2014 Messages

The Strength of Forgiveness (Luke 15:1-32)

Mark Pitman, August 23, 2015
Part of the Building Core Strength series, preached at a Sunday Morning service

Tags:

Microsoft Word
About Mark Pitman: Mark is the lead pastor at Bridgewater Community Church
Earlier: Same day: Later:
« Preparing for the Party Jesus is Giving None The Strength of Shrewdness »

Luke 15 (Listen)

15:1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

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 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

(ESV)

Date Series Sermon Scripture Special Events
5-Jan Inclement  Weather Day – No Services
12-Jan Living Life Together Why Are We Here, Where Are We Going, and How Do You Fit In? Ephesians 3:14-21
19-Jan Living Life Together Living Together As the People of God Exodus 1:1-2:10, 23-25 Sanctity of Human Life; Baby Dedication
26-Jan Inclement  Weather Day – No   Services
2-Feb Living Life Together Living Life Together Through a Growing Knowledge of Our God Exodus 3:1-15; 4:1-17
9-Feb Living Life Together Living Life Together by Selecting the Right God Exodus 5:1-6:13
16-Feb Living Life Together Living Life Together in the Joy of Our Redemption Exodus 11:1-12:41 Valentine’s   Day
23-Feb Living Life Together Living Life Together by Trusting Our Mighty Deliverer Exodus 14
2-Mar Inclement Weather Day – No   Services
9-Mar Living Life Together Living Life Together by Rejoicing in a Shepherd Who Provides Exodus 16 Daylight   Savings Time Begins; Gideon Speaker
16-Mar Living Life Together Living Life Together by Joyful Obedience to Our Covenant Exodus 19
23-Mar Guest Speaker Chris Gendron
30-Mar Living Life Together Living Life Together in Celebration of the Mercy of God Exodus 32 5th Sunday; BCC 101
6-Apr Friend Request Joining the Celebration Philippians 2:1-18 Camp Selah
13-Apr Friend Request The End of Blah, Blah, Blah John 12:1-19 Palm Sunday
20-Apr Friend Request When You Give and Receive Nothing in Return Matthew 26:42-56 Easter
27-Apr Friend Request Who’s Got Your Back? 1 Samuel 18:1-16, 19:1-7, 20:1-42
4-May Friend Request Strength in Numbers: Praying for One Another Colossians 4:2-4
11-May Friend Request Hospitality for Busy Lives Romans 12:1-13 Mother’s Day
18-May Friend Request When You Need a Friend – Because Two is Better Than One 1 Peter 1:-2:3, 3:13-18, 4:1-10, 12-19 Congregational Business Meeting
25-May  Guest Speaker Scott Towers Memorial Weekend
1-Jun Friend of God An Outrageous Possibility James 2:14-26 Honor Graduates
8-Jun Friend of God God Dwelling With Us 1 Corinthians 6:1-20 Communion
15-Jun Friend of God God Ruling Us – Coming to Grips with Jesus as Our Benevolent King Romans 10:9-13 Father’s Day; Baby Dedication
22-Jun Friend of God God Loving Us Romans 8:31-39
29-Jun Friend of God God With Us Isaiah 7:1-16 5th Sunday
6-Jul Friend of God God Interceding For Us Romans 8:12-27 Independence Day
13-Jul Friend of God God Our Father Romans 8:12-17
20-Jul Friend of God God Preparing For Us Revelation 21:1-22:5 Communion
27-Jul Living Life Together Living Life Together Because Our Family Had a Great Beginning Acts 11:1-11, 2:1-16
3-Aug Living Life Together The Message That Draws Us Together Acts 4:1-36  VBS Day
10-Aug Living Life Together Handling Our Finances with Generosity and Integrity Acts 5:1-16
17-Aug Living Life Together Proclaiming the Name Acts 5:12-42
24-Aug Living Life Together Solving Problems Quickly Acts 6:1-7 Baptism and Family Night
31-Aug Living Life Together Facing Pressure Courageously Acts 6:7-15, 51-60 5th Sunday
7-Sep Living Life Together When Times Are Hard Acts 8:1-40
14-Sep Living Life Together Amazed by God’s Grace Acts 9:1-31
21-Sep Living Life Together Celebrating Everyone’s Place On The Team Acts 9:32-42 Communion; SYATP
28-Sep Living Life Together Praying With Hearts of Faith Acts 12:1-25
5-Oct Living Life Together Properly Fulfilling the Mission Acts 13:1-16, 38-52 Hayride—Fall Party
12-Oct Living Life Together Discerning God’s Will As A Family Acts 15:1-35
19-Oct Living Life Together Experiencing the Power of God Acts 15:36-16:34  BCC 101
26-Oct Guest Speaker Scott Towers
2-Nov Living Life Together Making a Difference That Can’t Be Ignored  Acts 17:1-15 Daylight Savings Time Ends
9-Nov Stewardship LLT by Taking the Next Step in Your Financial Earning  Col 3:22-25
16-Nov Stewardship The Next Step in Spending  Luke 12:13-33 Thanksgiving Dinner
23-Nov Stewardship The Next Step in Giving  2 Cor 8:1-15; 9:14 Communion
30-Nov That Crazy Family of Yours Tis the Season for OCD Philippians 3:1-16 5th Sunday
7-Dec That Crazy Family of Yours Too Much Sugar, Too Many Presents Deuteronomy 6:1-9
14-Dec That Crazy Family of Yours Fixing Your Focus Matthew 2:1-12 Children’s program
21-Dec That Crazy Family of Yours Loving Your Outlaws Genesis 2:18-25
24-Dec, Wednesday  That Crazy Family of Yours  Christmas Has Always Been Crazy  Luke 2:1-20  Christmas Eve
28- Dec That Crazy Family of Yours The Biggest Bill Has Been Paid Colossians 2:1-15