Maybe It’s OK – Luke 15:18-20 – A Father Rejoices

 This is “Namma for Christ” with the two hundred thirty-third inspirational message dated Sunday, September 18^th, 2022.  The title of this message is, “Maybe It’s OK – Luke 15:18-20 – A Father Rejoices”.  “Maybe It’s OK” is an inspirational and “self-accepting” song as performed by the Christian group “We Are Messengers”- the song/video (with lyrics) is found at the end of this message.  

“Self-Acceptance” is defined as “an individual’s acceptance of all of their attributes, positive or negative”. When we’re self-accepting, we embrace every part of ourselves, not just the “positive” things! Self-acceptance is unconditional – you can recognize weaknesses, but still fully accept yourself.

 

The below scripture (that accompanies this message) is found in the New Testament book of Luke – the eighteenth through the twentieth verses of the 15th chapter (note: this passage is part of the well-known parable famously called, “The Prodigal Son” – Luke 15:11-32):

 

Luke 15:18-20

New King James Version (NKJV)

¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, ¹⁹ and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”

²⁰ “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

 

Recently, I read my church school lessons (I read the September 2022 meditations) as found in the lesson book from the “Echoes Church School Publications”. The lesson (for September 25^th) was so interesting – I knew I wanted to share it in my next “Namma for Christ” message. The title of the lesson is “A Father Rejoices”:

 

A Father Rejoices

Luke 15:25-27

(Background text: Luke 15:11-32)

 

“When the older son…came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound’ ” (Luke 15:25-27).

 

Luke 15:25-27

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

 

The sound of joy rings in the air as a father rejoices that his wayward son has come home. Although the family was not perfect, the father’s love surpassed the sins of the younger son. The grateful father arranged a grand celebration just because his son had come home. The celebration was about maintaining a strong and supportive family unit for a loved one who recognized his poor decision: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you” (Luke 15:18).

 

¹⁷ “But when he (the prodigal son) came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! ¹⁸ I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, ¹⁹ and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”

But the prodigal son came home to a broken family. Sadly, his older brother had stayed home, caused no problems, and did what was expected of him. He was angered at the love shown to his brother. He felt as if he should be given a grand feast for himself and friends – why not celebrate his faithfulness? When the father noticed his son was not participating, he went to tell him that although they were an imperfect family, they were still going to dedicate themselves to God’s purposes of being a loving, caring, and accepting family.

That is a mirror of God’s heavenly family. With the parable, we see that both prodigals and children who stay home are welcome in God’s family where love abounds.

 

Always remember – our sufficiency is found in Jesus Christ! JESUS LOVES US!

 

2^nd Corinthians 3:4-6

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ And we have such trust through Christ toward God. ⁵ Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God, ⁶ who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

Ephesians 2:4-5

New King James Version (NKJV)

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)

John 10:28

New King James Version (NKJV)

²⁸ And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.

 

Please enjoy the below song/video, “Maybe It’s OK” (with lyrics) as performed by “We Are Messengers” performed with power and anointing.

 

(I do not own the rights to this song).

 

BE BLESSED!