The Father's Heart 　 Let's Pray: O Lord, we praise You that Your abundant mercy is our daily song; we can never exhaust speaking it. Without Your mercy, we are the most pitiful people. 　 Hymn:1052 　 I've wandered far away from God, Now I'm coming home; The paths of sin too long I've trod, Lord, I'm coming home. Coming home, coming home, Nevermore to roam; Open wide Thine arms for love; Lord, I'm coming home. 　 Today's Verses and Footnotes: Luke 19:1-27 Key Verse: Luke 15:20 And he rose up and came to his own father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and he ran and fell on his neck and kissed him affectionately. Luke 15:22 But the father said to his slaves, Bring out quickly the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. Luke 15:23 And bring the fattened calf; slaughter it, and let us eat and be merry, Luke 15:24 Because this son of mine was dead and lives again; he was lost and has been found. And they began to be merry. 　 Life Supply: If we read carefully the parable of the loving father [in Luke 15], we shall see that while the prodigal son was still squandering the father's riches, the father was waiting for him to come back. When the son came to himself and decided to go to his father, he prepared what he would say to him: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants" (15:18-19). What would you have said to the father if you had been the prodigal son in this parable? Perhaps you would have said to yourself, "I am going back to my father's house. But what shall I say, and what shall I do when I get there? Should I knock on the door? Should I call out, 'Father, I'm home'? I feel ashamed and foolish for squandering everything my father gave me. I cannot bear to recall the way I have been living. I know for sure that my father will not be outside waiting for me. Probably he will be in the house relaxing and enjoying life. Everything is fine with him, but not with me. Oh, what shall I do when I get home?" To the prodigal son's great surprise, "While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion; and he ran and fell on his neck and kissed him affectionately" (v. 20). Perhaps the prodigal said to himself, "This is like a dream! I didn't call out or knock on the door, but my father comes running to me. Now he is embracing me and kissing me!" The father…said to his slaves, "Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf; slaughter it, and let us eat and be merry; because this son of mine was dead and lives again, was lost and was found!" (vv. 22-24). After coming back to his father, the prodigal son enjoyed all the riches of God's provision in His salvation…. Therefore, he could become a very happy person. With his father he could eat and be merry. What a pleasant picture this is! (Life-Study of Luke, pp. 300-301) 　 Questions: 1. What is the Father's heart toward us? (See Luke 15:20 note 1, note 2, note 3) 2. Please explain why we can eat and be merry because of Father's love? (See Luke 15:23-24, 23 note 1) 3. What should we do, since all things are now ready? (See Luke 14:16-17, 16 note 1) 　 Tomorrow: The Savior Went Straight ahead Boldly 　 请我们先祷告 主，我们赞美你，你丰厚的怜悯是我们日常的诗歌，我们永远述说不尽；甚至今天我们能在这里，也是出于你丰厚的怜悯，你若不怜悯，我们是极其可怜！ 　 诗歌:728♫ 　 谁在流荡远离天父？ 为何不回家？ 　 活在罪中，终日痛苦， 何不就回家？ 　 回家罢！回家罢！ 不要再流荡！ 　 慈爱天父等你回家， 整天在巴望！ 　 今日经节及注解 路十九1～27 重点经节 路15:20 　 路15:22 　 路15:23 路15:24 　 于是起来往他父亲那里去。相离还远，他父亲看见，就动了慈心，跑去抱着他的颈项，热切的与他亲嘴。 父亲却吩咐奴仆说，快把那上好的袍子拿出来给他穿，把戒指戴在他手上，把鞋穿在他脚上， 把那肥牛犊牵来宰了，让我们吃喝快乐。 因为我这个儿子是死而复活，失而又得的。他们就快乐起来。 　 生命供应 我们若仔细读［路加十五章］父亲接子的比喻，就会看见浪子还在挥霍父亲的丰富时，父亲却在等候他回来。当小儿子醒悟过来，就决定回到父亲那里去。他预备要对父亲说，"父亲，我犯罪得罪了天，并得罪了你。我不配再称为你的儿子，把我当作一个雇工罢。"（18～19。）你若是这个比喻中的浪子，你会对父亲说什么？也许你会自言自语："我要回到父家去。但是我到那里要说什么，要作什么？我该叩门么？我该大声喊父亲，我回家了？我感到惭愧、愚昧，因为我把父亲给我的一切都挥霍了。已往的生活方式真是不堪回首。我知道我的父亲一定不会在外面等我，他也许在家里消遣、享受生活。他事事亨通，我一切都不如意。哦，我回家要作什么？"。 令浪子大为惊讶的是："相离还远，他父亲看见，就动了慈心，跑去抱着他的颈项，热切的与他亲嘴。"（20。）浪子也许自言自语："这真象作梦！我没有大喊，也没有叩门，但是我父亲跑到我这里来。现在他拥抱我，与我亲嘴！" 父亲…对奴仆说，"快把那上好的袍子拿出来给他穿，把戒指戴在他手上，把鞋穿在他脚上，把那肥牛犊牵来宰了，让我们吃喝快乐。因为我这个儿子是死而复活，失而又得的。"（22～24。） 当儿子回家时，他是个衣衫褴褛的可怜乞丐。…浪子回到父亲那里以后，就享受神救恩所供应的一切丰富。…因此，他能成为非常喜乐的人。他能与父亲一同吃喝快乐。这幅图画真是令人愉快！（路加福音生命读经，三四五至三四八页。） 　 问答: 1、 什么是父亲的心？（参读 路十五20，太十五20注1，注2，注3。） 2、 请说明父神的爱使我们吃喝快乐？（参读 路十五23～24，23注1。） 3、 样样都齐备了，我们该如何？（参读 路十四16～17，16注1。） 　 明天:救主勇往直前