"Many Promise, Few Follow Through" (Messages from the pulpit)

Matthew 21: 28-32

This passage tells a story of 2 sons. The father asks his first son to go out into the vineyard to work. At first the son thinks about it. His initial re-action is to decline but after some thought the first son changes his mind and decides to work in the vineyard.

The second son promises to work the fields for his father but doesn't follow through. 

The passage goes further to say that tax collectors (which in those days were very greedy and dishonest) and prostitutes followed Jesus without hesitation. These people have been seen as the worst

of humanity. But Jesus turns no one away. All one needs to do is come with a humble heart and ask

forgiveness for your sins and then do what it takes to follow after the ways of God. 

Then look at Luke 15: 11-32

This parable tells of 2 sons. Both are given an inheritance one son takes his inheritance and squanders it. Even though he is filled with shame of being penniless to the point eating scraps of food with swine. He doesn't even feel worthy of such. With no other choice the son returns to his father for even the slimmest chance of being the lowliest of servants. Much to the surprise of the prodigal son his father welcomes him back with a wonderful extravagant feast. 

  Do you ever feel so ashamed of mistakes you've made that you couldn't possibly return to the Grace of

God?

Well to be perfectly honest and blunt that is nonsense.

Psalm 136:1 "Praise The Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever."

God will not turn you away. After all John 3:17 says, For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world but that through him the world would be saved."

Pride not only goes before a fall it seems that pride can prevent us from getting back up, dusting ourselves off and getting back on track.

There is no sin too great that God will not wipe out.
Anyone who has spent time with God knows that when we separate ourselves from the loving presence of God our lives become empty. Eventually we become convinced that we're too far gone. That it doesn't matter.

But speaking out of personal experience I know that when you put your pride aside and get back into the loving arms of God. 

We can do it one on one at home but often going to a place of worship where we can join with people who most likely have gone through the same exact thing. 

As believers we are a community of people that come together for the purpose of serving God. For the benefit of everyone that God has given us to bless in his name.