Come To God Introduction: 1. The invitation of God is to come to him. 2. The inviting nature of the invitation. It comes with expectations (Lk. 15). I. Acknoweldges where he is (verse 17). A. Acknowledges where he is. 1. Takes a look at himself. He may try to minimize, rationalize, relabel, deny. 2. Must look at self (2 Cor. 13:5; Ps. 39:1). B. Acknowledges why we are there. 1. Must remove filters, take responsibility, and ownership. C. Where is he?-Lost and in need of God (Rom. 8:6, 7; 2:12). So he decides to go home (Eph. 5:14). D. Note: Until there is an acknowledgement man will stay where he is. II. Admits-confession (verse 18). A. Admits failure. The hardest words to utter are I was wrong. Pride gets in the way (Prov. 20:6). B. Willing to confess any shortcomings (i.e. 2 Sam. 24:10f.; Neh. 1:6, 7; Ps. 51:2). C. Note his confession: I have sinned. D. There is a difference between ones confession to become a child of God (Rom. 10:9, 10) and a Christian’s confession of fault (Ja. 5:16; 1 Jn. 1:8-10). III. Accepts the consequences (verse 19). A. Every action reaps consequences (Hosea 10:12, 13; Ps. 126:6). B. If one stays where he is he his lost. Meaning-without God and hope. Looking at eternity (2 Thes. 1:9; Rev. 20:10). Eternal, real and horrible, C. If we come to God the consequences are great-Eternity of heaven (Heb. 13:14; Rev. 22:1f.). Conclusion: 1. Reception-God is gracious, merciful and forgiving. Man leaves sin. 2. God’s terms of coming to him.
Entered on 1/27/2008
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