WEBVTT

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 Shall we pray, Father God, may your word encourage us and enthuse us and challenge us, we pray, in Jesus' name. Amen.

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 What would Jesus do? Encourage, shape us and lead us home.

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 Hope. How do we keep hope alive when we're faced with this story today?

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 What does that actually look like in our lives?

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 And on this day which is full for us all of mixed emotions, of fathers that loved us, guided us, encouraged us and parented us well,

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 for the ones who made sacrifices for us, the ones who struggle or abdicated their responsibilities as a father,

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 the ones who left too soon, the ones who became fathers to us and took us, who took on that role for us,

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 maybe as stepfathers, carers, foster parents, grandfathers, the ones who have gone home to be with our Heavenly Father.

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 And as a father, I had hopes, I have hopes for my children.

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 From the day they were born, it may be even before that.

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 We have hopes for our children that they will be grounded, faithful, prayerful,

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 they have lives that are fruitful, honest and caring.

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 And in this story this morning that resonates, what happened to this son who decided to leave?

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 Who says, I'm off.

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 Not only is he leaving, the son asks for his share of the inheritance.

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 And this isn't given until the father dies, within the context, by asking, the son is saying,

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 actually, I wish you were dead.

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 You know, perhaps parents here know what that is like.

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 The pain of a child saying that to you as they leave, either as they leave physically or emotionally.

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 A parting comment or words that cut you deep.

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 There is nothing more painful than a child that turns to a parent and rejects their love.

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 Our story today is complex.

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 It rips us apart for the father and the son and the older brother and the whole community.

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 The question is, when we read this, is where did it start?

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 We aren't told.

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 And many of us here and listening, maybe on a podcast as well,

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 would struggle perhaps to know the day when a domestic situation

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 or an issue within the family or an issue within their child

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 turned from a happy, loving child who was fun to be around.

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 The rich memories of growing up, of holding this child in your arms,

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 and now the painful reality of how the child has turned into a painful, hurtful teenager

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 who didn't want or seems to gel with the family anymore.

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 There is nothing in this story where I guess the father hoped

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 that the clock just wouldn't spin back a few years.

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 Some here will know the pain of that.

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 And our prayers are with you.

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 There are crucial messages in this parable

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 that shocked the listeners of Jesus' day.

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 The Pharisees, the religious people who kept the law

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 and believe me, did they keep the law.

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 In Jesus' time, you did not dishonor.

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 Your father or your mother.

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 It brought shame.

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 This was a public shaming

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 by a son openly in rebellion against the father

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 and indeed his whole house and the older brother.

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 For the father,

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 others would judge him.

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 This is shame on lack of authority and control

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 that others would be placing on the father as well.

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 And rebellion was not to be tolerated.

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 In fact, the father would publicly

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 rip a piece of his own clothing

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 off of his garment

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 in the temple or before the people

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 to show that he had actually cut off his son forever,

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 that there was no way back.

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 Why didn't the father do this in the story?

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 Because this isn't the father of the culture.

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 This is the father that shapes the culture.

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 Really need to hear that this morning.

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 This isn't the father of the culture.

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 This is our heavenly father who shapes the culture.

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 Because this is where we should play the song Frozen.

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 Let it go.

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 Let it go.

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 Because that's exactly what the father does.

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 Perhaps the most shocking part

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 for the listener of Jesus' day

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 is that he gives his son the share

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 and lets him go

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 and bears the cost.

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 That's the thing, isn't it, in this story?

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 The father bears the cost.

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 It points again to the cross.

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 It points to everything.

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 The father bears the cost.

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 And the point that we often miss

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 is that the son takes it

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 and he knows exactly what he's doing.

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 The son takes it free at last.

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 Free to do what?

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 Free to go and sin and rebel.

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 Does that speak maybe to us of a culture for today?

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 Maybe as we look around us,

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 maybe even again,

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 look inside our own church national structure

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 of a culture of rebellion

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 against the father's teaching

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 and the father's love

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 and the father's kindness.

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 Free at last, really?

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 Maybe he thought so at the beginning.

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 And what of the older brother?

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 What of the older brother?

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 Scandalous!

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 Me!

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 Me!

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 Me!

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 Me!

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 The older brother!

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 You know?

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 I remain.

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 I, the one who has to stay,

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 the one who is still working

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 until his father dies

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 to see anything of the wealth of prosperity.

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 You know?

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 Imagine then the resentment

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 that is born in the older brother,

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 simmering

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 simmering

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 as he sees his younger brother

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 seemingly rewarded

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 for his rebellion

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 as the father lets him go

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 with no sign of cutting him off forever.

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 This is the story

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 not of one lost boy

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 but of two.

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 One has left home

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 the one that stayed at home.

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 Both were lost to the father

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 in different ways.

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 One in open rebellion,

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 one in simmering resentment

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 and anger.

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 And the older son

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 cuts deep with many Christians

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 because the older son

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 carries on, doesn't he?

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 Doing the things the same way.

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 Faithful,

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 fed,

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 comfortable,

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 waiting for his inheritance

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 at the end

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 because he has a right.

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 I deserve it.

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 It's mine.

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 And others who don't conform

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 don't deserve

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 the same forgiveness

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 and grace

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 that I receive.

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 Does that resonate

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 with some Christians

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 that we have met?

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 Who did the father love most

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 at that time?

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 You know,

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 this is God

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 we are talking about.

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 Jesus knew

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 that the story

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 would challenge

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 the listeners

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 to the core.

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 Maybe it does today.

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 And the one thing

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 I ask of us

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 as a church

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 on this day

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 that we never become

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 like the older brother.

