THE R'S OF THE HEART (4 OF 4)
by Jeff Ecklund
Scripture: Luke 15:1-32
This content is part of a series.
The R's of the Heart (4 of 4)
Series: Heart for the House Series
Jeff Ecklund
Luke 15:1-32
For years there have been three principal statements that have resonated in my heart when it comes to people. These are especially important as Jesus is building His church with people.
The nature and core values of a church must reflect the nature and core values of the builder.
An artist's work, whether painting, music, design or poetry, reflects what is in their heart and what their core values are.
When we did our remodel at our church, the structural engineer (who is a personal friend) made the statement that ''it has to be done right if I am going to put my name on it''.
The three principal statements are:
Redeem
Restore
Release
We can think of ''redeem'' as the process of looking for an old classic car.
To ''restore'' would be the process that it takes to bring the car back to its intended purpose, design and functionality.
To ''release'' the car would be actually putting it to use and enjoying it for what it is.
In Luke 15 Jesus puts these principal statements in a parable after responding to criticism on the company he was keeping.
Luke 15:1-2 (ESV)
1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.
2And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ''This man receives sinners and eats with them.''
The religious leaders of the day didn't understand the mission of Jesus.
What did Jesus say about himself?
Mark 10:45 (NKJV)
45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.''
Luke 9:56 (NKJV)
56For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.'' And they went to another village.
First of all, there is an active component in being redemptive.
Notice that in the two passages the verbiage of ''come''.
Jesus response was to tell a story of the lost sheep, and the
shepherd that would go find it.
Luke 15: ...
Series: Heart for the House Series
Jeff Ecklund
Luke 15:1-32
For years there have been three principal statements that have resonated in my heart when it comes to people. These are especially important as Jesus is building His church with people.
The nature and core values of a church must reflect the nature and core values of the builder.
An artist's work, whether painting, music, design or poetry, reflects what is in their heart and what their core values are.
When we did our remodel at our church, the structural engineer (who is a personal friend) made the statement that ''it has to be done right if I am going to put my name on it''.
The three principal statements are:
Redeem
Restore
Release
We can think of ''redeem'' as the process of looking for an old classic car.
To ''restore'' would be the process that it takes to bring the car back to its intended purpose, design and functionality.
To ''release'' the car would be actually putting it to use and enjoying it for what it is.
In Luke 15 Jesus puts these principal statements in a parable after responding to criticism on the company he was keeping.
Luke 15:1-2 (ESV)
1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.
2And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, ''This man receives sinners and eats with them.''
The religious leaders of the day didn't understand the mission of Jesus.
What did Jesus say about himself?
Mark 10:45 (NKJV)
45For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.''
Luke 9:56 (NKJV)
56For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men's lives but to save them.'' And they went to another village.
First of all, there is an active component in being redemptive.
Notice that in the two passages the verbiage of ''come''.
Jesus response was to tell a story of the lost sheep, and the
shepherd that would go find it.
Luke 15: ...
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