name to the people whom you gave me out of the world. Yours they were, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word.

John 17:5

And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

Now, He looks to His right and sees His only begotten unique Son. In ages past, He left that place of glory to become my brother, so that He could teach me about our Father…

Hebrews 2:14

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil,

Hebrews 2:17

Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

He became like me in physical flesh, so I could become like Him, renewed in spirit, and a partaker of His divine nature.

His Son brings Him joy. His Son brought His glory to this earth. God said, “As surely as I live the glory of the Lord will fill the earth (Numbers 14:21).” Joshua [Jesus]— the purpose of Joshua and Israel was to get us to the place where the world receives the Son.

Joshua was a man who refused to allow wickedness to rule God’s earth and stop God’s plan.

Joshua 24:14-15

Choose Whom You Will Serve

14 “Now therefore fear the LORD and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.”

How He longs to look upon the earth and to see His sons bearing the image of His Son. How else will this earth be filled with His glory on this side of the Millennial reign unless His Sons bear the image of His only begotten Son?

What does He see when He is looking for His Son:

Isaiah 66:2

…but to this man will I look,

even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit,

and trembleth at my word.

Matt 5:3 …blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God

He looks upon the earth for to see His Son:

John 5:19

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.

He listens to the conversations of men hoping to hear the voice of His Son

John 12:49

For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.

Paul said:

Galatians 4:19

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

1 John 3:2-3

2 Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.

2 Corinthians 6:17-18

17 Therefore go out from their midst,

and be separate from them, says the Lord,

and touch no unclean thing;

then I will welcome you,

18 and I will be a father to you,

and you shall be sons and daughters to me,

says the Lord Almighty.”

Colossians 1:13

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

Philippians 2:15                         Unmixed

that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

Conclusion

In this relationship, my brother sits me down. I have not been able to shake this thought from my mind all week. You can’t get a better illustration to describe what I’m trying to say in this message than this. My elder brother is Jesus and I am an adopted son. 5 times in the New Testament the terminology adoption as sons is used. He [Jesus] is the natural born Son of God. He is the elder and I am the younger. He knows my Father, and I desperately need to know Him. He sees my struggles in the relationship that I am having with our Father.

So He sits me down and teaches me the things that I don’t know, but it’s those things that He has learned from His closeness to our Father. He speaks to me the words He heard from the bosom of His Father, and through His word, and the intimacy I have with the Spirit, through the cross, I learn what pleases my Father.

1. The Father is pleased with His beloved

2. Isaiah: it pleased the Father to bruise Him

I'm Coming Home: The Prodigal Son

There is a recurring theme of a banquet with rejoicing in the parables of the Kingdom of God. These parables specifically reveal to us the love of the Father and His desire for His creation to receive the offer of His invitation. In one instance, the banquet focuses on the marriage of the King’s Son to His bride and that multitudes are being invited to join the cerebration, and in the other case, the focus is the Father’s joy, because a son that was lost has finally come home and now the celebration can commence.

The parable of the prodigal son focuses on that very thought, the joy of the Father in response to the return of His lost son. The whole chapter of Luke 15 centers on this and contains 3 parables emphasizing the rejoicing that occurs in the spirit realm when what was lost is found:

1. The parable of the 99 sheep. When the one is found, the shepherd puts that sheep on His shoulders and all heaven rejoices when those that are lost are found.

2. The parable of the woman that had 10 coins and one was lost, but she swept and diligently searched, and when she found the one, she invited friends to rejoice with her. And so it is in heaven— the angels of God rejoice over 1 sinner that repents.

Finally, we come to the parable of the prodigal— meaning- extravagant, wasteful.

                                                                Spiritual

The KJV states v 13 that he wasted his inheritance—wasted- to winnow

And this created the context for the story— 2 sons, the older who undoubtedly represents the Pharisees, who said in the beginning of the chapter, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Yes, He does. He’s Jesus, and to receive means to take one by the hand and receive them into the family, but you have a comparison and contrast between the Pharisees and the sinners. The Pharisees represent the older brother, whose motives of envy and jealousy are revealed at the very end and the prodigal, who represents the sinners that Jesus came to seek and save.

Revealing the importance of the one lost sheep and the value of the one lost coin. Jesus is committed to His mission, and if you by some chance find your heart with envy or jealousy when someone is restored to the Lord, or if you have ought in your heart when the Lord promotes one of His servants, you need to lower yourself under the hand of God and check your heart, because you may be operating in the older brother syndrome.

So if the older brother represents old covenant Law, then the younger brother represents new covenant grace. The grace released by the Holy Spirit is offered to people like the prodigal. The older brother, in his mind, cannot rejoice with his brother. He cannot rejoice in grace and restoration, because he has never been a recipient of grace and restoration, because, in his mind, he has no need; for he has always done what was right.

V 12 the younger asked for his inheritance, so that he could go his own way. This is free will in action. God never demands that His children stay under His blessings and protection. But we need to understand that once we step outside of God’s will that we are embracing a spirit of rebellion. This excites the sinful nature, and the further we go, the stronger it grows. In the rebellious decisions that we make, we partner with evil and are squandering the eternal inheritance prepared for us by God.

13… journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

Luke 15:14

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

Hustereo- to come behind, be destitute and be left behind.

On the surface, it looks so bad. The power of sin has stolen all of his blessings. Now, to make matters worse, uncontrollable circumstances have resulted in a famine only worsening the hopelessness and despair. With every choice that he makes, he takes one step deeper into despair.

Yet, I can’t help but think about that Father back home. In the physical, he is a praying father, and in the spiritual, He is a Father that is orchestrating circumstances to turn the heart of a son back to where he belongs.

