FATHER HEART OF GODThe Invitation

The Parable of the Great Banquet (Lk 14:16-24)The Parable of the Lost Sheep (Lk 15: 1-7 The Parable of the Lost Coin (Lk 15: 8-10

The Parable of the Lost (Prodigal) Son. (Lk 15: 11-32)

Luke 14:16-24 (NIV) 16 Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and

invited many guests.17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.' 18

"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' 19 "Another

said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' 20 "Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.' 21 "The servant came back and reported this to his master. Then the owner of the house became angry and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the

crippled, the blind and the lame.' 22 "'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but there is still room.' 23 "Then the master told

his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full. 24 I tell you, not one of those men who

were invited will get a taste of my banquet.'"

1. You’re invited

16 Jesus replied: "A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the

banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, 'Come, for everything is now ready.‘

Creator

Acts 17:28 (NIV) 28 'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As

some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'

Provider

Matthew 7:11 (NIV) 11 If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your

Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!

Friend and CounsellorIsaiah 9:6 (NIV)

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Jeremiah 3:4 (NIV) 4 Have you not just called to me: 'My Father, my friend from

my youth,

Corrector

Heb 12:5f

RedeemerPsalm 103:8 (NIV)

8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

Psalm 103:12-13 (NIV) 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he

removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion

on those who fear him;

Comforter

2 Corinthians 1:3 (NIV) 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all

comfort,

Defender and Deliverer

Psalm 91:1-3 (NIV) 1 He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." 3 Surely he will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence.

Father

2 Corinthians 6:18 (NIV) 18 "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons

and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

Father of the fatherless

Psalm 68:5-6 (NIV) 5 A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is

God in his holy dwelling.6 God sets the lonely in families, he leads forth the prisoners with singing; but

the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Father of love

John 16:27 (NIV) 27 No, the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

MOREPatient – Ps 78:35-39

Considerate – John 2:1-11Holy – John 2:13-22

Discerning – John 2:23-25Compassionate – Luke 19:1-10

Sensitive – Luke 8:40-48Caring – Matt 9:35-38Tender – John 12:1-8

Gracious – John 4:7-27Forgiving – John 8:1-11

Just – Deut 32;4-5Loving and Kind – Ex 34:6-7

Merciful – Lam 3:23Thoughtful – Luke 18:15-17Generous – Matt 14:13-21Powerful – Matt 17:14-21

Wise – Matt 17:24-27Mighty – Mark 4:35-41Loving – Luke 6:27-36

2. Three reasons we don’t connect to God as our Father

18 "But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see

it. Please excuse me.' 19 "Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' 20 "Still another said, 'I

just got married, so I can't come.'

“I have just bought a field” property, income, our careers

“I have just bought 5 yoke of oxen”our possessions. our toys

“I have just go married” our busyness, relationships

Then the owner of the house became angry

3. God prefers the pit to the pedestal

and ordered his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor,

the crippled, the blind and the lame.' 22 "'Sir,' the servant said, 'what you ordered has been done, but

there is still room.' 23 "Then the master told his servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes and make them come in, so that my house will be full.

4. Join the feast in heaven

1. There is nothing you can do! 2. If you are struggling, look for the excuse

3. God prefers the pit to the pedestal4. Feast on joy, victory, hope & love of heaven

How God will reach this world