WEBVTT

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 Good morning, church.

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 Our sermon text this morning is Luke chapter 15.

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 That's page 821 in the Pew Bible.

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 Let me invite you to turn there with me.

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 Our passage today is often and perhaps rightly regarded as the greatest of all Jesus' parables.

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 It has been the subject of not just endless biblical commentary and preaching since the days of the early church,

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 but it's also been an enduring subject for great painters, dramatists, choreographers, musicians, writers, even philosophers.

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 Nietzsche wrote about the parable of the prodigal son.

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 And yet, as one commentator put it,

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 none of the parallels or the retellings can measure up to or compare with the moving force of this story as told by Jesus himself.

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 So friends, let's do just that.

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 Let's encounter this parable together in its most powerful form in the words of Jesus himself.

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 Luke chapter 15.

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 Let me read this for us.

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 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to him, that is Jesus,

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 and the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying,

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 This man receives sinners and eats with them.

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 So he told them this parable.

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 What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if the father has lost one of them,

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 does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country

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 and go after the one that is lost until he finds it?

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 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

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 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them,

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 Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.

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 Just so I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents

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 than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

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 Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin,

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 does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it?

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 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying,

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 Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I have lost.

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 Just so I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God

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 over one sinner who repents.

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 And he said, there was a man who had two sons.

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 And the younger of them said to his father,

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 Father, give me this share of property that is coming to me.

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 And he divided his property between them.

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 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had

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 and took a journey into a far country.

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 And there he squandered his property and reckless living.

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 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country

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 and he began to be in need.

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 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country

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 who sent him into his fields to feed pigs.

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 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate.

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 And no one gave him anything.

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 But when he came to himself, he said,

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 How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread?

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 But I perish here with hunger.

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 I will arise and go to my father.

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 And I will say to him, Father, I've sinned against heaven and before you.

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 I'm no longer worthy to be called your son.

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 Treat me as one of your hired servants.

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 And he arose and came to his father.

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 But while he was still a long way off,

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 his father saw him and felt compassion

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 and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

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 And the son said to him,

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 Father, I've sinned against heaven and before you.

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 I'm no longer worthy to be called your son.

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 But the father said to his servants,

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 Bring quickly the best robe and put it on him

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 and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet

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 and bring the fattened calf and kill it

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 and let us eat and celebrate.

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 For this my son was dead and is alive again.

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 He was lost and is found.

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 And they began to celebrate.

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 Now his older son was in the field.

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 And as he came and drew near the house,

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 he heard music and dancing.

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 And he called one of the servants

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 and asked what these things meant.

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 And he said to him,

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 Your brother has come

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 and your father has killed the fattened calf.

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 Because he's received him back,

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 safe and sound.

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 But he was angry

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 and refused to go in.

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 His father came out

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 and entreated him.

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 But he answered his father,

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 Look,

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 these many years I have served you

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 and I never disobeyed your command.

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 Yet you never gave me a young goat

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 that I might celebrate with my friends.

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 But when the son of yours came

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 who has devoured your property

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 with prostitutes,

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 you killed the fattened calf for him.

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 And he said to him,

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 Son,

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 you are always with me

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 and all that is mine is yours.

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 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad.

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 For this your brother was dead

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 and is alive.

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 He was lost

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 and is found.

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 Let's pray together.

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 Our father,

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 we are so grateful

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 for the word that you've given us

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 in the scriptures

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 that we can encounter again

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 and afresh

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 the very words of Christ

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 spoken again by your spirit

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 to our hearts.

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 O father,

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 we pray that you would open us

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 to really hear

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 and receive

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 what it is you're saying today

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 to us,

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 your church.

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 We ask this in Jesus' name.

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 Amen.

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 Well, friends,

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 I wonder if you've ever been upset

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 when someone was having fun

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 without you.

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 H.L. Mencken once said

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 that Puritanism

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 was the haunting fear

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 that someone

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 somewhere

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 may be happy.

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 Now,

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 that was completely untrue

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 about the Puritans.

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 John Owen,

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 the great Puritan theologian,

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 was often criticized

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 in his day

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 for being too fashionable.

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 Imagine that.

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 He wore knee-high

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 leather boots.

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 And his critics would say

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 he had as much powder

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 powder in his hair

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 that would discharge

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 eight cannons.

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 They seem to be okay

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 with having a little fun.

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 Our passage begins

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 with Jesus

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 receiving criticism.

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 And criticism

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 for dining

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 with the wrong

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 sort of people.

