No Place Like Home
Our Sunday morning message was brought to us by Associate Pastor Ryan Crawford.
Prayers requests were taken. Please remember to pray for friends, family and our church.
New visitors were welcomed and greeted during our handshake song, “Sunshine In My Soul.”
“And he said a certain man had two sons,” begins the parable of the Prodigal son. A parable is defined as a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson, as told by Jesus in the Gospels. The scripture reading was from Luke 15:11-12. In the beginning of chapter 15, we learned of two other parables. The first was the lost sheep.
“What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”
The moral: Search out the one that is lost.
The second was the lost piece of silver.
“Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?”
The moral: Search out the one that is lost.
In the parable of the prodigal son, we will learn of the son, why he wanted to leave, how far in the world he went, and how his father welcomed him back and taught him there is no place like home.
“And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.”
This young son can be compared to today’s society with its entitlement complex — the “Give me, give me.” We can act this way toward God — the microwave-instant-now group. We don’t wait for God’s will; we do our own because of our being selfish or being stubborn.
“And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.”
The prodigal son had the illusion the world would take care of him. Instead, he was broke and starving. This world only produces worldly things. Sin will take you farther than you want to go. He learned while being face down in a pigsty eating the left over corn husks. The world will eat you up and spit you out. Knowing this was not where he belonged, he headed home in his tattered and pig-pen clothes. He returned home with the intention of begging his father to be made one of his hired servants. He expected his relationship with his father to be severed. Instead, his father welcomes him home with opened arms.
“And he 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. And the son said unto him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this is my son was dead, and is alive again: he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to be merry.”
If we step in God’s direction, he will run to us. Our Heavenly Father sees our sins.
“We can’t clean ourselves with dirty rags,” the pastor told us.
God will work with us. He will spend time with us. God’s home is Heaven. If we do God’s will, have fellowship with Christ and be faithful, we will have a secure and fun place. Heaven! Wouldn’t you like to have a sign in heaven that says “No place like home”?
If you are lost the door is always open to Heaven. Pray the Lost Sinner’s prayer and receive your salvation today.
Have you read your Bible today? If not, read Romans 10:9.
Please remember in your prayers the Royce Family, who left for the El Salvador/ Costa Rica Mission Trip this Monday.
Thursday, Nov. 24 the First Baptist Church will hold their annual Thanksgiving dinner for the public from noon to 5 p.m.
If you do not have a home church, please come visit us at Pineville First Baptist Church at 206 East Fifth Street, Pineville. We are one of the friendliest churches in town remember. Sunday school is at 9 a.m, with morning worship at 10 a.m.
Wednesday night AWANAs from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday Night Church/Bible Study at 7 p.m. Friday night Bible study will resume beginning in 2017.
The Nursing Home Ministry meets at McDonald County Living Center in Anderson at 2:30 p.m. every other Saturday. The next meeting is Nov. 19.
Please check out our FBCP Teen Group Facebook Page.
Woman’s Christmas Party will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, in the gym. Bring a friend and a wrapped coffee mug. No child care will be provided. RSVP to Debbie Serr.
All Bible verses are from the KJV, The King James Version of the Holy Bible.
You can hear a rebroadcast of one of Dr. Larry Crawford’s services on KURM radio, 100.3 on FM dial, at 8:30 a.m. Sunday mornings. Or listen to our pastors’ service on our website at www.firstbaptistchurchpineville.com/ Sermons.html.