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“A GREAT WAY OFF” Luke 15:20

Luke 15 – 3 parables of that which was lost (SSS):

  • Lost Sheep
  • Lost Silver
  • Lost Son

What is the overriding divine theme communicated in this beautiful Bible chapter?

THE whole of Scripture testifies to the reality that the LORD delights to restore when we simply come to Him humbly, on His terms.

“And he (the wayward son) arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20

From a great distance, when his son was yet far away, the father of the prodigal (wayward) son saw him on the distant horizon. The Father in Heaven has His eye on and longs to restore all those who have left their first love (Rev. 2:4-5). In those story the Savior gave us to unveil the divine heart, this estranged child discovered no peace or fulfillment in that far away land that had promised him such and was coming home to daddy. He was returning home to his father’s house where all the treasure he ever desired always existed and readily awaited his arrival. Yet, is it possible that this prodigal son was expecting to be condemned when he arrived back home? Do we fear that the LORD will reject or be cold to us when we return to Him in repentance? (Hos. 14:1) Are we teachable to learn His nature from His own mouth/Word?

The loving father of the returning child was obviously looking far off into the distance because he longed to have his son back in his bosom and care. We gather this because the Scripture states that he could see him “a great way off.” (Lk. 15:20)

Perhaps the joyful forsaken father wiped a tear from his eye as he watched afar off as his son’s image appeared over the horizon – as he was returning home. Does this not illustrate the restorative love of our heavenly Father who lovingly anticipates the return of every one of His alienated children? Did He not inform us that He is “grieved for the misery of Israel” His very people? (Judges 10:16) His loving eyes view with longing love those who once knew Him and who are now away from Him.  Those created in His image have been granted the freedom to choose. God will not force but rather requires that those who come to Him be “willing and obedient.” (Isa. 1:19-20) – “And he (the wayward son) arose, and came to his father.” (Lk. 15:20) The departed son chose to arise and come back to his father. This depicts the involvement of the personal will. Love is never forced.

“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready (postured) to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.” Psalms 86:5

Friend, we must see this picture of the nature of God if we are to understand Him better. Our LORD was giving us a picture of the Father here. Does He condemn those who are distance or have not known Him yet? Let’s let Him answer for Himself:

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” John 3:17

“For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” Luke 9:56

Prayed for a dear lady recently. She was elated. She told me today that she was so excited that someone cared enough to pray for her that she went and told her boyfriend. God is able to fill and pour His love through His people saints! He wants to use you beloved. Ask Him!

God is a gracious and forgiven Father to His own:

“He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19

In light of these Biblical truths revealing the divine nature, may it forever be settled in our hearts that God truly is love and that He longs to restore each and every person who has never come home or who has left home for the time being (backslidden). The Father longs to teach our hearts us so that we experience Him in a fuller way (Deut. 32:1-2; Prov. 4:2; Matt. 11:29; Rom. 15:4). This is His goal. (Ps. 147:3; Jer. 1:10; 29:11-13; Ezek. 36:26, 36; Lk. 4:18, etc.)

Being now enlightened about this truth, what should be our outlook and prayer toward those who are currently not in relationship with the LORD? Make no mistake, their soul is in the balance. He is restoring us, so what should our perspective be of those around us whom He is restoring? How can we be in agreement with and help His process? As “ministers of reconciliation,” how can the LORD use us as restoring agents, helping men find their way back to Him? (2 Cor. 5:17-20)

Jesus teaches that if we any sin at all in our own lives, we are 100% disqualified from pointing out or condemning anyone else for any sin they have in their own life.

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” John 8:7

Mercy! Love it! Give it! Preach it!

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32

Be sure of this …. If you die having not forgiven EVERYONE from your heart, hell is your home (Matthew 18:21-35). You will never escape. Repent now. God was and has been unfathomably merciful to you and I and He requires that we show mercy to others – or perish. Look in the mirror at all your own sin and how mercifully God has been with you. Drop the rocks, now. Pray for that person(s) till God’s love overflows in your heart, till you are broken in a million pieces and brought by Him to the place of total brokenness and dependence!

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. 26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:25-26

Any questions?

“Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. 3 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? 4 Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? 5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5

Galatians 6:1-2 says:

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:1-2

WHEN you witness a brother or sister becoming weak, having a fault, or committing sin, GOD’s call for you is to help them be restored to Him and not to run them through with the rusty sword of your own self-righteous judgment (Galatians 6:1-2; James 1:20; Romans 8:33-34).

“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” James 1:20

May God bless us to be flooded with His love in all of the dimensions that He desires in us – namely to love mercy and walk humbly with Him (Mic. 6:8).

