GET TOGETHER -MAKE IT A REAL MERRY CHRISTMAS
Lu 15:22-24 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. ‘And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; ‘for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
Last week I shared about how the far country can be a desolate place. People go there looking to find something to satisfy something in themselves that only God can satisfy. This past week I was telling some college students how much more fun I was having now that I was serving the Lord than when I was in the far country really looking for fun.
Don’t get me wrong. It is not fun when you must tell someone that someone that they love and care about has left this walk of life. It is not fun when you hear that young people or any group of people have gone into drug addiction. It is not always fun doing some of the other things that we as Christians do. But on the other hand, there is joy and contentment in walking with Jesus Christ no matter what the situation may be. And yes, by walking with Jesus Christ we will have some fun times. There will be some times of real celebration. I am also reminded of this passage as I write this Ps 84:10 For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness. (NKJV)
We can see in the story of the prodigal son one of those fun times. As it has been said before God can throw a party like no one else can. The scripture tells us that when this prodigal came home they began to be merry.
The Greek term for merry is euphraino, yoo-frah’-ee-no. That term means to become happy or glad. God isn’t against people being happy, or glad. God isn’t against celebrating. This son had been in the far country. Who knows how many times that Father had cried out for that boy to come home? Who knows how many times that he went down that road looking for him to be coming back?
We do know what the Father did the day the boy came back home. He kicked the celebration off by giving the Son something very special: Lu 15:22-24 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet ‘And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; ‘for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. These robes were only used at festive times. It was time for a feast. Also giving a ring in that culture was a means of honor. It was time to honor this young prodigal for his being willing to repent of his sin and to come back to the Father’s House.
Some of you reading this have some prodigals on your heart that you have been crying out for some time for them to come home. Some of us may have some that God is putting on our hearts right now to begin to cry out for them to come home. You may be reading this and be one of the prodigals that Daddy is saying come home let’s have a real Merry Christmas. Some of you may have been at the Party at one time and have drifted away from that place of where you were really enjoying being in the House of God and fellowshipping with other Christians. Daddy is saying come home! Let’s make it a real Merry Christmas! The Praise Team is ready to celebrate it! The People who love you are ready to celebrate it. The angels in heaven are ready to celebrate it: Lu 15:10 “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (NKJV)The calf has been fattened up and is ready to be put on the fire! It is time to experience a real Merry Merry Christmas!
Let Us Pray
Lord Jesus we ask You to continually by the Holy Spirit to draw these prodigals back home. Lord we pray that they even be home for Christmas in order that they and those that love them may have a Merry Christmas. An eternal Christmas that will have no ending. Lord we thank you that when we were prodigals that you didn’t let us perish while we were in the far country. Holy Spirit don’t let us go back no matter what the devil may offer us.
In Jesus Name
Amen
Expecting some prodigals to come home! Also tonight at Christ Community Fellowship we will be praying for the Prodigals to come home.
Your Friend/Kinfolk
Preston