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 You know,

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 Tim Keller

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 in his book

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 The Prodigal God

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 speaks of the son

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 who was lost

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 at home.

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 Tim Keller says,

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 Elder brothers

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 expect their goodness

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 to pay off

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 and if it doesn't

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 there is confusion

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 and rage.

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 If you think

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 goodness and decency

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 is the way

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 to merit

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 a good life

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 with God

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 you will be eaten up

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 with anger

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 since life

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 never goes

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 the way we wish.

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 You will always feel

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 that you are owed

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 more than you are getting.

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 you will always see

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 someone doing

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 better than you

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 in some aspect

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 of life

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 and ask

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 why this person

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 and not me?

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 After all that I've done

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 this resentment

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 is your own fault.

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 It is not caused

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 by the prosperity

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 of the other person

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 but by your own efforts

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 to control life

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 through your own performance.

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 but it will constantly

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 cause you

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 to lose your rooting

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 and footing

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 in various ways.

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 We also see

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 that the elder brother

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 has a strong sense

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 of his own superiority.

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 He points out

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 how much better

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 his own moral record is

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 than the lover

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 of prostitutes

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 and in disdainful language

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 he says

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 this son of yours.

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 He won't even

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 acknowledge his brother

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 as a brother

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 anymore.

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 Elder brothers

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 base their self-images

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 on being hardworking

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 or moral

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 or members

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 of an elite clan

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 or extremely smart

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 and savvy.

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 This inevitably

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 leads to feeling

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 superior

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 to those

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 who don't have

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 those same qualities.

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 In fact

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 competitive comparison

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 is the main way

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 elder brothers

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 achieve a sense

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 of their own

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 significance.

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 Racism

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 and classism

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 are just

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 different versions

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 of this form

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 of the self-salvation

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 project.

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 This dynamic

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 becomes

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 exceptionally

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 intense

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 when elder brothers

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 pride themselves

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 above all

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 for their

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 right

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 to religion.

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 what would

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 Jesus do?

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 The parable

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 spells it out.

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 This gives us

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 a picture

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 of the love

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 of God

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 his patience

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 his persistence

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 his character

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 his never-ending

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 hope

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 in reversing

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 the bad choices

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 that we so often

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 make.

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 He watches

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 and he waits

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 and he never

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 gives up.

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 And we know

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 our prodigals

00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:37.600
 and we know

00:11:37.600 --> 00:11:38.480
 our prodigals

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 won't come back

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 smelling sweetly

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 many of us

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 didn't.

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 We know that.

00:11:46.940 --> 00:11:48.539
 But what we knew

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 is that we came

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 back and we were

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 welcomed

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 by a loving God.

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 They didn't come

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 back with a deep

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 sense of wanting

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 maybe to sing

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 old hymns

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 that they'd learned

00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:00.560
 as a teenager

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 because tradition

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 control

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 and judgment

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 may be one of

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 the few things

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 that drove them

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 away.

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 What they want

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 to meet

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 is the gracious

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 and forgiving

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 love of the

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 father

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 and not the

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 older brother.

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 Many years ago

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 many of us

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 went to a

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 conference

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 it's probably

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 one of the most

00:12:22.179 --> 00:12:23.500
 significant conferences

00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:24.639
 that I've ever

00:12:24.639 --> 00:12:25.259
 been to

00:12:25.259 --> 00:12:26.199
 and it was

00:12:26.199 --> 00:12:27.379
 by Rob Parsons

00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:28.319
 Care for the

00:12:28.319 --> 00:12:28.620
 Family

00:12:28.620 --> 00:12:29.459
 and it was

00:12:29.459 --> 00:12:29.679
 called

00:12:29.679 --> 00:12:30.360
 Bringing Home

00:12:30.360 --> 00:12:31.060
 the Prodigals

00:12:31.060 --> 00:12:32.759
 and it

00:12:32.759 --> 00:12:33.419
 challenged my

00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:34.080
 heart for the

00:12:34.080 --> 00:12:34.659
 Prodigals

00:12:34.659 --> 00:12:35.180
 and for the

00:12:35.180 --> 00:12:35.800
 elder brothers

00:12:35.800 --> 00:12:36.620
 in the church

00:12:36.620 --> 00:12:37.980
 brothers and

00:12:37.980 --> 00:12:38.500
 sisters

00:12:38.500 --> 00:12:40.259
 who so often

00:12:40.259 --> 00:12:41.039
 wait to pour

00:12:41.039 --> 00:12:42.159
 condemnation on

00:12:42.159 --> 00:12:42.800
 other people

00:12:42.800 --> 00:12:44.240
 in Christ

00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:45.139
 there is

00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:46.440
 no condemnation

00:12:46.440 --> 00:12:47.960
 as we welcome

00:12:47.960 --> 00:12:48.759
 people home

00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:50.560
 and Rob

00:12:50.560 --> 00:12:51.039
 shared

00:12:51.039 --> 00:12:51.919
 when the

00:12:51.919 --> 00:12:52.740
 father's house

00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:53.759
 is full

00:12:53.759 --> 00:12:54.259
 of the

00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:55.200
 father's love

00:12:55.200 --> 00:12:56.680
 the Prodigals

00:12:56.680 --> 00:12:57.220
 will come

00:12:57.220 --> 00:12:57.539
 home.

