WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:07.919 him. My son, the father said, you were always with me and everything I have is yours. But we had to 00:00:07.919 --> 00:00:13.939 celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again. He was lost 00:00:13.939 --> 00:00:19.019 and is found. Amen. We pray that God would bless his word to us. 00:00:21.980 --> 00:00:27.039 There are lots of privileges for me standing here today and shooting this particular parable, 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:32.019 which has meant a lot to me throughout my life. But one privilege is to say good morning because 00:00:32.019 --> 00:00:38.280 we worship at a church plant in Midlothian and we have to rent the building by the hour. So we meet 00:00:38.280 --> 00:00:44.859 once a day at 3.30 in the afternoon. But every time I stand in the pulpit, I feel like I want to say 00:00:44.859 --> 00:00:51.039 good morning. And I think that's because in my brain, I have something coming to me and I can't 00:00:51.039 --> 00:00:56.640 think about anything else. I'm fixated on this thing that is arriving, 3.30 when we go to church. 00:00:57.039 --> 00:01:03.579 Well, today we've got two brothers who are both fixated on something that is coming to them. 00:01:04.319 --> 00:01:10.560 They're not preaching a sermon, but they're waiting for the inheritance from their father. They know 00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:16.259 that when their father dies, they're going to come into quite a bit of wealth. It suggests in the 00:01:16.259 --> 00:01:21.539 passage that this is a reasonably wealthy person and they're going to receive that and have it for 00:01:21.540 --> 00:01:27.700 themselves. The story is entitled in this Bible, in this version of the Bible that I read, 00:01:28.340 --> 00:01:34.219 The Parable of the Lost Son. I'm sure most people are familiar with this story, even if you've never 00:01:34.219 --> 00:01:42.540 been in church before, because this idea of making demands, going away, being reckless, and coming back 00:01:42.540 --> 00:01:48.660 and receiving forgiveness is a common story to human life. It's a trope that we see in stories 00:01:48.660 --> 00:01:57.020 and movies and books all the time. But the parable is called different things in different places. So 00:01:57.020 --> 00:02:02.540 here it's called the parable of the lost son. It's also called the parable of the prodigal son, 00:02:02.540 --> 00:02:10.140 or the parable of the two brothers. Because the elder brother is just as valuable to this story 00:02:10.140 --> 00:02:17.780 that Jesus delivers as the younger. While the younger brother gets more words dedicated to him 00:02:17.780 --> 00:02:25.719 in this passage, when we think about the story in context of what Jesus is saying, maybe the elder son, 00:02:26.780 --> 00:02:31.600 the elder brother, is most relevant to the audience that he's speaking to, and we'll come to that in a 00:02:31.599 --> 00:02:38.060 second. We're also left hanging at the end, so the younger son is reckless, comes home, he's forgiven, 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:43.939 accepted back into his father's family. But the fate of the elder brother is left hanging. 00:02:45.419 --> 00:02:51.139 So this morning, what I would like to do is look at this parable through the lines of the two brothers 00:02:51.139 --> 00:03:01.060 in order to help us see the needs we all have of another brother. The one that Tim Keller called 00:03:01.060 --> 00:03:07.740 the true elder brother, he doesn't appear in this parable. He's the one delivering the parable. 00:03:07.840 --> 00:03:14.240 He's the narrator of this story. So we'll first of all think about the younger brother. We'll call him 00:03:14.240 --> 00:03:20.020 the rebel. Then we'll think about the elder brother in our story. Let's call him the religious. 00:03:20.020 --> 00:03:27.080 And finally, we'll think about the brother who doesn't appear. And we'll call him the rescuer. 00:03:27.300 --> 00:03:34.439 The rebel, the religious, and the rescuer. So first of all, the rebel, the younger brother, 00:03:34.540 --> 00:03:40.460 the first thing we notice about the younger brother is that he's impetuous. He simply can't wait to have 00:03:40.460 --> 00:03:49.420 what he thinks he's due. And he's covetous. He sees what his father has, and he wants those things. 00:03:51.060 --> 00:03:56.400 Jesus has already warned us in Luke just a couple of chapters earlier about the dangers of covetousness. 00:03:56.900 --> 00:04:02.879 In another parable, the parable of the rich fool, the one who puts all his trust in his money, 00:04:02.879 --> 00:04:08.840 Jesus says to the crowd that was listening, watch out, be on your guard against all kinds of greed. 00:04:09.319 --> 00:04:12.379 Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions. 00:04:13.859 --> 00:04:20.219 Well, unfortunately, this younger brother believes that it does. He believes that he needs worldly 00:04:20.219 --> 00:04:24.500 possessions so much that he's going to tell his father that he wants his property now. 00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:32.120 This was in a time and a place, of course, where the father was a highly respected figure. 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:39.259 Maybe not like today. I don't know. There was clear hierarchy in place. 00:04:40.459 --> 00:04:43.779 And the father demanded respect. He was due respect. 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:53.240 His son shows him no respect at all because he doesn't ask for his share of the property. He demands it. 00:04:53.240 --> 00:04:59.079 If we look at the words he uses, he says, Father, give me my share. 00:04:59.079 --> 00:05:06.159 I wonder, we just passed Christmas, how many children, when they asked their parents for presents, said, 00:05:06.359 --> 00:05:09.680 give me a Nintendo Switch, give me a brand new bike. 00:05:10.359 --> 00:05:14.500 And if they had asked in that way, I wonder what the response of the parents might have been. 00:05:17.339 --> 00:05:19.620 But the father doesn't respond in this way. 00:05:19.620 --> 00:05:28.240 The father is gracious and generous. 00:05:29.319 --> 00:05:35.819 He takes his wealth, divides it between the younger brother who's asked for it and the elder brother who has kept Shtoom. 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:41.500 And he splits it and he says, this is your inheritance. 00:05:43.240 --> 00:05:51.680 And the reason this is particularly sad, I think, is because the younger son is asking for what he would be entitled to if his father wasn't about. 00:05:51.800 --> 00:05:55.839 And in essence, what he's saying is, Father, I don't want you. 00:05:56.019 --> 00:05:56.899 I want your property. 00:05:57.620 --> 00:06:00.360 I want what I will have when you're dead. 00:06:00.360 --> 00:06:05.780 We expect the father to be irate. 00:06:05.939 --> 00:06:06.879 But of course he's not. 00:06:08.020 --> 00:06:09.580 And he divides his property between them. 00:06:10.259 --> 00:06:12.500 Very shortly afterwards, the younger son leaves. 00:06:13.540 --> 00:06:19.060 He receives his money and he heads off to what the Bible calls a far country. 00:06:20.180 --> 00:06:26.819 I think by describing the speed with which he leaves, we can assume that this is premeditated. 00:06:26.819 --> 00:06:32.420 So the son isn't just covetous and he isn't just impetuous. 00:06:33.920 --> 00:06:35.019 He's also conniving. 00:06:35.159 --> 00:06:36.339 He's got this plan in place. 00:06:36.420 --> 00:06:39.879 He's ready to take off as soon as his father gives him what he wants. 00:06:42.180 --> 00:06:51.100 The Bible says, not long after that, he knew what he was going to do when he received his money before he even asked for it. 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:59.140 And then we come to the part of the story that is maybe described as prodigal. 00:07:00.920 --> 00:07:04.580 When I was younger, I didn't exactly know what prodigal meant. 00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:06.379 I thought it was just kind of general bad. 00:07:07.020 --> 00:07:12.140 But it's got a very specific meaning, which I'm sure you guys know already. 00:07:12.260 --> 00:07:17.540 It's about being lavish and extravagant, especially in a kind of wasteful or reckless way. 00:07:17.540 --> 00:07:22.160 And that's what happens to the younger son in verse 13. 00:07:23.379 --> 00:07:27.280 The Bible tells us he squandered his wealth in wild living. 