The Distant Country
This morning I will be preaching the message “The Distant Country.” It is a message that goes along with the Bible study AHA. We all have our own AHA stories and they all involve that distant country we find ourselves in.
The message comes from Luke 15
Luke 15:11-13 GNB (11) Jesus went on to say, "There was once a man who had two sons. (12) The younger one said to him, 'Father, give me my share of the property now.' So the man divided his property between his two sons. (13) After a few days the younger son sold his part of the property and left home with the money. He went to a country far away, where he wasted his money in reckless living.
He asked for his inheritance, left the Father’s house, and went off to a distant country. As I said before, all AHA stories have this distant country as part of the story.
In this story, the “distant country” is literally just a faraway place.
But figuratively, the reality of the distant country is that it is not just a random place, it’s a place “distant” specifically from the father’s house.
We can find ourselves in that “distant country” while near family and friends. We can even be in a “distant country” while seated in church!
It may start off with a simple request to do things on your own for a while, and you end up in the distant country.
It could start off with wanting to do things your way, and you end up in the distant country.
It might be that you wanted to blow off a little steam, and you end up in the distant country.
But the thing about the distant country is that it seems really, really fun. You don’t have to answer to anyone, you get to make the decisions, you don’t have to feel guilty, you’re the one on the throne.
You get to the distant country, look around, and love it.
For a while.
But then you will find yourself broke (or broken). You will find yourself hungry.
This sets you up for the AHA moment that will change the rest of your life!
Jesus is waiting to meet you on your road to Damascus and turn you around.
Maybe you have been in that distant country a long time.
Maybe you are on that road to the distant country.
Today is the first day of the rest of your life!
Have your AHA moment today and return to the Fathers house!
Have a blessed day
Comments
Amen Dianna Lynne Potts amen
Amen good words brother
Thanks Tramp Chuck Dare See you in a bit