WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.980 Please be seated. Thank you for coming this Palm Sunday. I wonder if you could reach for the Bibles if you've got one. 00:00:05.980 --> 00:00:15.839 And we're going to look at this famous short story, page 874. So if you can flick to it. Do come back to the little Christian Explored course to ask any questions you might have of it. 00:00:16.500 --> 00:00:25.480 But we'd love it if you could just flick to it now. That'd be a great help. And mobile phones. I don't know if you've got a mobile phone on you. If you could try and turn it off, that'd be great. 00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:33.140 If your mobile goes off during the sermon, you'll be taken outside and stoned. So my advice is to turn it off if you would. That'd be lovely. 00:00:33.859 --> 00:00:42.120 So mobile phones, that'd be great. 874, Luke chapter 15 on this Palm Sunday. 00:00:46.299 --> 00:00:51.920 And let me pray as we begin. Father, thank you so much for Palm Sunday. 00:00:51.920 --> 00:00:57.280 Thank you that it's in this story that Jesus told. 00:00:58.140 --> 00:01:00.439 Thank you for the relevance of these parables. 00:01:01.520 --> 00:01:05.340 And we pray that you'd speak to each one of us in the very depths of our being now. 00:01:05.460 --> 00:01:09.379 We ask indeed that what we learn now would stay with us all our days and into eternity. 00:01:09.640 --> 00:01:11.640 So address us, we pray. 00:01:12.680 --> 00:01:13.040 Amen. 00:01:13.040 --> 00:01:13.200 Amen. 00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:20.040 Recently, a friend of mine who lives hundreds of miles from me rang me. 00:01:20.820 --> 00:01:22.439 And he said to me on the phone, 00:01:22.760 --> 00:01:24.040 Rico, I'm reaching out. 00:01:24.600 --> 00:01:27.340 Really, it's because the doctor tells me I've had a bit of a breakdown. 00:01:27.939 --> 00:01:30.659 I've been lying to people about the products I sell them for years. 00:01:30.760 --> 00:01:32.939 And the pressure of that has now broken me. 00:01:33.240 --> 00:01:35.920 I'm also missing my kids desperately since the divorce. 00:01:36.500 --> 00:01:38.400 Christmas was awful without them. 00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:41.880 And worst of all, he said at the moment, he said, a friend of mine keeps ringing me. 00:01:41.980 --> 00:01:43.920 His young wife has just died of cancer. 00:01:44.040 --> 00:01:44.780 He keeps ringing me. 00:01:44.820 --> 00:01:45.900 And I don't know what to say to him. 00:01:46.600 --> 00:01:47.540 Rico, I'm reaching out. 00:01:47.600 --> 00:01:51.260 It's quite a big thing to say in our individualistic culture. 00:01:51.580 --> 00:01:52.860 And what do you say to him? 00:01:53.500 --> 00:01:57.780 And honestly, ladies and gentlemen, what I wanted to say to him was this story that we've just had read. 00:01:58.600 --> 00:02:00.240 I wanted him to look at it. 00:02:00.460 --> 00:02:02.100 Because it's about life. 00:02:02.160 --> 00:02:03.000 It explains life. 00:02:03.080 --> 00:02:04.000 It's about being human. 00:02:04.100 --> 00:02:05.680 It's about the less life can be. 00:02:05.680 --> 00:02:09.260 It's about admitting and having the courage to admit that I'm not far from despair. 00:02:09.420 --> 00:02:12.300 And at this moment, I'm just holding on by my fingertips. 00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:17.560 And it's about an emptiness that can gnaw at the soul and broken relationships. 00:02:17.879 --> 00:02:19.280 Broken domestic relationships. 00:02:19.560 --> 00:02:20.780 I don't know about your family. 00:02:21.159 --> 00:02:24.100 But in my family, we have broken domestic relationships. 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:24.939 And it's an agony. 00:02:26.439 --> 00:02:32.560 But above all, ladies and gentlemen, this story on this Palm Sunday is about experiencing a relationship 00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:38.060 of such generosity, such love, such kindness that it can turn any life around. 00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:43.740 That's why what we have before us today is the most famous short story ever told. 00:02:44.120 --> 00:02:47.219 Ladies and gentlemen, it's because it's changed millions of lives. 00:02:47.719 --> 00:02:50.439 It's got such power, such meaning, such pathos. 00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:52.800 It changes lives. 00:02:53.599 --> 00:02:55.520 So I wonder if we can look at it together this morning. 00:02:55.520 --> 00:02:57.380 Just to summarize, it's a family story. 00:02:57.640 --> 00:02:59.180 It's about a father who has two sons. 00:02:59.560 --> 00:03:02.240 Recently on Mothering Sunday, I was thinking, I don't know where the mother is. 00:03:02.300 --> 00:03:04.219 I'm not sure the boys would have got in such a mess. 00:03:04.480 --> 00:03:06.040 Their mother was there, but she's not there. 00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:08.180 A friend of mine tells it rather neatly. 00:03:08.340 --> 00:03:09.840 He says, Rico, it starts at home. 00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:11.820 Then the younger son gets sick of home. 00:03:11.879 --> 00:03:12.480 So he gets out. 00:03:12.560 --> 00:03:14.100 Eventually, he goes to being plain sick. 00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:15.640 And then he's homesick. 00:03:15.719 --> 00:03:16.740 Then ends with him home again. 00:03:16.820 --> 00:03:18.060 The father's thrilled to have him home. 00:03:18.340 --> 00:03:19.020 Throws a party. 00:03:19.140 --> 00:03:20.100 The older brother finds out. 00:03:20.120 --> 00:03:21.000 And he's sick about that. 00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:23.919 So that's how the story goes. 00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:31.620 And as Jesus tells the story, ladies and gentlemen, it becomes obvious in the story that the father is like God. 00:03:32.259 --> 00:03:36.740 And the two groups listening to the story are the two constituencies. 00:03:37.500 --> 00:03:38.960 There's the tax collectors and sinners. 00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:39.960 I wonder if we can look down. 00:03:40.039 --> 00:03:41.900 Can we see chapter 15, verse 1? 00:03:42.340 --> 00:03:45.139 The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 00:03:45.139 --> 00:03:47.199 And that is the younger son's constituency. 00:03:47.199 --> 00:03:51.679 And then there are the Pharisees and the scribes grumbling. 00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:53.780 This man receives sinners and eats with them. 00:03:54.079 --> 00:03:55.959 And that's the older brother's constituency. 00:03:56.439 --> 00:03:57.419 And here's the amazing thing. 00:03:57.500 --> 00:04:04.019 Ladies and gentlemen, it's as though as the story's being told, Jesus lifts up a mirror and he says, you're in it. 00:04:05.060 --> 00:04:08.079 Do you know, whenever I used to read my kids' stories, I'm such an egotist. 00:04:08.139 --> 00:04:09.799 I always used to put myself in the story. 00:04:10.179 --> 00:04:12.539 Well, can I say, ladies and gentlemen, you're in it today. 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:16.980 I don't know if at it was being read, you thought, oh, I'm in the story. 00:04:17.339 --> 00:04:18.180 Well, you are. 00:04:18.719 --> 00:04:20.079 You've got to walk on part. 00:04:20.719 --> 00:04:23.639 So as we look at it together, I wonder if you can see yourself. 00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:25.659 And we're meant to see ourselves in the story. 00:04:26.039 --> 00:04:27.360 Who are you in the story? 00:04:28.439 --> 00:04:28.899 So let's go. 00:04:28.899 --> 00:04:31.339 I've only got two points. 00:04:31.459 --> 00:04:35.360 First of all, there is a deceptive contrast between these two sons. 00:04:35.659 --> 00:04:36.439 Can we have a look down? 00:04:36.719 --> 00:04:37.740 So the microphone's up. 00:04:37.899 --> 00:04:38.719 The mirror's up. 00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:39.399 Let's have a look. 00:04:39.779 --> 00:04:41.600 And verse 11, let's start there. 00:04:41.600 --> 00:04:42.180 Do we see? 00:04:43.340 --> 00:04:45.120 There was a man who had two sons. 00:04:45.980 --> 00:04:47.660 And then we begin with the younger son. 00:04:47.700 --> 00:04:49.820 And he's what you might call the out-and-out rebel. 00:04:50.340 --> 00:04:51.879 And here he is in verse 12. 00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:57.540 And the younger of them said to his father, father, give me the share of property. 00:04:58.040 --> 00:04:59.200 That is coming to me. 00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:04.860 And he divided his property between them and set off for a distant country. 00:05:05.220 --> 00:05:06.740 Now, this younger son cuts loose. 00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:11.600 And he says, dad, he says, dad, do you know that life insurance you've taken out for me? 00:05:12.280 --> 00:05:13.280 And his father says, yeah. 00:05:13.639 --> 00:05:16.460 He says, dad, actually, I'd like my share now. 00:05:16.920 --> 00:05:20.139 And his father says, well, actually, son, those things are immature when I die. 00:05:20.139 --> 00:05:23.479 And the son says, yeah, dad, you've got the point. 00:05:23.939 --> 00:05:24.779 I wish you were dead. 00:05:25.459 --> 00:05:26.879 That's what he's saying in the story. 00:05:27.139 --> 00:05:29.039 Look, in that culture, it was just like our culture. 