#3: Prodigal People

After 10 years of Forefront we’ve now done over 120 message series. Thought it might be fun and interesting to share with you my top twenty.

My favorite chapter in the Bible is Luke 15. In Luke 15, Jesus tells a trilogy of stories which I love, and perhaps my favorite is what’s come to be known as “The Parable of the Prodigal Son.” (Which I’ve always found odd. The word “prodigal” means “rashly or wastefully extravagant:” Was the son prodigal? Sure. But is that the key component of this story? Is that what it should be named? … Anyway, I digress.)

So, I heard a preacher named Ted Beasley do a series on this parable, and his series was based on a book on the parable by Henri Nouwen (who was a fantastic writer) and partially on a painting by Rembrandt (who wasn’t a shabby painter). I stole the idea and did a series, focusing one week on each of three main characters in the parable.

I loved this series. I love the stories of the two sons, because each of us can find ourselves in each of them at different points in our lives. I love the story of the dad, because he is the father each of us need, and that is available to us in God.

Have you read this parable lately? Why not pick up a Bible (now) and read Luke 15? Which son do you feel more like right now? What do you need from God right now? Forgiveness, like the younger son? Or maybe you’ve been thinking that your standing with God is based on your performance, and you need to reminded (as did the older son) that you are not worthy, but are loved by God all the same, simply because you’re His child? Take your need to God – He knows what to do with it.

– featured on newchurches.com