WEBVTT

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 Well, thank you, Peter.

00:00:02.839 --> 00:00:07.360
 And thank you, Christy and Michael, for sharing with us.

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 It's just so great to hear about how God is working in people's lives,

00:00:11.240 --> 00:00:14.259
 and what he's doing, and how he is not a dead God, but he is a living God.

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 And great as well to hear Starkey's current relationship status as well.

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 Fantastic.

00:00:20.580 --> 00:00:22.240
 Why don't we turn back to this passage, folks?

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 It's a brilliant chapter in the Bible, Luke chapter 15.

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 And we're going to spend just a few minutes now looking at this together.

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 So why don't you turn there, if you've got it in front of you.

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 And let me pray as we come to look at this passage together.

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 Let's pray.

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 Father God, we thank you so much for this special morning,

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 and the joy of hearing stories about how you are living,

00:00:50.340 --> 00:00:54.480
 and how you continue to transform lives up and down the face of this planet.

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 And so, Lord God, we ask that you continue to do that now as we look at your words, the Bible.

00:01:01.599 --> 00:01:03.419
 Would you give us ears to listen?

00:01:03.939 --> 00:01:05.519
 Would you give us eyes to see?

00:01:05.899 --> 00:01:09.739
 Would you give us minds to grasp who you really are?

00:01:10.500 --> 00:01:12.920
 So this is our prayer made in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 So just as we come to this passage this morning,

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 I want to tell you a story about a man I was reading about this week.

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 And this man, in 1962, goes with his guitar and his three friends to a recording studio.

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 And he performs in front of a producer,

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 one of the first ever music editions that he's played in his life.

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 And once he and his friends had finished playing in front of this producer,

00:01:41.319 --> 00:01:43.760
 they asked the record producer what he thought of them.

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 And he replied,

00:01:46.340 --> 00:01:47.900
 We don't like your boy's sound.

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 Groups are out.

00:01:49.980 --> 00:01:53.859
 Four-piece groups, especially with guitars, are finished.

00:01:54.680 --> 00:01:56.079
 Turn to your neighbor for ten seconds.

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 Who do you think was the man and who was the group?

00:01:58.480 --> 00:01:58.920
 Go for it.

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 Go for it.

00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:14.479
 Okay, that'll do.

00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:16.840
 Give me a couple of shouts.

00:02:17.060 --> 00:02:17.439
 Who do we think?

00:02:17.500 --> 00:02:17.919
 Who was that?

00:02:18.759 --> 00:02:19.300
 Who's the man?

00:02:20.520 --> 00:02:20.900
 The Beatles.

00:02:21.920 --> 00:02:22.719
 It was Paul McCartney,

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 and it was the Beatles performing one of their first ever editions.

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 That guy's kicking himself.

00:02:28.120 --> 00:02:29.259
 He missed out on the Beatles.

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 So my question this morning to you as we come to this passage is,

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 has there ever been a time in your life where you've got someone completely wrong?

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 And as we come to this passage this morning,

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 are you in life at the minute misunderstanding who God is?

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 Let's put it in the language of this passage here.

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 Have you got right the Father this morning?

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 You see, Jesus tells this story in Luke 5.

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 He tells this parable,

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 which is really an earthly story with a heavenly meaning.

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 That's what a parable is.

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 And he doesn't just fling it out there in public.

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 He tells this story to a watching and a listening crowd.

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 And if you've got your Bibles there,

00:03:11.879 --> 00:03:15.620
 you'll see who's in this crowd at verse 1 of chapter 15.

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 There are two groups of people in this crowd.

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 On the one hand,

00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:23.520
 we've got tax collectors and sinners.

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 We have the despised and the most hated of society.

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 They're listening to this story.

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 And on the other hand,

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 we have the Pharisees and the scribes.

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 We've got the religious elite and the top of society.

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 And what is happening as Jesus tells this story?

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 What are the bad doing?

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 They are drawing near to Jesus.

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 They're drawing and they're coming near to Jesus.

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 And these squeaky clean people over here are looking at these people,

00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:55.920
 drawing near to Jesus.

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 And they're saying,

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 Jesus, why on earth are you interested in these people?

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 Why are you hanging out with these people?

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 He can't seriously,

00:04:05.340 --> 00:04:06.480
 he cannot seriously,

00:04:07.159 --> 00:04:08.039
 John McEnroe style.

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 He cannot seriously be telling me that God is concerned with these types of people.

00:04:13.599 --> 00:04:16.079
 Well, you see,

00:04:16.139 --> 00:04:18.779
 we need to know what Jesus knows about this crowd.

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 That there's people in this crowd who have got God completely wrong.

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 Question to you,

00:04:27.939 --> 00:04:29.879
 have you got God wrong this morning?

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 You see,

00:04:31.719 --> 00:04:33.360
 this parable that Jesus tells to this crowd,

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 it centers on a family home.

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 And it centers particularly around a father.

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 Okay,

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 he's the main character in this story.

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 And the big question of the parable is,

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 what is the father like?

00:04:47.839 --> 00:04:48.680
 What is he like?

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 What is his heart?

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 What is he about?

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 What is he in the business of?

00:04:54.199 --> 00:04:54.959
 What is he doing?

00:04:56.919 --> 00:04:57.639
 This father,

00:04:57.779 --> 00:04:58.539
 he's got two sons.

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 And we meet the two sons in this parable.

00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:03.199
 And the question is,

00:05:03.479 --> 00:05:04.659
 what do the sons,

00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:05.599
 the two sons,

00:05:05.860 --> 00:05:07.120
 understand about their father?

00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:09.160
 Well,

00:05:09.180 --> 00:05:09.519
 you see,

00:05:09.660 --> 00:05:11.399
 at verse 12,

00:05:11.500 --> 00:05:12.860
 we get son number one,

00:05:13.680 --> 00:05:15.019
 the younger of the sons.

00:05:15.660 --> 00:05:15.860
 Now,

00:05:15.899 --> 00:05:16.759
 what is he like?

00:05:17.899 --> 00:05:18.300
 Well,

00:05:18.680 --> 00:05:20.740
 he loves the high life.

00:05:21.480 --> 00:05:23.139
 He loves the expensive suits.

00:05:23.240 --> 00:05:24.160
 He loves the clothes.

00:05:24.459 --> 00:05:25.340
 He loves the parties.

00:05:25.459 --> 00:05:26.639
 He loves the razzle dazzle.