00:05:29.259 --> 00:05:31.740 You basically inherit from parents once they're dead. 00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:35.099 So this boy is saying to his father, I wish you were dead. 00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:39.280 And I want your things, but I don't want you. 00:05:40.340 --> 00:05:42.960 So you see, the father in the story is a bit like God. 00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:45.860 And some people treat God just like that. 00:05:46.040 --> 00:05:47.939 They act as though he's an irrelevance. 00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:49.980 They don't want him. 00:05:50.040 --> 00:05:51.660 They want the gifts, but they don't want him. 00:05:51.960 --> 00:05:55.820 And if there's one, two words that are the slogan, can we see them in verse 12 as we look down? 00:05:55.900 --> 00:05:56.800 Let's have a look at the slogan. 00:05:57.200 --> 00:05:57.939 Here's the slogan. 00:05:58.340 --> 00:05:59.540 Father, give me. 00:06:00.200 --> 00:06:01.020 Give me the gifts. 00:06:01.019 --> 00:06:06.159 I want fun, family, friends, falling in love, food, fitness, but I don't want you. 00:06:07.180 --> 00:06:09.039 And here's the question. 00:06:09.479 --> 00:06:14.759 Ladies and gentlemen, what was it that so attracted this young man to life without God? 00:06:16.120 --> 00:06:17.799 Why does he say this? 00:06:18.919 --> 00:06:21.839 And I think it's because this is his independence day. 00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:23.379 That's what he's doing. 00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:26.039 He didn't want to be dependent on God. 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:28.500 He's saying to his father, I don't need you. 00:06:28.500 --> 00:06:34.620 And can you imagine, he's probably feeling great as he's walking down the drive with the remains of the life insurance in his back pocket. 00:06:34.699 --> 00:06:37.220 And he thinks, yes, yes, I'm free. 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:38.740 I'm out of here. 00:06:39.319 --> 00:06:45.920 Because he is convinced, as so many are in the culture, independence, wild living, pleasure. 00:06:46.420 --> 00:06:47.459 That'll make me happy. 00:06:48.180 --> 00:06:49.240 That's the key to happiness. 00:06:50.839 --> 00:06:52.399 Independence, wild living, pleasure. 00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:55.500 And I'm away, and give me, and I'm gone. 00:06:55.500 --> 00:06:59.759 And don't you think he had the slight butterflies in his tummy as he went down the drive? 00:06:59.819 --> 00:07:01.120 He says, no, I'm away from here. 00:07:01.519 --> 00:07:02.519 I'll do what I want. 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:03.439 Brilliant. 00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:05.600 So give me, and he's gone. 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:08.259 Now, I don't know if you can relate to that. 00:07:08.620 --> 00:07:11.220 Just to say, if you can, it's brilliant you're here this morning. 00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:14.759 But it may be you relate a bit more to the older brother. 00:07:14.819 --> 00:07:15.600 Let's have a look at him. 00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:18.000 And he's what you might call the establishment figure. 00:07:18.180 --> 00:07:19.800 And he tells us a bit about himself. 00:07:19.899 --> 00:07:21.259 Can we look down in verse 29? 00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:22.939 Let's see verse 29. 00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:26.939 When he has a public row with his father outside his brother's party. 00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:28.120 Verse 29. 00:07:28.459 --> 00:07:30.319 But he was angry and refused to go in. 00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:33.039 His father came out and entreated him. 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:33.680 Verse 29. 00:07:34.379 --> 00:07:37.980 But he answered his father, look, these many years I've served you. 00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:40.240 And I never disobeyed your command. 00:07:40.599 --> 00:07:44.879 Yet you never gave me even a young goat that I might celebrate with my friends. 00:07:45.899 --> 00:07:46.399 Do you see? 00:07:47.219 --> 00:07:48.439 He's the dutiful child. 00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:50.319 He's joined the family firm. 00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:51.159 He's hardworking. 00:07:51.279 --> 00:07:51.800 He's loyal. 00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:52.980 Job wise. 00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:55.920 He's something boring like a solicitor or an accountant. 00:07:56.099 --> 00:07:57.019 You can see it, can't you? 00:07:57.040 --> 00:07:57.599 It's obvious. 00:07:58.319 --> 00:08:00.659 And where his father is, he's close around. 00:08:00.759 --> 00:08:02.740 So he'd be an elder at IPC. 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:04.339 He'd be on the eldership. 00:08:05.019 --> 00:08:07.920 I mean, he's what the Brits would call a fine, upstanding chap. 00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:10.300 He's very different from his brother. 00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:12.579 But it's a deceptive contrast. 00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:13.759 He's not like his brother. 00:08:14.259 --> 00:08:16.519 But he's nothing like his father either. 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:18.579 Do we see as we look down verse 28? 00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:20.399 Let's just see that in verse 28. 00:08:20.859 --> 00:08:24.120 When his brother comes home, he was angry and refused to go in. 00:08:25.300 --> 00:08:26.899 So, you know, typical accountant. 00:08:27.139 --> 00:08:28.180 So much repressed anger. 00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:29.079 You can see it, can't you? 00:08:29.339 --> 00:08:30.819 But you see the brother comes home. 00:08:31.240 --> 00:08:32.179 And the father's glad. 00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:32.899 The brother's angry. 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:35.340 The father greets him with open arms. 00:08:35.419 --> 00:08:36.519 The brother with clenched fists. 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:38.120 The father says, my son. 00:08:38.379 --> 00:08:40.439 The brother, verse 30, says, this son of yours. 00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:44.319 In other words, he says, I'm not even from the same gene pool as this boy. 00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:48.480 How dare you relate him to me, this son of yours. 00:08:48.540 --> 00:08:49.540 He's nothing to do with me. 00:08:50.620 --> 00:08:54.220 So you see, this older brother thought he was the model of unselfishness. 00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:57.360 But actually, all he can think about is himself. 00:08:57.480 --> 00:08:58.660 Have a look at verse 29. 00:08:59.200 --> 00:08:59.680 Do you see? 00:09:00.040 --> 00:09:02.000 I, me, or mine come up four times. 00:09:02.540 --> 00:09:03.320 Look all these years. 00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:04.379 I've served you. 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:06.080 And I never disobeyed your commands. 00:09:06.160 --> 00:09:10.160 Yet you never gave me even a young goat that I might celebrate with my friends. 00:09:10.760 --> 00:09:12.620 He's actually totally self-obsessed. 00:09:12.620 --> 00:09:18.740 It was Samuel Butler who wrote about two incredibly selfish people called Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle. 00:09:18.940 --> 00:09:19.759 And he wrote this. 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:26.019 How good of God for Carlisle and Mrs. Carlisle to marry one another and so make two people miserable instead of four. 00:09:26.700 --> 00:09:28.060 And it's on here, isn't it? 00:09:28.440 --> 00:09:29.740 Now, here's the issue, ladies and gentlemen. 00:09:30.060 --> 00:09:35.019 If you want to think about religion, then these two boys are very different. 00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:44.220 But if you want to think about the heart of the Christian faith as we come to this Easter week, which, ladies and gentlemen, is relationship with God? 00:09:44.220 --> 00:09:46.800 That's what we're on about. 00:09:47.680 --> 00:09:50.379 Then these two boys, well, they're both out of sorts. 00:09:50.800 --> 00:09:52.660 They're both out of relationship with their father. 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:56.440 You know, if it's religion, well, it's just a bunch of rules. 00:09:56.779 --> 00:09:59.240 But actually, we're meant to relate to God. 00:09:59.279 --> 00:10:01.920 And he's meant to be as central to our life as a ball is to a game. 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:04.200 And a lot of people think, well, it's just religion. 00:10:04.300 --> 00:10:04.920 It's just rules. 00:10:04.919 --> 00:10:06.439 Well, the rules are great. 00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:07.860 But actually, no. 00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:11.939 It's a relationship in which he's as central to life as a ball is to a game. 00:10:12.259 --> 00:10:15.120 And both these boys are out of relationship with their father. 