00:07:28.220 --> 00:07:32.100 He wastes all the good things his father has given to him in sinful ways. 00:07:34.759 --> 00:07:41.780 And then he gets in trouble because he has wasted the blessings from his father and famine arises. 00:07:42.600 --> 00:07:44.320 And this young man's wasted his inheritance. 00:07:44.319 --> 00:07:45.899 He's unprepared. 00:07:46.000 --> 00:07:49.099 He's got no safety net of his father to help him. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:50.480 And he becomes destitute. 00:07:52.139 --> 00:07:57.379 I think it's interesting in the context of the parable that the son doesn't go home at this point. 00:07:57.500 --> 00:08:00.159 He doesn't think to himself, I've blown everything. 00:08:00.719 --> 00:08:02.500 My father's got more than enough. 00:08:03.420 --> 00:08:04.180 I'm going to go home. 00:08:04.259 --> 00:08:09.779 He doesn't choose to go back to the relative safety of his father. 00:08:09.779 --> 00:08:13.599 But instead, what he tries to do is dig himself out of this hole himself. 00:08:15.279 --> 00:08:18.319 I think he wants to work it out for himself. 00:08:18.439 --> 00:08:20.219 He wants to save himself. 00:08:20.359 --> 00:08:22.739 He wants to do something to sort out his own mess. 00:08:24.479 --> 00:08:25.899 Or perhaps he's too stubborn. 00:08:26.679 --> 00:08:28.259 Perhaps pride has a hold of him. 00:08:29.199 --> 00:08:31.539 And he cannot bring himself to go back to his father. 00:08:31.540 --> 00:08:34.820 We see this so often in life. 00:08:34.899 --> 00:08:38.600 People we might know have drifted away from the truth. 00:08:40.000 --> 00:08:44.899 There's lots of reasons that we can find to stop us from going back to our loving father. 00:08:44.899 --> 00:08:51.179 But we have to remember that it doesn't matter how hard we work. 00:08:51.819 --> 00:08:56.100 It doesn't matter where we go if we're apart from Jesus. 00:08:56.340 --> 00:08:57.459 If we're apart from God. 00:08:58.259 --> 00:09:00.299 All the day-to-day problems that we face. 00:09:00.779 --> 00:09:03.819 At home, at work, in school, in our relationships. 00:09:04.419 --> 00:09:06.079 And the biggest problem we face. 00:09:06.199 --> 00:09:07.679 The sin that's in our hearts. 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:10.579 Is it irreconcilable? 00:09:11.220 --> 00:09:13.679 Apart from our loving father. 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:16.959 So instead of returning to his father. 00:09:17.559 --> 00:09:20.319 The younger son here humiliates himself further. 00:09:21.159 --> 00:09:22.159 He's already destitute. 00:09:22.740 --> 00:09:25.360 And he goes into the employment of a foreigner. 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:26.959 Who we can see really clearly. 00:09:27.240 --> 00:09:29.360 Has very little regard for him. 00:09:30.639 --> 00:09:32.079 He sends him into his fields. 00:09:32.220 --> 00:09:33.039 To feed pigs. 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:36.039 An animal that's unclean in Jewish culture. 00:09:39.100 --> 00:09:40.500 He's, in a way. 00:09:41.199 --> 00:09:44.179 Put himself into servitude. 00:09:44.899 --> 00:09:46.919 To a man who cares nothing for him. 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:52.439 But this isn't the point at which the younger son has arrived as a slave. 00:09:52.579 --> 00:09:53.919 He's been a slave all his life. 00:09:55.059 --> 00:09:56.659 He was a slave to jealousy. 00:09:57.639 --> 00:10:01.100 And then he was a slave to the false freedom of living apart from his good father. 00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:05.120 Then he was a slave to his money and his inheritance. 00:10:06.820 --> 00:10:08.920 He's simply now a slave to something else. 00:10:10.659 --> 00:10:16.300 In verse 16 we read that this man is so humiliated that he doesn't even eat as well as the pigs. 00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:19.540 The pigs are better off than he is. 00:10:20.279 --> 00:10:26.399 None of the choices that he has made in what seems to be the pursuit of freedom have benefited him in any way at all. 00:10:26.399 --> 00:10:33.100 I was wondering for him if he had co-workers alongside him. 00:10:33.179 --> 00:10:35.939 Or maybe for us if we were in the office or at work. 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:40.379 If we were to ask the people around us for support in that situation. 00:10:40.539 --> 00:10:41.600 People who don't know God. 00:10:41.740 --> 00:10:44.519 People who are in a similar situation as we are. 00:10:44.620 --> 00:10:48.259 Maybe they don't have the upbringing that this young man had and knew about his good father. 00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:54.539 What would they say to you if you felt lost and confused and destitute? 00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:59.159 They might say just don't think about it. 00:10:59.299 --> 00:11:00.259 Put it out of your mind. 00:11:01.220 --> 00:11:01.860 Push it away. 00:11:02.019 --> 00:11:02.840 Distract yourself. 00:11:03.059 --> 00:11:04.840 Fill your mind with content. 00:11:05.740 --> 00:11:07.279 Netflix and music and podcasts. 00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:09.939 Don't think about where you are and what you're doing. 00:11:11.700 --> 00:11:14.200 Or they might say you just need to work harder. 00:11:15.819 --> 00:11:16.980 Put the effort in. 00:11:16.980 --> 00:11:18.759 Roll up your sleeves. 00:11:20.200 --> 00:11:24.340 You know in a couple of months time you might be the guy driving the other pig feeders to the fields. 00:11:28.800 --> 00:11:30.420 They might say look inside yourself. 00:11:30.680 --> 00:11:32.279 That's where true happiness is. 00:11:33.300 --> 00:11:35.060 You just need to get deeper inside yourself. 00:11:36.560 --> 00:11:40.840 You need to work out what it is that you are at your heart. 00:11:41.580 --> 00:11:42.379 And pursue that. 00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:47.159 Or they might try and convince you that you're exactly where you should be. 00:11:47.960 --> 00:11:49.600 This is real freedom they might say. 00:11:49.860 --> 00:11:50.620 Yes it's tough. 00:11:51.259 --> 00:11:53.179 But at least you don't have your father looming over you. 00:11:53.179 --> 00:11:58.399 They certainly wouldn't say return to your father. 00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:01.659 Your gracious good loving father. 00:12:02.299 --> 00:12:03.519 And he will forgive you. 00:12:04.239 --> 00:12:06.039 But this is the only answer that we have. 00:12:07.039 --> 00:12:08.199 All the hard work. 00:12:08.339 --> 00:12:09.219 Self reflection. 00:12:09.959 --> 00:12:11.799 And all the positive thinking in the world. 00:12:12.059 --> 00:12:13.279 Are completely worthless. 00:12:14.539 --> 00:12:16.739 If we're estranged from our heavenly father. 00:12:16.740 --> 00:12:20.740 Finally. 00:12:21.519 --> 00:12:23.779 And this is the turning point of this young man's life. 00:12:25.480 --> 00:12:27.220 In verse 17 it tells us. 00:12:27.779 --> 00:12:29.220 When he came to his senses. 00:12:30.460 --> 00:12:31.879 Or he woke up to the truth. 00:12:32.399 --> 00:12:34.360 When he remembered the goodness of his father. 00:12:38.360 --> 00:12:39.620 And he didn't seem to hang about. 00:12:40.200 --> 00:12:41.639 He remembered the goodness of his father. 00:12:41.759 --> 00:12:43.039 In verse 20 tells us. 00:12:43.460 --> 00:12:45.039 So he got up and went to his father. 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:46.259 There's an urgency there. 00:12:47.579 --> 00:12:50.099 He doesn't clean himself up. 00:12:50.219 --> 00:12:51.000 We're not told. 00:12:51.759 --> 00:12:53.699 We know he doesn't try to find a pair of shoes even. 00:12:54.679 --> 00:12:56.379 Because he goes back to his father. 00:12:56.399 --> 00:12:57.819 And his father says put shoes on him. 00:13:00.379 --> 00:13:02.519 On the way he's rehearsed a whole speech. 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:04.860 About why he's going to tell his father. 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:05.719 What he's done wrong. 00:13:05.819 --> 00:13:07.099 How he sinned against heaven. 00:13:07.500 --> 00:13:09.079 How he sinned against his father. 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:11.319 How he knows. 00:13:11.740 --> 00:13:14.519 There's no possibility of him being accepted back as a son. 00:13:15.039 --> 00:13:16.259 But maybe. 