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 But what do you lack?

00:05:28.139 --> 00:05:29.399
 He lacks two things.

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 He lacks,

00:05:30.660 --> 00:05:30.980
 firstly,

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 the money to make that happen.

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 And secondly,

00:05:34.479 --> 00:05:35.539
 he lacks the freedom

00:05:35.539 --> 00:05:36.919
 to make that happen.

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 So what does he do?

00:05:39.459 --> 00:05:40.399
 He goes to the father,

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 his father,

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 and he says,

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 father,

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 do you notice what he says?

00:05:43.819 --> 00:05:44.479
 He doesn't ask him,

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 have you got any spare change?

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 He doesn't ask him for a tenner.

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 What he says to his dad is,

00:05:48.819 --> 00:05:49.039
 dad,

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 I'd be so grateful.

00:05:50.939 --> 00:05:51.539
 I'd be so grateful.

00:05:51.679 --> 00:05:52.199
 If effectively,

00:05:52.359 --> 00:05:53.079
 you could play dead.

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 I'd love it if you could die,

00:05:56.939 --> 00:05:58.039
 because if you're dead,

00:05:58.379 --> 00:05:59.759
 and we act like you're dead,

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 I can get the inheritance money

00:06:01.199 --> 00:06:02.299
 that is coming to me.

00:06:02.300 --> 00:06:03.400
 And I'll be honest with you,

00:06:03.460 --> 00:06:04.240
 I don't want to wait

00:06:04.240 --> 00:06:05.280
 for that inheritance money.

00:06:05.379 --> 00:06:06.540
 I want it now.

00:06:08.860 --> 00:06:09.660
 In other words,

00:06:09.759 --> 00:06:10.000
 dad,

00:06:10.060 --> 00:06:11.120
 I'm not interested in you.

00:06:11.740 --> 00:06:12.879
 Not interested in you,

00:06:13.079 --> 00:06:14.120
 but I'm very interested

00:06:14.120 --> 00:06:14.740
 in the stuff

00:06:14.740 --> 00:06:15.740
 I can get from you.

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 Who does this son,

00:06:19.460 --> 00:06:20.019
 number one,

00:06:20.120 --> 00:06:21.740
 understand his father to be?

00:06:22.040 --> 00:06:23.240
 His father is nothing

00:06:23.240 --> 00:06:24.800
 but an inconvenience.

00:06:25.199 --> 00:06:26.080
 His father is nothing

00:06:26.080 --> 00:06:26.980
 but a killjoy.

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 He's a means to an end.

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 How he understands

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 understands and views

00:06:31.500 --> 00:06:32.120
 the world

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 is that true joy

00:06:33.259 --> 00:06:34.280
 is to be found

00:06:34.280 --> 00:06:36.199
 away from the father

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 and true satisfaction

00:06:38.240 --> 00:06:39.139
 is to be found

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 in living a life

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 of pleasure and party

00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:42.639
 that can only be found

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 in running

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 as far away

00:06:45.300 --> 00:06:46.100
 from his father

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 as is possible.

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 Is that how you see

00:06:49.439 --> 00:06:50.460
 the father this morning?

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 You know,

00:06:52.939 --> 00:06:53.639
 C.S. Lewis,

00:06:54.220 --> 00:06:54.920
 in his book,

00:06:55.000 --> 00:06:56.139
 Surprised by Joy,

00:06:56.139 --> 00:06:57.079
 he talks about

00:06:57.079 --> 00:06:58.019
 his conversion

00:06:58.019 --> 00:06:58.979
 to Christianity

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 and he talks about

00:07:00.719 --> 00:07:02.060
 what his thinking of God

00:07:02.060 --> 00:07:03.800
 was before his conversion

00:07:03.800 --> 00:07:04.439
 to Christianity

00:07:04.439 --> 00:07:05.779
 and he writes that

00:07:05.779 --> 00:07:06.680
 Christianity

00:07:06.680 --> 00:07:08.300
 had at its center

00:07:08.300 --> 00:07:10.300
 a giant interferer.

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 Do you see what he's saying?

00:07:13.419 --> 00:07:13.959
 That God just,

00:07:14.019 --> 00:07:14.879
 he just got in the way

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 of stuff.

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 He was prohibiting me

00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:17.939
 from doing things.

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 Is that how you understand

00:07:19.680 --> 00:07:21.519
 the father this morning?

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 You see,

00:07:23.519 --> 00:07:24.219
 son number one,

00:07:24.299 --> 00:07:25.500
 he's got his father

00:07:25.500 --> 00:07:26.419
 all wrong.

00:07:27.459 --> 00:07:28.279
 But his father,

00:07:28.959 --> 00:07:29.799
 he gives him

00:07:29.799 --> 00:07:30.959
 what he's asking for.

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 The father,

00:07:32.680 --> 00:07:33.199
 what does he do

00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:33.680
 in this passage?

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 He divides his property.

00:07:36.060 --> 00:07:36.959
 Now the Greek word there

00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:38.519
 tells us that it's more

00:07:38.519 --> 00:07:39.839
 than he just writes a check

00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:40.979
 and has it to his son.

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 The father here

00:07:43.259 --> 00:07:44.599
 is literally said

00:07:44.599 --> 00:07:45.899
 to divide himself

00:07:45.899 --> 00:07:47.159
 over this request

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 from his son.

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 Do you see what he's saying?

00:07:50.039 --> 00:07:52.079
 Jesus is telling the story

00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:52.759
 and telling us

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 that this father

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 is heartbroken

00:07:55.399 --> 00:07:57.019
 over this request

00:07:57.019 --> 00:07:57.599
 from his son.

00:07:59.779 --> 00:08:00.579
 And the son,

00:08:00.659 --> 00:08:00.800
 well,

00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:02.099
 he takes his father's money

00:08:02.099 --> 00:08:03.759
 and he beats it out of there

00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:04.839
 as fast as he can

00:08:04.839 --> 00:08:06.300
 and he goes on the gap yards

00:08:06.300 --> 00:08:07.319
 of all gap yards.

00:08:08.039 --> 00:08:08.459
 Doesn't he?

00:08:09.279 --> 00:08:10.079
 He parties.

00:08:11.199 --> 00:08:12.500
 Every round at the bar

00:08:12.500 --> 00:08:13.240
 is on him.

