Lost and Found;
getting what we don’t deserve.
Law/Gospel Theme: We all make mistakes. And because of that we should deserve consequences. When Jesus took our bad things on Himself, it allowed God to take the punishment away from us and let us have Heaven instead. We should give thanks for that and live to God’s glory because of the great things Jesus has done.
The message from Jesus today will speak of the Father’s amazing grace. We often “lose” when we sin. Yet God loves us enough to seek us out and let us “win”!
Today we will see that God gives us great things even though we have fallen short. That is what the good news of the Gospel is all about! Jesus reminds us that there is a dance party in heaven every time someone repents.
Prayer: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, Your mercies are new every morning; and although we deserve only punishment You receive us as Your children and provide for all our needs of body and soul. Grant that we heartily acknowledge your merciful goodness, give thanks for all Your benefits, and serve You in willing obedience through Jesus Christ our Lord. - Collect for Lent 4 Lutheran Service Book
Hymn: Pg. 55 “Jesus Loves Me”
Confession/Absolution:
LORD - we pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father.
In Your compassion forgive us our sins. Known and unknown. Things done. And left undone.
And so uphold us by Your Spirit. That we may live and serve you in newness of life. To the honor and glory of Your Name. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on you. Forgive you all your sins. Through our Lord Jesus Christ. And may He strengthen you in all goodness. And by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
Luke 15:1-3 11-32
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: ….
11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons.
12 The younger one
said to his father, Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided
his property between them.
13 “Not long after
that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country
and there squandered his wealth in wild living.14 After
he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and
he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired
himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed
pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach
with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
17 “When he came to
his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to
spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I
will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against
heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to
be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So
he got up and went to his father. “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.
21 “The son said to
him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer
worthy to be called your son.’
22 “But the father
said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a
ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring
the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For
this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’
So they began to celebrate.
25 “Meanwhile, the
older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and
dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him
what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he
replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back
safe and sound.’
28 “The older
brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and
pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his
father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed
your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with
my friends.
30 But when this son
of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you
kill the fattened calf for him!’
31 “‘My son,’ the
father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But
we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is
alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Hymn: # 57 “Just As I Am”
In the gospel reading today. Jesus tells
a story about two sons. He told this story because some people were quite upset
with Jesus and his compassion for sinners.
And in this story both boys got what they
did not deserve!
You see, the younger son in the story
asked his Father for all his money. But then he ran away and wasted it.
Well, this one did much worse things. He abandoned
his family. But eventually, the money and fun times ran out.
And he realized he’d made some big
mistakes. He thought he could make it and ignore his dad.
But finally he decided he needed to
apologize and hope that he could accept punishment and just live like a
servant. He didn’t think his dad would even let him back home as a son.
But did you hear what happened? Not only
did his Father rejoice when he saw his wandering son. He even threw him a party
and gave him special presents!
The Father was so happy to see His Son. It
was like he hadn’t done anything wrong.
Now the older son. He’s still angry that
the Fahe is always moved with compassion. He would not consider that his Father
is merciful.
This may seem strange. Shouldn’t we be
disciplined? Shouldn’t the guilty pay? Well, in a lot of ways they should… But
the good news of the Bible is that even though we sin, God still lets us be
part of His family.
This is what is called “grace.” We
deserve the punishment that our sins have earned. But grace gives us positive
rewards instead.
God loves us so much that He wants to
find us no matter where we are or how far we stray.
Nothing can get us so far away from God
that He won’t let us back in His arms. He let the death of Jesus cover over the
things we do.
Jesus didn’t do anything wrong. So He
didn’t deserve to die. But He took on the punishment for our sin. So that we
could get the reward of His goodness. [1]
That hardly seems fair! But we can thank
God that life is not always fair. Just like the Father in the story, God
celebrates over us when we come to Him. Grace. - God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense
- is all a part of the Father’s plan to bring us home with Him.
The gospel story of the waiting father
reminds you that have a heavenly Father. Who yearns. Longs. And waits for the
sinner to come home. There will always be a warm welcome waiting. When one
returns. There will be no questions asked. There will be no scolding. – Only
the joy of reconciliation. Still, the Father continues to show mercy.
In the open yet nail scared hands of the
wounded Savior. You will find forgiveness and life. No matter what the past.
It shall be forgiven. And forgotten. That
is mercy. Compassion. And pardon. Which the Savior has always promised.
Prayer: Thank you, LORD for your love
and care. Thank you for sending Jesus. Thank you for Jesus’ love and concern for
us all and for His promise that He will never turn His back on us but will
always be ready with His mercy and love.
As the Lord has given us one another and
we give thanks for God’s grace and mercy as we offer prayers on this day.
As the Lord has given us the beauty of
worship and the gift of fellowship with one another. We thank you Lord for
gathering us on this day.
As the Lord has given us neighbors,
friends, families, and coworkers to share the joys and burdens of this life. We
thank you Lord, for the privilege of loving others.
As the Lord has given us a promise that
where He goes, He will prepare a place for us.
We thank you Lord for the gift of life and for giving us to one
another for safekeeping. Bring us home when it is time. Lord in your grace,
hear our prayer.
[1] Prodigal
Son (Luke 15:1-3; 11-32) Children’s Sermon - Ministry To Children
Luther's Seal copyright Ed Riojas, Higher Things
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