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 This man,

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 do you hear the contempt

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 in their voices?

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 This man

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 receives sinners

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 and eats with them.

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 According to the

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 religious establishment

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 of the day,

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 Jesus spent

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 far too much time

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 with the outcasts,

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 the irreligious,

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 and the immoral.

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 Even sharing

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 table fellowship

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 and hospitality

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 with them,

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 which was a big deal

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 in the first century.

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 And how would Jesus

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 respond to such criticism?

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 How would you?

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 How would you?

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 And here's how

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 Jesus' parable

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 is so surprising.

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 Rather than respond

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 with sort of shrill

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 self-justification

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 that we've become

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 so used to today,

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 rather than simply

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 attack his critics

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 as close-minded

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 bigots,

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 instead he launches

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 out in this

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 three-fold parable,

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 this tour de force

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 to actually

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 try

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 to win them over,

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 to change

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 their hearts

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 and to bring

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 them

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 to the table too.

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 In the English-speaking

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 world,

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 we know this story

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 as the parable

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 of the prodigal son.

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 But the lead-in

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 in verses

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 three through ten

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 is all about

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 lost things

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 being found.

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 A lost sheep,

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 a lost coin.

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 So in German,

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 it's known as

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 the parable

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 of the lost son.

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 But the heartbeat

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 of this story,

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 the main character,

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 is God.

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 Behind the shepherd,

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 behind the woman,

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 behind the father

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 is the heart

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 of God

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 seeking out

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 the lost

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 and heaven

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 erupting

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 in joy

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 when the lost

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 are found.

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 And that erupting

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 joy of the father

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 reaches right

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 out of the parable

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 to the critics

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 themselves

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 and says,

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 you too,

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 come in,

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 come home.

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 So let's consider

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 first Jesus'

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 point

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 in verses

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 three through ten.

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 All of heaven

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 rejoices

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 when the lost

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 are found.

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 A shepherd

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 loses a sheep.

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 A woman

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 loses a silver coin.

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 One-tenth

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 of her life

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 savings.

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 And of course,

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 they search diligently

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 going after

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 what's been lost

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 and when they find it,

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 they have a party.

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 Friends and neighbors

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 are invited

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 to come

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 and rejoice.

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 Apparently,

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 Albert Schweitzer

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 was teaching

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 this story

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 in a confirmation

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 class

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 and one boy

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 blurted out,

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 what a silly

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 woman.

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 She spent more

00:10:13.620 --> 00:10:14.340
 on the party

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 than the coin

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 was worth

00:10:15.419 --> 00:10:16.299
 in the first place.

00:10:18.679 --> 00:10:19.399
 I don't know

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 if that's a true story

00:10:20.240 --> 00:10:21.039
 about Albert Schweitzer.

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 That might be

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 totally apocryphal,

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 but maybe,

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 you know,

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 just maybe.

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 That's part

00:10:28.339 --> 00:10:28.740
 of Jesus'

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 point.

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 The joy

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 of heaven

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 over sinners

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 who repent

00:10:34.319 --> 00:10:35.839
 is exuberant.

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 It's extravagant.

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 Even for one,

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 Jesus says,

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 God fills

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 heaven

00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:44.439
 with joy.

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 You see,

00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:49.220
 what Jesus'

00:10:49.439 --> 00:10:50.360
 critics were missing

00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:51.240
 and what we too

00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:52.500
 often fail to see

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 is the missionary

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 heart of God.

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 God's initiative

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 throughout Scripture

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 to bring

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 his people

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 back home.

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 Ezekiel 34

00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:06.360
 is one of these

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 places where we see

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 that.

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 It speaks of God's

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 search and rescue

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 mission.

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 God's sheep,

00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:12.139
 Ezekiel says,

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 were scattered

00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:13.639
 over the earth

00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:14.899
 and no one

00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:15.919
 searched and no one

00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:16.580
 looked for them.

00:11:17.279 --> 00:11:18.059
 Israel's leaders

00:11:18.059 --> 00:11:18.659
 had abandoned

00:11:18.659 --> 00:11:19.179
 the search,

00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:20.279
 but God declares

00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:21.500
 in Ezekiel 34

00:11:21.500 --> 00:11:22.299
 11 and 16,

00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:23.679
 I myself

00:11:23.679 --> 00:11:24.659
 will search

00:11:24.659 --> 00:11:25.379
 for my sheep

00:11:25.379 --> 00:11:26.139
 and look for them.