00:12:57.539 --> 00:13:00.919
 Our job

00:13:00.919 --> 00:13:02.139
 is to fill

00:13:02.139 --> 00:13:02.719
 our house

00:13:02.719 --> 00:13:03.559
 with the

00:13:03.559 --> 00:13:04.240
 father's love

00:13:04.240 --> 00:13:06.519
 because I

00:13:06.519 --> 00:13:07.219
 believe at this

00:13:07.219 --> 00:13:07.819
 time there is

00:13:07.819 --> 00:13:08.699
 an urgency

00:13:08.699 --> 00:13:10.000
 for our

00:13:10.000 --> 00:13:10.480
 Prodigals

00:13:10.480 --> 00:13:10.919
 to come

00:13:10.919 --> 00:13:11.199
 home

00:13:11.199 --> 00:13:12.759
 and we

00:13:12.759 --> 00:13:13.259
 need to be

00:13:13.259 --> 00:13:13.679
 here and

00:13:13.679 --> 00:13:14.279
 welcoming and

00:13:14.279 --> 00:13:14.500
 ready.

00:13:14.679 --> 00:13:14.879
 In our

00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:15.399
 reading this

00:13:15.399 --> 00:13:16.219
 morning it

00:13:16.219 --> 00:13:17.259
 challenges us

00:13:17.259 --> 00:13:18.019
 in hope that

00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:18.679
 having prayed

00:13:18.679 --> 00:13:19.179
 and watched

00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:19.879
 and waited

00:13:19.879 --> 00:13:21.000
 to throw

00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:21.919
 our arms

00:13:21.919 --> 00:13:22.879
 around our

00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:23.339
 returning

00:13:23.339 --> 00:13:24.019
 Prodigals

00:13:24.019 --> 00:13:25.419
 and more

00:13:25.419 --> 00:13:25.959
 importantly

00:13:25.959 --> 00:13:27.099
 to own

00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:27.759
 the struggle

00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:28.680
 that makes

00:13:28.680 --> 00:13:29.700
 us recoil

00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:30.980
 in judgment

00:13:30.980 --> 00:13:32.560
 and disgust.

00:13:33.279 --> 00:13:33.899
 The father

00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:35.019
 saw the son

00:13:35.019 --> 00:13:36.259
 far off

00:13:36.259 --> 00:13:37.639
 he's been

00:13:37.639 --> 00:13:38.139
 watching.

