Is It Possible To Know God and Be Far Away From Him?
We all are subject to drifting away due to sin.
You began to settle on the wrong things.
You stop living by faith and just exist.
Listen to this story, sound familiar?
Sometimes you just have to let the prodigal son go!!
11 And he said, "There was a man who had two sons.
12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.' And he divided his property between them.
13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.
14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.
15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.
16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.
19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants."'
20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.
25 "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.'
28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,
29 but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.
30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!'
31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'" - Luke 15:11-32
Five steps to the pigpen.
You can misstep one step and become far away from God!
Whenever you leave God, you will feel empty!
1. Selfish in your mindset
2. Act hastily in your decisions
3. Wasting everything
4. Separated, becoming isolated
5. Bad decisions
You might lie. Then another lie comes out to cover the first one. Sin leads to more sin!
Confess and repent!
Find your way back home!
Don't make deals with God!
Be ready for that sweet reunion!
Ways to return home to God!
1. You have an awakening of your soul, you come to your senses
2. Repentance from your sin
3. Honesty, you admit your sin
4. Humility, admit that you are unworthy
5. Resolution, get up, don't wait, take that step in faith
Moses at the Red Sea took that step of faith and the sea parted.
Joshua took that step of faith and the walls of Jericho fell.
In that fiery furnace, the three took steps of faith and came out unscathed.
Daniel in the lions den took that step of faith and he came out whole.
Peter came out of the boat and walked on water.
The thief on the cross took that step of faith in knowing Christ as his Lord and Jesus told him "today you will be with me in paradise."
What about Christ?
He knew what was expected of Him, to die on the cross.
He died for sinful man, satisfying the wrath due man.
But He also knew the God was going to raise Him up!
Your forgiveness is immediate when you confess and repent.
You are clothed in honor.
You are covered by the authority of God.
You are free in Christ.
You are joyfully welcomed home!
Thank you Pastor Mark!!
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