00:11:26.519 --> 00:11:27.480
 I will search

00:11:27.480 --> 00:11:28.120
 for the lost

00:11:28.120 --> 00:11:29.019
 and bring back

00:11:29.019 --> 00:11:29.699
 the strays.

00:11:31.699 --> 00:11:32.620
 The missionary

00:11:32.620 --> 00:11:33.500
 heart of God.

00:11:33.500 --> 00:11:36.080
 But this missionary

00:11:36.080 --> 00:11:36.679
 heart of God

00:11:36.679 --> 00:11:37.279
 in the Old Testament

00:11:37.279 --> 00:11:38.519
 extends not just

00:11:38.519 --> 00:11:39.059
 to the lost

00:11:39.059 --> 00:11:39.720
 house of Israel,

00:11:40.240 --> 00:11:42.200
 but to the nations

00:11:42.200 --> 00:11:42.759
 as well.

00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:45.340
 The book of Jonah

00:11:45.340 --> 00:11:46.100
 that we read

00:11:46.100 --> 00:11:46.740
 from earlier

00:11:46.740 --> 00:11:47.419
 is about God

00:11:47.419 --> 00:11:48.539
 extending his

00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:49.980
 mercy to the

00:11:49.980 --> 00:11:50.860
 pagan city

00:11:50.860 --> 00:11:51.740
 of Nineveh.

00:11:53.019 --> 00:11:53.860
 And then,

00:11:54.320 --> 00:11:55.720
 much like Luke 15,

00:11:56.860 --> 00:11:58.019
 it's about teaching

00:11:58.019 --> 00:11:59.480
 the resentful Jonah

00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:01.360
 about how much

00:12:01.360 --> 00:12:02.279
 he really does

00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:03.179
 love the lost.

00:12:03.500 --> 00:12:04.860
 And how far

00:12:04.860 --> 00:12:05.580
 God's willing

00:12:05.580 --> 00:12:06.179
 to go

00:12:06.179 --> 00:12:07.279
 to bring them

00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:07.679
 home.

00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:09.659
 Even if it means

00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:11.059
 swallowing a prophet

00:12:11.059 --> 00:12:12.159
 with a giant fish

00:12:12.159 --> 00:12:13.059
 and spitting him

00:12:13.059 --> 00:12:13.740
 out three days

00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:14.080
 later.

00:12:15.960 --> 00:12:16.559
 God

00:12:16.559 --> 00:12:17.519
 will gather

00:12:17.519 --> 00:12:18.080
 his people.

00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:21.320
 And so,

00:12:21.419 --> 00:12:21.799
 Jesus,

00:12:22.779 --> 00:12:23.559
 in fulfillment

00:12:23.559 --> 00:12:24.740
 of God's mission

00:12:24.740 --> 00:12:25.480
 here in Luke,

00:12:26.220 --> 00:12:27.440
 pursues the lost.

00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:30.059
 When this whole

00:12:30.059 --> 00:12:30.580
 section of the

00:12:30.580 --> 00:12:31.220
 Gospel of Luke

00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:32.039
 comes to an end

00:12:32.039 --> 00:12:32.919
 in chapter 19,

00:12:32.919 --> 00:12:34.259
 these words

00:12:34.259 --> 00:12:34.740
 of Jesus

00:12:34.740 --> 00:12:35.360
 will be how

00:12:35.360 --> 00:12:35.939
 it closes.

00:12:36.079 --> 00:12:36.879
 The Son of Man

00:12:36.879 --> 00:12:38.459
 came to seek

00:12:38.459 --> 00:12:39.620
 and to save

00:12:39.620 --> 00:12:40.620
 the lost.

00:12:42.479 --> 00:12:43.360
 Why does Jesus

00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:44.279
 spend so much time

00:12:44.279 --> 00:12:45.059
 with tax collectors

00:12:45.059 --> 00:12:45.539
 and sinners?

00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:46.699
 Why does he eat

00:12:46.699 --> 00:12:47.039
 with them?

00:12:47.120 --> 00:12:47.860
 Why does he receive

00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:48.579
 them as friends?

00:12:48.959 --> 00:12:49.599
 Why does he do it

00:12:49.599 --> 00:12:50.399
 so much so that

00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:51.439
 it's making people

00:12:51.439 --> 00:12:52.479
 a little uncomfortable?

00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:54.620
 Why?

00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:54.680
 Why?