00:13:39.700 --> 00:13:40.620
 Who amongst

00:13:40.620 --> 00:13:42.080
 us are

00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:43.379
 the watch

00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:44.060
 keepers on

00:13:44.060 --> 00:13:44.480
 the walls

00:13:44.480 --> 00:13:47.440
 looking out

00:13:47.440 --> 00:13:48.120
 for those

00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:48.740
 who are

00:13:48.740 --> 00:13:49.860
 returning home

00:13:49.860 --> 00:13:50.779
 and praying

00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:51.460
 for them to

00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:52.080
 come home

00:13:52.080 --> 00:13:53.399
 and when we

00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:53.940
 saw the

00:13:53.940 --> 00:13:54.779
 son

00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:55.339
 and when

00:13:55.339 --> 00:13:55.839
 he saw

00:13:55.839 --> 00:13:56.279
 the son

00:13:56.279 --> 00:13:57.019
 dragging

00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:57.779
 himself

00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:58.299
 home

00:13:58.299 --> 00:13:59.100
 with his

00:13:59.100 --> 00:13:59.919
 rehearsed

00:13:59.919 --> 00:14:00.519
 story

00:14:00.519 --> 00:14:01.159
 in his

00:14:01.159 --> 00:14:01.519
 mind

00:14:01.519 --> 00:14:02.220
 and maybe

00:14:02.220 --> 00:14:02.899
 that resonates

00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:03.639
 with you

00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:05.100
 as we come

00:14:05.100 --> 00:14:05.639
 back to the

00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:06.240
 father with

00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:07.159
 this rehearsed

00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:08.019
 story of

00:14:08.019 --> 00:14:08.939
 I am so

00:14:08.939 --> 00:14:09.699
 sorry I

00:14:09.699 --> 00:14:10.179
 know what

00:14:10.179 --> 00:14:10.860
 I have done

00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:11.519
 and whatever

00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.699
 he is there

00:14:12.699 --> 00:14:14.120
 coming through

00:14:14.120 --> 00:14:15.319
 returning home

00:14:15.319 --> 00:14:16.240
 and when he

00:14:16.240 --> 00:14:17.379
 sees the son

00:14:17.379 --> 00:14:18.860
 ready to live

00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:19.679
 as a servant

00:14:19.679 --> 00:14:20.339
 to grovel

00:14:20.339 --> 00:14:21.159
 in humility

00:14:21.159 --> 00:14:22.199
 the father

00:14:22.199 --> 00:14:22.759
 in this

00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:23.139
 story

00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:24.000
 didn't stop

00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:24.559
 to ask

00:14:24.559 --> 00:14:25.120
 the son

00:14:25.120 --> 00:14:25.740
 all the

00:14:25.740 --> 00:14:26.219
 questions

00:14:26.219 --> 00:14:27.539
 he didn't

00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.000
 ask the

00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:28.659
 question and

00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:29.319
 said what

00:14:29.319 --> 00:14:29.699
 have you

00:14:29.699 --> 00:14:30.120
 done

00:14:30.120 --> 00:14:31.939
 he didn't

00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:32.959
 say what

00:14:32.959 --> 00:14:33.600
 what did

00:14:33.600 --> 00:14:33.980
 you do

00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:34.399
 with my

00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.059
 hard-earned

00:14:35.059 --> 00:14:35.379
 money

00:14:35.379 --> 00:14:36.919
 he didn't

00:14:36.919 --> 00:14:37.679
 say why

00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:38.100
 did you

00:14:38.100 --> 00:14:38.759
 spend my

00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:39.339
 money on

00:14:39.339 --> 00:14:40.100
 sex workers

00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:40.759
 he didn't

00:14:40.759 --> 00:14:41.659
 say why

00:14:41.659 --> 00:14:42.059
 did you

00:14:42.059 --> 00:14:42.759
 use it on

00:14:42.759 --> 00:14:43.419
 drugs and

00:14:43.419 --> 00:14:44.059
 gambling and

00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:44.579
 squandering

00:14:44.579 --> 00:14:44.860
 it on

00:14:44.860 --> 00:14:45.720
 people you

00:14:45.720 --> 00:14:46.379
 didn't know

00:14:46.379 --> 00:14:47.259
 he didn't

00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:47.679
 know he

00:14:47.679 --> 00:14:48.360
 said he

00:14:48.360 --> 00:14:48.860
 didn't say

00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:49.259
 you have

00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:50.159
 brought shame

00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:50.659
 on me

00:14:50.659 --> 00:14:51.959
 and it's

00:14:51.959 --> 00:14:52.459
 punishment

00:14:52.459 --> 00:14:52.919
 time

00:14:52.919 --> 00:14:53.959
 no

00:14:53.959 --> 00:14:55.980
 he runs

00:14:55.980 --> 00:14:56.480
 to him

00:14:56.480 --> 00:14:58.860
 in several

00:14:58.860 --> 00:14:59.259
 different

00:14:59.259 --> 00:15:00.039
 versions in

00:15:00.039 --> 00:15:00.839
 different versions

00:15:00.839 --> 00:15:01.559
 of the gospel

00:15:01.559 --> 00:15:02.579
 the father

00:15:02.579 --> 00:15:04.079
 runs to

00:15:04.079 --> 00:15:04.659
 the son

00:15:04.659 --> 00:15:05.779
 this is

00:15:05.779 --> 00:15:06.459
 shocking

00:15:06.459 --> 00:15:07.459
 the father

00:15:07.459 --> 00:15:08.039
 in those

00:15:08.039 --> 00:15:08.740
 times did

00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:09.579
 not run

00:15:09.579 --> 00:15:13.039
 but he

00:15:13.039 --> 00:15:13.339
 did

00:15:13.339 --> 00:15:16.120
 and before

00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:16.860
 the son

00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:17.519
 can say

00:15:17.519 --> 00:15:18.639
 his rehearsed

00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:19.360
 speech

00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:21.460
 he puts

00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:22.019
 a ring

00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:22.360
 on his

00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:22.759
 finger

00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:25.000
 and restores

00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:25.399
 him to

00:15:25.399 --> 00:15:26.060
 the status

00:15:26.060 --> 00:15:27.240
 straight away

00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:28.500
 of the

00:15:28.500 --> 00:15:28.779
 son

00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:29.899
 no

00:15:29.899 --> 00:15:30.360
 off of

00:15:30.360 --> 00:15:30.659
 course

00:15:30.659 --> 00:15:33.240
 no

00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:33.820
 grovelling

00:15:33.820 --> 00:15:36.279
 he restores

00:15:36.279 --> 00:15:37.340
 him to

00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:37.899
 the place

00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:38.279
 that he

00:15:38.279 --> 00:15:38.919
 needs to

00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:39.240
 be

00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:40.159
 in his

00:15:40.159 --> 00:15:40.820
 dignity

00:15:40.820 --> 00:15:41.480
 and

00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:42.240
 authority

00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:44.080
 and before

00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:44.480
 he can

00:15:44.480 --> 00:15:45.440
 say anything