00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:17.620 Just maybe. 00:13:18.199 --> 00:13:20.519 He could be a servant for his father. 00:13:20.819 --> 00:13:24.199 And instead of longing after the pods that the pigs eat. 00:13:24.319 --> 00:13:25.500 Maybe he could have some bread. 00:13:25.500 --> 00:13:30.919 I remember I watched a movie once. 00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:31.860 This is a terrible illustration. 00:13:32.000 --> 00:13:33.379 Because I can't remember the name of the film. 00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:36.059 And I can't remember any of the actors in it. 00:13:38.419 --> 00:13:40.019 But it's kind of western. 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:42.059 And there's a young son. 00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:44.919 Who is reckless and rebellious. 00:13:44.980 --> 00:13:46.519 And he kind of leaves the homestead. 00:13:46.779 --> 00:13:47.960 And he goes off. 00:13:48.440 --> 00:13:49.559 And he gets in trouble. 00:13:50.360 --> 00:13:51.480 I think he starts a fire. 00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:54.519 And his father, the hero, rides in. 00:13:54.639 --> 00:13:55.200 Saves him. 00:13:57.440 --> 00:13:58.519 Takes him back home. 00:13:58.840 --> 00:13:59.820 And they're walking home. 00:13:59.920 --> 00:14:01.600 This is the kind of final scene of the act. 00:14:02.600 --> 00:14:04.659 And it's beautiful prairie land. 00:14:04.800 --> 00:14:05.840 The sun's going down. 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:08.220 The sun is on the back of his father's horse. 00:14:09.100 --> 00:14:10.300 They're reconciled. 00:14:10.480 --> 00:14:12.080 His father's talking gently to him. 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:14.860 And the father says, 00:14:15.280 --> 00:14:17.800 You know I'm going to have to whoop you a bit. 00:14:20.520 --> 00:14:21.540 And the son says, 00:14:21.720 --> 00:14:22.340 I know, Pop. 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:24.680 And at the time, 00:14:25.360 --> 00:14:27.720 I thought this was the pinnacle of parenthood. 00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:28.820 I thought this man 00:14:28.820 --> 00:14:31.800 was the perfect illustration of fatherhood. 00:14:31.879 --> 00:14:33.080 Because he has come. 00:14:33.160 --> 00:14:34.320 He's saved his son. 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:36.220 He's forgiven him. 00:14:36.280 --> 00:14:37.879 He's taking him back to the family. 00:14:38.500 --> 00:14:40.480 But he knows he's got to be punished. 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:41.940 He needs to punish him. 00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:44.500 So that he doesn't do it again. 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.680 Well, we know 00:14:47.680 --> 00:14:50.720 that's not how this father responds. 00:14:52.600 --> 00:14:55.560 This father does anything but punish his son. 00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:58.779 This father says, 00:14:59.340 --> 00:15:00.779 Put a ring on him. 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:04.320 Give him the best robe we've got. 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:06.800 Put shoes on his feet. 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:09.659 And make a feast worth celebrating. 00:15:10.480 --> 00:15:13.659 The son had said to himself 00:15:13.659 --> 00:15:14.659 when he was in the field, 00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:17.100 My father's got plenty of bread. 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:19.240 But he doesn't receive bread. 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:20.860 He receives the choicest steak. 00:15:21.039 --> 00:15:23.039 The best that his father has to offer. 00:15:24.100 --> 00:15:26.080 As well as full restoration 00:15:26.080 --> 00:15:27.680 into the family. 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:30.759 So as for us. 00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:34.299 Because of the work of Jesus. 00:15:34.679 --> 00:15:36.019 There's no guilt in life. 00:15:36.159 --> 00:15:37.259 No fear in death. 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:38.299 As the song tells us. 00:15:39.319 --> 00:15:40.480 Our punishment 00:15:40.480 --> 00:15:42.179 fell upon him. 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:45.399 Yes, we deserve 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:46.659 to be whooped a bit. 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:48.059 We deserve so much more. 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:50.600 And yet Jesus has taken our guilt 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:51.299 and our shame. 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:54.720 And the father has laid upon him 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:56.080 all of our sins. 00:15:56.080 --> 00:16:02.080 So that's the rebellious son. 00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:04.000 And for a long time, 00:16:04.040 --> 00:16:05.120 I thought that was the extent 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:06.000 of the parable. 00:16:07.300 --> 00:16:08.300 The parable was called 00:16:08.300 --> 00:16:09.180 the prodigal son. 00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:10.060 That's what it was about. 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:11.639 The man, manny squanders it. 00:16:12.220 --> 00:16:12.960 Goes away. 00:16:13.600 --> 00:16:14.200 It's forgiven. 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:16.820 But when we go to the beginning 00:16:16.820 --> 00:16:17.379 of our passage, 00:16:17.600 --> 00:16:18.920 the story's actually introduced. 00:16:19.660 --> 00:16:20.879 If you look at verse 11, 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:21.860 it says there was a man 00:16:21.860 --> 00:16:22.759 who had two sons. 00:16:22.759 --> 00:16:24.539 So we know that this story 00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:25.159 has not ended. 00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:27.379 And at the beginning 00:16:27.379 --> 00:16:27.960 of the chapter, 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:28.840 Luke tells us, 00:16:30.299 --> 00:16:32.519 in verse 1 of this chapter, 00:16:32.600 --> 00:16:33.200 chapter 15, 00:16:33.439 --> 00:16:34.259 Now the tax collectors 00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:35.299 and sinners were all 00:16:35.299 --> 00:16:35.939 gathering around 00:16:35.939 --> 00:16:36.620 to hear Jesus. 00:16:37.179 --> 00:16:37.899 But the Pharisees 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:38.759 and the teachers of the law 00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:39.080 muttered, 00:16:39.639 --> 00:16:40.879 This man welcomes sinners 00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.960 and eats with them. 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:43.919 Then Jesus told them 00:16:43.919 --> 00:16:44.399 this parable. 00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:46.759 So Jesus is with sinners, 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:48.220 as he tended to be. 00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:49.919 But he's delivering 00:16:49.919 --> 00:16:51.659 a series of parables here. 00:16:51.659 --> 00:16:53.299 in quick succession 00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:54.179 recorded by Luke, 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:56.039 to the Pharisees 00:16:56.039 --> 00:16:56.819 or in response 00:16:56.819 --> 00:16:57.600 to the attitude 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:59.079 of the Pharisees. 00:17:00.579 --> 00:17:01.639 The ones who thought 00:17:01.639 --> 00:17:02.399 that they could earn 00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:03.120 God's favor 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:04.799 by obeying the law. 00:17:07.299 --> 00:17:08.279 The first parable 00:17:08.279 --> 00:17:09.279 is about a lost sheep. 00:17:10.159 --> 00:17:11.259 So there's a man 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:12.180 who has a hundred sheep 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:14.480 and he loses one 00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:14.960 and he goes 00:17:14.960 --> 00:17:16.000 and searches for it 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:16.700 until he finds it. 00:17:17.579 --> 00:17:18.420 The second one 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:20.259 is about a coin, 00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:21.059 a lost coin. 