00:08:13.539 --> 00:08:14.800
 Every photo he posts

00:08:14.800 --> 00:08:15.420
 on Facebook,

00:08:15.539 --> 00:08:17.039
 he's surrounded by friends.

00:08:18.039 --> 00:08:19.599
 This guy's living the life.

00:08:21.099 --> 00:08:22.079
 But what happens?

00:08:22.079 --> 00:08:22.259
 Well,

00:08:22.300 --> 00:08:23.439
 the money runs out

00:08:23.439 --> 00:08:26.219
 and those newfound friends

00:08:26.219 --> 00:08:27.339
 that he thought he had,

00:08:27.439 --> 00:08:28.839
 they were nowhere to be seen.

00:08:30.039 --> 00:08:31.479
 And exactly how he treated

00:08:31.479 --> 00:08:32.179
 the father,

00:08:32.299 --> 00:08:33.079
 that he was interested

00:08:33.079 --> 00:08:33.939
 in his stuff,

00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:34.539
 not him,

00:08:34.860 --> 00:08:35.919
 that's exactly how

00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:37.159
 these newfound friends

00:08:37.159 --> 00:08:37.840
 have treated him.

00:08:37.939 --> 00:08:39.000
 They want his stuff,

00:08:39.179 --> 00:08:40.139
 not him.

00:08:41.259 --> 00:08:42.079
 And to survive,

00:08:42.199 --> 00:08:43.120
 what does he have to do?

00:08:43.179 --> 00:08:43.299
 Well,

00:08:43.340 --> 00:08:44.379
 he's a Jewish boy

00:08:44.379 --> 00:08:45.819
 and in this passage

00:08:45.819 --> 00:08:47.019
 he makes himself

00:08:47.019 --> 00:08:49.000
 a slave to a Gentile

00:08:49.000 --> 00:08:51.879
 and a Gentile pig farmer.

00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:52.100
 I mean,

00:08:52.139 --> 00:08:53.039
 this is the ultimate

00:08:53.039 --> 00:08:54.360
 humiliation

00:08:54.360 --> 00:08:55.419
 for this son,

00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:56.120
 number one.

00:08:57.799 --> 00:08:58.539
 Verse 17,

00:08:58.699 --> 00:09:00.120
 he comes to his senses

00:09:00.120 --> 00:09:02.019
 and he decides

00:09:02.019 --> 00:09:03.360
 that he is better off

00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:04.079
 at home.

00:09:04.819 --> 00:09:05.939
 So you can picture it

00:09:05.939 --> 00:09:06.399
 in your head.

00:09:06.460 --> 00:09:08.199
 He's making the long journey home

00:09:08.199 --> 00:09:09.319
 with the cap

00:09:09.319 --> 00:09:10.220
 well and truly

00:09:10.220 --> 00:09:11.059
 in his hand.

00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:12.819
 And he's no doubt

00:09:12.819 --> 00:09:13.919
 thinking to himself

00:09:13.919 --> 00:09:14.619
 in his mind

00:09:14.619 --> 00:09:15.779
 as he returns home

00:09:15.779 --> 00:09:16.459
 a failure,

00:09:16.619 --> 00:09:17.379
 he understands,

00:09:17.659 --> 00:09:18.739
 not a success.

00:09:19.659 --> 00:09:20.519
 He returns home

00:09:20.519 --> 00:09:21.459
 no career,

00:09:21.859 --> 00:09:22.639
 no Ferrari,

00:09:23.119 --> 00:09:24.159
 just ripped clothes,

00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:25.439
 an empty stomach

00:09:25.439 --> 00:09:26.799
 and a catalogue

00:09:26.799 --> 00:09:27.559
 of regrets

00:09:27.559 --> 00:09:28.459
 and mistakes.

00:09:30.719 --> 00:09:32.099
 So when he gets home

00:09:32.099 --> 00:09:33.239
 and his father sees

00:09:33.239 --> 00:09:34.039
 that he's blown it

00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:34.559
 big time,

00:09:35.500 --> 00:09:36.239
 all this money

00:09:36.239 --> 00:09:37.139
 that the father gave him

00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:37.739
 to start with

00:09:37.739 --> 00:09:38.339
 is just gone,

00:09:39.339 --> 00:09:40.439
 how is the father

00:09:40.440 --> 00:09:41.240
 going to react?

00:09:42.520 --> 00:09:43.740
 Do you see how he rehearses

00:09:43.740 --> 00:09:44.400
 this speech

00:09:44.400 --> 00:09:45.280
 in his head?

00:09:46.080 --> 00:09:46.680
 You ever done that

00:09:46.680 --> 00:09:47.320
 with your dad?

00:09:47.880 --> 00:09:48.280
 You should do it

00:09:48.280 --> 00:09:48.900
 plenty of times

00:09:48.900 --> 00:09:49.460
 before I gave him

00:09:49.460 --> 00:09:50.200
 my report card.

00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:51.180
 Rehearsed the speech

00:09:51.180 --> 00:09:51.680
 in my head

00:09:51.680 --> 00:09:53.160
 again and again.

00:09:53.300 --> 00:09:55.020
 How is the father

00:09:55.020 --> 00:09:56.260
 going to react

00:09:56.260 --> 00:09:57.120
 to this running

00:09:57.120 --> 00:09:58.520
 rebel of a son?

00:09:59.620 --> 00:10:00.520
 We know what

00:10:00.520 --> 00:10:01.700
 son number one deserves.

00:10:02.620 --> 00:10:04.000
 The listeners of this parable

00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.120
 know what son number one

00:10:05.120 --> 00:10:05.440
 deserves.

00:10:05.560 --> 00:10:06.860
 Hey, even son number one

00:10:06.860 --> 00:10:07.960
 knows what son number one

00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:08.460
 deserves.

00:10:08.460 --> 00:10:10.639
 The question is,

00:10:10.960 --> 00:10:12.480
 how will the father

00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:14.440
 react to this running

00:10:14.440 --> 00:10:15.120
 rebel?

00:10:15.820 --> 00:10:16.720
 Well, verse 20.

00:10:18.360 --> 00:10:19.340
 The camera pans

00:10:19.340 --> 00:10:21.019
 from looking at son number one

00:10:21.019 --> 00:10:22.759
 to looking at the father.

00:10:23.600 --> 00:10:24.400
 And I just want us

00:10:24.400 --> 00:10:25.240
 to see two words

00:10:25.240 --> 00:10:25.740
 this morning

00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:26.840
 that Jesus uses

00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:28.259
 to describe the father.