00:12:57.680 --> 00:12:59.019
 Because he's the shepherd

00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:00.720
 not giving up

00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:01.340
 his search

00:13:01.340 --> 00:13:02.940
 and he's the woman

00:13:02.940 --> 00:13:03.820
 not putting out

00:13:03.820 --> 00:13:04.360
 the lamp

00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:05.879
 until all his

00:13:05.879 --> 00:13:07.019
 lost are found

00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:08.759
 and the heavens

00:13:08.759 --> 00:13:09.480
 erupt

00:13:09.480 --> 00:13:10.460
 with joy.

00:13:14.500 --> 00:13:15.019
 Now,

00:13:15.060 --> 00:13:15.420
 I don't think

00:13:15.420 --> 00:13:15.960
 many of us

00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:16.500
 would consider

00:13:16.500 --> 00:13:17.940
 ourselves Pharisees

00:13:17.940 --> 00:13:18.560
 this morning

00:13:18.559 --> 00:13:21.099
 and not many

00:13:21.099 --> 00:13:21.439
 of us

00:13:21.439 --> 00:13:21.979
 would perhaps

00:13:21.979 --> 00:13:23.000
 criticize Jesus

00:13:23.000 --> 00:13:24.419
 for eating

00:13:24.419 --> 00:13:24.979
 with so-called

00:13:24.979 --> 00:13:25.959
 sinners and tax collectors.

00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:26.559
 On the contrary,

00:13:26.739 --> 00:13:27.959
 I think most of us

00:13:27.959 --> 00:13:29.279
 here would commend it,

00:13:29.439 --> 00:13:29.959
 I'm sure.

00:13:31.719 --> 00:13:32.539
 And yet,

00:13:33.539 --> 00:13:36.299
 can we say

00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:38.379
 that this joy

00:13:38.379 --> 00:13:38.979
 of heaven

00:13:38.979 --> 00:13:41.679
 is our joy too?

00:13:41.679 --> 00:13:45.000
 Do we share

00:13:45.000 --> 00:13:46.019
 the pursuing,

00:13:46.739 --> 00:13:47.620
 befriending,

00:13:48.179 --> 00:13:48.919
 searching,

00:13:49.539 --> 00:13:50.859
 boundary-crossing

00:13:50.859 --> 00:13:52.259
 love for the lost

00:13:52.259 --> 00:13:53.239
 that God

00:13:53.239 --> 00:13:53.919
 has revealed

00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:54.599
 in Jesus?

00:13:55.959 --> 00:13:57.439
 Does it excite us?

00:13:57.759 --> 00:13:58.599
 Does it fire

00:13:58.599 --> 00:13:59.719
 our imaginations?

00:14:03.359 --> 00:14:04.319
 J.C. Ryle

00:14:04.319 --> 00:14:05.139
 puts it to us

00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:05.679
 in these,

00:14:05.919 --> 00:14:06.399
 I think,

00:14:06.479 --> 00:14:07.599
 quite challenging words.

00:14:07.719 --> 00:14:08.120
 He says,

00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:09.639
 the person

00:14:09.639 --> 00:14:10.379
 who can take

00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:11.500
 a deep interest

00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.539
 in politics

00:14:12.539 --> 00:14:14.179
 or field sports

00:14:14.179 --> 00:14:15.559
 or money-making

00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:17.059
 or gaining popularity

00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:19.259
 but take none

00:14:19.259 --> 00:14:20.500
 in the conversion

00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.220
 of souls

00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:23.720
 is no true

00:14:23.720 --> 00:14:24.440
 Christian.

00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:29.820
 What about us

00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:30.440
 as a church?

00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:33.019
 We can get excited

00:14:33.019 --> 00:14:34.019
 about a lot of things,

00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:34.460
 can't we?

00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:36.679
 Projects,

00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:37.639
 programs,

00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:38.840
 buildings.

00:14:38.840 --> 00:14:39.040
 things.

00:14:41.040 --> 00:14:41.780
 But friends,

00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:42.620
 it is all

00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.759
 useless

00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:46.040
 if we don't

00:14:46.040 --> 00:14:47.320
 share the joy

00:14:47.320 --> 00:14:47.920
 of heaven

00:14:47.920 --> 00:14:48.879
 over the lost

00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:49.620
 being found.

00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:52.840
 As many of you know,

00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:53.440
 we're embarking

00:14:53.440 --> 00:14:54.440
 on a building project.

00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:57.019
 Why are we doing it?