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:23.140 A woman has ten coins. 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.500 She loses one 00:17:24.500 --> 00:17:25.400 and searches everywhere 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:26.360 until she finds it. 00:17:27.640 --> 00:17:29.279 And then he tells 00:17:29.279 --> 00:17:29.779 the parable, 00:17:30.040 --> 00:17:30.600 this parable, 00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:31.759 of the two sons. 00:17:33.340 --> 00:17:33.759 And personally, 00:17:33.820 --> 00:17:34.540 I can imagine 00:17:34.540 --> 00:17:35.640 the Pharisees 00:17:35.640 --> 00:17:36.720 listening to these parables 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:37.640 and nodding along. 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:38.940 The sheep, yeah, 00:17:39.380 --> 00:17:40.580 our God is a good God. 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:43.360 He cares about everyone. 00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.700 Even though there's a hundred, 00:17:44.800 --> 00:17:45.860 he cares about the one 00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:46.480 who is lost. 00:17:46.480 --> 00:17:49.339 And the lost coin, 00:17:49.839 --> 00:17:50.380 the Pharisees 00:17:50.380 --> 00:17:51.120 may nod along 00:17:51.120 --> 00:17:51.460 and say, 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:51.920 yes, 00:17:52.640 --> 00:17:53.579 our God will lose 00:17:53.579 --> 00:17:54.660 none who come to him. 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:57.799 And even in this parable, 00:17:58.160 --> 00:17:59.440 the story of the younger son, 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:00.400 the one who's reckless 00:18:00.400 --> 00:18:01.839 and comes home 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:02.539 and is forgiven 00:18:02.539 --> 00:18:04.299 by his forgiving father, 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:05.039 we can imagine 00:18:05.039 --> 00:18:05.880 them nodding along 00:18:05.880 --> 00:18:06.940 because it fits 00:18:06.940 --> 00:18:08.160 their narrative. 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:09.700 But when Jesus gets 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:10.599 to the elder son, 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:12.579 the one who stuck around, 00:18:13.519 --> 00:18:14.360 worked hard 00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:15.339 to keep the rules, 00:18:16.879 --> 00:18:17.559 the one that thinks 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.879 that law keeping, 00:18:19.719 --> 00:18:20.839 obeying his father's command 00:18:20.839 --> 00:18:21.759 has entitled him 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.319 to something, 00:18:23.799 --> 00:18:26.659 then you can imagine 00:18:26.659 --> 00:18:27.279 the anger 00:18:27.279 --> 00:18:28.059 that they may feel. 00:18:29.179 --> 00:18:29.919 The Pharisees 00:18:29.919 --> 00:18:31.579 are like 00:18:31.579 --> 00:18:32.319 the older brother. 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.639 As human beings, 00:18:35.699 --> 00:18:36.419 we have our biases 00:18:36.419 --> 00:18:37.079 confirmed 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:38.459 and we appreciate that, 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.539 but when they're challenged, 00:18:39.959 --> 00:18:41.079 we don't like it at all. 00:18:42.519 --> 00:18:43.279 And the idea 00:18:43.279 --> 00:18:46.240 of the older son, 00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:47.099 the elder son, 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:48.000 being in the wrong, 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:50.139 even after obeying 00:18:50.139 --> 00:18:51.839 his father's commands, 00:18:52.279 --> 00:18:52.720 must have been 00:18:52.720 --> 00:18:53.559 incredibly challenging 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:54.259 to the Pharisees 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:54.700 who were listening. 00:18:56.139 --> 00:18:57.000 So the elder son 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.440 is angry. 00:18:57.599 --> 00:18:58.019 First of all, 00:18:58.039 --> 00:18:58.440 he's angry. 00:18:59.180 --> 00:18:59.759 He's in the field, 00:18:59.839 --> 00:19:00.920 he hears music and dancing, 00:19:01.379 --> 00:19:02.639 he refuses to go in 00:19:02.639 --> 00:19:03.200 and demands 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:04.139 what's going on. 00:19:06.139 --> 00:19:06.799 I think there's 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:07.339 a few things 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:07.899 going on here. 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.180 So as the elder son, 00:19:09.180 --> 00:19:10.220 he would have received 00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.399 a double portion 00:19:11.400 --> 00:19:12.880 of his father's inheritance, 00:19:13.019 --> 00:19:13.740 twice as much. 00:19:14.560 --> 00:19:15.560 And the younger son's 00:19:15.560 --> 00:19:16.500 already blown his, 00:19:17.120 --> 00:19:17.759 so I wonder 00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:19.540 if he's concerned 00:19:19.540 --> 00:19:20.860 that this feast 00:19:20.860 --> 00:19:21.400 is coming out 00:19:21.400 --> 00:19:21.980 of his money. 00:19:23.400 --> 00:19:24.100 Reveals to us 00:19:24.100 --> 00:19:25.140 he's just as concerned 00:19:25.140 --> 00:19:26.160 about money 00:19:26.160 --> 00:19:27.019 as the reckless 00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:28.180 younger brother was. 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:29.940 Secondly, 00:19:30.140 --> 00:19:30.740 the elder brother's 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.220 upset 00:19:31.220 --> 00:19:32.420 with his father 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:33.600 that his own 00:19:33.600 --> 00:19:34.220 good performance 00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:35.060 hasn't been rewarded. 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:35.519 He says, 00:19:35.580 --> 00:19:35.940 you haven't even 00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:36.740 given me a goat, 00:19:36.860 --> 00:19:38.100 let alone a fatted calf. 00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:40.559 He tells his father, 00:19:40.719 --> 00:19:40.899 look, 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:42.279 all these years 00:19:42.279 --> 00:19:43.279 I've been slaving 00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:43.980 for you 00:19:43.980 --> 00:19:45.599 and never disobeyed 00:19:45.599 --> 00:19:46.119 your orders, 00:19:46.659 --> 00:19:47.659 yet you never even, 00:19:48.379 --> 00:19:49.339 you never gave me 00:19:49.339 --> 00:19:50.299 even a young goat 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.059 so I could celebrate 00:19:51.059 --> 00:19:51.879 with my friends. 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:54.399 The elder son 00:19:54.399 --> 00:19:55.740 believes that he's 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.219 entitled 00:19:56.219 --> 00:19:57.459 to reward. 00:19:58.699 --> 00:19:59.619 He believes that 00:19:59.619 --> 00:20:00.379 his hard work 00:20:00.379 --> 00:20:00.879 and effort 00:20:00.879 --> 00:20:01.279 in obeying 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:02.079 his father's commands 00:20:02.079 --> 00:20:03.299 is what will earn 00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:03.899 him privilege. 00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:06.639 But our good 00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:07.500 and faithful father 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:08.480 doesn't castize him, 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.019 he says, 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:09.900 son, 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:11.119 you're always with me 00:20:11.119 --> 00:20:12.680 and everything I have 00:20:12.680 --> 00:20:13.599 is yours. 