Sermon Info
Summary
It’s Easter! Praise God! Easter is the greatest event in history and the event that changed our lives for all eternity. Jesus went to the cross to pay the price for your sins – no matter what you have done. No matter how far you feel from God, your Heavenly Father loves you and has an incredible plan for your life. Today, will you come home? Will you give your heart and life fully to God? Ask for His forgiveness, turn away from your sin, and receive the greatest gift of all – salvation. If you are a Christ-follower, will you follow Jesus not just on Easter, but every day of your life? God loves you. Let’s celebrate God’s grace this Easter, and then live as Easter people every day.
Content
1. The Parable of the Prodigal Son illustrates what Easter is all about.
There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, “Father, give me my share of the estate.” Luke 15:11-12
- “Prodigal” means one who spends foolishly and/or lives rebelliously.
- The story could also be called, “The Parable of the Lost Sons.”
- But, most accurately, Jesus’ story is “The Parable of the Loving Father.”
- “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” - A.W. Tozer
2. There is the opportunity for every person to repent and come back to God.
When he came to his senses… Luke 15:17
- Like the prodigal son, through sin, each of us has walked away from the Father.
- …for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23
- What keeps us from coming back to God is pride.
- Repent means to “turn around.”
- For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God… Romans 6:23
- Easter is all about the Father running to you.
- But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. Luke 15:20
- But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
3. There is joy when we return to the Father.
Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. Luke 15:22
- The Father was waiting and expecting the son to return.
- If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
- The son thought he would receive condemnation, but he received a celebration.
- Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
- God’s grace means you can’t earn it; you can only receive it.
- Jesus said, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7
4. It’s not about religion, but about a relationship with God.
The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. Luke 15:28
- The Father comes to both sons.
- Religion is about what we do, but a relationship is about what He has done.
- Will you come home to God today?