“He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” Micah 6:8

NEVER camp out on your sin. RUN to Jesus in repentance and confession! (Prov. 28:13; 1 Jn 1:9)

PRAYER: Father, in the name of Jesus, I here and now announce the reality that no one needs Your mercy and forgiveness more than this sinner. God help me to walk in humility and love mercy as I seek Your holy face for the deep cleansing I truly need and only You can perform. Jesus, please bless this heart to perceive others through Your mercy, shed blood, and Word of love. LORD, please break and use me to see some come home to You in this late hour. In Jesus’ name, Amen Jesus.

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | Zambia Mission | All Ministry UpdatesThe Greatest of these is Charity | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | Prepared to be Used of God  | Great Commission

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Articles

Personal Evangelism

Soul Winning is the Work of Every True Disciple of Jesus

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20

Oh the joy of being privileged to know Him and be called out as His “ambassadors”! As His called out ones, we are sent by Him to make known His glorious Gospel to lost souls for whom He came and bled (1 Tim. 1:15).

“Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.” Philippians 2:16

NO one will saved before becoming greatly convicted of their sin-give them the Law then they will desire Christ (Galatians 3:24; 1 Timothy 1:9-11). The law convicts and brings them to Christ – it serves God’s purpose. We don’t lead them to Christ so much as God’s law convicts and leaves them feeling the reality of their alienation from God – and then they will be prepared to hear the saving Gospel of Christ. This is the New Testament way of winning souls to Jesus.

What’s most important and the biblical model for evangelism, is to give the lost the law of God (10 Commandments), to convict them which in turn will bring them to Christ (Romans 7:12; Galatians 3:24; 1 Timothy 1:7-10). Placating lost souls with scientific arguments in defense of the faith seems to seldom if ever result in a lost sinner coming to the Savior in repentance. It is the law of God that pierces directly into the consciences of men and converts sinners to Christ (Psalms 19:7). When Paul spoke with the secularists of his day on Mars’ Hill he spoke to them of their idolatry (a sin violating the first 2 of the 10 Commandments), called them to repentance, and warned them that Judgment Day was coming (Acts 17:22-34).

“The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. 8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” Psalms 19:7-8 

Presenting the Word: First the law to cut, to convict, and to expose how wicked the sinner is and deserving of nothing but damnation, THEN the Gospel of Jesus’ saving grace to make the sinner whole amen!

Your communications and ministry are fed and fueled by your personal daily study and knowledge of God’s Word (Proverbs 22:17-21; 2 Timothy 2:15).

Have you ever desired for your friends and family to be present at a gathering of Saints where there was in anointed call to receive Jesus and they were drawn up to be saved? I have. That’s a great desire and yet in the days of those special gatherings of true, Jesus-seeking disciples are becoming more and more limited. Therefore we must be that altar call, that anointed vessel of God who goes to the people and brings them in. God will make it happen in His resurrection life as we consent to daily dying (2 Corinthians 4:10-12).

10 Commandments Evangelism

Keep showing forth His truth, which is marching on in the hearts and lives of all who have ears to hear what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Churches.

Psalms 126:5-6 says:

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.”

Though you see no changes with your physical eyes, remember that “we walk by faith and not by sight” and that His Word never returns void, so keep planting the seed of His Word into the hearts of men even though sometimes it is with tears (Isa. 55:11; Lk. 8:11; 2 Cor. 5:7). You will “doubtless come again with rejoicing.” (Ps. 126:5-6)

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” Isaiah 55:11

Like a lion that conquers and dominates its prey as it pleases, we must unleash the Word of God itself which never returns back to Him void but always accomplishes what He pleases.

God will do His work in the hearts of men, as we send forth His truth in love.

“For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” Hebrews 6:10

What is your personal plan or strategy for reaching lost souls? Are you busy about your Father’s business if seeking to save that which was lost? (Luke 2:49; 19:10)

YOU cannot talk anyone into being saved. Stop trying! You must preach them into being saved – by communicating the Word. Only Christ can save them, not us! Did Jesus say “Go talk people into being saved” or did Jesus command “Go ye into all the world and PREACH the gospel”? (Mark 16:15) The latter of course. Men are born again by the incorruptible Word of God (1 Peter 1:23). We must humble ourselves and cease acting like we can win a soul to Jesus when Christ alone can do such. Yes, He chooses to use us as His very “ambassadors” and yet, that is done by the preaching of the law to convict and saving cross of Christ! (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Men are born again by God via His “incorruptible” Word:

“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” 1 Peter 1:23

Personal testimony from brother Charles:

“To God be the glory in all things for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose! I was saved through my sister in Christ, acting as His hands and feet that shared with me the following Scripture:

“John 14:6-7

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

7 If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know Him and have seen him.

She was spreading the gospel and upon hearing this my ears were opened, and conviction came through. I say God found me because as a child of God we are just spreading His Word and had I not been His I would not have felt the weight and power in this Scripture. So, in hearing I was made to believe … and in believing became changed in my walk … with Him guiding me. God bless brother!”