00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:16.860 It's a deceptive contrast. 00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:18.159 One's religious, the other's not. 00:10:18.559 --> 00:10:20.139 One's respectable, the other's not. 00:10:20.419 --> 00:10:22.500 They're both out of relationship with their father. 00:10:23.559 --> 00:10:25.719 So when it comes to you, where are you? 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:29.699 Now, it might be that you're in the younger son's constituency. 00:10:30.599 --> 00:10:34.039 And can I say, if that's the case, there are, I'm amazed at the moment nationally, 00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:38.679 there are thousands of people, particularly young men, going back to church. 00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:40.159 Thank you for joining them. 00:10:40.899 --> 00:10:44.439 It's an extraordinary time nationally as people are flooding back. 00:10:45.099 --> 00:10:46.699 But it's great to have you here. 00:10:46.819 --> 00:10:48.059 And thank you for coming. 00:10:48.439 --> 00:10:50.779 You're probably rather amazed to see yourself sitting here. 00:10:51.319 --> 00:10:52.779 Well, it's just a joy to have you. 00:10:53.659 --> 00:10:58.079 But it might be that you're a respectable conventional type. 00:10:58.779 --> 00:11:00.500 And so actually, you're more like the older brother. 00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:06.480 But if you're honest, your religion has as much in common with real relationship with God 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:13.539 as a cold, frigid, formal marriage has in common with a real lifelong love story. 00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:15.179 And here's the question. 00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:19.919 How can you tell if you're in the older brother's constituency? 00:11:20.440 --> 00:11:21.519 What's the diagnosis? 00:11:22.580 --> 00:11:25.500 And actually, this occurred to me as Paul preached to Galatians, 00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:27.379 Paul's letter to the Galatians. 00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:29.259 But this is the diagnosis, I think. 00:11:29.939 --> 00:11:32.460 It's if your experience of the Christian faith, 00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:35.480 and even as you come out this morning, makes you feel, 00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:36.740 now you never say this publicly, 00:11:37.299 --> 00:11:42.439 but inside it just makes you feel a little bit superior to other people. 00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:45.360 So as you came out this morning, you thought, 00:11:45.799 --> 00:11:50.299 well, at least someone on my street's going to church. 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:52.080 At least someone's going. 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:57.100 And there was just that little sense of self-righteousness as you came out. 00:11:57.740 --> 00:12:00.540 And maybe, even worse, you went for a run before that. 00:12:01.040 --> 00:12:03.120 So you're just absolute self-righteous. 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:06.540 I'm fit, and I'm spiritually fit, and out I go. 00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:08.040 Oh, marvellous. 00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:10.220 Can I say to you, 00:12:10.660 --> 00:12:17.200 if your experience of Christian faith makes you feel just that little bit superior to others, 00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:19.960 ladies and gentlemen, can I say to you as we come to this Easter week, 00:12:20.520 --> 00:12:22.759 you're in terrible trouble spiritually. 00:12:23.960 --> 00:12:26.800 And you're a million miles from the real Christian faith. 00:12:27.660 --> 00:12:29.440 If there's any sense of superiority, 00:12:30.400 --> 00:12:31.680 you're dead spiritually. 00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:36.559 And it was exactly that sense of superiority, 00:12:36.939 --> 00:12:39.199 which was the Anglicanism that I was brought up with. 00:12:39.719 --> 00:12:40.519 Exactly that. 00:12:41.359 --> 00:12:42.939 In church, Sunday morning, 00:12:43.599 --> 00:12:45.599 because actually we're just a little bit better. 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:49.379 And it's a million miles from the real Christian faith. 00:12:50.819 --> 00:12:52.659 So, it's a deceptive contrast, 00:12:52.959 --> 00:12:55.699 but secondly, both these boys make an amazing discovery. 00:12:56.099 --> 00:12:57.919 They both discover they're welcome with the Father. 00:12:58.000 --> 00:12:59.799 They both find it, but it's clearer with the younger son. 00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:00.719 Let's join him again. 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:01.899 Can we look down verse 13? 00:13:02.180 --> 00:13:03.600 Let's have a look and see him there. 00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:05.240 Not many days later, 00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:07.560 the younger son gathered all he had and got together 00:13:07.560 --> 00:13:10.500 and took a journey into a far country. 00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:13.560 And there he squandered his property in reckless living. 00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:15.399 And when he'd spent everything, 00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:17.240 a severe famine arose in that country, 00:13:17.399 --> 00:13:18.660 and he began to be in need. 00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:21.480 So, he went and hired himself out to the citizens of that country 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:23.500 and went into his field to feed pigs. 00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:26.320 You see, what this young man finds, 00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:26.920 it's amazing, 00:13:27.060 --> 00:13:29.220 is that he's left home to be free, 00:13:29.220 --> 00:13:31.200 but he finds, actually, 00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:32.580 he's out of control. 00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.920 He's left home to be in control, 00:13:35.060 --> 00:13:35.860 and he's out of control. 00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:37.460 The word wild means out of control. 00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:39.779 And he squandered his wealth in wild living. 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:41.820 So, he wasted his life. 00:13:41.940 --> 00:13:42.420 Ladies and gentlemen, 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:44.480 you only get one life, 00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:45.860 and he wastes it. 00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:48.139 And what this young man finds is just, 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:49.180 yeah, not that freedom, 00:13:49.300 --> 00:13:50.220 but bondage. 00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:52.560 And he finds himself isolated, 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.519 and then he finds, 00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:55.240 oh, a famine's coming. 00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.220 And can I say, 00:13:57.960 --> 00:13:58.779 any life, 00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:00.540 Christians believe, 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.639 that's without Christ, 00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:03.460 ends up in famine. 00:14:04.420 --> 00:14:05.480 It ends in famine. 00:14:06.160 --> 00:14:07.460 But the famine's coming. 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:08.960 He's out of control. 00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:10.200 He's not free. 00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:12.399 And then we have some of the saddest words 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:12.980 in the whole Bible. 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:14.940 Can we see the end of verse 16 there? 00:14:15.160 --> 00:14:16.360 No one gave him anything. 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:18.259 So, no job, 00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:18.759 no money, 00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.360 no friends. 00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:21.039 He finds that the people around him 00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:21.580 are takers, 00:14:21.680 --> 00:14:22.200 not givers. 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:24.060 We're all one of two things in life, 00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:24.360 aren't we? 00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:25.680 We're drains or radiators. 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.240 So, they're takers. 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:29.340 And he's cosmically lonely. 00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:30.340 So, what does he do? 00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:31.639 What does he do? 00:14:31.680 --> 00:14:33.100 Let's see the halfway point in the story. 00:14:33.180 --> 00:14:34.360 Can we look down and see what he does? 