RCCG: Place of His Presence

Eating Your Cake and Still Having It: Only With God

Luke 15: 11 – 24

Introduction.

It is said that “you can’t have your cake and eat it too”, which makes more sense when read as “you can not eat your cake and have it too”. Today, we will see that, with God you could.

1. The son asked for his cake. Verse 12

He called for his cake and was given

Proverbs 3:5 Often, we do not leave things in God’s hands, but we lean on our own understanding often.

2. He ate his cake and lost his sonship position. Verses 13 - 15

He ate his cake

Lost his sonship and became a servant worse than his father’s that he was willing to eat the pigs’ food.

(Webster’s Unabridged Revised Dictionary says “fain” adverb meaning “with joy; gladly”.

American Heritage Dictionary: “happily; gladly”)

Our choices without God, leads us away from Him and unto destruction. Proverbs 16:25

3. He turned back. Verses 16 – 20a

He realised himself (we must realise how we have sinned and confess the sins)

He repented (then turn away from our sins to God) Isaiah 59:20 says "The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," declares the LORD. (cf Jeremiah 18:8)

He humbled himself –though he had no choice, but it was a good thing that he humbled himself. 2 Kings 22:19*

He went back When we realise our error and turn back to God, He will be there waiting.

4. God’s mercy restored his sonship. Verse 20b – 24

God’s love rushed to take him through the rest of the way back –just because he turned.

Ezekiel 18:32 “For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!” He loves us more than we can ever imagine. He father was rejoiced more than the son, for the reunion.

Finally

We only need to take the steps to turn back to Him. He will do the rest.

Some say the son was shrewd. Even at that, Jesus desires us to be wise (Matt. 10:16)

God’s mercy is always available. But we have to avail ourselves of it.

Acts 17:30* God, in His mercy, winks at our former ignorance and accepts our repentance.

With the merciful God, it is possible for us to eat our cake and still have it, if we ate it out of ignorance. Let us pray and thank God for His mercies.