THE GOD MOMENT OF HOLY ATTRACTION
LUKE 15:11-32
INTRODUCTION:
I’VE BEEN TRYING OVER THE PAST FEW WEEKS TO INTRODUCE YOU TO AN UNDERSTANDING OF SOME OF THE MANY WAYS THAT GOD HAS BEEN RADICALLY EFFECTING YOUR LIVES. THEY ARE CALLED GOD MOMENTS. THESE ARE MOMENTS WHEN GOD INTERVENES IN YOUR LIFE, IN SUPERNATURAL WAYS, THAT CAN ONLY BE EXPLAINED AS GOD ACTIONS.
IT DOES NOT STOP THERE THOUGH. NOT ONLY DOES GOD INTERVENE, BUT THE REST OF THE PERSON’S LIFE IS CHANGED AS A RESULT OF THAT INTERVENTION. THE CHOOSING OF A PARTICULAR OCCUPATION, OR PERSON TO HAVE A LIFELONG RELATIONSHIP WITH COULD BE A GOD MOMENT.
GOD MOMENTS OBVIOUSLY ARE ONLY RECOGNIZED BY BELIEVERS. NON-BELIEVERS WOULD HAVE NO PROBLEM RECOGNIZING THE GOOD MOMENTS IN THEIR LIVES AS GOD MOMENTS, BUT I DARE SAY WOULD HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF DIFFICULTY NOT LOOKING ON GOD WITH JUDGEMENTAL EYES WHEN SOMETHING BAD OCCURS. BUT JUST LAST WEEK WE FOUND OUT THAT GOD CAN ACT IN POSITIVE WAYS THROUGH THE GOD MOMENT OF VALUABLE ADVERSITY.
TODAY WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT THE LAST OF FIVE TYPES OF GOD MOMENTS THAT I WANT TO FOCUS ON. THERE ARE PROBABLY OTHERS AS WELL BUT WE HAVE LOOKED AT FIVE. THEY ARE:
1. THE GOD MOMENT OF AMAZING RESCUE
2. THE GOD MOMENT OF UNEARNED BLESSING
3. THE GOD MOMENT OF REVEALED TRUTH
4. THE GOD MOMENT OF VALUABLE ADVERSITY
AND TODAY WE ARE LOOKING AT NO. 5: THE GOD MOMENT OF HOLY ATTRACTION
ATTRACTION HAS TO BE THE MOST UNEXPLAINABLE EMOTIONOR FEELING THERE IS. WHAT MAKES TWO THINGS ATTRACT? WHAT IS SO STRONG THAT IT CANNOT HELP BUT DRAW US TOGETHER? THERE ARE SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES THAT APPLY TO MAGNETISM THAT HELP US TO UNDERSTAND IT, BUT NOT SO WITH HUMANS. THERE IS NO EASY ANSWER, NO POTION, NO RHYME NOR REASON TO EXPLAIN WHAT DRAWS US CLOSER TO ONE AND NOT THE OTHER.
IF YOU TALK TO PEOPLE WHO SAY THEY DON’T LIKE A CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL, THE ANSWERS WE GET ARE MORE BASED ON INTUITION AND FEELING THAN ANYTHING OBJECTIVE. THERE IS A SERIES OF COMMERCIALS ON TELEVISION RIGHT NOW, I BELIEVE CAR COMMERCIALS, WHICH TALK ABOUT BAD DECISIONS AND GOOD DECISIONS. YOU HAVE AN UNRULY LOOKING CHARACTER COMING UP TO YOUR CAR WINDOW WITH A CHAIN SAW RUNNING. YOU STOP ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW, AND HE SAYS THANKS FOR PICKING HIM UP. THEN A SIGN WHICH SAYS BAD DECISION IS DISPLAYED. WELL THAT’S AN OBJECTIVE TRUTH THAT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND.
BUT CAN YOU EXPLAIN THIS:
1. A PERSON DECIDES NOT TO GO OUT WITH ANOTHER BECAUSE THEY FEEL THAT THE OTHER PERSON IS TOO ANGRY. EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN THE TEMPER FLAIR UP, THEY CAN JUST SEE IT IN THEIR EYES. WHATS GOING ON HERE? DO MY EYES HAVE A SPECIAL MESSAGE WRITTEN ON THEM THAT SAYS ANGRY OR COLD PERSON, OR FUN-LOVING AND EASY-GOING?