00:20:14.680 --> 00:20:15.519 This reveals something 00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:16.420 else about the elder son. 00:20:16.519 --> 00:20:17.180 It reveals that 00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:18.740 he doesn't value 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:20.380 being with his father. 00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:21.660 He doesn't understand 00:20:21.660 --> 00:20:22.799 that being in the presence 00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:23.440 of his father 00:20:23.440 --> 00:20:24.599 has been a blessing 00:20:24.599 --> 00:20:25.299 all along. 00:20:25.880 --> 00:20:26.380 He thought it was 00:20:26.380 --> 00:20:27.440 a means to an end 00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.960 rather than a blessing 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:29.500 in itself. 00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:32.720 And finally, 00:20:33.619 --> 00:20:34.700 the elder son 00:20:34.700 --> 00:20:36.599 doesn't love his brother. 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:37.639 That's so clear 00:20:37.639 --> 00:20:38.279 from the language 00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:39.159 he uses here. 00:20:39.939 --> 00:20:41.539 He says in verse 30, 00:20:42.179 --> 00:20:43.259 this son of yours, 00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:44.659 disassociating himself, 00:20:44.759 --> 00:20:45.639 he doesn't say my brother, 00:20:45.719 --> 00:20:46.759 he says your son. 00:20:48.659 --> 00:20:49.659 And he says, 00:20:49.879 --> 00:20:51.359 has squandered your property 00:20:51.359 --> 00:20:52.259 with prostitutes, 00:20:52.419 --> 00:20:53.419 painting his brother 00:20:53.419 --> 00:20:55.539 in the worst possible light. 00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:58.299 Not only that, 00:20:58.379 --> 00:20:59.819 but while the younger brother 00:20:59.819 --> 00:21:00.419 was away 00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:02.259 in famine-stricken land, 00:21:02.419 --> 00:21:02.799 starving, 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:05.359 we find no record 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:06.339 of the elder son 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:08.059 even thinking 00:21:08.059 --> 00:21:09.019 about helping him out. 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.359 He just feels resentful 00:21:10.359 --> 00:21:11.240 when he comes back. 00:21:12.240 --> 00:21:13.919 In 1 John 2, 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:15.079 and verse 9, 00:21:15.119 --> 00:21:15.440 it says, 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.419 anyone who claims 00:21:16.419 --> 00:21:17.159 to be in the light 00:21:17.159 --> 00:21:18.139 but hates his brother 00:21:18.139 --> 00:21:18.659 or sister 00:21:18.659 --> 00:21:20.579 is still in darkness. 00:21:22.059 --> 00:21:23.000 It seems as though 00:21:23.000 --> 00:21:23.779 this elder brother 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:25.500 says he's in the light, 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:26.519 he's been following 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:28.099 his father's commands, 00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:30.799 but he's still in darkness. 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:33.279 He's been keeping up 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:33.720 appearances, 00:21:34.399 --> 00:21:35.720 but with jealousy 00:21:35.720 --> 00:21:36.740 and pride 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:38.259 and even hatred 00:21:38.259 --> 00:21:38.960 for his brother 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:39.579 in his heart. 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.879 The Pharisees 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:43.740 couldn't understand 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:45.180 why Jesus was hanging around 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:46.720 with publicans 00:21:46.720 --> 00:21:47.180 and sinners. 00:21:48.399 --> 00:21:49.299 He could have been 00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:50.119 debating theology 00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:50.639 with them. 00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:52.119 He could have been 00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:53.220 ensuring people 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:54.139 were obeying 00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:55.240 the law. 00:21:56.859 --> 00:21:58.139 They had such a low opinion 00:21:58.139 --> 00:21:58.639 of the people 00:21:58.639 --> 00:21:59.759 Jesus spent time with. 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:02.180 But in the book 00:22:02.180 --> 00:22:02.839 of Samuel, 00:22:03.579 --> 00:22:04.220 it tells us 00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:05.500 the Lord does not look 00:22:05.500 --> 00:22:06.200 at the things 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:07.000 people look at. 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.240 People look at 00:22:08.240 --> 00:22:09.119 outward appearance, 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.480 but the Lord 00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.839 looks at the heart. 00:22:12.000 --> 00:22:12.680 Jesus knew 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.680 the hearts 00:22:13.680 --> 00:22:14.240 of these people. 00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:15.139 He knew these people 00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:16.019 from before 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:16.659 they were born. 00:22:19.139 --> 00:22:19.980 And he knew 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.500 that keeping 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.799 the law 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.859 as a way 00:22:22.859 --> 00:22:23.539 of putting God 00:22:23.539 --> 00:22:24.019 in debt 00:22:24.019 --> 00:22:25.619 is not 00:22:25.619 --> 00:22:26.659 any kind of 00:22:26.659 --> 00:22:27.919 salvation at all. 00:22:27.920 --> 00:22:30.080 So the elder son 00:22:30.080 --> 00:22:30.660 reveals himself 00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:31.700 to be self-serving 00:22:31.700 --> 00:22:32.840 and self-righteous. 00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:37.820 He doesn't obey 00:22:37.820 --> 00:22:38.200 his father 00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:38.759 out of love. 00:22:40.080 --> 00:22:40.700 He's kept 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.500 the rules of the house 00:22:41.500 --> 00:22:42.140 because he's got 00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:42.480 his eye 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.100 on his inheritance. 00:22:44.640 --> 00:22:45.600 It's interesting 00:22:45.600 --> 00:22:47.700 that he has kept 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:50.180 his act, 00:22:50.580 --> 00:22:51.279 his pretense, 00:22:51.660 --> 00:22:52.820 his performance 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:54.679 all this time. 00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:56.139 But when it falls down 00:22:56.139 --> 00:22:57.720 is in the face 00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.500 of his father's 00:22:58.500 --> 00:22:59.939 lavish generosity 00:22:59.939 --> 00:23:01.419 and reckless love 00:23:01.419 --> 00:23:02.099 that he shows 00:23:02.099 --> 00:23:03.480 towards the elder son. 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:07.700 So we've got 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:08.879 two brothers. 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:10.819 We're quite accustomed 00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.460 to thinking about 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:12.500 things on a spectrum 00:23:12.500 --> 00:23:13.259 these days, 00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:13.679 I think. 00:23:13.939 --> 00:23:14.740 On one end, 00:23:14.839 --> 00:23:15.519 we've got wild 00:23:15.519 --> 00:23:16.019 and reckless 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:18.159 and on the other end, 00:23:18.319 --> 00:23:18.899 we've got 00:23:18.899 --> 00:23:20.419 self-righteous 00:23:20.419 --> 00:23:21.179 and prideful. 