Text: Luke 15:11-15 NKJV
[11] Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. [12] And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. [13] And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. [14] But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. [15] Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
God’s love is immeasurable.
Wills are not carried out when a man is still alive.
Points to note about the unquantifiable love of God:
1. God does not interrupt your sinful nature. He has created you a free agent to determine what you want.
Deuteronomy 21:16-17 NKJV
[16] then it shall be, on the day he bequeaths his possessions to his sons, that he must not bestow firstborn status on the son of the loved wife in preference to the son of the unloved, the true firstborn. [17] But he shall acknowledge the son of the unloved wife as the firstborn by giving him a double portion of all that he has, for he is the beginning of his strength; the right of the firstborn is his.
Luke 15:12 NKJV
[12] And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.
2. Sometimes we want things before we are ready. Most times God may give us a blessing we are not ready for. The prodigal son demanded for a blessing he was not ready for. He squandered the wealth given to him. Then he went far and joined himself to the system of the world.
Luke 15:13 NKJV
[13] And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.
When you go far away from the source, you will do unimaginable things.
When you lose connection to your source, the consequence is so great. This is because you have blocked your access as a result of your mentality which cannot take him far.
Transformation cannot begin unless you come to your senses.
Luke 15:14-16 NKJV
[14] But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. [15] Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. [16] And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
You will never tap into mercy unless you follow the protocols of mercy. The first is:
i. Self realization and acknowledgement
ii. Brokenness
Luke 15:17-19 NKJV
[17] “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! [18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, [19] and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”
The Father left the ambiance of his glory to meet with his repentant son.
Luke 15:20 NKJV
[20] “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
3. God is always looking, waiting for you to come back
4. God stooped low to save you and I
5. When God forgives, he restores completely.
Luke 15:22-24 NKJV
[22] “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. [23] And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; [24] for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
No matter how far you have gone, God is waiting for you. He is not looking at your sins anymore.
The meaning of the ring is authority and access. It takes authority to become a son.
You don’t become a son without access.
People die because of sin.
The son’s brokenness made him have access to the administration of mercy. Mercy covers you when it meets brokenness.
Mercy is not searching for your strength but for your weaknesses.
God has given us the best.
If you genuinely come before God, no matter the state of your life, he will accept you. He will never refer to your past.
God’s mercy does not flow to you on the basis of your works. The protocol of mercy is brokenness. Never flaunt your works before God.
God does not reward on the basis of what you do but on your knowledge of who you know God to be and your relationship with him.
Your service will not save you, your relationship with God will save you. When you have a relationship with God, you will serve better. A relationship with God enhances your service.
God is a party man.
It wasn’t the father looking for the son, it was the son who came to his senses and made up his mind to meet with the father.
Prayer:
1. Lord give me grace not to separate myself from the source irrespective of any situation I find myself.
2. Lord let me not miss the protocol that guarantees the administration of mercy. I come in brokenness. Lord deal with every pride in me.
3. Help me to come to a point where I can effectively examine myself and take action in Jesus name.