2. A PERSON IS CONSIDERED FOR EMPLOYMENT. THEY HAVE ALL THE QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED FOR THE JOB, BUT SOMETHING HOLDS THEM BACK FROM HIRING. WHAT IS IT THAT HOLDS THEM BACK. “ I DIDN’T LIKE THE WAY THE MAN WAS SITTING, IT SPELLED TROUBLE.” I’M SURE IF YOU CHECKED THE CHAIR YOU WOULD NOT FIND ANY WORDS WRITTEN ON IT.
3. WHAT CAUSES ATTRACTION IN RELATIONSHIPS? THIS IS ENOUGH AND DOES CREATE MANY HEADACHES FOR PEOPLE, USUALLY PARENTS OF TEENAGERS, PARTICUALRLY FATHERS OVER DAUGHTERS. YOU CAN HAVE TWO GUYS, ONE VERY CLASSY, AN ATHELETE, TOP NOTCH SCHOLAR ON ONE SIDE, AND THEN JUST THE OPPOSITE TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL STANDING NEXT TO HIM, AND THE GIRL CHOOSES THE OTHER GUY OF COURSE.
4. OR YOU’RE TRYING TO WIN THE HEART OF A PERSON OF THE OPPOSITE SEX. YOU’RE GETTING ALONG FINE, TALKING, LAUGHING, UNTIL A FRIEND OF YOURS COMES ALONG. IT STARTS OUT INNOCENTLY ENOUGH, BUT PRETTY SOON YOU CAN SEE THE SPARKS FLYING BETWEEN THEM AS THE FIRES OF A RELATIONSHIP IS KINDLED, AND YOUR FLAME IS GOING OUT. THE INTERESTING THING HERE IS THAT NEITHER THE FRIEND NOR THE OTHER PERSON SEE THIS HAPPENING AND ARE SURPRISED WHEN OTHERS TELL THEM THAT THEY COULD SEE IT A MILE AWAY.
ATTRACTION, IS SOMETHING NO ONE CAN UNDERSTAND. WHY ARE WE ATTRACTED TO THOSE WHO HURT US? STUDIES OF SPOUSAL ABUSE CASES SHOW THAT MOST ABUSED PEOPLE DO NOT BLAME THE ABUSER BUT FEEL THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING WRONG AND DESERVE THE ABUSE.
PEOPLE WHO ARE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF IN RELATIONSHIPS, SPOUSES WHO HAVE AFFAIRS, DRINK EXCESSIVELY, GAMBLE, AND ABUSE EMOTIONALLY, ARE USUALLY CHOSEN BY INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE WITNESSED THIS IN THEIR OWN IMMEDIATE FAMILY, AND HAVE SUCH LOW ESTEEM THAT THEY FELL THAT THIS TYPE OF INDIVIDUAL IS ALL THAT THEY ARE WORTHY OF.
IT’S A SAD AND UNEXPLAINABLE FACT OF LIFE THAT PEOPLE ARE DRAWN TOWARD NEGATIVE AS WELL AS POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS.
IN THE MIDST OF ALL THIS, WHERE DOES OUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD FIT IN? WHERE IS THAT MOMENT OF HOLY ATTRACTION FOR US?
I THINK FOR US, THAT THE KEY UNDERSTANDING ABOUT THE GOD MOMENT OF HOLY ATTRACTION, IS THAT GOD IS REACHING OUT TO US, BEFORE WE EVER REACH OUT TO HIM.
THE SCRIPTURES ARE PLAIN CONCERNING THIS:
EPHESISANS 2:1-3:
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
THIS PASSAGE IS TELLING US THAT IT IS NOT IN OUR NATURE TO SEEK A RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST. WHY ARE WE SO SURPRISED THAT PEOPLE ARE NOT TURNING TO THE CHURCH? THEIR SINFUL NATURE IS TELLING THEM NOT TO.
1 CORINTHIANS 1:18-22:
For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 20 Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its Wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
NOW OUR PASSAGE TODAY TALKS ABOUT THE GOD MOMENT OF HOLY ATTRACTION. THIS IS AN AMAZING MOMENT, BECAUSE IT TELLS US THAT EVEN THOUGH WE’VE GONE SO FAR AWAY FROM GOD IN OUR LOSTNESS AND SIN, THAT HE STILL REACHES OUT AND WANTS TO DRAW US INTO HIS KINGDOM.
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND:
WHAT CAUSES US TO BE ATTRACTED TO SOMETHING BEFORE WE WERE REPELLED BY? JESUS HERE IN LUKE FIFTEEN GIVES THREE DIFFERENT EXAMPLES TO SHOW OUR SINFUL CONDITION AND HIS GREAT LOVE FOR US.