00:14:58.899 --> 00:14:59.840
 Above all,

00:15:00.580 --> 00:15:01.480
 it's so that we can

00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.379
 go on

00:15:02.379 --> 00:15:03.060
 spreading

00:15:03.060 --> 00:15:04.120
 the table

00:15:04.120 --> 00:15:05.060
 of God's grace

00:15:05.059 --> 00:15:05.839
 and inviting

00:15:05.839 --> 00:15:06.979
 more and more

00:15:06.979 --> 00:15:07.819
 and more people

00:15:07.819 --> 00:15:08.399
 to join.

00:15:09.439 --> 00:15:10.539
 We want the joy

00:15:10.539 --> 00:15:10.979
 of heaven

00:15:10.979 --> 00:15:12.299
 to be increasingly

00:15:12.299 --> 00:15:12.979
 our joy.

00:15:13.599 --> 00:15:14.579
 We want to rejoice

00:15:14.579 --> 00:15:15.359
 more and more

00:15:15.359 --> 00:15:16.019
 over the lost

00:15:16.019 --> 00:15:16.839
 being found.

00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:22.519
 But the question is,

00:15:23.039 --> 00:15:24.479
 how do we

00:15:24.479 --> 00:15:25.839
 rekindle that joy?

00:15:27.679 --> 00:15:29.159
 When we get discouraged

00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:31.039
 because our friends

00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:31.899
 and our neighbors

00:15:31.899 --> 00:15:32.980
 don't seem to be

00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:33.719
 showing any

00:15:33.719 --> 00:15:35.360
 real spiritual

00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:36.019
 interest.

00:15:38.179 --> 00:15:39.059
 When we get

00:15:39.059 --> 00:15:39.600
 distracted

00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.819
 by the very

00:15:40.819 --> 00:15:42.059
 real responsibilities

00:15:42.059 --> 00:15:42.980
 of work

00:15:42.980 --> 00:15:44.059
 and family

00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:45.219
 and even church.

00:15:46.939 --> 00:15:47.959
 When we know

00:15:47.959 --> 00:15:49.000
 in our minds

00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.879
 that our joy

00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:50.459
 should be

00:15:50.459 --> 00:15:51.120
 for the lost

00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:51.759
 being found,

00:15:52.059 --> 00:15:53.100
 but in our hearts

00:15:53.100 --> 00:15:54.319
 we just don't

00:15:54.319 --> 00:15:55.240
 feel it.

00:15:56.600 --> 00:15:57.639
 What do we do?

00:15:57.639 --> 00:16:02.319
 Did you notice

00:16:02.319 --> 00:16:02.919
 how verse 1

00:16:02.919 --> 00:16:03.399
 begins?

00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:06.159
 The tax collectors

00:16:06.159 --> 00:16:06.840
 and sinners

00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:08.319
 were all

00:16:08.319 --> 00:16:09.299
 drawing near

00:16:09.299 --> 00:16:10.159
 to hear him.

00:16:11.559 --> 00:16:12.360
 They were

00:16:12.360 --> 00:16:13.000
 attracted

00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:14.179
 to Jesus.

00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:15.899
 There was

00:16:15.899 --> 00:16:16.899
 something about

00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:17.439
 him that they

00:16:17.439 --> 00:16:18.740
 hadn't experienced

00:16:18.740 --> 00:16:19.879
 before in other

00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:20.779
 religious leaders.

00:16:22.220 --> 00:16:22.860
 He sought

00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.299
 them,

00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:23.759
 yes,

00:16:23.960 --> 00:16:24.860
 but they were

00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:26.019
 also drawn

00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:26.659
 to him.

00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:29.600
 Why are

00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:30.460
 the immoral

00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:30.919
 and the

00:16:30.919 --> 00:16:31.620
 irreligious

00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:33.059
 drawing near

00:16:33.059 --> 00:16:34.080
 to hear

00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:34.699
 Jesus?

00:16:36.860 --> 00:16:37.620
 I think

00:16:37.620 --> 00:16:38.019
 if we can

00:16:38.019 --> 00:16:38.399
 see the

00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:39.360
 reason why,

00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:41.000
 then we'll

00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:41.699
 see how to

00:16:41.699 --> 00:16:42.379
 rekindle

00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:43.659
 and realign

00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:44.439
 our joy

00:16:44.439 --> 00:16:45.399
 with the joy

00:16:45.399 --> 00:16:45.919
 of heaven.

