THE PRODIGAL CITY - PART III: REDEMPTION AND RESTORATION

Although I have never experienced a major period of backsliding as a Christian, I have drifted in smaller ways from the Lord at times and have had to turn to Him in repentance for redemption and restoration. I know what it’s like to come to my senses and realize that the place I’ve ended up is not the place for which I was created. I know what it’s like to arise and begin a journey back toward Father’s house and the Father’s heart. I also know what it’s like to have experience the Father’s embrace in the swirling awareness of my unworthiness. I know what it’s like to feel his love begin to melt the hard places of my heart as he reminds me of my identity and destiny again.

In this third part of the story of the Prodigal Son, we find a turning heart restored to a burning heart of humility, repentance and redemption. The son rises up and returns to the Father, all the while rehearsing the words of repentance, “I am not worthy to be called your son but just receive me as one of your servants and it will be enough for me”. But as we know, Father will have none of that. His love, His hope, His longing eyes cast daily upon the horizon looking for the rising silhouette of his son, would never permit his son to return as a mere servant. After the Father receives him with loving affection, He calls for the Royal Robe of Identity, the Sacred Ring of Authority and the Sovereign Shoes of Destiny and places them upon His son.

God is a Redeemer, and His purpose for our Prodigal City is nothing less than full redemption and restoration of Identity, Authority and Destiny. As we look at these three dimensions of restoration, we need to remember that our city is really a city of many little cities: communities, ethnic groups, sub-cultures who live side by side in what we call San Francisco. It’s also important to remember that each of these sub-cities is composed of thousands of individuals for whom Jesus died. Redemption and restoration is both corporate as well as individual. It must happen simultaneously on all levels for true revival transformation to occur.

IDENTITY: The reason I am still in San Francisco after growing up here and returning for over thirty years of ministry is because I believe God is longing for the return of this Prodigal City and the restoration of it’s full identity, authority and destiny. Our city’s identity is reflective of the name sake of our city. Saint Francis, despite some doctrinal error, was the original Jesus Freak. He abandoned wealth and position to serve the Lord and build His broken down Church. He gathered young people to himself and mobilized them to travel around their region, preaching the Gospel, healing the sick and caring for the poor. His ministry was characterized by Mercy. Although it has been misunderstood and misapplied, mercy remains the redemptive gift of our city, imbedded deeply in the fabric of our city.

AUTHORITY: San Francisco’s authority is found in the authors design: An amazing natural harbor that provides refuge for the journey but also provides a place of export and influence to the rest of the world. Our city has remained in the top ten cities that people want to visit and live in throughout the world. What happens in our city often sets the trend for other key cities. Although the leadership we provide to the rest of the world has often been negative in a Kingdom sense, no one can deny the scope of our cities authority on a global scale.

DESTINY: San Francisco has a Kingdom Destiny which is found in the primary point of impact we have had on global culture. Our city is a People Movement Incubator. Many major movements that have swept the earth have begun in our city. The UN, labor movements, civil rights, the student movement, the Beatnik, Hippie and New Age movements, and many more have found a launching pad in our city before impacting the rest of the world. We believe this “anointing” is from God even if it has been used at times to promote ungodly things. We believe the Destiny of San Francisco is to launch a New Jesus Movement that will shake the earth with one of the biggest harvests of souls in history.

Let’s pray that our city and region, turns back to the Father to receive the Repentance, Redemption, and Restoration. Pray that the Father’s love will touch the most unloved and unlovely and restore the identity, authority and destiny of a generation. Merry Christmas!

THE NEHEMIAH MANDATE: RESTORATION

After over 70 years of Babylonian captivity, God called His people back to the Promised Land to restore Israel to its former glory. His plan for restoration stood in the face of overwhelming destruction and demoraliza- tion. The first step was to restore the ALTAR and reinstitute the priestly sacrifices. The next step was to rebuild the TEMPLE, from the foundations to the capstone. The final step was to rebuild the WALLS and gates of protection around the city.

Nehemiah was a Hebrew of high rank in the Persian king's court and had been following the news of Israel's restoration with great interest. When he learned that the city and its gates were still destroyed and burned, his grief overflowed in the king's presence. Nehemiah found favor with the king, who commis-sioned him to go and rebuild Jerusalem. Upon arrival, Nehemiah rallied the people to sacrificial service in rebuilding the city's destiny. Although they faced accusation and opposition from local enemies, they completed the city walls in just 52 days.

Like Nehemiah, we believe God has ordained a great purpose for the San Francisco Bay Area. We are called to give birth to a new Jesus Movement that transforms and blesses cities worldwide. Just as in ancient Jerusalem, the enemy has attacked our city and hijacked God's purpose for his own evil intent. Yet even now, God is raising up a Nehemiah Movement to restore and reclaim our God-given calling to bless the nations.

For almost 100 nights, an army of passionate revivalists from dozens of churches have met to renew the ALTAR of worship and intercession, restore the TEMPLE of unity and community, and rebuild the WALLS of purpose and destiny for our region. Each night, God has met us in marvelous ways: reviving the saints, healing the sick, and setting captives free. The enemy does not want us to succeed and is working overtime to hinder us from pressing in for revival. Yet opposition itself is a sign of the victory God has in store for us as we continue to obey in this season.