Scripture: Luke 15:11-32; 1 John 4:7-12
Speaker: Brandon and Kristin Hill
Date: 11.16.2008
We started out with a little history lesson on the famous painter Rembrandt. We studied one of his most famous paintings - The Prodigal Son. We then read the story of the prodigal son, Luke 15:11-32 and discussed the attributes of the son, the father, and the brother. How can we relate to each of them? The son is selfish, with an entitlement attitude. The brother is bitter, jealous, and in competition for his inheritance and his father's love.
The key here is with the father. We often compare ourselves only to the son or to the brother but how can we be life the father? The father is the picture of unconditional and selfless love. He is an illustration of Christ's love for us. The real question here is how can we show that kind of love to those around us. Instead of always putting ourselves in the place of the son, let's think how we can be like the father - that picture of love to our community. So many in our world do not have knowledge of what this love is. Think about a child who comes from an abusive family? If you tell he or she that God loves them, how can they have any understanding of that meaning unless we model it?
One of the most important attributes of love is showing true empathy. As quoted from an article I was reading in a counseling journal "self-love translated into neighbor can be good when it is occupied with empathy. Self-love becomes good when people who want to be treated decently treat others decently; when people who want security seek the security of others; when people who want to be appreciated show appreciation; when people who want to be treated justly act justly; and when people who want to be cared for care for others. It means valuing all persons, including oneself, to the same degree as God values us: equally. "
1 John 4:7-12 - God is love...This is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us...Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Continue to think how we can be that self-less picture of love to those around us because once we have come home to the father's love, he gives us the ability to bring others home too.
3 comments:
Great lesson guys!
I kept thinking throughout it and after... man, what a vulnerable stance the prodigal son has taken in the portrait. He is solely at the mercy of his father. In this position he is pretty much defenseless and must know what damage his Father could do to him. In an instant the father could put him on his back, hit him, possibly kill him for the shame he has socially caused their family. Yet, the prodigal is so broken, he'd rather face any of that possible punishment than continue living as he was.
How incredible for the father to have that power over his son and defy all of society's rules to bless and celebrate his homecoming! If we could only apply that REAL use of power in our daily lives when we COULD embarrass someone at work, belittle the worker at the store, or become angry at a loved one's mistake...
Again, I think you guys did great!
Brandon and Kristin...you both did an outstanding job (at least the part I heard...sorry I had to leave early).
After reading the 1 John verse and talking about God's love ... it reminds me that His love for us causes us to MOVE. Since God first loved us, He "moved" and sent his Son...we must now "move" and begin to participate in His Kingdom by showing His transformational love to others. Love Moves!
Thanks guys for reminding me of this in your lesson.
Brandon made a comment that I think we could do a whole series on- it struck me that much. He said (and Brandon I apologize if I butcher this quote), "Too often the church and Christians are known for what they are against instead of what they are for." The church does not need to re-invent itself- a perfect model in Christ Jesus has already been established. Instead, the church needs to re-establish herself as a body of love and restoration. The story, and in this case, the image, of the Prodigal Son are fantastic springboards for such an undertaking.
Great job Hills!
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