After sharing three personal illustrations—about a Sheep, Silver, and Son—which mirrored man’s lostness but also God’s goodness in seeking and saving the lost sheep, silver, and son—Jesus included another elder son. Ironically, He was pointing to the self-righteous crowd.

1. How Can We FALL PREY to AAA? (Luke 15:25–29)

Anger – “…he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.” (v. 28)
After getting the news that his father threw a big party for his long-lost brother, the elder brother is enraged! He could hardly believe his ears because he had never had a party. Filled with anger, he exploded!! He was not about to be HAPPY about his brother returning home!!! The BIG BAD BUG BIT him!!!!

Anxiety – “…therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends.” (v. 29)
Afraid of losing his inheritance or worse—his brother “one-upping him”—he exploded when his father tried to console him. Perhaps he thought if his sinful brother had never returned home, then he would get everything. Regardless, he threw a FIT!

2. Why Should We STAY and PRAY for this AAA? (Luke 15:30–32)

Affection – “And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.” (v. 30)
Surprisingly, the gracious, loving father did not immediately reprimand his disrespectful son. Instead, he gently called him “son.” Obviously, he did not deserve it. But neither do we! Please do not be too hard on the elder son, because we have some of him in us!

Affirmation – “…and all that I have is thine.” (v. 30)
Rather than tell him how wrong he is for being mad, the father reminds him that he is an heir. What about it? Do you remember that we are heirs and joint-heirs with Christ?

1. One thing I do – forgetting some things! (Philippians 3:12–14) – “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

2. One thing I do – remembering some things! (Philippians 3:12–14) – “Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

How can you move forward? Last week while speaking at a men’s meeting in Social Circle, GA, one of the men spoke up and regretfully acknowledged some sins that he had committed—but he could not forgive himself.

Conclusion: The real question is not, “Have we forgiven ourselves?” but the real question is: Are we going to depend—rely—trust the Word of God more than our FEELINGS?

“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Psalm 103:1–5)

And the church said, “Amen!”

“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation.” (Psalm 68:19)

Yet, with all that, we are still tempted to be UNGRATEFUL.

“There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Cor. 10:13)

In fact, Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, writes about that very characteristic that would mark the end times:

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy…” (2 Tim. 3:1–2)

Yet he also wrote this:

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (1 Thess. 5:18)

So bottom line: Don’t forget the blessings of the Lord!

“Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.” (Rom. 1:21)

Introduction: Does prayer work? Can Jesus save someone through prayer? Will you pray for someone who is not a CHRISTian today? Cornelius was a seeker of God but not quite a “Sealed and Saved Servant” of the Lord. He was PRAYING and FASTING with the light he had (he was not born again at the time). But his conversion came about by a believer in Jesus Christ who was also PRAYING and FASTING, namely, Peter. God the Holy Spirit hunted down Cornelius and captured his heart along with his whole family.

You see, God was working on both ends – on Cornelius and Peter to orchestrate His will.

Please take note how it was accomplished.

1.When God the Holy Spirit is working on one End! (Acts 10:1-5) – “There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. 3He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. 4And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. 5And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter:”

Although Cornelius was a God-fearing man, yet he had not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ….that He died for our sins on a cross but arose victoriously from the grave and offers forgiveness and eternal life through faith and trust in Him. The bottom line: Cornelius was obeying the light that he had, but desperately needed more light!

Since prayer is a cycle which circles from earth (birthed by the Holy Spirit in the hearts of people), and ascends to heaven where Jesus sits on the right hand of the Father making intercession for us – and then as our Great High Priest answers the prayers according to His will and purpose – and He then sends the answer back to earth however He chooses.

Does hearing this make you want to pray more?

That leads us to discover how the Lord answered this “Heart Cry” from Cornelius. And then we can witness the lesson Peter learned about sharing the “GOSPEL” to the unclean race called Gentiles.

Do you believe the “GOSPEL” is still the Power of God unto salvation?

2.When God the Holy Spirit is working on the other end! (Acts 10:9-16) – “On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.”

Did you notice that Peter was obedient to the Holy Spirit? In fact even before he was directed to go and preach the gospel to Cornelius, he was spending time – daily disciplines – with his Lord.

That was the key to him being used by the Holy Spirit. Don’t you want to be used for God’s glory? Just when you think someone will not or cannot be saved, our Lord surprises everyone. Aren’t you glad that He did not give up on YOU! Praise the Lord!!

Please pay attention how God works to save a whole family. Can He still do it today? Yes!

3.Household Salvation occurs! (Acts 10:19-21, 44-45) – “19While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. 20Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21Then Peter went down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said, Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?”

“44While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

If we are going to see the conversions of people we must be led by the Holy Spirit. Think with me for a moment….Jesus knows “where” people are in relation to Him and “how” to get them to His WORD in order to SAVE them through His REDEEMING blood.

Grant it. He can do it without us, yet He chooses to use us because of His great LOVE. Don’t you want others to experience FREEDOM from the penalty of sin, the power of sin, and ultimately the presence of sin?

4.How God the Holy Spirit brought it all together! (Acts 10:30,31) – “30And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, 31And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God.”

Did you hear that?

The Lord REMEMBERS.

By the way, He has not forgotten you or me! He REMEMBERS our tears, our needs, and our prayers for others. Doesn’t that BLESS you?

Conclusion: Who do you need to pray for right now? Will you do it? Don’t procrastinate. Follow through. Try PRAYER and FASTING. Be ready to join the greatest work on earth through the power of the Holy Spirit in converting men, women, boys and girls to faith in Jesus Christ.

There is a CROWN of REJOICING awaiting at the Judgment Seat of Christ. See you there!

Admittedly, there are different interpretations of this passage. For instance, some understand this to be those who have gone before us—referencing chapter 11. Others include all saints of all ages. Either way, it is clearly referring to many followers of Jesus Christ in heaven.

2. What should we leave behind? (Hebrews 12:1) – “…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

Matthew was moved to follow the Master instead of the money! Howbeit, others will criticize you like the Pharisees if you have a heart for sinners to be saved. Nevertheless, our Lord rebukes the self-righteous crowd by saying the following:

“But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

If the Holy Spirit was to open up our hearts, what would it look like? Is there pretense on the outside of our hearts? Are we genuinely transparent on the inside? Are our motives pure? What changes need to take place?

This heart-searching testimony of Paul should cause us to examine ourselves to see if our confidence is in the flesh or in the Lord. Honestly, which would it be?

1. On the Outside! (Philippians 3:1–7) – “Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.”

Speaking of pedigree and ancestral lineage, Paul had every reason to brag. But he did not! Instead, the Holy Spirit carries him as he writes to the CHRISTians in Philippi. After listing his credentials, he concluded it fell short of Jesus Christ’s righteousness.

It is almost as if he had a piece of paper listing his “good traits” vs his “God traits.” Admittedly, his “good traits” fell considerably short of “God’s glory and righteousness”!

Do you see the same thing in your life?

2. It Is What Is on the Inside That Really Matters! (Philippians 3:7–9) – “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith.”

Did you notice the “loss” and “gain” columns?
Self-righteousness = loss.
Christ’s righteousness = gain!

Are you there? It is a HAPPY DAY when that truth is discovered.