00:10:28.820 --> 00:10:29.840
 How does this father

00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:31.800
 feel towards his son?

00:10:32.240 --> 00:10:32.920
 Verse 20.

00:10:33.120 --> 00:10:33.759
 Compassion.

00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:36.500
 What is the father

00:10:36.500 --> 00:10:37.300
 doing here?

00:10:37.299 --> 00:10:38.599
 The father is looking.

00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:41.039
 The father is longing.

00:10:42.139 --> 00:10:43.799
 The father is loving.

00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:46.240
 And when he sees his son

00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:46.979
 in the distance,

00:10:47.099 --> 00:10:48.639
 he runs to meet him

00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:49.979
 and greets him.

00:10:50.099 --> 00:10:51.099
 Not with a handshake.

00:10:51.199 --> 00:10:52.039
 Not with a fist pump.

00:10:52.120 --> 00:10:52.699
 Not with a nod

00:10:52.699 --> 00:10:53.299
 of appreciation.

00:10:53.899 --> 00:10:54.819
 He meets him

00:10:54.819 --> 00:10:56.479
 with a loving embrace.

00:10:57.639 --> 00:10:59.199
 He runs to his son

00:10:59.199 --> 00:10:59.859
 to greet him

00:10:59.859 --> 00:11:01.120
 and he kisses him

00:11:01.120 --> 00:11:02.459
 and he throws his arms

00:11:02.459 --> 00:11:03.179
 around him.

00:11:04.000 --> 00:11:04.679
 Now, we have to say

00:11:04.679 --> 00:11:06.120
 that is very strange behavior.

00:11:06.120 --> 00:11:07.620
 not just for a male

00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:08.639
 but for a Jewish male

00:11:08.639 --> 00:11:09.220
 in this time.

00:11:10.440 --> 00:11:11.879
 Do you see how the father

00:11:11.879 --> 00:11:14.360
 makes himself undignified

00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:15.340
 because of how much

00:11:15.340 --> 00:11:16.299
 he loves his son?

00:11:17.799 --> 00:11:19.360
 My son who is lost

00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:20.320
 is now found.

00:11:21.600 --> 00:11:22.740
 Now, what does that lead to?

00:11:22.860 --> 00:11:24.299
 Second word for us to see

00:11:24.299 --> 00:11:25.360
 at verse 23.

00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:28.200
 The father celebrates.

00:11:30.919 --> 00:11:31.360
 Celebrates.

00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:33.360
 The father is joyous.

00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:35.940
 The father is lavish.

00:11:36.039 --> 00:11:37.000
 The father sings

00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:38.120
 and he dances

00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:39.539
 for the son of his

00:11:39.539 --> 00:11:40.320
 who was dead

00:11:40.320 --> 00:11:42.120
 is now alive.

00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:44.360
 Who is this father?

00:11:45.419 --> 00:11:47.800
 He is the longing looker.

00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:50.800
 He is the loving seeker.

00:11:50.960 --> 00:11:51.980
 He is the one

00:11:51.980 --> 00:11:52.360
 who celebrates

00:11:53.100 --> 00:11:55.300
 when lost people are found.

00:11:55.920 --> 00:11:56.779
 He is the one

00:11:56.779 --> 00:11:57.720
 who rejoices

00:11:57.720 --> 00:11:58.840
 when dead people

00:11:58.840 --> 00:12:00.180
 are declared alive.

00:12:00.179 --> 00:12:01.799
 What is the message

00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:02.539
 to the crowd

00:12:02.539 --> 00:12:03.839
 that are hearing

00:12:03.839 --> 00:12:04.799
 the story from Jesus?

00:12:06.199 --> 00:12:07.739
 That this is how

00:12:07.739 --> 00:12:09.419
 God feels

00:12:09.419 --> 00:12:11.419
 when lost men

00:12:11.419 --> 00:12:12.219
 and women

00:12:12.219 --> 00:12:13.719
 turn and repent

00:12:13.719 --> 00:12:14.500
 of their sins

00:12:14.500 --> 00:12:16.039
 and run towards God

00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:16.759
 for forgiveness

00:12:16.759 --> 00:12:17.959
 and mercy.

00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:20.179
 This is how God feels.

00:12:22.259 --> 00:12:23.279
 All people,

00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:24.459
 no matter how bad

00:12:24.459 --> 00:12:25.559
 you think they are,

00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:26.039
 all people,

00:12:26.139 --> 00:12:27.179
 no matter how good

00:12:27.179 --> 00:12:28.259
 you think they are,

00:12:28.259 --> 00:12:29.379
 the father is looking

00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:31.080
 for these lost people

00:12:31.080 --> 00:12:32.600
 to come to their senses

00:12:32.600 --> 00:12:34.139
 and see that they are lost

00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:36.059
 and to run to him

00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:36.679
 for forgiveness

00:12:36.679 --> 00:12:37.340
 and mercy,

00:12:37.439 --> 00:12:38.179
 to come to him

00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:39.139
 and receive life

00:12:39.139 --> 00:12:40.159
 and joy.

00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.960
 This is what the father's like.

00:12:43.639 --> 00:12:45.360
 He's full of compassion

00:12:45.360 --> 00:12:46.439
 and grace.

00:12:48.000 --> 00:12:49.039
 Have you got the father

00:12:49.039 --> 00:12:49.899
 wrong this morning?

00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:52.379
 How do you

00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:53.639
 understand him?

00:12:53.720 --> 00:12:54.299
 Are you like

00:12:54.299 --> 00:12:55.199
 son number one?

00:12:55.279 --> 00:12:55.799
 Do you believe

00:12:55.799 --> 00:12:56.399
 the lie

00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.799
 that a complete

00:12:57.799 --> 00:12:58.899
 and a joyful life

00:12:58.899 --> 00:12:59.559
 is found

00:12:59.559 --> 00:13:00.399
 in living life

00:13:00.399 --> 00:13:01.419
 away from him,

00:13:01.500 --> 00:13:02.279
 not with him?

