Preacher: Pastor Chidi NwekoTopic: Setting the mind on the things of the spiritText: Luke 15:1-32, 1Cor 13:33, Phil 2:12-13For a believer, wandering off the mark is very easy and possible. But the degree to which one can get back on track depends on growth. That is why the believer has to consistently set his mind on the things of the spirit.We have been saved through Christ, but it is now expected of us to work out our salvation.1John 4:18God’s love drives out fear as it gives us an understanding of all that’s in Christ.1 Peter 2:122 Timothy 4:10We see Demas here as an example of one who strayed from the faith because of his love for the things of the world.In Luke 15, Jesus spoke in parables and we see a reference from Psalms 78:2Parables point us to the kingdom of God.The first parable in Luke 15 is the parable of the lost sheep. Here he qualifies himself (Christ) as the good shepherd.It is the value that the shepherd places on the sheep that makes him search so hard for it.Also, there was the parable of the prodigal son.The two stories in some ways are similar:~they both wandered away~they both became lost~they we’re both strandedThe prodigal son, after spending and becoming stranded, came to himself and went from a position of give me (Luke 15:12) to a humbler position of make me (Luke 15:19)One thing that remains is that the father is always waiting with open arms to receive