In the parable of the "Lost Sons" there are three characters: the Father, and his two sons that lived with him. This morning I'm going to take you inside the Father's house and attempt to paint a portrait of what life is like living with the Father.
How do you feel when someone gives their heart to Jesus, especially if it's someone in your family-- your baby brother. You'd feel pretty good about that, wouldn't you! That was not the case with the older brother in the parable of the "Lost Sons." When his baby brother repented of his immoral, irresponsible lifestyle and reutrned home, his father was elated! He, however, was livid! Why would he feel this way? Today's teaching will answer this question.
Many people entertain a mental image of God as being an all powerful angry man, who stands at the ready looking for sinners to punish! This concept of God stands in stark contrast to the picture that the Lord Jesus presents of God in the parable of the "Prodigal Son." This is arguably the best of Jesus' parables, and certainly, gives us a glimpse into God's heart--which is filled with love and compassion for those who wander away from him!
Once we ask the Lord Jesus to come into our heart God adopts us into his family and becomes our Father! At that moment we receive remarkable prayer privileges that were not available to us before becoming a believer. This morning we will explore some of the great prayer possibilities that our Father has given us.
Everyone who raises children knows the importance of disciplining their kids! If you provide no discipline for them they'll grow up not knowing right from wrong. This morning we will gain some insights about Father God's discipline that is operative in our lives for our own good.