00:13:03.959 --> 00:13:04.860
 The question

00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:05.579
 to this crowd

00:13:05.579 --> 00:13:06.279
 and to us

00:13:06.279 --> 00:13:06.939
 this morning

00:13:06.939 --> 00:13:07.480
 is

00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:09.000
 how will the younger

00:13:09.000 --> 00:13:09.500
 brothers

00:13:09.500 --> 00:13:10.259
 in the crowd

00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:12.340
 react

00:13:12.340 --> 00:13:13.939
 as they see

00:13:13.939 --> 00:13:14.600
 themselves

00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:16.500
 in this character

00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:17.419
 and as they see

00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:18.199
 the character

00:13:18.199 --> 00:13:19.620
 of who the father is?

00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:23.459
 There's son number one.

00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:25.879
 There's another son

00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:26.379
 in the story.

00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:26.939
 What about him?

00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:27.500
 What's he doing?

00:13:27.559 --> 00:13:28.360
 Well, he's in the field.

00:13:29.539 --> 00:13:30.419
 He's at home

00:13:30.419 --> 00:13:31.659
 and verse 25

00:13:31.659 --> 00:13:33.360
 he hears the commotion

00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.559
 that's going on inside

00:13:34.559 --> 00:13:35.539
 and he finds out

00:13:35.539 --> 00:13:36.579
 that lo and behold

00:13:36.579 --> 00:13:37.459
 son number one

00:13:37.459 --> 00:13:38.059
 is back.

00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:40.000
 The arrogant traveler

00:13:40.000 --> 00:13:40.959
 he's returned.

00:13:42.419 --> 00:13:43.919
 But here is the square

00:13:43.919 --> 00:13:46.159
 that he can't quite

00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.279
 circle in his mind.

00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:49.539
 If my brother

00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:50.299
 has returned

00:13:50.299 --> 00:13:51.039
 a failure

00:13:51.039 --> 00:13:52.059
 then why are we

00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:52.919
 celebrating like

00:13:52.919 --> 00:13:53.339
 he's returned

00:13:53.339 --> 00:13:54.079
 a success?

00:13:55.719 --> 00:13:56.120
 You see

00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:57.339
 the older brother

00:13:57.339 --> 00:13:58.779
 wants a seat

00:13:58.779 --> 00:14:00.579
 at the front row

00:14:00.579 --> 00:14:01.299
 of his brother's

00:14:01.299 --> 00:14:02.279
 public humiliation

00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:02.799
 party

00:14:02.799 --> 00:14:03.719
 not at the front row

00:14:03.719 --> 00:14:04.699
 of his public

00:14:04.699 --> 00:14:05.339
 celebration

00:14:05.339 --> 00:14:06.419
 welcome home party.

00:14:06.419 --> 00:14:08.639
 and the father

00:14:08.639 --> 00:14:10.179
 the father

00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:11.120
 hears of this

00:14:11.120 --> 00:14:12.240
 and he goes

00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:13.919
 to number two

00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:14.279
 son

00:14:14.279 --> 00:14:16.299
 and he pleads

00:14:16.299 --> 00:14:16.659
 with him

00:14:16.659 --> 00:14:17.279
 saying son

00:14:17.279 --> 00:14:17.519
 listen

00:14:17.519 --> 00:14:18.019
 your brother

00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:18.639
 has returned

00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:19.179
 you should be

00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:19.759
 inside

00:14:19.759 --> 00:14:20.679
 celebrating

00:14:20.679 --> 00:14:21.479
 with me

00:14:21.479 --> 00:14:22.559
 and with us.

00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:24.099
 Don't stare here

00:14:24.099 --> 00:14:24.779
 in the cold

00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:25.620
 come on in

00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:26.860
 and celebrate.

00:14:26.860 --> 00:14:29.440
 not a chance

00:14:29.440 --> 00:14:30.100
 says the older brother

00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:31.399
 not a chance

00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:32.560
 are you kidding me

00:14:32.560 --> 00:14:33.399
 after what he did

00:14:33.399 --> 00:14:34.820
 that he's going to

00:14:34.820 --> 00:14:35.480
 swan in here

00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:35.800
 and we're going to

00:14:35.800 --> 00:14:36.600
 pretend like nothing's

00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:36.879
 happened

00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.620
 is that what's

00:14:37.620 --> 00:14:38.220
 going on here?

00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:40.899
 Who does son

00:14:40.899 --> 00:14:41.399
 number two

00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:42.419
 understand his

00:14:42.419 --> 00:14:43.519
 father to be?

00:14:44.120 --> 00:14:44.919
 Well look how he

00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:46.000
 describes how he

00:14:46.000 --> 00:14:46.820
 understands that

00:14:46.820 --> 00:14:47.620
 relationship at

00:14:47.620 --> 00:14:48.360
 verse 29

00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:50.940
 all these years

00:14:50.940 --> 00:14:51.360
 father

00:14:51.360 --> 00:14:52.240
 what does he say

00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:52.840
 I have what?

00:14:53.300 --> 00:14:54.320
 I have slaved

00:14:54.320 --> 00:14:54.980
 for you

00:14:54.980 --> 00:14:57.539
 all these years

00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:57.899
 I have

00:14:57.899 --> 00:14:58.500
 what does he say

00:14:58.500 --> 00:14:59.759
 I have obeyed

00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:01.200
 your orders

00:15:01.200 --> 00:15:03.080
 who does son

00:15:03.080 --> 00:15:03.659
 number two

00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:04.680
 understand the

00:15:04.680 --> 00:15:05.620
 father to be?

00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:07.919
 Someone to be

00:15:07.919 --> 00:15:08.759
 tolerated

00:15:08.759 --> 00:15:09.759
 and someone

00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.460
 with whom you

00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:11.419
 keep up appearances

00:15:11.419 --> 00:15:12.000
 with

00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:13.180
 certainly not

00:15:13.180 --> 00:15:13.779
 somebody to be

00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:14.139
 enjoyed

00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:16.680
 because I

00:15:16.680 --> 00:15:17.700
 tolerate you

00:15:17.700 --> 00:15:17.980
 father

00:15:17.980 --> 00:15:18.440
 because I

00:15:18.440 --> 00:15:19.519
 perform for you

00:15:19.519 --> 00:15:19.940
 father

00:15:19.940 --> 00:15:20.539
 because I

00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:21.220
 obey you

00:15:21.220 --> 00:15:21.560
 father

00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:22.180
 that means

00:15:22.180 --> 00:15:22.720
 father

00:15:22.720 --> 00:15:23.500
 that I

00:15:23.500 --> 00:15:24.060
 deserve to be

00:15:24.060 --> 00:15:24.820
 treated better

00:15:24.820 --> 00:15:26.000
 than those who

00:15:26.000 --> 00:15:26.659
 don't tolerate

00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:27.340
 and perform

00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:27.879
 and obey

00:15:27.879 --> 00:15:28.480
 you

00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:30.860
 you see son

00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:31.360
 number one

00:15:31.360 --> 00:15:31.800
 well he had

00:15:31.800 --> 00:15:32.440
 the father way

00:15:32.440 --> 00:15:32.759
 wrong

00:15:32.759 --> 00:15:35.320
 son number two

00:15:35.320 --> 00:15:36.340
 equally got the

00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:36.779
 father way

00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:37.039
 wrong

00:15:37.039 --> 00:15:39.399
 what's son

00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:39.980
 number two's

00:15:39.980 --> 00:15:40.300
 problem?

