A Second Chance Gospel

Reference: No Wonder They Call Him The Savior, Max Lucado

Scripture Ref: Mark 16:1-7 Isa. 43:25

Luke 15:11-32 1 John 1:9

John 8:1-11 Matthew 6:14

2 Samuel 12:13 Mark 3:28

Psalm 65:3 Acts 2:36-38

1. Introduction

a. What does it mean to be given a second chance?

b. Do you recall having asked for, and received, second chances as a child? As an adult?

c. Read: Thomas A. Edison was working on a crazy contraption called a "light bulb" and it took a whole team of men 24 straight hours to put just one together. The story goes that when Edison was finished with one light bulb, he gave it to a young boy helper, who nervously carried it up the stairs. Step by step he cautiously watched his hands, obviously frightened of dropping such a priceless piece of work. You’ve probably guessed what happened by now; the poor young fellow dropped the bulb at the top of the stairs. It took the entire team of men twenty-four more hours to make another bulb. Finally, tired and ready for a break, Edison was ready to have his bulb carried up the stairs. He gave it to the same young boy who dropped the first one. That’s true forgiveness.

d. Our life as a Christian is the direct result of being given a second chance. Possibly, even probably, a 3rd, 4th, 5th, and so on chance.

2. Mark 16:1-7—Christ has been resurrected and is coming to meet the disciples.

a. Revisit the story of Jesus being taken captive and Peter’s denial of knowledge of Christ.

b. Emphasize the significance of Peter’s relationship with Christ and with God—God revealed to Peter that Christ was His son (Mat. 16:17).

c. Focus is on verse 7, AND PETER.

d. Despite Peter’s denial, he is still part of the plan.

3. Luke 15:11-32—The parable of the Prodigal Son

a. This “story” is an allegory, a moralizing story.

b. The younger son requested an unusual thing when he asked for his share of the estate. It was usually not given to the heirs until the father could no longer manage it well.

c. The father acquiesced to the son’s request and gave him his share of the inheritance and the son went and squandered it in wild living, much like we have done with our lives in the past when chose to life a life apart from Christ.

d. Those listening to this story would immediately have begun to understand this story

(1) Jesus had been criticized for associating with sinners.

(2) The sinners were considered people who were far away from God, squandering their lives in riotous living.

e. A famine occurred and the second son ran out of money so that he had to work for a foreigner feeding pigs, something detestable to a Jew.

(1) In his hunger he longed for the pods—the food he fed the pigs. As a Jew, he could have stooped no lower.

(2) In this low condition, he came to his senses. He decided to go back to his father and work for him.

(3) Just as when we can go no lower, we recognize we need to be with the Father and restore our lives and our relationship with Him.

f. The third section of the parable describes the father’s response.

(1) He had been waiting for his son to return—just as God waits patiently for us to turn to him.

(2) The father, full of compassion, ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him—just as God envelops us in His love when we return to Him.

(3) The father would not listen to the young son’s rehearsed speech. Rather, he had the servants prepare a banquet to celebrate the son’s return—just as God does not see our sin through the blood of Christ.

g. Despite everything he had done, the son was welcomed back into the family and restored to his former position.

h. When we return to the bosom of Christ, we are the prodigal son or daughter.

4. John 8:1-12—The story of the prostitute about to be stoned.

a. Nobody without sin to condemn her—implies we are all sinful.

b. Christ did not condemn her either, but rather forgave her.

c. Explain how she had a second chance if Christ was still living.

5. Second chances found in the Old Testament

a. 2 Samuel 12:13—Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die.

b. Psalm 65:3—When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.

c. Isa. 43:25—I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.

6. Second chances reiterated in the New Testament.

a. 1 John 1:9—If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.