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.460 Verse 17. 00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:36.419 This is so important. 00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:38.700 But when he came to his self. 00:14:39.300 --> 00:14:40.560 So, he comes to his senses, 00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:41.340 and he suddenly goes, 00:14:41.560 --> 00:14:41.800 oh, 00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:44.920 how can I have missed the obvious? 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:47.720 How can I have done this? 00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:50.419 Have I been so blind? 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:52.120 Have I been so ungrateful? 00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:54.980 So, he comes to his senses about himself, 00:14:55.560 --> 00:14:56.860 and he starts to see himself 00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:58.340 as he really is a Jew in the pigsty. 00:14:58.500 --> 00:15:00.320 And he comes to his senses about his father, 00:15:00.560 --> 00:15:02.300 and he starts to surrender 00:15:02.300 --> 00:15:04.460 his precious delusions about independence. 00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.779 And what does he long for? 00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:06.639 It's really interesting. 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.440 You see in the passage, 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.379 what does he long for? 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:09.519 Let's look down and see that. 00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.320 Verse 17. 00:15:10.940 --> 00:15:11.940 And see what he longs for. 00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:13.340 But when he came to himself, 00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:13.680 he said, 00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:15.379 how many of my father's hired men 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.159 of food to spare? 00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:19.440 But I'm perishing here with hunger. 00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:21.639 I'll arise and go back to my father, 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:22.460 and I'll say to him, 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.800 Father, I've sinned against him 00:15:23.800 --> 00:15:24.440 and against you. 00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:25.220 Do you get it? 00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:26.639 Ladies and gentlemen, 00:15:26.700 --> 00:15:27.919 he starts longing for home. 00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:30.340 That's what's happening here. 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.279 One psychiatrist has said, 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:35.700 children who don't experience a home 00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:37.659 experience a fundamental inability 00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:38.399 of attachment. 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:40.580 But this home, 00:15:40.700 --> 00:15:41.180 what is home? 00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:42.100 It's not a place. 00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:43.019 It's a relationship. 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.700 He's longing for his dad. 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:46.440 And home is the place 00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:47.060 where you belong 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:47.820 and you're accepted. 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:49.200 You see, 00:15:49.420 --> 00:15:50.180 up until then, 00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:51.040 all his relationships 00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:51.720 were conditional 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.720 in the far country. 00:15:53.140 --> 00:15:54.480 Just like the West End of London, 00:15:54.540 --> 00:15:55.660 where I worked for 30 years. 00:15:55.900 --> 00:15:56.720 We'll love you 00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:57.800 if you're young 00:15:57.800 --> 00:15:58.500 and you're rich 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.180 and successful. 00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:00.379 If you're good looking, 00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.120 if you're slim, 00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:01.700 we'll love you. 00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:02.860 But if you aren't those things, 00:16:02.920 --> 00:16:03.600 we won't love you. 00:16:04.300 --> 00:16:05.020 But at home, 00:16:05.180 --> 00:16:05.820 oh, ladies and gentlemen, 00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:06.620 at home, 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:08.480 they love you anyway. 00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:10.779 They know all about you 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:12.539 and they love you anyway. 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.580 That's a real home. 00:16:14.180 --> 00:16:15.659 And he starts longing for home. 00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:17.080 So what does he do? 00:16:17.560 --> 00:16:18.840 He comes to his senses 00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:22.340 and he surrenders his attitude to God 00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:24.600 and he does something which is so hard 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:26.320 and millions never do it. 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.539 They never do it. 00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:28.159 Do you know what he does, 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:28.680 ladies and gentlemen? 00:16:29.560 --> 00:16:31.139 He swallows his pride. 00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:32.980 He says, 00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:33.399 do you know, 00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:35.699 I'm going to have to go home 00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:37.840 and I'm going to have to say sorry. 00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:40.019 And some people, 00:16:40.199 --> 00:16:40.980 they're too proud. 00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:42.720 They'll never say it. 00:16:43.220 --> 00:16:46.059 But you never get to Easter week. 00:16:46.459 --> 00:16:47.939 You never get to Good Friday. 00:16:48.079 --> 00:16:49.439 You never get to the Christian faith 00:16:49.439 --> 00:16:50.059 unless you go, 00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:50.500 do you know, 00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.519 I need to say sorry. 00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.759 And it's so hard. 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.860 It's so hard saying sorry. 00:16:56.959 --> 00:16:58.179 I always delay endlessly. 00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.620 A previous Bishop of London said, 00:17:00.699 --> 00:17:02.079 London's biggest problem is BSE. 00:17:02.199 --> 00:17:02.779 We looked at each other. 00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:03.059 He said, 00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:03.220 yes, 00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:04.319 blame somebody else. 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.119 But actually, 00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:07.180 sometimes we've got to say, 00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:07.319 no, 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.220 I need to say sorry. 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:08.980 In marriage, 00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:09.480 just to say, 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:11.200 can all the married keep their elbows in here? 00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:12.579 As I say these two phrases, 00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:14.619 I don't want to see elbows flying out. 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.259 Elbows in. 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:16.680 But in marriage, 00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.960 there are two phrases 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:19.200 that are key to married life. 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:21.240 I'm sorry I was wrong 00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.579 and that's okay. 00:17:22.639 --> 00:17:23.240 I forgive you. 00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:25.599 And some people will never say it. 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:26.960 But this boy, 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:27.359 he says, 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:27.619 you know, 00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:29.399 I don't just need my father's food. 00:17:29.639 --> 00:17:30.799 I don't just need his fellowship. 