THE PARABLES ALL HAVE A COMMON BEGINNING. THEY ALL BEGIN WITH THE OWNER OWNING ALL.
15:4: THE SHEPHERD OWNS 100 SHEEP BUT ONE GETS LOST
15:8: THE WOMAN HAS 10 SILVER COINS AND ONE IS LOST
15:11 THE MAN HAS TWO SONS AND ONE GOES AWAY.
NOW I BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS REFERRING TO PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME TO CHRIST AND FALLEN AWAY FROM HIM. WHY? BECAUSE IN EACH CASE ONLY ONE FALLS AWAY AND IS LOST, NOT ALL OF THEM. IF THESE WERE PARABLES ABOUT OUR FALLEN CONDITION THEN ALL THE SHEEP AND COINS WOULD HAVE TO BE LOST AND BOTH SONS RUN AWAY. I BELIEVE THAT THESE PARABLES ARE ABOUT WHAT WE CALL THE BACKSLIDER.
NOTE ALSO THAT IT IS THE OWNER OR FATHER WHO MAKES THE FIRST ATTEMPT AT REACHING THE LOST.
IN THE CASES OF THE LOST SHEEP AND THE COINS IT IS THE OWNER WHO LOOKS AND KEEPS LOOKING UNTIL THEY ARE FOUND. ALTHOUGH IN THE PARABLE THE FATHER DOES NOT ACTIVELY SEARCH FOR HIS SON, IT DOES TELL US THAT HE MADE THE FIRST MOVE TO WELCOME HIM BACK INTO HIS FAMILY. REMEMBER THE SON WAS NOT COMING BACK TO BE PART OF THE FAMILY. HE FELT HE DIDN’T DESERVE IT. HE WAS COMING BACK TO BE A SERVANT. IT WAS THE FATHER WHO RAN TO HIM AND WELCOMED HIM BACK INTO A RELATIONSHIP.
NOTE THAT ALL ARE JOYOUS WHEN THAT WHICH WAS LOST CAME BACK.
THESE PARABLES WERE GIVEN TO US TO SHOW THE KIND OF RELATIONSHIP WE NEED TO HAVE WITH EACH OTHER AS CHRISTIANS, SO THAT WHEN ONE OF US FALLS AWAY FROM CHRIST, WE WILL CONSTANTLY SEEK TO DRAW THAT INDIVIDUAL BACK INTO THE FAITH.
NOW THE ACCOUNT OF THE PRODICAL SON IS AGINIZING IN IT’S HURT. WHEN THE SON ASKED TO HAVE THE FATHER GIVE OVER HIS SHARE TO HIM, THE IMPLICATIONS WERE STAGGERING. YOU SEE IN HIS CULTURE IF THE FATHER SIGNED OVER HIS POSSESSIONS TO HIS SONS, THE FATHER WAS STILL ENTITLED TO LIVE ON THE PROCEEDS. NOW BECAUSE THE YOUNGER SON ASKED FOR AND GETS THE FULL MEASURE OF HIS INHERITANCE BEFORE HIS FATHER’S DEATH, IT WAS AS THOUGH THE BOY WAS SAYING “FATHER, I WOULD RATHER YOU WERE DEAD.”
HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF SOMEONE YOU LOVED FROM YOUR FAMILY ALL OF A SUDDEN CAME UP TO YOU AND SAID “YOU’RE DEAD TO ME”. IT WOULD BE DEVESTATING. YET WE DO THIS TO GOD EVERYDAY. EVERY CHILD OF GOD WHO SEEKS HIS OWN WAY RATHER THAN GOD’S WAY, EVERY DISCIPLE WHO DENIES HIM, EVERY SELF’CENTERED LIFE, HAS VIRTUALLY COMMUNICATED THAT VERY SAME MESSAGE TO GOD “FATHER, I WOULD RATHER YOU WERE DEAD.”
LUKE 9:23-24:
Then he said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.
WHAT WAS THE FATHER’S ACTION IN THE MATTER. HE ALLOWED THE BOY THE OPPORTUNITY TO FAIL. QUITE POSSIBLY HE COULD HAVE STOPPED THE BOY FROM GOING. INSTEAD HE ALLOWED THE BOY TO BECOME REPULSED WITH HIS OWN FOLLY AND BE DRAWN BACK TO THE FATHER WHO HAS ALWAYS LOVED HIM. THE FATHER BY LOVING THE BOY ANYWAY, WOULD ALLOW THE BEAUTY AND BLESSING OF HOME TO TRAVEL IN THE SON’S WAYWARD HEART UNTIL, EVENTUALLY, IT WOULD DRAW HIM HOME.