00:23:21.180 --> 00:23:23.860 And maybe 00:23:23.860 --> 00:23:24.680 where we sit 00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:25.960 on that spectrum 00:23:25.960 --> 00:23:27.940 defines our existence. 00:23:28.799 --> 00:23:29.560 We think about that 00:23:29.560 --> 00:23:30.500 in terms of creativity 00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:32.460 or neurodiversity. 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:33.019 We talk about 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:33.680 being on a spectrum. 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:35.000 But I think maybe 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.720 as Christians 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:37.340 it's less of a spectrum 00:23:37.340 --> 00:23:38.740 and more of a pendulum 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:41.000 because 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:43.180 my personal experience, 00:23:44.560 --> 00:23:45.220 one day 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:45.799 we're fighting 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.440 against 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:47.600 wickedness 00:23:47.600 --> 00:23:48.220 and sinfulness 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.980 overtly 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:50.400 and the next day 00:23:50.400 --> 00:23:51.039 we're swinging 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:51.659 the other way 00:23:51.659 --> 00:23:52.500 and fighting 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:53.879 about being prideful 00:23:53.879 --> 00:23:55.299 about our performance. 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:57.180 We have a bad day 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:57.980 when we're tempted 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:59.680 to go 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:01.000 the path 00:24:01.000 --> 00:24:01.500 that we were on 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.420 before we were saved 00:24:02.420 --> 00:24:04.379 and then we have 00:24:04.379 --> 00:24:05.559 equally bad days 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:06.079 when we think 00:24:06.079 --> 00:24:06.859 that our performance 00:24:06.859 --> 00:24:07.700 before God 00:24:07.700 --> 00:24:08.519 has somehow 00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:09.519 earned us 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:10.359 the right 00:24:10.359 --> 00:24:11.299 to demand things 00:24:11.299 --> 00:24:11.879 from Him. 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:16.180 We're constantly 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:17.039 trying to control 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:17.899 our lives 00:24:17.900 --> 00:24:21.220 by leaning 00:24:21.220 --> 00:24:22.200 into these 00:24:22.200 --> 00:24:22.880 two directions. 00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.300 So we think 00:24:24.300 --> 00:24:24.720 we don't want 00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:25.620 God to control us 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:26.100 I want to do 00:24:26.100 --> 00:24:26.720 what I want 00:24:26.720 --> 00:24:27.860 and we edge 00:24:27.860 --> 00:24:28.680 towards recklessness 00:24:28.680 --> 00:24:30.080 and then we think 00:24:30.080 --> 00:24:30.780 actually I'm going 00:24:30.780 --> 00:24:31.860 to obey the commands 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:33.180 and earn God's favor 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:33.880 and we lean 00:24:33.880 --> 00:24:34.960 into pride 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:37.680 when in fact 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.180 we need to be 00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:38.600 in the middle. 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:39.160 Of course 00:24:39.160 --> 00:24:40.180 the work of sanctification 00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:40.980 the Holy Spirit 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:42.000 working within us 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.460 maybe makes 00:24:43.460 --> 00:24:44.019 our swings 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:44.880 to each side 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:45.880 smaller. 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:46.580 maybe we don't 00:24:46.580 --> 00:24:47.680 fall as far 00:24:47.680 --> 00:24:49.200 as maybe we once did. 00:24:52.260 --> 00:24:53.080 But the fact 00:24:53.080 --> 00:24:53.920 that we still swing 00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:54.640 shows us the need 00:24:54.640 --> 00:24:55.180 that we have 00:24:55.180 --> 00:24:55.740 for one 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.640 who has never 00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.380 been swayed 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.840 in either direction. 00:25:03.340 --> 00:25:04.140 Someone who can 00:25:04.140 --> 00:25:05.120 stand before God 00:25:05.120 --> 00:25:05.860 in our place 00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:07.900 because we 00:25:07.900 --> 00:25:08.620 are constantly 00:25:08.620 --> 00:25:09.040 swinging 00:25:09.040 --> 00:25:10.220 from side to side 00:25:10.220 --> 00:25:11.200 blowing with the wind. 00:25:12.540 --> 00:25:13.240 That brings us 00:25:13.240 --> 00:25:14.020 thirdly 00:25:14.020 --> 00:25:14.900 most importantly 00:25:14.900 --> 00:25:15.900 but most concisely 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.519 for today 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:18.060 to the third 00:25:18.060 --> 00:25:18.600 brother. 00:25:19.060 --> 00:25:20.160 The one who doesn't 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:21.040 appear in this story 00:25:21.040 --> 00:25:22.340 the one who's 00:25:22.340 --> 00:25:23.100 telling the story. 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:25.440 So just like 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:26.040 the younger son 00:25:26.040 --> 00:25:27.000 Jesus left home 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:28.480 but unlike 00:25:28.480 --> 00:25:29.420 the younger son 00:25:29.420 --> 00:25:30.300 he made no demands 00:25:30.300 --> 00:25:30.820 of his father 00:25:30.820 --> 00:25:31.600 before he left. 00:25:32.940 --> 00:25:33.320 In fact 00:25:33.320 --> 00:25:34.320 he left the glory 00:25:34.320 --> 00:25:34.840 and majesty 00:25:34.840 --> 00:25:35.420 of heaven 00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:37.560 where all 00:25:37.560 --> 00:25:38.240 he had known 00:25:38.240 --> 00:25:39.160 was love 00:25:39.160 --> 00:25:40.140 for all eternity 00:25:40.140 --> 00:25:41.780 and he went 00:25:41.780 --> 00:25:42.120 willingly. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:44.700 He didn't go 00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.480 into a far country 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:46.080 to be separate 00:25:46.080 --> 00:25:47.040 from his father. 00:25:47.520 --> 00:25:48.120 He went to 00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:49.020 fulfill his father's 00:25:49.020 --> 00:25:49.240 will. 00:25:50.580 --> 00:25:51.300 And while he was 00:25:51.300 --> 00:25:51.680 on earth 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:52.759 Jesus was never 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.860 wasteful of anything 00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:55.860 not even a word 00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:56.640 or a thought. 00:25:57.980 --> 00:25:58.860 Everything he did 00:25:58.860 --> 00:25:59.620 pleased his father 00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:02.140 and unlike the elder son 00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:04.460 he never took praise 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:04.960 for himself. 00:26:05.680 --> 00:26:06.520 He never thought 00:26:06.520 --> 00:26:07.460 I've earned this. 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:08.779 He was constantly 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:10.299 pointing to God 00:26:10.299 --> 00:26:10.799 the father 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:12.039 and everything he did. 