Preparation – Armed and Dangerous!

IF a “church” isn’t producing soul winners, it’s being led by a wolf! (Ephesians 4:11-12)

How can a local assembly of believers see the LORD add to the church when the hireling(s) leading them have no concern for Christ’s Great Commission mandate to preach the whole Word of the Gospel which will result in the LORD saving souls? (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20)

Remembering the 2 “R”s of the Gospel: Repent, Receive Jesus. -“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Acts 20:21)

Personally, I carry King James Bibles, good Gospel tracts, small books, booklets, etc. in my car at all times. The LORD uses them mightily to teach. After ministering to a saint in Christ or a lost person, I always send them away with something appropriate for them to read. I off a KJB Bible to believers if I find out they don’t have one and/or give them one of the books to assist in deepening their walk with Jesus. To the lost, I give a Bible, tracts, and/or a booklet that pertains to them being saved.

The Born Again Book (small, powerful!) | What Next: Now that You are Saved (small discipleship book)

Many a Christian is possessed with the false notion that God needs people-instead of the fact that people need God! Repent. God is the only self-existent One! Jesus is not a sap! He walked away from many- and told you to do the same! (Matthew 10:16; 13:58) The LORD begs no mere man, sinner, to come to Him. He invites but never begs! (Matthew 11:28-30). Rebellion is a choice HE gave them! If they want to rebel, SHAKE OFF THE DUST AND MOVE ON! That’s what Christ did and told you to do! (Matthew 7:6; 10:14)

JESUS tract ENGLISH (click to download print-ready PDF) this is the actual text of the JESUS tract of both the English and JESUS tract SPANISH (click to download print-ready PDF]

Are YOU “ready”? 

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:” 1 Peter 3:15

Are you “ready” or not “ready”?

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15    

Case for Scripture Memory:

“Let mine hear RETAIN thy words.” Proverbs 4:4

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Evangelism | Jesus, Light of the WordCompassion in Light of Christ’s Soon ReturnStriving Together for the Faith of the Gospel [podcast] | Prepared to be Used of God | The Return of ChristChrist’s Compassion Audio | Our Approach to the LostKindness is a Soul Winning Weapon Stop Sinning? Really? How? | Angry Street Preacher Warning

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Apostasy

Eating the Fat, and Drinking the Sweet! [podcast]


Mourning Trumps Merriment in Christ’s Kingdom

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’d like to walk in Your bless-ed joy, filling my life to overflowing, no matter what’s transpiring. LORD, I ask You to do Your deeper work in my heart, in my life. Please set apart my life to truly glorify You, being full of the fruits of Your righteousness. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Everyone desires the joy of the LORD, right? Yes, yet only those who are willing to devour His Word – to get it into their hearts and keep it flowing into their hearts, will experience that great joy of the LORD which is our strength! In context, the joy of the LORD is the strength of those who read it, hear it, embrace it, adhere to it, and keep it flowing into their mind and heart daily! (Nehemiah 8:8, 10)

“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly (directly), and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. … 10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:8, 10

After they had feasted on God’s Word, the elders of Israel said to them: You are now full of the Word. Now “Go your way”, that is, go home and be blessed to “send portions” of the bounty of the LORD you’ve been filled with today to overflowing. “Freely ye have received, freely give.” (Matthew 10:8) Let your cup run over and bless others! Let your light shine into others, may your cup run over onto others, to bless them with the bountiful blessings of the LORD you have received.

We have to eat the fat and drink the sweet of the Word of God to be filled with the joy of the LORD which is our strength!

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by thy name, O LORD God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16

Nourishing the Body of Christ

“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” 1 Timothy 4:6

DO people know they can find the rich treasures of God’s Word when they walk into your life, when they visit your social media page? (Colossians 3:16) Will they be “nourished” by the milk and meat of God’s bless-ed Word when they are graced to be in your company?

“There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise.” Proverbs 21:20

Holy Father, we ask You in the name of Jesus to make us happy in Jesus as You’ve forgiven and freed us from our sin and so of all people on Your earth, only Your people can be truly happy in Thee dear LORD. Please bless each of Your beloved saints to be anointed for the death and burial of the self life and raised up in Your blessed resurrection grace and joy. In Jesus’ name let it be dear LORD.

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11

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Abiding

The Death before the Death [podcast]


Gethsemane Preceded Calvary

“And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42  Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43  And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44  And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:42-44

“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30

“Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11  For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. 12  So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:10-12

“And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25  For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?” Luke 9:23-25

Shall We Freshly Declare the Cross to be Front and Center in our Personal Lives?

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20 

Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison MinistryMexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Prayer | Manhood | The Conquering Cross of Christ [podcast]The Cross VictorySin – Man’s Core Problem

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