00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:32.099 I need his forgiveness. 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:33.759 So what does he do? 00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:35.099 He comes out of the pigsty 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:37.339 and can you imagine him rehearsing it? 00:17:37.379 --> 00:17:38.960 I've sinned against heaven and against you. 00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:41.059 And he starts heading for home 00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:42.579 and then what happens? 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.139 Let's have a look. 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:43.639 Verse 20, 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:44.359 as we look down. 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:44.920 Can we see? 00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:46.000 Verse 20. 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:47.000 Well, 00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:47.920 I'll go from 18. 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:50.299 I'll rise and go back to my father. 00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:51.079 I'll go home. 00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:51.839 I'll say, 00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.220 Father, 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:53.779 I've sinned against heaven and against you. 00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:55.680 I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. 00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.700 Treat me as one of your hard hands. 00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:59.880 And he arose and came to his father. 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:02.420 But while he was still a long way off, 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:03.480 his father, 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:05.140 you see his father's been watching for him. 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:05.880 He's been watching. 00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.539 His father saw him. 00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.420 And what does his father do? 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.920 Does his father 00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:12.440 tap his foot, 00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:15.800 tap his foot and look out from the veranda and go, 00:18:16.060 --> 00:18:16.820 this better be good. 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.560 This better be good. 00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.640 What does his father do? 00:18:20.840 --> 00:18:21.460 As we look down, 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:21.860 do we see, 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.380 ladies and gentlemen, 00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.300 hold on to your seats. 00:18:23.620 --> 00:18:24.519 Let's see what he does. 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:26.680 And he arose and came to his father. 00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:28.000 While he was still a long way off, 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:30.539 his father saw him and felt compassion. 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:32.900 And that means a turning of the stomach. 00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:35.000 So I remember seeing a woman 00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:37.340 and her family had been washed away in the tsunami. 00:18:37.640 --> 00:18:39.080 And I looked at her face 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:40.199 and the grief. 00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:41.960 And I felt my stomach turn. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:43.199 And that's what's happening here. 00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:46.299 So the father's stomach turns. 00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:48.919 And he ran and embraced him 00:18:48.919 --> 00:18:49.960 and kissed him. 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:53.139 Has anyone here ever seen the queen run? 00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:55.379 It would be too awful, wouldn't it, 00:18:55.399 --> 00:18:56.299 to see the queen run. 00:18:56.899 --> 00:18:57.480 But actually, 00:18:57.619 --> 00:18:58.859 to see her break into a trot. 00:18:58.939 --> 00:18:59.659 In this culture, 00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:00.519 the hire, 00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:01.659 the nobleman never ran. 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:03.119 But he doesn't care what the neighbors think. 00:19:03.379 --> 00:19:03.879 And he runs. 00:19:03.939 --> 00:19:04.960 And he probably ran across 00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.819 a couple of the fields 00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.899 that had been sold off 00:19:06.899 --> 00:19:07.799 for the life insurance. 00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:08.939 And he runs. 00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:09.939 And he runs. 00:19:10.199 --> 00:19:11.139 And this is amazing. 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.779 It's very un-British. 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.519 Because often the Brits 00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.359 would just shake hands. 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:15.980 But no, 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:17.859 the father kisses him 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.839 and embraces him. 00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:19.679 And ladies and gentlemen, 00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:20.779 what we have here 00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:22.139 is the key to happiness. 00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:24.899 Do you want to find happiness in life? 00:19:25.419 --> 00:19:26.099 Here's the key. 00:19:26.199 --> 00:19:27.139 You do three things. 00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.019 Number one, 00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:28.740 ladies and gentlemen, 00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:29.740 you come to your senses. 00:19:31.199 --> 00:19:31.879 You say, 00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:32.460 oh my goodness, 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:33.480 how have I behaved like this? 00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:34.700 Secondly, 00:19:34.860 --> 00:19:36.360 you realize it's at home 00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:37.059 where you belong 00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:37.759 and you're accepted. 00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:39.500 And then the key to happiness, 00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:42.339 the key to peace in life, 00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.460 you then say, 00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:44.920 you say this to God, 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:45.460 you say, 00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:46.720 oh God, 00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:47.579 I'm so sorry. 00:19:48.860 --> 00:19:49.579 I'm sorry. 00:19:49.659 --> 00:19:50.319 Am I sinned again? 00:19:50.379 --> 00:19:50.839 I'm sorry. 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:52.159 And as you do that, 00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:52.799 ladies and gentlemen, 00:19:53.399 --> 00:19:54.980 you feel God's embrace. 00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:57.139 And that is the heart 00:19:57.139 --> 00:19:58.279 of the human condition, 00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.240 the soul, 00:19:59.619 --> 00:20:00.899 and the Christian faith. 00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:02.619 And you know, 00:20:02.659 --> 00:20:03.519 it's an amazing thing. 00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:04.259 In the morning, 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:04.980 as we get up, 00:20:05.179 --> 00:20:05.740 the Bible, 00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:07.240 Christians read the Bible 00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:07.740 in the morning 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.980 and it's like a mirror 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:10.139 and you see your wrongdoing 00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:10.639 and you say, 00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:10.819 Lord, 00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:11.359 I'm sorry. 00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:12.859 And you feel his embrace. 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:14.179 So would you please pray 00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:14.799 tomorrow morning 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:15.599 I'll read my Bible 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.699 because it's always a battle. 