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:13.400 Jesus tells us 00:26:13.400 --> 00:26:14.819 why do you call me good? 00:26:15.380 --> 00:26:16.079 No one is good 00:26:16.079 --> 00:26:16.759 except God 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.700 constantly giving 00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.660 his father the glory. 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:22.960 Jesus came for us 00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:24.500 unlike the elder brother 00:26:24.500 --> 00:26:25.220 who had the means 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:26.279 to help his younger brother 00:26:26.279 --> 00:26:28.559 but chose not to. 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:30.640 Jesus came for us. 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:31.740 He left glory. 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.299 He left the glory 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:33.640 of heaven 00:26:33.640 --> 00:26:34.620 to come for us 00:26:34.620 --> 00:26:35.940 and he paid 00:26:35.940 --> 00:26:37.160 the ultimate sacrifice 00:26:37.160 --> 00:26:38.660 for our sins. 00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:40.500 The greatest ever 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.420 act of love. 00:26:43.400 --> 00:26:43.920 And the seriousness 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.940 of this cannot be 00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:45.820 lost on us 00:26:45.820 --> 00:26:47.100 because at the end 00:26:47.100 --> 00:26:48.000 of our parable today 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:49.240 the father says 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:50.080 to the elder brother 00:26:50.080 --> 00:26:54.019 your younger brother 00:26:54.019 --> 00:26:54.779 wasn't just away 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.540 from the family 00:26:55.540 --> 00:26:56.220 he wasn't just 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.040 out of the scene 00:26:57.040 --> 00:26:58.080 he was dead. 00:27:00.060 --> 00:27:01.040 The hard truth 00:27:01.040 --> 00:27:01.680 is that's the same 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.660 for all of us 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:03.500 who don't have 00:27:03.500 --> 00:27:04.259 our faith in Jesus. 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:06.220 And it would have been true 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:07.140 for every single human 00:27:07.140 --> 00:27:08.160 had Jesus not come 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:10.160 and not given himself 00:27:10.160 --> 00:27:10.779 for us. 00:27:13.019 --> 00:27:14.279 And Jesus returned home. 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.500 Like the younger son 00:27:15.500 --> 00:27:16.319 he returned home 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:18.759 the young son though 00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:20.259 went home starving 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:21.000 and barefoot 00:27:21.000 --> 00:27:21.700 because of what 00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.519 he'd squandered 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:23.339 because of what 00:27:23.339 --> 00:27:23.900 he'd lost. 00:27:24.680 --> 00:27:25.440 Jesus went home 00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:26.100 with his feet 00:27:26.100 --> 00:27:26.720 pierced through 00:27:26.720 --> 00:27:27.220 with nails 00:27:27.220 --> 00:27:27.860 because of what 00:27:27.860 --> 00:27:28.299 he'd won. 00:27:28.299 --> 00:27:30.839 on the cross 00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.680 Jesus defeated 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:33.279 sin and death 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.559 so that we can also 00:27:34.559 --> 00:27:35.099 go home 00:27:35.099 --> 00:27:36.579 to our true home 00:27:36.579 --> 00:27:38.019 with our Lord. 00:27:40.599 --> 00:27:41.639 And now he sits 00:27:41.639 --> 00:27:43.960 making intercession 00:27:43.960 --> 00:27:44.599 for us 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:46.240 asking the father 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:47.419 pleading for us 00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:52.180 not because we deserve it 00:27:52.180 --> 00:27:52.839 but because 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:54.039 of his goodness. 00:27:54.039 --> 00:27:58.139 So in conclusion 00:27:58.139 --> 00:27:58.379 then 00:27:58.379 --> 00:27:58.799 I wonder 00:27:58.799 --> 00:28:00.359 why we are 00:28:00.359 --> 00:28:00.819 here 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:01.619 today. 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.359 The younger son 00:28:02.359 --> 00:28:04.039 left his father's 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:04.579 house because 00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:05.119 he didn't want 00:28:05.119 --> 00:28:05.559 his father 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.359 looming over him. 00:28:09.019 --> 00:28:09.940 There's no real 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:10.579 reason for us 00:28:10.579 --> 00:28:11.180 to be in church 00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:12.259 today socially. 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.259 It's not as if 00:28:13.259 --> 00:28:14.579 people think well 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.059 of us 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:15.759 at work 00:28:15.759 --> 00:28:16.359 because we go 00:28:16.359 --> 00:28:16.940 to church. 00:28:17.139 --> 00:28:17.740 We're not in line 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:18.339 for a promotion 00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:19.079 because of our 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:19.559 behavior 00:28:19.559 --> 00:28:20.960 on a Sunday 00:28:20.960 --> 00:28:21.259 morning. 00:28:21.259 --> 00:28:23.180 we're clearly 00:28:23.180 --> 00:28:23.859 not running away 00:28:23.859 --> 00:28:24.259 from God 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:25.000 like the rebellious 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:25.480 son did. 00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:27.140 Maybe we're 00:28:27.140 --> 00:28:27.640 coming home. 00:28:29.039 --> 00:28:29.480 Maybe we've 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:29.960 come to our 00:28:29.960 --> 00:28:30.299 senses 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:31.559 and we're 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:32.039 returning to 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.400 our heavenly 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:33.019 father with a 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.759 repentant heart 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:34.259 and a willingness 00:28:34.259 --> 00:28:34.859 to submit 00:28:34.859 --> 00:28:35.319 ourselves 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.160 to his 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.460 goodness. 00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:40.119 And if we 00:28:40.119 --> 00:28:40.440 are 00:28:40.440 --> 00:28:41.480 we will be 00:28:41.480 --> 00:28:41.940 accepted. 00:28:43.299 --> 00:28:43.660 Rings 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:44.859 shoes 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:46.180 feasts 00:28:46.180 --> 00:28:46.619 await. 00:28:47.680 --> 00:28:48.519 Don't delay 00:28:48.519 --> 00:28:48.960 in coming to 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:49.299 your heavenly 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.000 father today. 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:52.759 Maybe we're 00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:53.140 here because 00:28:53.140 --> 00:28:53.460 we think 00:28:53.460 --> 00:28:53.740 we're earning 00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.119 brownie 00:28:54.119 --> 00:28:54.500 points. 