Notes from today's sermon...

The Parable of the Prodigal Sons...or The Parable of the Running Father Luke 15: 11-32 We all have moments of temporary insantiy where we have fallen into sin. Repentance begins with a deep sense that we can never make ourselves worthy of God's favor--seeing oneself truly as we are is necessary....we must all "come to our senses" as the younger son did. Repentance is our ticket to the joyouse feast with the Father. Repentance is not about gloominess--it is about joy. Humble yourself and God will exalt you. Repent in deeper and deeper ways and you will find amazing grace. There is great joy when something has been lost and is then found! There is a feeling of celebration when it is found. LOVE is the heart of the law of God. Flannery O'Connor in Wise Blood says "the best way to avoid Jesus is to avoid sin." There is an older brother in each of our hearts...elder, presbyterios...the Presbyterian brother! The older brother is just as lost as the younger son was. It is possible to be a prodigal without leaving home. Prodigals may be 1) irreligious by cutting oneself off; just walking out, or 2) religious, by using religion for ones own advantage. There are 2 ways to get it wrong. We often try to justify our hatred of others by poiting out all their inferiorities. The father's actions are counter-intuitive. he shows radical deeply sacrificial love. He tore his life apart to give it to his sons. The father runs out to welcome us back to his house. He is more eager to find us that we are anxious to be found. We must wrestle with our own "older brother" sins. Will we rejoice when those who are different are brought into the house. We must become like Jesus--growing in Father-likeness. Seek out the lost and bring them home. Extend the radical forgiveness of Jesus to the world. Go and help others make a fresh start--a new beginning. We are called to show crazy welcoming LOVE!!!!! Lord, please help me to do this every day in every way that I possibly can!