00:20:17.199 --> 00:20:17.939 But when I do, 00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.819 it's a lovely thing, 00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:20.139 but it's a battle to do it. 00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:22.200 But I see my wrongdoing. 00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:22.559 I say, 00:20:22.639 --> 00:20:22.980 Lord God, 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.859 I'm so sorry. 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.879 And I feel his embrace. 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:26.960 But you see, 00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:28.039 although this young man 00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:29.899 had forgotten about his father, 00:20:30.179 --> 00:20:31.019 his father hadn't forgotten 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:31.539 about his him. 00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.539 His father was waiting 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.099 and looking. 00:20:33.439 --> 00:20:34.119 His father was going, 00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:34.839 where are you? 00:20:34.899 --> 00:20:35.519 Where are you? 00:20:35.659 --> 00:20:36.299 Now what happens? 00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:36.859 He goes straight 00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:37.619 into the rehearsed speaks. 00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.679 Can we see the speech? 00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.299 Verse 21. 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.000 Father, 00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:40.919 I've sinned against heaven 00:20:40.919 --> 00:20:41.500 and against you. 00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.039 I'm no longer 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:43.339 worthy to be called your son. 00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:45.059 He gets halfway through 00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:45.879 and the father says, 00:20:45.879 --> 00:20:46.879 bring the best robe, 00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:47.559 a sign of honor. 00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.799 Put a ring on his finger. 00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.779 A sign of authority. 00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:51.659 Put shoes on his feet. 00:20:51.899 --> 00:20:53.159 A slave didn't have shoes. 00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.359 A servant didn't have shoes. 00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:55.539 A son had shoes. 00:20:55.879 --> 00:20:57.259 Go and kill the fattened calf. 00:20:57.679 --> 00:20:58.700 A little boy was once 00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.619 asked in Sunday school, 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.960 and who was not pleased 00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:01.819 to see the younger son 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:02.279 come home? 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.419 And he shot up his hand 00:21:03.419 --> 00:21:03.720 and said, 00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.720 that would be the calf. 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:08.059 But actually, 00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:08.920 what we've got here, 00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:09.519 ladies and gentlemen, 00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:11.500 is God doesn't treat us 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:12.339 as we deserve. 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:13.880 So there's some people 00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.579 here this morning 00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:15.380 and you're thinking, 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:15.940 do you know, 00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:17.339 I might be here this Easter week, 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.100 but actually, 00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.519 I'm not going near God. 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:21.640 Because if you go near God, 00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:23.519 he's going to drill your face 00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.120 into the ground. 00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:26.839 You go too close to God 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:28.220 and he'll grind your face 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.880 into the ground. 00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:31.040 And can I say, 00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:32.300 I don't know where 00:21:32.300 --> 00:21:33.160 you got that from, 00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:35.780 but the Bible tells us 00:21:35.780 --> 00:21:37.780 God is so generous. 00:21:38.820 --> 00:21:39.860 He's so kind. 00:21:41.300 --> 00:21:41.960 Years ago, 00:21:42.080 --> 00:21:43.380 I was at home on my day off 00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:43.980 and I was teaching 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.740 my brother's kids. 00:21:44.840 --> 00:21:45.540 They were four and two 00:21:45.540 --> 00:21:46.160 to play rugby. 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.900 So I was down on the ground 00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:49.200 scrummaging with a four-year-old. 00:21:49.280 --> 00:21:50.740 You've got to start them young 00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.900 in my parents' sitting room. 00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:52.860 And I was there. 00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:54.180 And as I was doing that, 00:21:54.260 --> 00:21:55.360 the two-year-old, Patrick, 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:56.180 got so excited, 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.740 he picked up a large plant pot 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.860 and he started to empty it 00:21:58.859 --> 00:22:01.019 all over my mother's lounge floor 00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:02.339 in order to make a pitch. 00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:04.059 And when I next looked up, 00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:04.539 I'm not kidding, 00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:05.539 it was trashed. 00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.559 There was mud everywhere. 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.899 And at that point, 00:22:07.959 --> 00:22:09.000 my mother came in 00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:10.459 and she walked over 00:22:10.459 --> 00:22:11.119 to her grandson. 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:12.599 She picked up the plant pot. 00:22:12.659 --> 00:22:13.639 She put it on one side. 00:22:13.959 --> 00:22:14.959 She picked him up. 00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.000 She kissed him. 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:16.839 And she said, 00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:17.740 let's go and have lunch. 00:22:17.899 --> 00:22:19.500 And as she carried him 00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.259 out of the room, 00:22:20.459 --> 00:22:21.639 he looked over her shoulder 00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:22.399 and his older brother 00:22:22.399 --> 00:22:23.000 and I on the ground 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:24.500 and he went like that. 00:22:25.959 --> 00:22:26.519 You see, 00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:28.000 his grandmother knows 00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.579 what he's done. 00:22:29.399 --> 00:22:30.919 She's going to clear up the mess 00:22:30.919 --> 00:22:32.979 and she loves him anyway. 00:22:33.459 --> 00:22:34.119 And ladies and gentlemen, 00:22:34.459 --> 00:22:35.740 that's what it's like 00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.359 to be Christian. 00:22:37.719 --> 00:22:39.059 God knows what we've done. 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.979 He clears up the mess. 00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.639 He loves us anyway. 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.500 It's just the most 00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.439 wonderful experience. 00:22:46.179 --> 00:22:47.000 He's so kind. 00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:48.019 He's so generous. 00:22:48.919 --> 00:22:50.019 But it's interesting, 00:22:50.159 --> 00:22:50.500 isn't it? 00:22:50.919 --> 00:22:52.439 This older brother, 00:22:53.439 --> 00:22:55.139 well, he wouldn't have been 00:22:55.139 --> 00:22:56.459 so good in terms of the welcome. 