Lakewood Baptist Church

I know you have heard the saying; “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure”.

I also know that if you have been in church for any time you have heard about the prodigal son, perhaps many times.

Well today we are going to look at the story from a different angle; the TRASH and the TREASURE of his life.

Our focus will be on Luke 15:11-24

1. The TRASH

Luke 15:12 - And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood.

• Have you ever thought that things are better elsewhere?
• That life would be better if you did not have to deal with current expectations and responsibilities.
• Just remember that problems are not just at home.

Luke 15:13- And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with reckless living.

• Let the good times roll.
• Wine, Women and Song, what a life
• What more could you ask for?

2. The TREASURE

Luke 15:11-Then He said: "A certain man had two sons.

• The truth is that what we have is usually better than what we want.

Luke 15:17 -"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

• Realizing your mistake is the first step toward the TREASURE
• When you realize the mistake what do you do?

Luke 15:18 - I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,

• It is a wise person that admits and confesses sin. Luke 15:20 - "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
• It is a wise person that takes action to make it right. Luke 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. (23) And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; (24) for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.

The father was ready to forgive and accept the son back into the family.

The TRASH in your life maybe overshadowing the TREASURE God has for you today.

Now is the time that you COME TO YOURSELF; ARISE and COME TO GOD.

Psalm 85

We live in a nation often referred to as Christian.

While many claim to be Christian, their lives often don’t match the claim.

That’s exactly the way the Israelites lived before they were brought into captivity.

Psalm 85 is a prayer for revival as the Jews returned to Israel from captivity.

1. Prayer for Favor

Psalms 85:1-7

1 Lord, You have been favorable to Your land;
You have brought back the captivity of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven the iniquity of Your people;
You have covered all their sin. Selah
3 You have taken away all Your wrath; You have turned from the fierceness of Your anger.
4 Restore us, O God of our salvation, And cause Your anger toward us to cease.
5 Will You be angry with us forever? Will You prolong Your anger to all generations?
6 Will You not revive us again, That Your people may rejoice in You?
7 Show us Your mercy, Lord, And grant us Your salvation. NKJV

• The psalmist recognizes that captivity and judgment were necessary and prays that the Lord would turn from His anger and grant them mercy.
• We, too, must admit our faults before the Lord will revive us.

2. Willingness to Hear the Lord

Psalms 85:8-13

8 I will hear what God the Lord will speak, For He will speak peace To His people and to His saints;
But let them not turn back to folly.
9 Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him,
That glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; Righteousness and peace have kissed.
11 Truth shall spring out of the earth, And righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 Yes, the Lord will give what is good;
And our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness will go before Him, And shall make His footsteps our pathway. NKJV

• A failure to listen to God brings judgment, so the psalmist is willing to hear the Lord in hope of revival.
• If the conditions of repentance are met, the psalmist knows blessings will follow!

Would you, this week, pray over this Psalm, repent of sin, and plead with God for His favor, that He might revive your heart, this church, our nation, and this world for His sake.