00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:46.379
 he puts

00:15:46.379 --> 00:15:46.820
 a robe

00:15:46.820 --> 00:15:47.160
 on him

00:15:47.160 --> 00:15:48.500
 this is

00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.340
 my son

00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:50.360
 who was

00:15:50.360 --> 00:15:50.879
 lost

00:15:50.879 --> 00:15:52.180
 but now

00:15:52.180 --> 00:15:52.860
 is found

00:15:52.860 --> 00:15:54.180
 he is

00:15:54.180 --> 00:15:54.860
 home

00:15:54.860 --> 00:15:57.120
 let's

00:15:57.120 --> 00:15:58.360
 celebrate

00:15:58.360 --> 00:16:01.480
 is that

00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:01.820
 what we

00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:02.279
 expect

00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:02.720
 of our

00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:03.139
 father's

00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:03.419
 love

00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:04.320
 of our

00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:04.600
 father

00:16:04.600 --> 00:16:04.960
 god

00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:07.680
 do we

00:16:07.680 --> 00:16:08.620
 party hard

00:16:08.620 --> 00:16:09.180
 when people

00:16:09.180 --> 00:16:09.740
 come and

00:16:09.740 --> 00:16:10.159
 return

00:16:10.159 --> 00:16:11.539
 do we

00:16:11.539 --> 00:16:12.000
 party

00:16:12.000 --> 00:16:12.440
 maybe

00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:13.159
 for many

00:16:13.159 --> 00:16:13.460
 of us

00:16:13.460 --> 00:16:13.759
 who have

00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.580
 long and

00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:15.360
 long prayed

00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:15.960
 for our

00:16:15.960 --> 00:16:16.500
 children

00:16:16.500 --> 00:16:17.919
 to come

00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:18.399
 back

00:16:18.399 --> 00:16:19.300
 to the

00:16:19.300 --> 00:16:19.659
 father

00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:20.980
 we never

00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:21.779
 stop loving

00:16:21.779 --> 00:16:22.080
 them

00:16:22.080 --> 00:16:24.080
 but do we

00:16:24.080 --> 00:16:24.539
 party

00:16:24.539 --> 00:16:25.759
 and do we

00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:26.420
 celebrate on

00:16:26.420 --> 00:16:27.019
 those days

00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:27.840
 do we

00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:28.220
 party

00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:28.699
 when people

00:16:28.699 --> 00:16:29.360
 join us

00:16:29.360 --> 00:16:30.000
 in whatever

00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:30.759
 mess they

00:16:30.759 --> 00:16:31.199
 come

00:16:31.199 --> 00:16:32.419
 sadly the

00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:33.319
 older brother

00:16:33.319 --> 00:16:34.840
 is the

00:16:34.840 --> 00:16:35.460
 only one

00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:36.340
 who doesn't

00:16:36.340 --> 00:16:36.879
 go to the

00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:37.259
 party

00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:39.720
 Tim Keller

00:16:39.720 --> 00:16:40.480
 reminds us

00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:40.840
 again

00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:48.579
 this is

00:16:48.579 --> 00:16:49.259
 act two

00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:51.240
 comes to

00:16:51.240 --> 00:16:52.199
 an unthinkable

00:16:52.199 --> 00:16:52.860
 conclusion

00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:54.560
 Jesus

00:16:54.560 --> 00:16:54.899
 the

00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:55.539
 storyteller

00:16:55.539 --> 00:16:56.200
 deliberately

00:16:56.200 --> 00:16:57.039
 leaves the

00:16:57.039 --> 00:16:57.820
 elder son

00:16:57.820 --> 00:16:58.440
 in an

00:16:58.440 --> 00:16:59.159
 alienated

00:16:59.159 --> 00:16:59.700
 state

00:16:59.700 --> 00:17:02.139
 the bad

00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:03.120
 son enters

00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:03.820
 the father's

00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:04.180
 face

00:17:04.180 --> 00:17:05.259
 but the

00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:05.779
 good one

00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.559
 will not

00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:08.599
 the lover

00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.700
 of prostitutes

00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:10.400
 is saved

00:17:10.400 --> 00:17:11.120
 but the

00:17:11.120 --> 00:17:11.819
 man of

00:17:11.819 --> 00:17:12.299
 moral

00:17:12.299 --> 00:17:13.000
 rectitude

00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:13.819
 is still

00:17:13.819 --> 00:17:14.180
 lost

00:17:14.180 --> 00:17:14.779
 we can

00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:15.339
 almost hear

00:17:15.339 --> 00:17:16.200
 the Pharisees

00:17:16.200 --> 00:17:17.000
 gasp

00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.819
 as this

00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.640
 story ends

00:17:18.640 --> 00:17:20.259
 it was

00:17:20.259 --> 00:17:20.980
 the complete

00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:21.540
 reversal

00:17:21.540 --> 00:17:22.440
 of everything

00:17:22.440 --> 00:17:23.300
 that they

00:17:23.300 --> 00:17:23.720
 had been

00:17:23.720 --> 00:17:24.140
 taught

00:17:24.140 --> 00:17:24.780
 Jesus

00:17:24.780 --> 00:17:25.420
 does not

00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:25.840
 simply

00:17:25.840 --> 00:17:26.259
 leave it

00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:26.640
 at that

00:17:26.640 --> 00:17:27.259
 it gets

00:17:27.259 --> 00:17:27.860
 even more

00:17:27.860 --> 00:17:28.259
 shocking

00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:29.140
 why doesn't

00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.460
 the elder

00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:29.800
 brother

00:17:29.800 --> 00:17:30.440
 go in

00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:32.640
 he himself

00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:33.180
 gives the

00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:33.580
 reason

00:17:33.580 --> 00:17:34.700
 because I

00:17:34.700 --> 00:17:35.340
 have never

00:17:35.340 --> 00:17:36.280
 disobeyed

00:17:36.280 --> 00:17:36.440
 you

00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:37.220
 the elder

00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:37.580
 brother

00:17:37.580 --> 00:17:38.060
 is not

00:17:38.060 --> 00:17:38.660
 losing

00:17:38.660 --> 00:17:39.460
 the father's

00:17:39.460 --> 00:17:39.880
 love in

00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:40.520
 spite of

00:17:40.520 --> 00:17:41.060
 his goodness

00:17:41.060 --> 00:17:42.680
 but because

00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:43.020
 of it

00:17:43.020 --> 00:17:45.040
 it is not

00:17:45.040 --> 00:17:45.640
 his sins

00:17:45.640 --> 00:17:46.300
 that create

00:17:46.300 --> 00:17:46.820
 the barrier

00:17:46.820 --> 00:17:47.580
 between him

00:17:47.580 --> 00:17:47.880
 and his

00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:48.259
 father

00:17:48.259 --> 00:17:49.279
 it is the

00:17:49.279 --> 00:17:50.019
 pride he