00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.220 I mean, 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:57.920 it was fortunate, 00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:58.480 wasn't it, 00:22:58.579 --> 00:22:59.480 that the younger brother 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:01.500 got seen by his father 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:01.980 on the road, 00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:02.740 not the older brother. 00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:03.259 Can you imagine 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.880 what the older brother 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:04.299 would have done? 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:06.059 But amazingly, 00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:08.019 as we come to Palm Sunday, 00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:09.380 as we come to this week, 00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:10.400 ladies and gentlemen, 00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:12.079 the Bible says that Christians 00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:13.420 have a different older brother. 00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.360 He earned everything. 00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.259 He earned the robe. 00:23:16.340 --> 00:23:17.100 He earned the ring. 00:23:17.340 --> 00:23:18.000 The Lord Jesus 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:19.120 lived a perfect life. 00:23:19.120 --> 00:23:20.240 You can look at his life 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.440 on the Christian Explored course. 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.980 He lived a perfect life. 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:24.059 Well, look at Mark's Gospel. 00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:25.740 There's nothing you want 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.880 to reject in the life. 00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:29.720 But on Good Friday, 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.740 having come into Jerusalem 00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:33.259 on Palm Sunday, 00:23:33.340 --> 00:23:33.880 what did they do? 00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.700 They stripped him. 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:37.059 They cast lots for his clothing. 00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.680 He didn't get the fattened calf. 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:40.160 He got hyssop and vinegar. 00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:41.960 And this older brother, 00:23:42.080 --> 00:23:43.380 as he dies on the cross, 00:23:43.840 --> 00:23:44.279 he says, 00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:45.220 the only way for you 00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.100 to be clothed 00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:47.059 is for me to be stripped. 00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:48.600 And the only way 00:23:48.600 --> 00:23:49.400 for you to get the ring 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:50.340 is for me to lose them. 00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:50.960 And the only way 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:52.120 for you to go home 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:53.140 is if I, 00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.660 as I die on the cross, 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:56.340 pay in death and blood 00:23:56.340 --> 00:23:57.380 for you to go home. 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.800 It's not a cheap thing 00:23:58.800 --> 00:23:59.720 to be able to go home. 00:24:00.580 --> 00:24:02.100 The Lord Jesus Christ says, 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:02.400 Rico, 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:04.560 I'm paying for your past, 00:24:05.080 --> 00:24:05.600 present, 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:07.680 and future sin 00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:09.640 so that you can go home. 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.120 And actually, 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:11.680 ladies and gentlemen, 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.800 there's only one way 00:24:12.800 --> 00:24:13.540 to get to hell. 00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:15.640 The only way you get to hell 00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:16.660 is you trample 00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:18.040 over the cross of Jesus. 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:20.180 Jesus blocks the way to hell 00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:20.659 and he says, 00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:21.980 I'm the true older brother. 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.379 I've died for you. 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.920 I'm paying for you to go home. 00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.899 So please come home. 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:28.819 I mean, 00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:29.899 this boy would never 00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:30.599 have left home 00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:31.099 if he'd known 00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:32.680 his father's generosity properly. 00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.480 Come in, 00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:35.240 come home. 00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:37.279 And the payment 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:38.319 for you to come home 00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:39.440 is colossal. 00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.240 And we'll look again 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:41.599 at that on Good Friday. 00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:42.659 Please come back. 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.980 But it's very interesting 00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:46.059 just as we close now. 00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:46.740 Let's close now. 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.440 But let's just think 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:48.079 of the older brother 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.660 for a moment. 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.400 Why doesn't he go 00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:51.099 into the party? 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:52.940 Why doesn't he say, 00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:53.460 oh, great, 00:24:53.620 --> 00:24:54.599 my brother's home. 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:57.279 What stops him going home? 00:24:58.559 --> 00:25:00.400 How is it that he just says, 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.359 no, I won't do it? 00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:02.420 And this is the message 00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:03.700 of chapter 15, 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.259 verse 2, 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:04.839 do you see? 00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:05.960 The Pharisees, 00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:06.620 the scribes, 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.059 grumbled, 00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:07.660 saying, 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.759 this man receives sinners 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.440 and eats with them. 00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.079 Ladies and gentlemen, 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:13.079 what is it that stops 00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:13.919 so many people 00:25:13.919 --> 00:25:14.659 from going home? 00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:14.839 Well, 00:25:14.879 --> 00:25:15.839 with this older brother, 00:25:16.679 --> 00:25:17.659 I wonder if you can hear 00:25:17.659 --> 00:25:18.159 what it is. 00:25:18.199 --> 00:25:19.419 Let's see it in verse 29. 00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:21.059 What is his weapon 00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:22.500 of rebellion against God? 00:25:22.699 --> 00:25:23.639 Hold on to your seats. 00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.619 It's very shocking. 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:25.819 Have a look down. 00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:27.480 Have a look. 00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:28.859 Verse 29. 00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.819 He says to his father, 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.699 shouts at him 00:25:31.699 --> 00:25:32.599 as he has a row 00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:33.559 outside the party, 00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.319 look, 00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:35.039 these many years 00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:35.679 I've served you 00:25:35.679 --> 00:25:36.460 and never disobeyed 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:36.980 your command, 00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.299 yet you never gave me 00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.940 even a goat 00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:39.680 that I might celebrate 00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.539 with my friends. 