00:15:40.420 --> 00:15:40.800
 Well he's got a

00:15:40.800 --> 00:15:41.399
 hard heart

00:15:41.399 --> 00:15:43.340
 he may well be

00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:44.320
 right up close

00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:44.920
 to the father

00:15:44.920 --> 00:15:46.060
 proximity wise

00:15:46.060 --> 00:15:46.720
 but his heart

00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:47.460
 is a million

00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:48.060
 miles away

00:15:48.060 --> 00:15:48.720
 from understanding

00:15:48.720 --> 00:15:49.240
 who he truly

00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:49.700
 is

00:15:49.700 --> 00:15:51.860
 I wonder if

00:15:51.860 --> 00:15:52.180
 that's some

00:15:52.180 --> 00:15:52.680
 of us this

00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:53.080
 morning

00:15:53.080 --> 00:15:55.340
 you know your

00:15:55.340 --> 00:15:56.320
 relationship with

00:15:56.320 --> 00:15:57.259
 the father

00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:57.860
 if you had to

00:15:57.860 --> 00:15:58.460
 describe it

00:15:58.460 --> 00:15:58.879
 it would be

00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:59.660
 much better

00:15:59.660 --> 00:16:00.460
 described along

00:16:00.460 --> 00:16:01.000
 the lines of

00:16:01.000 --> 00:16:01.920
 slave language

00:16:01.920 --> 00:16:02.420
 than it would

00:16:02.420 --> 00:16:03.040
 of son

00:16:03.040 --> 00:16:04.120
 language

00:16:04.120 --> 00:16:05.540
 you know we

00:16:05.540 --> 00:16:05.879
 might have been

00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:06.560
 going to church

00:16:06.560 --> 00:16:08.120
 all these years

00:16:08.120 --> 00:16:09.379
 we might have

00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:09.840
 been attending

00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:10.340
 the Christian

00:16:10.340 --> 00:16:10.840
 union at

00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:11.400
 university

00:16:11.400 --> 00:16:12.680
 all these years

00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:13.959
 we might have

00:16:13.959 --> 00:16:15.120
 been blessed

00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:15.719
 to live

00:16:15.719 --> 00:16:16.559
 and grow up

00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:17.139
 in a Christian

00:16:17.139 --> 00:16:17.739
 family

00:16:17.739 --> 00:16:19.599
 and still live

00:16:19.599 --> 00:16:20.259
 there all

00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:21.000
 these years

00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:21.659
 but the truth

00:16:21.659 --> 00:16:22.319
 of it is

00:16:22.319 --> 00:16:23.299
 that we do

00:16:23.299 --> 00:16:23.799
 not have a

00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:24.879
 clue who the

00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.799
 father really

00:16:25.799 --> 00:16:26.239
 is

00:16:26.239 --> 00:16:27.899
 and our

00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:28.599
 relationship to

00:16:28.599 --> 00:16:29.079
 him well it's

00:16:29.079 --> 00:16:29.779
 based on our

00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:30.739
 merit before him

00:16:30.739 --> 00:16:31.620
 rather than on

00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.659
 his mercy to

00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.079
 us

00:16:33.079 --> 00:16:34.339
 and how does

00:16:34.339 --> 00:16:34.859
 that show

00:16:34.859 --> 00:16:35.239
 itself

00:16:35.239 --> 00:16:35.739
 how does that

00:16:35.739 --> 00:16:36.899
 manifest itself

00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.799
 well it shows

00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:38.379
 itself in a

00:16:38.379 --> 00:16:39.079
 hard heart

00:16:39.080 --> 00:16:40.860
 that looks

00:16:40.860 --> 00:16:41.440
 down on

00:16:41.440 --> 00:16:41.820
 people

00:16:41.820 --> 00:16:43.820
 and categorizes

00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:44.280
 them

00:16:44.280 --> 00:16:45.639
 as not

00:16:45.639 --> 00:16:46.060
 worthy

00:16:46.060 --> 00:16:46.840
 or worthy

00:16:46.840 --> 00:16:49.080
 that's certainly

00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:49.680
 a proportion of

00:16:49.680 --> 00:16:50.360
 this crowd

00:16:50.360 --> 00:16:50.780
 that Jesus

00:16:50.780 --> 00:16:51.320
 is talking

00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:51.620
 to

00:16:51.620 --> 00:16:53.259
 and I wonder

00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:53.639
 if it's a

00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.160
 proportion of

00:16:54.160 --> 00:16:54.540
 us this

00:16:54.540 --> 00:16:54.879
 morning

00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.980
 let me ask

00:16:55.980 --> 00:16:56.320
 you again

00:16:56.320 --> 00:16:56.660
 if you got

00:16:56.660 --> 00:16:57.160
 the father

00:16:57.160 --> 00:16:57.820
 wrong this

00:16:57.820 --> 00:16:58.160
 morning

00:16:58.160 --> 00:17:00.920
 it's interesting

00:17:00.920 --> 00:17:01.300
 isn't it

00:17:01.300 --> 00:17:02.520
 that as we

00:17:02.520 --> 00:17:03.000
 come to the

00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:03.379
 end of this

00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:03.800
 story that

00:17:03.800 --> 00:17:04.059
 we're not

00:17:04.059 --> 00:17:04.860
 told how

00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:05.299
 some number

00:17:05.299 --> 00:17:05.980
 two responds

00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:07.279
 I mean this

00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:07.860
 is a deliberate

00:17:07.860 --> 00:17:08.840
 cliffhanger from

00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:09.480
 the master

00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.319
 storyteller of

00:17:10.319 --> 00:17:11.199
 all storytellers

00:17:11.199 --> 00:17:11.959
 Jesus Christ

00:17:11.959 --> 00:17:14.539
 so how will

00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:14.899
 the older

00:17:14.899 --> 00:17:15.539
 brothers in

00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.079
 the crowd

00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.779
 and how will

00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:18.079
 the older

00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:18.779
 brothers here

00:17:18.779 --> 00:17:19.319
