TODAY’S “GOOD NEWS” – February 17, 2002
Message: "God's Riches at Christ Expenses"
SCRIPTURE: Luke 15:11-24
KEY VERSE: v. 22 "But the father…was calling to the servants, ‘Quick. Bring a
clean set of clothes and dress him. Put the family ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! Then get a grain-fed heifer and roast it. We’re going to have a wonderful time. My son is here – given up for dead and now alive! Given up for lost and now found!’ And they began to have a wonderful time."
FOCUS: It’s party-time when God’s grace accomplishes its work.
INTRODUCTION: "Grace is the ultimate expression of the love of God – the love that is seeking, selfless, saving and supreme. As the shepherd searches for his lamb on the dark mountainside, so is God seeking man. Though His love was spit back in His face with the words, ‘He saved others; himself he cannot save…’ (Matthew 27:42) His measureless love continues to climb new Calvarys…." ~ Charles Allen
I. GRACE REVEALS THE NATURE OF GOD
II. GRACE IS ON A SEARCH AND RESCUE MISSION
III. GRACE IS NOT FINISHED TILL THERE’S A PARTY
CONCLUSION: "When the soldiers hammered in the nails (at the cross), sin was abounding, but when the quiet victim (Jesus) said, ‘Father, forgive them,’ grace was abounding much more." ~ D. Stuart Briscoe
PREACHING: Pastor Holland Lewis