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:43.419 What stops him going home, 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.059 ladies and gentlemen, 00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:46.019 is his own goodness. 00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:47.960 He says, 00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:49.139 because I'm good, 00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.799 I control this, 00:25:50.919 --> 00:25:51.799 I make the rules, 00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:52.879 and there's nothing 00:25:52.879 --> 00:25:54.039 I need to be sorry for. 00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:54.659 In fact, 00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:55.559 you, father, 00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:56.539 are lucky to have me here. 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:56.919 Now, 00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.419 just to say, 00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.419 in Jewish culture, 00:25:58.819 --> 00:25:59.700 to have a row 00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.940 with your father publicly 00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:02.919 was massively serious. 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:04.079 In the Old Testament, 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:05.460 in a book called Deuteronomy, 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:07.819 in Deuteronomy chapter 21, 00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:10.779 they actually executed children 00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:12.379 for publicly disobeying 00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:13.079 their parents. 00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:15.259 Well, 00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:16.339 it would sort the schools out, 00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:16.639 wouldn't it, 00:26:16.679 --> 00:26:17.200 don't you reckon? 00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:19.000 We've got a bit of a problem 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:20.119 with Haskins 3, 00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:20.919 he'll be executed 00:26:20.919 --> 00:26:21.759 Thursday morning. 00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.099 But, 00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:23.579 sorry, 00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.519 you'll think I'm a fascist 00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.179 if I say this, 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:26.039 I don't mean to do that, 00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:27.039 but what I am saying 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.539 is this, 00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:28.519 I'm saying that 00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:30.279 it was so serious 00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:32.480 for people to see 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.079 this boy 00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:34.759 publicly disobey his parents, 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:35.740 and yet, 00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:38.160 his weapon of rebellion 00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:39.059 against his father 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:40.000 is his own goodness. 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.839 And that was exactly 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.480 my grandmother. 00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:46.120 What put me into the ministry 00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:47.720 was I watched my grandmother die 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:49.380 from the 1st to the 8th of April, 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.220 1988. 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:52.000 I watched her die, 00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:53.880 and she said repeatedly, 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:56.400 because I'm a good person, 00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:58.180 God will accept me. 00:26:58.180 --> 00:27:01.680 It was utterly heartbreaking. 00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:04.120 Please don't be like her. 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.060 I mean, 00:27:06.120 --> 00:27:07.700 why did God send his son to die 00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:09.340 if your goodness is good enough? 00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:12.340 But the weapon of rebellion 00:27:12.340 --> 00:27:13.340 is your own goodness. 00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:15.140 I'm a bit superior, 00:27:15.360 --> 00:27:16.240 I do my duty, 00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:18.019 I never have to say sorry to God. 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.560 Well, 00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:20.360 it's tantalizing, 00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:20.700 isn't it, 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.200 ladies and gentlemen, 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:21.799 because actually, 00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:23.259 we don't know how the story ends. 00:27:23.840 --> 00:27:25.100 We don't know if the younger brother 00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:26.140 was a flash in the pan, 00:27:26.140 --> 00:27:27.620 we don't know if the older brother 00:27:27.620 --> 00:27:28.480 went into the party. 00:27:29.080 --> 00:27:30.080 And the reason is, 00:27:30.320 --> 00:27:31.800 we have to finish the story. 00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:34.520 So keep coming to listen. 00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:36.759 The little Christian Explored course 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:38.620 there on the 13th, 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:39.900 20th and 27th of April, 00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.720 those Monday nights, 00:27:40.800 --> 00:27:42.000 it would be lovely to have you there. 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.380 Get the information 00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:44.440 to finish the story. 00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:46.300 Come back Good Friday, 00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.000 Easter Day, 00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:48.000 make it a priority. 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.960 Because the Bible amazingly says 00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:51.540 that actually as you keep listening, 00:27:52.300 --> 00:27:53.300 faith comes by hearing. 00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:54.840 You start believing it. 00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:56.839 But at the heart of faith 00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:57.559 is information, 00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:59.119 then you get the meaning, 00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.399 then you act on it. 00:28:00.439 --> 00:28:01.699 But you've got to get the information. 00:28:01.939 --> 00:28:02.939 Come back and do that. 00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:05.059 But for one or two others 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.720 here this morning, 00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:06.740 they'll be going, 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.079 do you know, 00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.419 I need to go home. 00:28:10.139 --> 00:28:11.039 I really do. 00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.659 And if that's the case, 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.119 then again, 00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:18.099 just keep coming and listening. 00:28:18.899 --> 00:28:20.039 Keep coming and listening. 00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:22.819 And what you'll find is 00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:23.920 the Lord Jesus 00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:26.559 starts walking off the pages of Scripture 00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:28.740 and putting his arms around you. 00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:30.420 Let's pray together. 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:30.859 Let's pray. 00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:30.879 Let's pray.