What creates JOY in heaven?

Hey GCT:  Sit and ponder how loving a heavenly Father we have in that our repentance is what creates rejoicing in heaven.  What gets the myriads and myriads of spiritual powers in heaven really excited - our repentance.  Why does repentance create rejoicing in heaven?  Because repentance is when I submit to the Spirit of God Himself to do battle and win against my own flesh.  This brings about sanctification and holiness in me and God really likes it when that happens.  

What is this repentance?  Repentance is when I see the evil of my sin which then leads me to mourn that I have committed that sin and that mourning turns into me abandoning that sin.  Repentance is when there is a depth of heart change that results in me hating the sins I once loved and loving the righteousness that I once hated.  This heart change creates great joy in heaven.  This is perfectly illustrated by a parable that Jesus told in Luke 15.

This Sunday, after eleven months in Ephesians, we are going to enjoy a beautiful Gospel parable spoken by Jesus Christ when he was confronted by a bunch of unbelieving Pharisees.  The parable is called, The Prodigal Son.  Did you know that this parable does not actually have a name in the biblical text?  The name “Prodigal Son" actually is just part of the editor's title to help you easily find the story.  We could call this parable “The Father who throws a party when his son repents” or it could be called “The Older brother who demands grace but never gives grace.”

The name does not really matter but the lesson is life changing and eternal.  Jesus reminds us in this parable that grace changes everything!  The undeserved forgiveness of our heavenly Father changes us, our relationships, and our community.  This is not cheap grace but grace that is very costly to our Father.  We are also called to give this same costly grace to all we come in contact.  If you met the prodigal son would you be willing to give costly grace?  Would you be willing to give the same costly grace that your Father in heaven poured upon you? Or would you have said he is a lost cause?  Would you be the one to say, "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ Let us celebrate (Luke 15:24)."

Receive the costly grace of Jesus Christ and give freely the costly grace of Jesus Christ through the power of HIs Holy Spirit in you.

Please read over Luke 15, as we prepare for worship this Sunday.  This parable will lead us into sharing the Lord’s Supper together as we celebrate this covenant of grace that we have with our heavenly Father through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  

I really look forward to worshipping with you Sunday. - Steve