And For That Reason...I'm Out!
Pastor Erickson preaches from the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15, using the phrase and for that reason I'm out to show how the young man came to his senses in the pig pen and decided to go home. He names pig pens such as doubt, negativity, greed, condemnation, self-pity and laziness, and he calls people to leave them and return to the Father's house, where they are welcomed with mercy.
The message in 6 points
The prodigal comes to himself
Pastor Erickson reads from Luke 15 about the prodigal son joined to a citizen of the far country and feeding swine. When he came to himself he decided to go home, which gives the title, and for that reason I'm out.
41:00When it is too good to be true
He describes a TV show where investors turn down a pitch by saying and for that reason I'm out. He tells how he once lost money on a computer from a seller who vanished, and learned that what seems too good to be true usually is.
46:42A restless spirit in the father's house
The young man had everything in his father's house, yet a restless spirit made him wonder what was outside. From Philippians 4:11 he teaches that being content is learned, and that joy does not come from things.
1:00:15Debt and the question of the pig pen
The son ran out of money, fell into debt and became a servant feeding pigs. Pastor Erickson warns young people to stay out of debt, then asks his first question: what is your pig pen.
1:10:37Pig pens harder to leave than addiction
He names pig pens such as doubt, negativity, greed, condemnation, self-pity and laziness. He says we are commanded to obey God's Word even when we do not understand it, to walk after the Spirit, to add value to others, and to do hard things while young.
1:15:45Coming to your senses and coming home
His second question is what it will take to come to your senses and say I'm out of here. The father did not scold the returning son but called for the robe, the ring and the shoes, and he calls people back to the Father's house.
1:38:46
In his words
“There's a spirit that wants to get a hold of us to make us want to be what we're not, and I believe that's what really happened.”
“We were never commanded to understand God's word, we're only commanded to obey God's word. Don't let doubt keep you from returning to the father's house.”
“The difference between a saint and a sinner is a sinner falls and a sinner remains in their pigpen, but a [saint] gets up again and says, but I've got to get back to the father's house.”
Taken word for word from the video, with punctuation added. Words in [brackets] were fixed so the line reads clearly.
Scripture
He reads
Luke 15:14-19
14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
King James Version.
Philippians 4:11
11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
King James Version.
John 20:25
25The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the LORD. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
King James Version.
Romans 8:1
1There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
King James Version.
Luke 15:21-24
21And 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. 22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
King James Version.
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