Response to the Return of the Prodigal - Rejoice, Act, Forgive, Comfort, Reaffirm Love!

Encouragement, guidance, and instructions on how to react when a wayward individual returns to the fold: Rejoice in heaven, act promptly to prevent negative consequences, forgive with a spirit of love, comfort with encouragement, and publicly reaffirm unconditional love and support. These steps are vital for maintaining unity and compassion within the community.

• Response
• Prodigal Return
• Rejoice
• Forgiveness
• Comfort
• Unconditional Love

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Uploaded on Sep 25, 2024 | 0 Views

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2. REJOICE! Luke 15 Rejoice with (and for) the one who has returned (15:4-7, 8-10, 11-32) Rejoice with the rest of the family (15:6, 9, 22-24, 32) Rejoice with heaven (15:7, 10, 20)

3. ACT! 2 Cor. 2:7, 11 Failure to act (i.e., respond properly) will have devastating consequences: The penitent may be swallowed up by excessive sorrow (2:7) The church may be overreached by Satan (2:11) When a wayward sheep returns, the church MUST RESPOND immediately and appropriately!

4. FORGIVE! 2 Cor. 2:7 When a brother repents, we MUST forgive! (Luke 17:1-4) Our forgiving others is likened to Christ forgiving us (Eph. 4:32; Col; 3:13) The Father forgiving us is contingent on us forgiving others (Matt. 6:14-15; 18:35; Mark 11:25)

5. COMFORT! 2 Cor. 2:7 When a brother returns, we MUST comfort! From Greek parakaleo, lit. call to one s side God is our perfect example and ultimate source of comfort (2 Cor. 1:3-7; 7:6) Comfort is more than just soothing It is encouragement to continue the course (1 Thess. 2:11-12) Think of the example of Jesus with Peter (John 21:15-17)

6. REAFFIRM LOVE! 2 Cor. 2:8 When a brother returns, we MUST reaffirm agape love! The Greek indicates an authoritative public resolution The withdraw was done in a public church assembly (1 Cor. 5:4) The restoration should be made known in a public assembly The love of the family of God must abound and overflow toward this family member (1 Thess. 3:12-13; 4:9-10; Phil. 1:9) This is agape love unselfish, unconditional, seeking their best

7. When Wayward Sheep Return Home: REJOICE! ACT! FORGIVE! COMFORT! REAFFIRM LOVE!