"A Certain Man Had Two Sons - The Power of Two, Part 2" - Preached by John Hagee, Cornerstone Church - Sermon Notes By AJSktrgl

Luke 15


Overview and whats coming up in this series, "The Power of Two":

      - If you are looking for a way to have God to interact in your life, you must know how to use the power of two believers in Christ in agreement.

      - What happens when two walks in a covenant and one breaks it?

• Luke 15 starts with Jesus engaging with the publicans (tax collectors):

Luke 15:1-7 (New King James Version)

1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them." 3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:
4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' 7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.[www.biblegateway.com]

Tax collectors were hated (just think of hanging out with the IRS multiplied by a thousand) because they worked for Rome and kept a percentage of the tax, collected from the Jewish inhabitants. These tax collectors were loyal to no one, but themselves. They determined the percentage to collect from the people.

The sinners mentioned were people such as prostitutes and adulterers

The point is that Jesus loves every person and came to redeem all individuals. Jesus rejects no one and gives everyone the opportunity to be redeemed.

We, the church, are not here to see who we can turn away (with legalistic attitudes), but who we can lift up and bring in. We are to comfort these individuals and share the gospel with all

If we have perfect people, then there is no reason for the church to be around

Luke 15:11-16 (New King James Version)

11 Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. [www.biblegateway.com]

The word prodigal means recklessly extravagant.

The prodigal son was a rebel without a cause. His attitude reflected "Give me what is mine!".

When the son left, he said give me. When he came back he said, make me:

Luke 15:12 and Luke 15:19:

12 And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood.

19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."'[www.biblegateway.com]

The father gave him his inheritance...Everything the son was to receive, all at the same time. The son got exactly what he wanted, then he lost everything he had, including his freedom.

Freedom to do what you want requires responsibility. Winston Churchill stated that responsibility is the price of greatness.

The foolish comments of secular humanists state that I am the captain of my own ship and I control my own destiny; man can live without God.

• You are deceived if you believe this.


• You yourself have absolutely no power on earth

Luke 15:17-18 (New King James Version)

17 "But when he 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, [www.biblegateway.com]

The prodigal came back and said I have sinned. When he lost all of this money, he thought that was just bad luck. However, when he came back to reality , he said 'I have sinned'.

Sin is fun until you have finally fried your brains with drug or if you getting ready to have an abortion as a result of the fruit of your lusts.

Sin is a cancer and will take you further than you want and make you pay more than you can afford. Sin always comes with a high price.

Luke 15:20-21 (New King James Version)

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. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'[www.biblegateway.com]

Repentance is where you say 'I have sinned'.

When the father saw his prodigal son coming back, he ran towards his son

Luke 15:22-24 (New King James Version)

22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring[a] out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.
[www.biblegateway.com]

Jesus has given us authority the same way the father gave authority to the prodigal son when he came back. Point of the story is to show there is restoration out shame. The father gave him shoes and a signet ring because only slaves go without shoes. He ran to meet the boy. As he approached the emaciated boy the son was in a broken state. The father had the servants get a robe so that he can cover the son from the sins he has committed. He then cleaned up his son.

God has a dazzling white robe for you too. You need to come home to the father and repent. If you have the courage to say I have sinned, God will redeem you and you are made holy by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Luke 15:25-32 (New King James Version)

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.'
28 "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.'
31 "And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'"
[www.biblegateway.com]

The other son was the greatest sinner of all. The son was loveless and very judgmental. This very attitude of many church goers is why many people leave churches and, in this situation, why the prodigal son left.

The word of God says to love one another as God has loved you. Love is of God and those who do not have love do not have God.

We have preached the sin of adultery and lust but ignored the sin of gossip and legalism.

What is legalism?
Legalism is keeping man made religious rules to obtain righteousness with God. God hates legalism because if you can keep and follow the rules of legalism, then Jesus died in vain.

The Church of Corinth had problems with legalism.

Legalism and following church traditions does not save you; the only thing that saves you is the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Legalism controls other people by pointing to the sins of the past. If you hear this in Church, then leave! If they are talking about other people, they will talk about you!

Bible says forgive others as we forgive ourselves.

Forgiveness opens doors closed by resentment.

You must forgive others or God will turn you over to the tormenters. Forgiveness is not optional!

The prodigal made a wise decision to seek forgiveness, the older brother was resentful.

The father said my son who was dead, is now alive!

If you do not forgive, God will not and can not forgive you.

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