 this morning

00:17:19.319 --> 00:17:20.159
 respond as

00:17:20.159 --> 00:17:20.500
 they see

00:17:20.500 --> 00:17:21.279
 themselves in

00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:22.119
 his character

00:17:22.119 --> 00:17:23.199
 and as they

00:17:23.199 --> 00:17:23.639
 see the

00:17:23.639 --> 00:17:24.220
 character of

00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:24.619
 the father

00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:25.339
 displayed in

00:17:25.339 --> 00:17:25.959
 front of him

00:17:25.959 --> 00:17:27.699
 he got God

00:17:27.699 --> 00:17:28.599
 wrong this

00:17:28.599 --> 00:17:28.919
 morning

00:17:28.919 --> 00:17:31.879
 well as we

00:17:31.879 --> 00:17:32.559
 close see that

00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:33.199
 there's a third

00:17:33.199 --> 00:17:33.799
 son in this

00:17:33.799 --> 00:17:34.199
 parable

00:17:34.199 --> 00:17:35.980
 you say where's

00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:36.419
 the third son

00:17:36.419 --> 00:17:36.919
 in this parable

00:17:36.919 --> 00:17:37.559
 well he's there

00:17:37.559 --> 00:17:39.299
 we remember

00:17:39.299 --> 00:17:39.819
 that the guy

00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.319
 who's telling

00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:40.879
 this story

00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.759
 Jesus Christ

00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.839
 is himself

00:17:42.839 --> 00:17:43.339
 a son

00:17:43.339 --> 00:17:45.179
 not an

00:17:45.179 --> 00:17:45.839
 imaginary one

00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:46.419
 but a real

00:17:46.419 --> 00:17:46.960
 son and if

00:17:46.960 --> 00:17:47.460
 we take a

00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:48.019
 step back

00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:48.419
 from the

00:17:48.419 --> 00:17:48.859
 story

00:17:48.859 --> 00:17:50.619
 we need to

00:17:50.619 --> 00:17:51.119
 consider that

00:17:51.119 --> 00:17:51.740
 he himself

00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.279
 is a son

00:17:52.279 --> 00:17:52.759
 he's God's

00:17:52.759 --> 00:17:53.519
 own son

00:17:53.519 --> 00:17:55.000
 God's own

00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:55.379
 son who

00:17:55.379 --> 00:17:56.079
 left his

00:17:56.079 --> 00:17:56.639
 father's

00:17:56.639 --> 00:17:57.619
 heavenly house

00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:58.539
 and who

00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:59.720
 left it to

00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:00.059
 go and

00:18:00.059 --> 00:18:00.819
 search out

00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:01.379
 those who

00:18:01.379 --> 00:18:02.159
 are lost

00:18:02.159 --> 00:18:03.720
 he left it

00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:04.159
 to go and

00:18:04.159 --> 00:18:04.919
 seek out and

00:18:04.919 --> 00:18:05.639
 to save

00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:06.280
 those who

00:18:06.280 --> 00:18:06.759
 are running

00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:08.880
 because where

00:18:08.880 --> 00:18:09.480
 does this story

00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.000
 come in the

00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.740
 context the

00:18:10.740 --> 00:18:11.360
 bigger picture

00:18:11.360 --> 00:18:12.000
 of Luke's

00:18:12.000 --> 00:18:12.360
 gospel

00:18:12.360 --> 00:18:13.759
 we're chapter

00:18:13.759 --> 00:18:14.680
 15 here

00:18:14.680 --> 00:18:17.060
 well Jesus

00:18:17.060 --> 00:18:17.540
 tells this

00:18:17.540 --> 00:18:18.180
 story on his

00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:18.580
 way to

00:18:18.580 --> 00:18:19.140
 Jerusalem

00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:20.040
 the place

00:18:20.040 --> 00:18:20.300
 where he

00:18:20.300 --> 00:18:20.960
 goes to

00:18:20.960 --> 00:18:22.080
 offer his

00:18:22.080 --> 00:18:23.180
 life willfully

00:18:23.180 --> 00:18:24.060
 and obediently

00:18:24.060 --> 00:18:24.460
 to his

00:18:24.460 --> 00:18:24.840
 father

00:18:24.840 --> 00:18:26.220
 the place

00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:26.460
 where he

00:18:26.460 --> 00:18:26.900
 goes to

00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:27.360
 take the

00:18:27.360 --> 00:18:28.400
 sin of

00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:28.960
 running

00:18:28.960 --> 00:18:29.440
 rebels

00:18:29.440 --> 00:18:29.940
 like you

00:18:29.940 --> 00:18:30.220
 and like

00:18:30.220 --> 00:18:30.480
 me

00:18:30.480 --> 00:18:31.560
 on himself

00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:33.319
 you see

00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:33.740
 God

00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:35.039
 the father

00:18:35.039 --> 00:18:35.559
 hasn't just

00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.259
 swept sin

00:18:36.259 --> 00:18:36.759
 under the

00:18:36.759 --> 00:18:37.119
 carpet

00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:38.139
 he doesn't

00:18:38.139 --> 00:18:38.740
 just pretend

00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:39.200
 and close his

00:18:39.200 --> 00:18:39.740
 eyes like it's

00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.179
 not there

00:18:40.179 --> 00:18:40.899
 he's dealt

00:18:40.899 --> 00:18:41.319
 with it

00:18:41.319 --> 00:18:43.440
 you see

00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:43.980
 the father's

00:18:43.980 --> 00:18:44.679
 grace to

00:18:44.679 --> 00:18:45.940
 running rebels

00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:46.440
 like us

00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:47.099
 it's free

00:18:47.099 --> 00:18:47.940
 but don't

00:18:47.940 --> 00:18:48.500
 misunderstand

00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:49.019
 that it's

00:18:49.019 --> 00:18:49.399
 cheap

00:18:49.399 --> 00:18:52.859
 this is what

00:18:52.859 --> 00:18:53.539
 son number

00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:54.119
 three has

00:18:54.119 --> 00:18:55.000
 come to do

00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:56.539
 through costly

00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.299
 grace and

00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:58.259
 great humiliation

