"I will return to my Father's House." Part 2
PLEASE READ AGAIN: Luke 15:11-21
- The devil is the god (ruler) of the systems of this present world – 2 COR. 4:4
- Though already defeated by Jesus, living in disobedience to God’s instructions and partaking of the devil’s attractive but deadly pleasures of sin enables him to regain some control over the life of the disobedient Christian as he did to Adam and Eve.
- Satan (the devil) deceives us and tempts us with the secrets cravings and lusts of our flesh. (James 1:14-15)
- GOD COMMANDS US IN 1 JOHN 2:15-17 “ LOVE NOT THE WORLD”
- The Prodigal Son – was attracted and enticed to live the life of the ungodly in the world and to live a riotous life.
- Jesus in His prayer said of us “THEY ARE NOT OF THE WORLD EVEN AS I AM NOT OF THE WORLD” - John 17:14-16
1 JOHN 2:15-17 (THE LIVING BIBLE)
v15: Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love these things, you show that you do not really love God (The Father)
v16: For all these worldly things, these evil desires – the craze for sex, the ambition to buy everything that appeals to your (eyes), and the pride that comes from wealth and importance of social status and positions – these are not from God. They are from this evil world itself.
V17: And this present world is fading (passing) away and these evil forbidden things will go with it; but whosoever keeps doing the will of God will live forever.
- WHAT LESSONS DO WE LEARN FROM THESE SCRIPTURES?
- We “love the world” when we partake of the things of this world in disobedience to the Father and His instructions. Examples: sexual and immoral sins, fornication, adultery, drunkenness, prostitution, craving for fame and positions of prestige for the sake of it but not to serve others, greed for material gains (covetousness) etc.
- Involvement in these worldly lifestyles reveal that you do not really love God
- Things by themselves as rich and wealthy as they make a person do not guarantee a person an eternal place and reward in heaven.
- It is rather the good deeds done in obedience to God’s instructions that will guarantee eternal rewards from God.
- THE PRODIGAL SON SUFFERED LOSS.
- The devil stole his wealth: The devil steals your blessings when you venture into his territory Jn10:10
- The devil snared him into a life of debauchery, riotous living with prostitutes and bad company..
- His friends (unfaithful friends) in the world deserted him
- As a Jew, he was reduced to a low life of uncleanness – feeding swine
- He was so deprived he wanted to eat the swine feed
- Nobody cared for him when he became destitute
- THANK GOD, THE PRODIGAL SON CAME TO HIMSELF
- It means he had not been himself – he was under satanic influence. Satan blinds our minds to think differently when he deceives us with his tempting offer
- YOU MUST ALWAYS MAKE A DECISION TO RETURN TO THE AUTHORITY AND PROTECTION OF GOD’S HOUSE THROUGH OBEDIENCE. LIVE WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF THE FATHER’S HOUSE
- First a Decision must be made. Then an Action must be taken
- The son took action to return. Many think about it but never make a move and are trapped forever in the world and destroyed.
- The Father welcomed the Son home. His love had never diminished
- The Son came back to the House of:
1. Security and Protection.
2. A place of Wise Counsel.
3. A place of love and acceptance.
4. A place of wealth, well being, and abundance.
5. A place of Godly service and Kingdom business.
6. A place of angelic (servants) Ps 103:20; Heb. 1:14
THE COST OF DISOBEDIENCE
- He lost the opportunity to increase his inheritance
- He had wasted opportunity, time and resources
LESSON:
- DO NOT FORSAKE GOD OR YOUR FATHER’S HOUSE.
- IT MAY BE TOO COSTLY OR IMPOSSIBLE TO RETURN
- IT IS TIME TO RETURN TO OBEDIENCE
- SET YOUR AFFECTIONS ON THINGS ABOVE – COL 3:2
ACTIVITY: Determine from today to return to God, in obedience to His Word, and to the fellowship of the brethren in church.
