Discover Who God Is

DISCOVER WHO GOD IS

You are about to begin an incredible journey of discovering the amazing love of God and the purpose He has for your life.

Jesus often told parables, which are simply stories to illustrate a point. To begin with, we are going to examine one of the most powerful stories of the Bible, with the story of 'The Lost Son'.

The Parable of the Lost Son

LUKE 15:11-24 

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 fathers 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. Lets 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.

5 important lessons we can learn from the story of the lost son...

1. GOD LOVES US

Jesus told this story to demonstrate Gods love and patience, as He waits for us to respond to Him.

ROMANS 5:7-8

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

2. HUMAN NATURE NATURALLY REBELS AGAINST GOD

Jesus told this story to illustrate where each of us stands with God and to demonstrate God's unconditional love and forgiveness. Every one of us is like the lost son. We all have gone off on our own path, even though God is our creator and our Father, we have all made our own decisions, taking us away from God.

Refer to verses 12-13

Have we treated God like the son treated his father? 

Do you think that you are living Gods way or your way?

ROMANS 3:23

"For all have sinned, all fall short of God's glorious standard."

What do you think that sin is?

Sin is anything that misses the mark that God has for us. Regardless of how good or bad we have been; every single one of us is guilty of sin. And sin separates us from God. Even though God will always forgive us, there is a penalty that still has to be paid for our sin.

ROMANS 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

3. WE CAN CHANGE

The son turned from his old life. 

If he hadnt done this, his relationship with his father would never have been fully restored and he would have missed out on all the blessings that come with a restored relationship with his father.

It is the same with us. In order to enjoy a full relationship with our Father God, and to receive everything God has for us, we need to turn from our old life.

This is called Repentence 

ROMANS 2:4

Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that Gods kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?

2 CHRONICLES 7:14

Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves & pray & seek my face  & turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven & will forgive their sins & restore their land.

4. WE ARE FORGIVEN (NO MATTER WHAT WE HAVE DONE)

The father forgave the son even though he had hurt him.

Refer to verses 21-24

ROMANS 3:22

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference between Jew and Gentile

We are made right with God by turning from our old ways (repenting)' and trusting Jesus to take away our sins. We can all be saved in this same way, no matter who we are or what we have done.

How is this possible?

EPHESIANS 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faithand this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast.

GRACE = UNDESERVED FAVOUR

Gods grace includes everyone. Do you know that there is NO sin too bad for God to forgive? And do you know that Gods grace is not dependent on how good we are, or if we are religious, or on anything we can do ourselves?

1 JOHN 1:9

If we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from every wrong.

How do I receive this gift from God?

ROMANS 10:9

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.

All we need to do, to receive Gods grace is confess and believe.

JOHN 14:6

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". 

Jesus said that the only way to God is through Him.

You might have had a belief in God, but a relationship with Him is where you will get real fulfillment and help, to live the best life, and the life you were put on this earth to live!

Lets pray a short prayer together, and if you would like to begin a relationship with God today, then mean it from your heart. God will take you at your word and come into your heart.

Dear Lord,

I come to you now in the name of Jesus

I am sorry for living life my own way

Please forgive me of my sins, and set me free

Help me to live every day and to follow you

I believe that you are God, and that you died on the Cross and rose again

I want to have a real relationship with you.

I receive you Jesus, right now

As my Lord and Saviour and friend.

Thank you for the great plan that you have for my life!

Amen.

CONGRATULATIONS!

5. WE HAVE A BRAND-NEW LIFE

The father gave the son a fresh start.

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!

BORN AGAIN

In your journey to get to know God, dont think that you must become a perfect person. God does not expect that! 

Just come to God as you are. Confess your past mistakes to God, and know that He is with you all the time and no matter what you do, He will never leave you or desert you! You will find that as you get to know Him more, old thinking and habits begin to drop away from your life. He will equip you to make great choices that will result in your life slowly getting better and better!