00:18:58.259 --> 00:18:59.240
 provide a way

00:18:59.240 --> 00:18:59.819
 for running

00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:00.700
 rebels like us

00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:01.240
 to come

00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:02.299
 and be made

00:19:02.299 --> 00:19:03.259
 whole with

00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:03.559
 God

00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:04.019
 to come

00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:04.259
 and be

00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:05.180
 reconciled

00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:05.720
 to God

00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.620
 the father

00:19:06.620 --> 00:19:07.880
 that's what

00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:08.140
 he's come

00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:08.480
 to do

00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:10.400
 that's the

00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:10.920
 business he's

00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:11.539
 employed in

00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.519
 just as much

00:19:12.519 --> 00:19:13.380
 as just as

00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:13.960
 much today

00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.720
 as it was

00:19:14.720 --> 00:19:15.279
 true then

00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:16.920
 you see in

00:19:16.920 --> 00:19:17.380
 that sense

00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:18.099
 Jesus is not

00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:18.839
 just the one

00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:19.960
 son who

00:19:19.960 --> 00:19:20.359
 gets the

00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:20.740
 father

00:19:20.740 --> 00:19:21.480
 absolutely

00:19:21.480 --> 00:19:21.980
 right

00:19:21.980 --> 00:19:23.299
 but he is

00:19:23.299 --> 00:19:24.140
 the one

00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:24.859
 who perfectly

00:19:24.859 --> 00:19:25.700
 shows us

00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.079
 what the

00:19:26.079 --> 00:19:26.680
 father is

00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:27.099
 like

00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:27.799
 and to be

00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:28.059
 honest I

00:19:28.059 --> 00:19:28.380
 think in

00:19:28.380 --> 00:19:28.920
 this parable

00:19:28.920 --> 00:19:29.400
 he probably

00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:29.940
 is the

00:19:29.940 --> 00:19:30.279
 father

00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:32.359
 that's the

00:19:32.359 --> 00:19:33.039
 consistent theme

00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:33.519
 we've heard in

00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:34.240
 the testimonies

00:19:34.240 --> 00:19:34.720
 this morning

00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.399
 isn't it

00:19:35.399 --> 00:19:36.799
 that Jesus

00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.539
 is the great

00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.740
 seeker and

00:19:38.740 --> 00:19:39.759
 finder of the

00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.259
 lost

00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:41.599
 that Jesus

00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:42.379
 sought me

00:19:42.379 --> 00:19:43.240
 out and he

00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:43.940
 saved me

00:19:43.940 --> 00:19:45.000
 when I wasn't

00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:45.720
 looking for him

00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:46.240
 in fact when I

00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:46.700
 was running

00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:47.279
 from him

00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:48.299
 he came

00:19:48.299 --> 00:19:49.039
 looking for me

00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:49.680
 and rescued

00:19:49.680 --> 00:19:50.319
 me back

00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:52.399
 I don't

00:19:52.399 --> 00:19:53.019
 deserve to be

00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:53.559
 called a son

00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:54.039
 or daughter

00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:55.500
 but he

00:19:55.500 --> 00:19:56.859
 makes me

00:19:56.859 --> 00:19:57.779
 into one

00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:58.579
 and he

00:19:58.579 --> 00:19:59.059
 has made

00:19:59.059 --> 00:19:59.379
 a way

00:19:59.379 --> 00:19:59.859
 for me

00:19:59.859 --> 00:20:00.379
 to come

00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:00.599
 and be

00:20:00.599 --> 00:20:01.000
 welcomed

00:20:01.000 --> 00:20:01.740
 into the

00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.240
 father's

00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:02.680
 house

00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:04.700
 so the

00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.180
 call this

00:20:05.180 --> 00:20:05.759
 morning is

00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.420
 for younger

00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:06.899
 brothers

00:20:06.899 --> 00:20:07.619
 and for

00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:08.019
 older

00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.440
 brothers

00:20:08.440 --> 00:20:09.379
 to get

00:20:09.379 --> 00:20:10.359
 the father

00:20:10.359 --> 00:20:11.200
 right

00:20:11.200 --> 00:20:12.599
 and to be

00:20:12.599 --> 00:20:13.399
 made right

00:20:13.399 --> 00:20:14.480
 with the

00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:14.839
 father

00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:16.240
 to come

00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:17.019
 and through

00:20:17.019 --> 00:20:18.000
 Jesus Christ

00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:19.440
 enter the

00:20:19.440 --> 00:20:20.299
 grand and

00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:21.399
 great grace

00:20:21.399 --> 00:20:22.660
 celebration of

00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:23.220
 prodigals

00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:24.019
 welcomed

00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:24.660
 home

00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:26.519
 let me

00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:26.779
 pray

00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.620
 and then

00:20:27.620 --> 00:20:27.900
 let's

00:20:27.900 --> 00:20:28.980
 get dunking

00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:35.259
 oh our

00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:35.560
 father

00:20:35.560 --> 00:20:36.300
 we thank

00:20:36.300 --> 00:20:36.640
 you

00:20:36.640 --> 00:20:37.460
 we thank

00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:37.600
 you

00:20:37.600 --> 00:20:38.019
 thank you

00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.259
 that we

00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.320
 read in

00:20:39.320 --> 00:20:39.900
 your word

00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:40.440
 the bible

00:20:40.440 --> 00:20:41.040
 that you

00:20:41.040 --> 00:20:41.720
 are in

00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:42.420
 the business

00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:43.560
 of showing

00:20:43.560 --> 00:20:44.259
 outrageous

00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.860
 grace

00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.900
 to running

00:20:45.900 --> 00:20:46.620
 rebels

00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:49.640
 and lord

00:20:49.640 --> 00:20:50.060
 our prayer

00:20:50.060 --> 00:20:50.500
 is that you

00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:50.920
 would help

00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:51.600
 us to know

00:20:51.600 --> 00:20:52.980
 you rightly

00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.680
 this week

00:20:53.680 --> 00:20:55.220
 and we

00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:55.799
 pray these

00:20:55.799 --> 00:20:56.380
 things in

00:20:56.380 --> 00:20:57.120
 Jesus name

00:20:57.120 --> 00:20:58.259
 amen