Our Response(ibility) to the Found
Pastor Erickson closes The Pathway Home series from Luke 15, walking through the steps a prodigal takes to return home and the part the church plays when he arrives. Pointing to the elder brother, he calls the church not to be jealous or merciless but to show mercy and to make merry and be glad when the lost return.
The message in 6 points
The pathway home becomes a plan
In the last session of The Pathway Home, Pastor Erickson explains the series is becoming a plan and a book for restoration. Good people make bad choices, and the church must never become content with people being lost, so tonight is about our response and responsibility to the found.
33:25Change your mind and humble yourself
He reviews the prodigal's steps: he came to himself and went from give me to make me, and he was willing to come back as a servant. Restoration does not start in the pig pen but at the father's house, and like David a person can still help the next generation.
40:17Follow your spiritual authority
He describes a personal path of restoration: faithful attendance, sitting near the front, more worship, the altar, prayer, Bible reading, fasting, study and regular check ins with a pastor, while keeping it private. Lot refused Abraham's lead again and again and lost almost everything.
47:03Ignore opinions and enjoy restoration
A returning prodigal cannot worry about what others think, just as Judas criticized Mary's gift. When the father brings the robe, the shoes and the ring, wear them proudly, because God chooses to forget forgiven sin and there is no better feeling than restoration.
59:14The elder brother in the field
Jesus told the parable to murmuring Pharisees. The elder brother was so busy in the field that he missed the celebration, and the father had to plead with him, so Pastor Erickson warns against pride and jealousy toward those who return, citing 1 Corinthians 10:12.
1:07:29Make merry and be glad
In verse 32 the father says it was right to make merry and be glad, and all three parables in Luke 15 end in rejoicing. The church's job is to celebrate, not to list mistakes, and he invites those who have come home to come forward and be celebrated.
1:25:10
In his words
“There's no better feeling than restoration. The feeling of restoration is better than any pleasure that this world could offer.”
“I would be, oh, I would be very fearful for my spiritual state if a merciful God had to beg me to have mercy on someone else.”
“It is our responsibility to make merry and be glad. It's not our responsibility to inform them of all the mistakes they made, of where they messed up.”
Taken word for word from the video, with punctuation added.
Scripture
He reads
Luke 15:24
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.
Luke 15:11
Luke 15:25-28
25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. 26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. 27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. 28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
King James Version.
1 Corinthians 10:12
12Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.
King James Version.
Proverbs 16:18
18Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
King James Version.
Luke 15:29-30
29And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
King James Version.
Luke 15:5-7
5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
King James Version.
Luke 15:9-10
9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
King James Version.
Matthew 7:13-14
13Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
King James Version.
The Pathway Home series
Message 4 of 4 on this channel.
Related messages
The Difficult Road of Returning
Also about restoration, repentance, humility
Also about restoration, repentance
Also about restoration, repentance