00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.440
 has

00:17:50.440 --> 00:17:51.180
 in his

00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:51.680
 own

00:17:51.680 --> 00:17:52.480
 moral

00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:53.099
 record

00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:54.339
 it is not

00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:55.119
 his wrongdoing

00:17:55.119 --> 00:17:55.519
 but his

00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.220
 righteousness

00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:57.319
 that is

00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:58.019
 keeping him

00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:59.140
 from sharing

00:17:59.140 --> 00:17:59.680
 in the

00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:00.079
 feast

00:18:00.079 --> 00:18:01.180
 for his

00:18:01.180 --> 00:18:01.640
 returning

00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:02.079
 brother

00:18:02.079 --> 00:18:07.140
 sadly

00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:11.180
 maybe our

00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:11.599
 prayer this

00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:12.099
 morning is

00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:12.400
 today

00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:12.759
 oh lord

00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:13.140
 let me

00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:13.799
 never be

00:18:13.799 --> 00:18:14.160
 like the

00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:14.339
 elder

00:18:14.339 --> 00:18:14.720
 brother

00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:16.859
 doing this

00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.500
 just because

00:18:17.500 --> 00:18:17.900
 it makes

00:18:17.900 --> 00:18:18.300
 me feel

00:18:18.300 --> 00:18:18.820
 righteous

00:18:18.820 --> 00:18:19.660
 in my

00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.259
 own sight

00:18:20.259 --> 00:18:20.560
 and of

00:18:20.560 --> 00:18:20.900
 others

00:18:20.900 --> 00:18:22.900
 the father

00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:23.400
 watched

00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:24.640
 the father

00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:25.560
 prayed his

00:18:25.560 --> 00:18:26.480
 son home

00:18:26.480 --> 00:18:27.480
 I like you

00:18:27.480 --> 00:18:28.340
 have been

00:18:28.340 --> 00:18:28.900
 forgiven

00:18:28.900 --> 00:18:29.500
 much

00:18:29.500 --> 00:18:30.960
 each and

00:18:30.960 --> 00:18:31.340
 every one

00:18:31.340 --> 00:18:31.640
 of us

00:18:31.640 --> 00:18:32.000
 have

00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:32.620
 we know

00:18:32.620 --> 00:18:33.900
 that's why

00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:34.160
 he has

00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:34.759
 placed his

00:18:34.759 --> 00:18:35.440
 hope in

00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:36.019
 you and

00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:36.340
 me

00:18:36.340 --> 00:18:38.080
 to bring

00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:38.860
 and welcome

00:18:38.860 --> 00:18:39.540
 the prodigals

00:18:39.540 --> 00:18:39.820
 home

00:18:39.820 --> 00:18:41.920
 and as we

00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:42.420
 look out

00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:43.280
 we look out

00:18:43.280 --> 00:18:43.759
 with hope

00:18:43.759 --> 00:18:44.300
 and grace

00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:44.919
 and I

00:18:44.919 --> 00:18:45.279
 pray at

00:18:45.279 --> 00:18:45.720
 this time

00:18:45.720 --> 00:18:46.000
 with a

00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.419
 sense of

00:18:46.419 --> 00:18:46.879
 urgency

00:18:46.879 --> 00:18:48.500
 where else

00:18:48.500 --> 00:18:49.119
 would people

00:18:49.119 --> 00:18:50.000
 find such

00:18:50.000 --> 00:18:51.299
 amazing grace

00:18:51.299 --> 00:18:52.879
 than in the

00:18:52.879 --> 00:18:54.619
 arms of our

00:18:54.619 --> 00:18:55.419
 heavenly father

00:18:55.419 --> 00:18:57.919
 and of his

00:18:57.919 --> 00:18:58.519
 church

00:18:58.519 --> 00:19:04.079
 people will we

00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:05.399
 continue to

00:19:05.399 --> 00:19:06.279
 keep watch for

00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.039
 our prodigals

00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:09.059
 will we keep

00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:09.500
 praying

00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.920
 when they

00:19:10.920 --> 00:19:11.899
 return seeking

00:19:11.899 --> 00:19:12.559
 will they be

00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:13.159
 met with

00:19:13.159 --> 00:19:13.680
 grace

00:19:13.680 --> 00:19:15.500
 and overwhelming

00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:15.940
 love

00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:18.279
 I don't know

00:19:18.279 --> 00:19:18.799
 what pushed

00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:19.379
 or led them

00:19:19.379 --> 00:19:19.740
 away

00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:21.599
 but we're

00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:22.220
 high enough

00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:22.740
 on a hill

00:19:22.740 --> 00:19:23.379
 to see them

00:19:23.379 --> 00:19:23.720
 coming

00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:25.659
 and to

00:19:25.659 --> 00:19:26.139
 welcome them

00:19:26.139 --> 00:19:26.440
 home

00:19:26.440 --> 00:19:27.680
 God has

00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:28.079
 given us

00:19:28.079 --> 00:19:28.680
 space and

00:19:28.680 --> 00:19:29.180
 resources

00:19:29.180 --> 00:19:30.159
 we are free

00:19:30.159 --> 00:19:31.420
 to welcome

00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:31.680
 them

00:19:31.680 --> 00:19:33.259
 it will

00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:34.039
 change us

00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:35.120
 it will

00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:35.960
 challenge us

00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:37.560
 and it is

00:19:37.560 --> 00:19:38.000
 messy

00:19:38.000 --> 00:19:40.759
 the father

00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:41.720
 didn't smell

00:19:41.720 --> 00:19:42.400
 too good

00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:43.000
 I guess

00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:44.380
 as he held

00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:44.779
 his son

00:19:44.779 --> 00:19:45.180
 tightly

00:19:45.180 --> 00:19:47.580
 it won't be

00:19:47.580 --> 00:19:48.180
 about us

00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:48.539
 it will be

00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:49.279
 more about

00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.120
 hope

00:19:50.120 --> 00:19:50.500
 love

00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.200
 perseverance

00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:51.700
 grace

00:19:51.700 --> 00:19:52.400
 and character

00:19:52.400 --> 00:19:55.080
 I'm going

00:19:55.080 --> 00:19:55.400
 to leave

00:19:55.400 --> 00:19:55.900
 the final

00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:56.580
 word today

00:19:56.580 --> 00:19:57.299