FINALLY ONE DAY, COLD, DESTITUTE, AND HUNGRY THE MESSAGE LAID ON THE BOYS HEART BY THE FATHER WAS HEARD. THE BOY IN THE MIDST OF A HOG TROUGH REALIZED THAT HE WAS NOT ONLY ASSOCIATING WITH DEFILED CREATURES – HE HAD BECOME ONE HIMSELF.
THE MARVEL OF THE GOD MOMENT OF HOLY ATTRACTION IS NOT THAT GOD HAS ALWAYS PREVENTED YOU FROM TAKING AN UGLY PATH, BUT THAT IN THE DEPTHS OF YOUR UGLINESS GOD HAS CALLED YOU HOMEWARD. GOD ESTABLISHED A RELATIONSHIP WITH US BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN, AND A WAYWARD JOURNEY WAS NOT GOING TO CHANGE HIS LOVE FOR YOU AND ME.
DON’T MISS THIS. WHAT DREW THE BOY HOME? HIS ATTRACTION TO HIS FATHER. IT WAS HIS HEART MESSAGE DRAWING HIM BACK TO HIS FATHER’S BLESSING. THE ATTRACTION OF HOME WAS SO OVERWEALMING THAT IT OVERCAME THE BOY’S SHAME, FOLLY AND STUBBORNENSS. WHILE THE BOY CHOSE TO RETURN, IT WAS THE RESULT OF AN IRRESTIBLE ATTRACTION.
APPLICATION:
WHAT CAN WE LEARN ABOUT THIS ATTRACTION? THE ONLY WAY THE FOOLISH SON EVER FOUND HIS WAY BACK HOME WAS BY THE STUNNING ATTRACTION OF A BETTER HOLIER, HEALTHIER WAY. IT WAS A MOMENT OF HOLY ATTRACTION.
ANY MOMENT WHEN WE “COME TO OUR SENSES” IS A MOMENT OF HOLY ATTRACTION. HOLY ATTRACTION MEANS DISCOVERING THE SWEETNESS OF GOD’S WAY COMPARED TO OUR OWN WAY. IT MEANS THAT GOD IS DOING THE PURIFYING WORK, NOT US.
HEBREWS 1:3: The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
HOW THEN DO WE REVEAL GOD MOMENTS OF HOLY ATTRACTION?
1. BEGIN BY THANKING GOD FOR SENDING HIS SON WHILE YOU WERE STILL IN SIN. PONDER THE INITIATIVE OF GOD IN YOUR SALVATION.
2. RECONSIDER THE LOW MOMENTS IN YOUR MORAL LIFE. LOOK CLOSELY AT TIME WHEN YOU WERE ATTRACTED TO UNHOLY THINGS. ASK YOURSELF THIS QUESTION “WHY DID I FEEL COMPELLED TO CHANGE? YOU WILL FIND AT THE ROOT OF YOUR ANSWER IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP TO GOD AND HE ATTRACTING YOU TO HIM.
3. DON’T PRESUME THAT YOUR OWN EFFORT TO CLEAN UP YOUR LIFE HAS BEEN SUFFICIENT. INSTEAD LEARN TO PRAY AS DAVID DID:
PSALM 51:7-10:
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than Snow. 8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. 10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
CONCLUSION:
WHO CAN UNDERSTAND ATTRACTION OR A BETTER QUESTION IS WHO CAN UNDERSTAND WHY GOD SHOULD BE ATTACTED TO ME?
WE ALL WANT TO KNOW THAT WE ARE LOVED, THAT WE ARE VALUED. WE ALL WANT TO KNOW THAT WE ARE CHOSEN BECAUSE SOMEONE SEES WORTH IN US. WE ARE ATTRACTED TO THE PEOPLE WHO SEE WORTH IN US, OR WHO WE FEEL SEES WORTH IN US.
HOW MUCH MORE THEN SHOULD WE BE ATTRACTED TO GOD. LOOK HEVENWARD AND SEE THE SMILE OF DADDY’S FACE. LISTEN HEAVENWARD AND HEAR THE LAUGHTER IN THE YARD. THE MEMORIES OF HOLY ATTRACTION ARE CALLING AGAIN. COME HOME.