There are times when we face challenges with our loved ones. Spouses, children, family and friends. Sometimes we see things in their lives spiraling down so fast, it seems hopeless. But these are the times when our faith in God should be emboldened. We should believe that He is orchestrating circumstances to get His son back home where he belongs.

The turning point

In his sinful state of mind and desperate circumstance, he made a decision that he would not have normally made. He joined himself to a citizen of a foreign country who raised hogs for a living.

This is why the Lord repeatedly instructs His children not to connect themselves to people of the world, because the people of the world live outside of a Kingdom of God perspective. Their lives are surrounded by unclean things, their business dealings are unclean. It’s all they know, because they don’t know God.

Luke 15:16

And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

In his mind, he has lost his “sonship”, his inheritance is gone; furthermore, he has lost all self esteem. Satan’s plan for his life appears to be in full throttle.

Satan

“If I can just get him to lower his face into the slop and eat with the hogs, it will be the final nail in the coffin. He won’t make it back from that, the remorse and guilt will destroy his self esteem, and he will never recover out of my web of slavery.

Instead, a spiritual shift takes place. The Holy Spirit speaks to his spirit. Come on church…this is a son in the story, right? The whole story is about “sonship” and new covenant grace, and in the new covenant, the Holy Spirit is one with your spirit, and I don’t know how far you have to go to make Him leave, but he hadn’t left yet in this story, because, the Spirit wants to speak to our spirit, to get our spirit to tell the truth to our soul, but so many times we convince ourselves of something that isn’t true based on the way we feel rather than the truth of God’s word. The heart— the thoughts of the mind along with the feelings of the heart. In his case his feelings must be apathy and despair.

Anyway, God is moving on his heart and convincing him to move towards home. He says to himself, “what are you doing? You could go to your Father. I mean you can’t be a son anymore— lie, but we will get to that, you can’t be a son, but He will at least take you back as a servant…”

3 thoughts related to the prodigal’s turning point:

I. The Joseph factor

Genesis 50:20

But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

1. What evil plans for bad in your life, God will turn it around for good

2. Once, he turns it around for you, He will use your testimony to save others.

II. Trails of tragedy pave the way to wisdom

Once he makes it home, he will not be the same man he was when he left. This is what you call experiential wisdom. The pain of the past can serve God’s children as a reminder that the open door of sin promises fun and excitement in the beginning but ends in heartache and despair.

Proverbs 2:6-16

Proverbs 2:10-11

10 When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:

Having acute, mental discernment. I have said this before, but let me say it again,”The Lord does work through the soulish part of the man. However, the soul (specifically the mind/ will parts) are to be subservient to the spirit of the man.

• The spirit of the disciple has learned that as a son, he is a new creation in Christ. The old creation died with Jesus on the cross, was buried with Jesus in the tomb and has been resurrected with Jesus through the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit. Death has no hold on him, sin is not his master because he is no longer under the dominion of law but he is under the covenant of grace. The object of His faith is Christ. He trusts in Jesus. He clings to the healing garment of his robe and holds on with unwavering faith that Jesus and His sacrifice keeps him dead to sin and alive to righteousness through Jesus’ victory over sin.” This is his power source, and now faced with this new trial that crosses his path, the Spirit of God communes with his spirit and the experiential knowledge along with the word of God floods in, and his spirit speaks to his soul and says,

‘remember the slop, remember the pain, remember the cross, don’t go there again!’”

Bam! That easy. The way of victory… submit yourself to God…trust in the finished work of Jesus, not your will power, not your religious works, not your counselor, not your meds— JESUS!

III. What Satan is saying and what the Father are thinking are not the same thing.

One of the biggest lies of Satan is guilt and condemnation. He is persistent in piling on the painful memories and the failures of the past, but what the prodigal is thinking while he is in the pig pen, is not what the father is thinking back home.

Luke 15:20

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

I can’t prove it, but it’s almost like the father was looking in that direction and just waiting to see the first hint of movement towards home, and once He sees it, the goodness of God moves and like the scripture says, “the goodness of God brings him to repentance”

Luke 15:21

And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

And the Lord will say, “I accept the repentance, but all this lose your sonship stuff and now only a slave, I won’t have any of that. Get the robe and the ring, put some shoes on his feet and kill the fatted calf. My son has come home and it’s time for heaven to rejoice.”

I would like to linger on his words in that verse for just a moment though. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. I don’t care what anyone tells you, but that is the right posture of a repentant heart. It’s about man’s posture and God’s promise. Man’s posture must be repentance and God’s promise is restoration!

He left full of pride but when he returns home his heart is humble

Isaiah 66:2 …to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my word.

Zechariah and Satan’s accusations

1. Robe— Gal 3:27 the text doesn’t tell us what his garment looked like when he showed up at His Father’s house en route from the pig pen, but we are told that his Father commanded that he be clothed with a robe. Two robes immediately come to mind: a). Zechariah 3:1-3 tells us that Joshua the high priest was standing before the Lord and was spiritually clothed in a filthy garment and Satan was standing at his R hand ready to accuse him, and the Lord did unto Satan, “The Lord rebuke the Satan.” Then the Lord took away the filthy garments and clothed him with a change of raiment. b). The Matthew account of the parable of the wedding banquet, there was a man that had tried to enter but he didn’t have the wedding garment, so he was expelled.

• Both of these refer to identity. The robe says that you’re not who you used to be. If you have placed faith in the Lord and His sacrifice, then you are cleansed, clothed in His righteousness and accepted as a son. The Father accepts you and you need to know that. Anything else is a lie.

• The ring signifies the authority you have as a son by using the name. Rings were used as signets and seals. The son was given the authority to conduct business in the name of His Father. We have been given authority to conduct the Father’s business on earth by using the name of Jesus.