 with Rob

00:19:57.299 --> 00:19:57.860
 Parsons

00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:59.940
 with a

00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.480
 story that

00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:00.860
 he told

00:20:00.860 --> 00:20:01.220
 on that

00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:01.480
 day

00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:01.900
 which

00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:03.480
 probably

00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:04.240
 changed my

00:20:04.240 --> 00:20:04.860
 life forever

00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:08.299
 in a village

00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:08.920
 near here

00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:09.660
 is a large

00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:10.480
 old house

00:20:10.480 --> 00:20:12.220
 an elderly

00:20:12.220 --> 00:20:12.940
 lady lives

00:20:12.940 --> 00:20:13.559
 there alone

00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.259
 and every

00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:14.819
 night as

00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:15.240
 darkness

00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:15.720
 falls

00:20:15.720 --> 00:20:16.680
 she puts

00:20:16.680 --> 00:20:17.120
 a light

00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:17.700
 on in

00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:18.240
 the attic

00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.940
 her son

00:20:19.940 --> 00:20:20.519
 left home

00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.839
 25 years

00:20:21.839 --> 00:20:22.180
 ago

00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:23.220
 rather like

00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:23.900
 the prodigal

00:20:23.900 --> 00:20:24.579
 in this

00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:25.019
 parable

00:20:25.019 --> 00:20:27.440
 but she

00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:28.099
 has never

00:20:28.099 --> 00:20:28.799
 given up

00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.500
 hope that

00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.019
 one day

00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.380
 he will

00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:31.019
 come home

00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:33.119
 we all

00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:33.440
 know the

00:20:33.440 --> 00:20:33.859
 house

00:20:33.859 --> 00:20:35.539
 and although

00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.059
 the bulb

00:20:36.059 --> 00:20:36.379
 must

00:20:36.379 --> 00:20:36.920
 occasionally

00:20:36.920 --> 00:20:37.240
 need

00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:37.799
 replacing

00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:39.700
 none of

00:20:39.700 --> 00:20:40.220
 us have

00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:40.859
 ever seen

00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:41.440
 that house

00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.039
 without a

00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:42.519
 light on

00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.720
 it's for

00:20:43.720 --> 00:20:44.259
 her son

00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:49.519
 I pray

00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:49.960
 that Christ

00:20:49.960 --> 00:20:50.500
 will be

00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.039
 that house

00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:52.980
 that the

00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.379
 light of

00:20:53.379 --> 00:20:53.640
 Christ

00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:54.339
 will welcome

00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:55.379
 people on

00:20:55.379 --> 00:20:55.779
 God's

00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:56.119
 terms

00:20:56.119 --> 00:20:56.579
 not on

00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:56.879
 ours

00:20:56.879 --> 00:20:58.039
 it will

00:20:58.039 --> 00:20:58.559
 burn so

00:20:58.559 --> 00:20:59.059
 bright in

00:20:59.059 --> 00:20:59.359
 love

00:20:59.359 --> 00:21:00.660
 that people

00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:01.220
 would be

00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.859
 drawn to

00:21:01.859 --> 00:21:02.519
 him and

00:21:02.519 --> 00:21:03.019
 to us

00:21:03.019 --> 00:21:04.400
 Lord

00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:04.619
 Lord what

00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:05.000
 can I

00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.240
 do

00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:07.139
 what can

00:21:07.139 --> 00:21:07.619
 we do

00:21:07.619 --> 00:21:09.700
 to increase

00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:10.279
 that love

00:21:10.279 --> 00:21:13.319
 my son

00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:13.900
 is home

00:21:13.900 --> 00:21:15.960
 I'll tell

00:21:15.960 --> 00:21:16.259
 you what

00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.059
 let's throw

00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:17.779
 a really

00:21:17.779 --> 00:21:18.400
 solemn

00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:19.359
 religious

00:21:19.359 --> 00:21:20.019
 service

00:21:20.019 --> 00:21:21.339
 for him

00:21:21.339 --> 00:21:23.079
 no

00:21:23.079 --> 00:21:24.920
 let's just

00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:25.359
 throw a

00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:25.740
 party

00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:27.559
 and welcome

00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:28.099
 them home

00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:31.879
 no matter

00:21:31.879 --> 00:21:32.199
 what's

00:21:32.199 --> 00:21:32.379
 happened

00:21:32.379 --> 00:21:32.859
 let's keep

00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:33.219
 the lights

00:21:33.219 --> 00:21:33.480
 on

00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.399
 let's keep

00:21:34.399 --> 00:21:34.939
 the father's

00:21:34.939 --> 00:21:35.219
 house

00:21:35.219 --> 00:21:36.119
 not for

00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:36.539
 ourselves

00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:37.000
 but for

00:21:37.000 --> 00:21:37.379
 those that

00:21:37.379 --> 00:21:37.779
 are coming

00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:41.740
 this morning

00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:43.019
 Tim can we

00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.679
 thanks

00:21:43.679 --> 00:21:46.339
 whether we

00:21:46.339 --> 00:21:46.779
 came home

00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.419
 some time

00:21:47.419 --> 00:21:48.099
 ago or

00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:48.719
 whether we

00:21:48.719 --> 00:21:49.579
 haven't

00:21:49.579 --> 00:21:51.059
 been home

00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.619
 for years

00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:52.679
 we know

00:21:52.679 --> 00:21:53.259
 the father's

00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:53.519
 love

00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:55.259
 whether

00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:56.039