00:28:55.180 --> 00:28:55.740 Like the 00:28:55.740 --> 00:28:56.299 elder son 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:56.599 might have 00:28:56.599 --> 00:28:56.799 done. 00:28:57.099 --> 00:28:57.519 Maybe we 00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:57.880 think that 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:58.259 God will 00:28:58.259 --> 00:28:58.640 look at us 00:28:58.640 --> 00:28:59.720 here in 00:28:59.720 --> 00:29:00.140 church. 00:29:00.400 --> 00:29:00.859 It's cold 00:29:00.859 --> 00:29:01.279 out there. 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.200 On a Sunday 00:29:03.200 --> 00:29:03.700 morning we 00:29:03.700 --> 00:29:04.299 could have 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:04.680 been in bed 00:29:04.680 --> 00:29:04.920 with tea 00:29:04.920 --> 00:29:05.279 and toast 00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:05.579 but we're 00:29:05.579 --> 00:29:05.839 here. 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:08.319 Maybe we 00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:08.640 think that 00:29:08.640 --> 00:29:08.859 we're going 00:29:08.859 --> 00:29:09.420 to add a 00:29:09.420 --> 00:29:10.019 tally mark 00:29:10.019 --> 00:29:10.779 against our 00:29:10.779 --> 00:29:12.200 name in 00:29:12.200 --> 00:29:13.720 God's book 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.279 of life 00:29:14.279 --> 00:29:14.960 against 00:29:14.960 --> 00:29:15.960 mark us 00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:16.539 up one 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:16.880 point. 00:29:18.619 --> 00:29:18.960 Well I'm 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:19.420 confident that 00:29:19.420 --> 00:29:19.960 we're not. 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:24.319 even if we 00:29:24.319 --> 00:29:25.220 were this 00:29:25.220 --> 00:29:25.779 idea of 00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.839 earning our 00:29:26.839 --> 00:29:27.200 way into 00:29:27.200 --> 00:29:28.460 heaven would 00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:29.059 crush us. 00:29:29.200 --> 00:29:29.559 There's no 00:29:29.559 --> 00:29:29.960 way that we 00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:30.299 can keep 00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:30.640 the law. 00:29:31.019 --> 00:29:31.440 We're all 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:31.980 sitting on a 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.700 pendulum swinging 00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.359 from sin to 00:29:33.359 --> 00:29:33.599 sin. 00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:35.380 It's only by 00:29:35.380 --> 00:29:35.960 God's grace 00:29:35.960 --> 00:29:36.279 that we're 00:29:36.279 --> 00:29:36.640 saved. 00:29:38.140 --> 00:29:38.859 We have to 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:39.839 be here this 00:29:39.839 --> 00:29:40.900 morning because 00:29:40.900 --> 00:29:41.380 of Jesus. 00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:43.259 The one that 00:29:43.259 --> 00:29:43.619 Tim Keller 00:29:43.619 --> 00:29:44.480 calls the true 00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:45.160 elder brother, 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:46.200 our elder 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:46.559 brother, 00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:47.980 our rescuer. 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:49.860 remember in 00:29:49.860 --> 00:29:50.700 Acts when 00:29:50.700 --> 00:29:51.140 Paul and 00:29:51.140 --> 00:29:51.559 Silas were 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.039 freed from 00:29:52.039 --> 00:29:53.059 prison and 00:29:53.059 --> 00:29:53.500 the jailer 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:53.839 asked them 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.380 what must I 00:29:54.380 --> 00:29:54.779 do to be 00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:55.200 saved? 00:29:56.640 --> 00:29:57.279 They didn't 00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:57.779 write out a 00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:58.079 list of 00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:59.319 laws or 00:29:59.319 --> 00:29:59.799 recite the 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:00.579 Ten Commandments. 00:30:00.839 --> 00:30:01.380 They said 00:30:01.380 --> 00:30:02.839 believe in 00:30:02.839 --> 00:30:03.180 the Lord 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:04.059 Jesus Christ 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:05.400 and you 00:30:05.400 --> 00:30:05.799 will be 00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:06.200 saved. 00:30:06.920 --> 00:30:07.420 You and 00:30:07.420 --> 00:30:08.039 your household. 00:30:08.860 --> 00:30:09.259 No try 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:10.099 this, no do 00:30:10.099 --> 00:30:11.779 that, no it 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:12.279 might, it 00:30:12.279 --> 00:30:13.220 could, maybe 00:30:13.220 --> 00:30:14.660 you might have 00:30:14.660 --> 00:30:15.279 the potential, 00:30:15.279 --> 00:30:16.920 will be 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.279 saved. 00:30:18.519 --> 00:30:19.039 And it 00:30:19.039 --> 00:30:19.440 doesn't matter 00:30:19.440 --> 00:30:20.019 what kind of 00:30:20.019 --> 00:30:20.579 unbeliever you 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:21.660 were, whether 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:22.359 you were wild 00:30:22.359 --> 00:30:23.440 and reckless or 00:30:23.440 --> 00:30:23.839 whether you 00:30:23.839 --> 00:30:25.139 were self-righteous 00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:26.700 and conceited or 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:27.220 anything in 00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:28.960 between, God's 00:30:28.960 --> 00:30:29.619 able to save to 00:30:29.619 --> 00:30:30.660 the uttermost all 00:30:30.660 --> 00:30:31.160 who come to 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:31.319 him. 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:34.079 We're not here 00:30:34.079 --> 00:30:34.619 because we're 00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:35.200 trying to earn 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:35.720 anything, we're 00:30:35.720 --> 00:30:36.420 here because we 00:30:36.420 --> 00:30:37.139 delight in the 00:30:37.139 --> 00:30:37.819 one who's already 00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:38.440 earned it all. 00:30:39.279 --> 00:30:39.920 He's paid the 00:30:39.920 --> 00:30:40.519 price for our 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:40.720 sin. 00:30:41.639 --> 00:30:42.259 He's taken the 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:42.799 punishment that we 00:30:42.799 --> 00:30:44.139 deserve and we 00:30:44.139 --> 00:30:44.740 love him. 00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:46.079 We're not 00:30:46.079 --> 00:30:47.099 merely grateful 00:30:47.099 --> 00:30:48.099 to him because 00:30:48.099 --> 00:30:48.779 that would be to 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:51.379 underplay enormously 00:30:51.379 --> 00:30:52.680 what he has done. 00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.619 We love him, we 00:30:53.619 --> 00:30:54.420 live for him. 00:30:54.660 --> 00:30:55.160 As the psalmist 00:30:55.160 --> 00:30:56.899 says, I desire to 00:30:56.899 --> 00:30:58.440 do your will, your 00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:59.240 laws within my 00:30:59.240 --> 00:30:59.559 heart. 00:30:59.779 --> 00:31:00.279 This is our 00:31:00.279 --> 00:31:01.460 pleasure, the 00:31:01.460 --> 00:31:02.019 highlight of our 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:03.579 week, the place 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.200 our souls are 00:31:04.200 --> 00:31:04.899 restored as we 00:31:04.899 --> 00:31:05.859 travel along life's 00:31:05.859 --> 00:31:07.899 journey until at 00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:09.339 last we will be 00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:10.700 with him in glory 00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:12.019 for all eternity. 00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:13.579 Amen. 00:31:15.920 --> 00:31:16.480 Let's pray. 00:31:17.980 --> 00:31:18.960 Heavenly Father, 00:31:18.960 --> 00:31:19.059 Yeah.