Dr. Jesse Duplantis blessed the people of Higher Ground Ministries by flying all the way from the great state of Louisiana, and delivering a powerful sermon before a packed congregation, on the parable of the prodigal son.  It truly is an honor and a blessing to have the distinct privilege of having a guest speaker of Dr. Duplantis' calibur, and we certainly extend hearty New England thanks and appreciation to Jesse Duplantis and his ministry. 

Dr. Duplantis had opened the sermon with comforting words regarding the passing of Pastor Kerry Twing.  He also closed the sermon with some thoughts on his friendship with Pastor Kerry and his family, and a few moments they shared together.  Many of us were warmed and comforted by his loving thoughts and memories of our beloved pastor.  We, as a church body, are grateful for Dr. Jesse Duplantis and his continuing relationship with our ministry, and as we follow his ministry throughout the year, we look forward to his next visit with another wonderful sermon. 

Praise the Lord!

The title of the sermon was, "Dawn never comes twice to awaken you".  The text for the sermon was Luke 15:11-32, which is of course the parable of the prodigal son given to us by Jesus.  After the prodigal son had spent all he had through prodigal living, he came home to his father and was ready to accept punishment.  However, the father was not interested in punishment, the father was all about forgiveness.  The older brother was angry because the younger brother sinned but did not experience punishment, but rather the father threw a party in his honor.  Was the older brother really angry because the younger brother sinned, or was he really upset that he didn't have the nerve to go out and do these things himself?  In both of their situations they are both just as guilty because both apparently had the same thoughts. It's just that one of them went out and physically committed the sin, while the other simply wanted to.  Both of these boys were good sons, but they were not good brothers.

Jesse Duplantis went on to make the following statements:

• It is through our freedom that God will correct the abuses of freedom.
• Beware the opiate of society.
• The self centered life is always indifferent to the claims of others.
• The root of all sin is selfishness.
• Temptation and sin are the twins of sensual indulgence.
• Self righteousness is just as much sin as unrighteousness.
• Both sons went to the father but the father was not ready for punishment but forgiveness.
• God's disposition to all is love, and God's purpose for all is salvation.

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