GUM ON YOUR SHOE

Title: The Kingdom Kiss

“The Gum on Your Shoe!”

Luke 15:11-32

Introduction

The well-known Prodigal Son Story has two (2) distinctively different scenes, two (2) very different vibes:  the younger son received his father’s grace (vv. 20 -24) and the older son reveled in his own works (vv. 25-32). The younger son ailed in his father’s grace, while the older brother got stuck in his “gum.”

In this classic story told by Jesus, the father figure represents God, The Father.
One of the two (2) sons represents you.  Which son represents you?  In fact, on some days, you may see yourself in both sons.  When you find yourself in this story, you will discover an element of God that you had not experienced before.

The Relevance

When this message is over, you will have seen and experienced The Lord’s lavish love, immeasurable mercy, and comprehensive compassion, and you will know how to respond in kind. How you react – gracefully or “gumfully“ will directly impact your quality of life!

By the way, this uniquely powerful story can be summarized:  a) rebellion vv. 11-16;32 b) repentance vv. 17-19; c) restoration vv. 20-21; d) reward vv. 22-24; and more rebellion 25-32. Like our lives, this story has a cycle!

Grace – Level 1. (vv. 18,19)

1. The younger son repented.
2. According to Jewish tradition, repentance is a form of resurrection from the dead—socially, spiritually, and civilly.
3. When you repent, The Lord begins His restoration process for you. His restoration reaches into the realm of death, if necessary.
4. Repentance includes a) acknowledgement of wrongdoing; b) acceptance of responsibility; c) asking for forgiveness; and d) atonement.  EVERY healthy relationship has these four (4) components, including your relationship with yourself!

Grace – Level 2. (v. 20)

1. The father ran to meet his younger son while the son was still far away.
2. The father ran to meet his son so the community would not ambush his wayward and disrespectful son!  The father wanted to get to his son before the ‘hood got to him.
3. When the father ran, he was shielding his son from shame, cancelling his son’s condemnation, and rescuing his son from ridicule.
4. Your Heavenly Father is still doing ALL that for you!

Grace – Level 3. (v. 20)

1. The Father kissed his younger son on the neck.
2. The kiss on the neck symbolizes the father’s utmost love for his son while his son was living his “guttermost“ life.
3. Additionally, the kiss on the neck represents the reversal of death’s dynamics. Blood, oxygen, and words all flow through your neck. Life can choke you at the point of your neck.
4. Your Heavenly Father’s kiss reverses life‘s attempts to choke you to death!

Grace – Level 4. (v. 22)

1. God’s grace makes the enemy  S.A.D.
   A. When the son returned home, the father gave his son:
   1) a robe which represents Status;
   2) a ring which represents Authority; and
   3) shoes which represent Dignity.
   B. Receive it!  Make the enemy and all your enemies S.A.D.

The Gum (vv. 26-32)

1. Get Outta Your Feelings!
2. The older son became angry. (v. 28)
3. When you are resurrected and someone gets angry about your new life, don’t be confused about the character of that person.
4. The older son thought he had been wronged by his dad.  The older son’s sense of injustice was fueled by his sense of entitlement.
5. The older son’s entitlement was fueled by his spirit of comparing, complaining, and “crocking.“ (vv. 29,30)
6. His feelings gummed up his thinking!
7. Gum Sticks
8. Gum drags yesterday’s stuff into today.
9. Gum hangs onto trash that should be thrown out.
10. Gum attracts dirt and grime that is not even yours.

Conclusion

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