 today it's

00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:56.519
 you maybe

00:21:56.519 --> 00:21:57.139
 listening to

00:21:57.139 --> 00:21:57.879
 this podcast

00:21:57.880 --> 00:21:58.440
 that suddenly

00:21:58.440 --> 00:21:58.720
 you've

00:21:58.720 --> 00:21:59.240
 realised for

00:21:59.240 --> 00:21:59.640
 the first

00:21:59.640 --> 00:22:00.700
 time the

00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:01.440
 overwhelming

00:22:01.440 --> 00:22:01.940
 gracious

00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:02.480
 love of

00:22:02.480 --> 00:22:02.680
 God

00:22:02.680 --> 00:22:05.800
 if you

00:22:05.800 --> 00:22:06.600
 are stumbling

00:22:06.600 --> 00:22:07.180
 back

00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:08.800
 not sure

00:22:08.800 --> 00:22:09.120
 if you

00:22:09.120 --> 00:22:09.460
 are good

00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:09.800
 enough

00:22:09.800 --> 00:22:10.680
 don't

00:22:10.680 --> 00:22:11.140
 hesitate

00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:12.260
 the arms

00:22:12.260 --> 00:22:12.800
 of love

00:22:12.800 --> 00:22:13.520
 are waiting

00:22:13.520 --> 00:22:14.340
 for you

00:22:14.340 --> 00:22:15.060
 and you

00:22:15.060 --> 00:22:15.720
 don't even

00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.280
 have to

00:22:16.280 --> 00:22:16.720
 practice

00:22:16.720 --> 00:22:17.680
 any excuses

00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:19.960
 as to

00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.460
 why you've

00:22:20.460 --> 00:22:20.920
 been away

00:22:20.920 --> 00:22:25.560
 I'm going

00:22:25.560 --> 00:22:25.900
 to invite

00:22:25.900 --> 00:22:26.380
 you to do

00:22:26.380 --> 00:22:26.720
 what we

00:22:26.720 --> 00:22:27.360
 did many

00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:27.959
 many years

00:22:27.959 --> 00:22:28.359
 ago

00:22:28.359 --> 00:22:29.000
 down at

00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.299
 mine

00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:29.519
 head

00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:29.859
 at that

00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:30.439
 conference

00:22:30.439 --> 00:22:31.619
 and I'm

00:22:31.619 --> 00:22:31.839
 going to

00:22:31.839 --> 00:22:32.279
 invite you

00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:32.779
 to come

00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.299
 if you

00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:33.679
 wish

00:22:33.679 --> 00:22:35.899
 and write

00:22:35.899 --> 00:22:36.259
 the name

00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:36.619
 of your

00:22:36.619 --> 00:22:37.259
 prodigal

00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.599
 who you've

00:22:38.599 --> 00:22:39.099
 been praying

00:22:39.099 --> 00:22:39.500
 for

00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:41.059
 on a piece

00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:41.559
 of paper

00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:42.759
 and put it

00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.199
 at the foot

00:22:43.199 --> 00:22:43.740
 of the cross

00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:45.759
 to the

00:22:45.759 --> 00:22:46.099
 welcoming

00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:46.679
 arms of

00:22:46.679 --> 00:22:46.979
 the Lord

00:22:46.979 --> 00:22:49.179
 maybe you

00:22:49.179 --> 00:22:49.500
 don't even

00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:49.979
 want to write

00:22:49.979 --> 00:22:50.559
 a name on

00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:50.919
 it but you

00:22:50.919 --> 00:22:51.539
 just want to

00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.240
 you know

00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:53.039
 who that is

00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:53.579
 and just

00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:53.859
 want to

00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:54.240
 come and

00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.579
 put that

00:22:54.579 --> 00:22:54.859
 there

00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:56.180
 because you've

00:22:56.180 --> 00:22:56.700
 been praying

00:22:56.700 --> 00:22:57.200
 long and

00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:57.500
 hard

00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:59.399
 to be

00:22:59.399 --> 00:22:59.920
 restored

00:22:59.920 --> 00:23:00.559
 and renewed

00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:04.799
 maybe the

00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.279
 name that

00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:05.619
 you're going

00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:06.000
 to put on

00:23:06.000 --> 00:23:06.460
 that sheet

00:23:06.460 --> 00:23:06.779
 is for

00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:07.259
 yourself

00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:10.259
 because you

00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:10.539
 know

00:23:10.539 --> 00:23:11.180
 personally

00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:12.220
 what that

00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:12.720
 love of

00:23:12.720 --> 00:23:13.339
 God was

00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:13.819
 when you

00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:14.559
 came back

00:23:14.559 --> 00:23:15.440
 and found

00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:15.940
 his arms

00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:16.599
 around you

00:23:16.599 --> 00:23:17.319
 and you

00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:17.819
 want that

00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.480
 for everybody

00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:18.879
 else

00:23:18.879 --> 00:23:20.240
 because you

00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:20.599
 know

00:23:20.599 --> 00:23:21.519
 and we

00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:21.859
 know

00:23:21.859 --> 00:23:23.359
 what that

00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:23.899
 meant for

00:23:23.899 --> 00:23:24.259
 us

00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.099
 to be

00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:25.679
 restored

00:23:25.679 --> 00:23:26.559
 and renewed

00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:27.319
 and welcomed

00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:27.700
 home

00:23:27.700 --> 00:23:32.740
 in Jesus

00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.200
 name

00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:34.619
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00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:35.119
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00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:35.539
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00:23:35.539 --> 00:23:35.759
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00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.159
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00:23:36.159 --> 00:23:36.240
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00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:42.240
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00:23:42.240 --> 00:23:44.240
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