00:16:45.919 --> 00:16:49.860
 and this

00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:50.299
 brings us

00:16:50.299 --> 00:16:50.599
 to the

00:16:50.599 --> 00:16:50.879
 center

00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.299
 of our

00:16:51.299 --> 00:16:51.819
 passage,

00:16:52.360 --> 00:16:53.099
 the first

00:16:53.099 --> 00:16:53.719
 half of the

00:16:53.719 --> 00:16:54.259
 parable of

00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:54.679
 the lost

00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:55.079
 son,

00:16:55.719 --> 00:16:56.419
 where Jesus

00:16:56.419 --> 00:16:57.179
 shows us

00:16:57.179 --> 00:16:58.799
 the extravagant

00:16:58.799 --> 00:16:59.719
 grace of the

00:16:59.719 --> 00:17:00.039
 father.

00:17:00.959 --> 00:17:01.620
 He tells us

00:17:01.620 --> 00:17:02.000
 about the

00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.919
 exceeding joy

00:17:02.919 --> 00:17:03.379
 of heaven

00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.200
 in verses 1

00:17:04.200 --> 00:17:04.579
 through 10

00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:05.059
 and now

00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:06.460
 the extravagant

00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:07.599
 grace of

00:17:07.599 --> 00:17:08.039
 the father.

00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:08.759
 Verses 11

00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.399
 through 24

00:17:09.399 --> 00:17:10.519
 are the part

00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:11.279
 of Luke 15

00:17:11.279 --> 00:17:11.659
 that have

00:17:11.659 --> 00:17:12.460
 rightfully been

00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:13.220
 retold and

00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:14.259
 recast time

00:17:14.259 --> 00:17:14.619
 and time

00:17:14.619 --> 00:17:15.079
 again in

00:17:15.079 --> 00:17:15.359
 literature

00:17:15.359 --> 00:17:15.740
 and art

00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:16.180
 and dance

00:17:16.180 --> 00:17:16.660
 and music.

00:17:18.700 --> 00:17:19.299
 But you

00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:19.400
 know,

00:17:19.480 --> 00:17:19.940
 let's take a

00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:20.359
 step back

00:17:20.359 --> 00:17:20.940
 for a second

00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:22.180
 and ask

00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:23.039
 what about

00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:23.960
 this message

00:17:23.960 --> 00:17:24.480
 of Jesus

00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.220
 would be so

00:17:25.220 --> 00:17:26.099
 attractive

00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:27.180
 to tax

00:17:27.180 --> 00:17:27.599
 collectors

00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:28.240
 and sinners,

00:17:28.619 --> 00:17:29.140
 to the

00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.660
 immoral

00:17:29.660 --> 00:17:30.019
 and the

00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:30.660
 irreligious?

00:17:33.420 --> 00:17:34.200
 At first,

00:17:34.299 --> 00:17:34.640
 it doesn't

00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:35.059
 seem like

00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:35.440
 good news

00:17:35.440 --> 00:17:35.900
 at all.

00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:37.480
 In verses

00:17:37.480 --> 00:17:37.940
 12 through

00:17:37.940 --> 00:17:38.400
 13,

00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:39.480
 Jesus exposes

00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:40.220
 the natural

00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:40.940
 bent of our

00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:41.680
 fallen hearts.

00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:42.759
 The younger

00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:43.619
 brother requests

00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:44.220
 his share

00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:44.500
 of the

00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:44.860
 father's

00:17:44.860 --> 00:17:45.279
 inheritance

00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:45.759
 while his

00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:46.220
 father is

00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:46.720
 still living,

00:17:47.059 --> 00:17:47.579
 then he

00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:48.299
 sells his

00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:48.660
 shares of

00:17:48.660 --> 00:17:49.120
 the property,

00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:49.900
 turns it

00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:50.460
 into cash,

00:17:50.600 --> 00:17:51.059
 deserts his

00:17:51.059 --> 00:17:51.400
 family,

00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.019
 goes to a

00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.500
 far country

00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.140
 and squanders

00:17:53.140 --> 00:17:53.620
 his money

00:17:53.620 --> 00:17:54.440
 in the pursuit

00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:54.920
 of pleasure.

00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:58.100
 Not a very

00:17:58.100 --> 00:17:59.200
 flattering picture

00:17:59.200 --> 00:18:00.019
 of our humanity,

00:18:00.019 --> 00:18:00.539
 is it?

00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:03.680
 But this is how

00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:04.620
 all of us

00:18:04.620 --> 00:18:06.839
 naturally treat

00:18:06.839 --> 00:18:07.200
 God.

00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.460
 We want

00:18:09.460 --> 00:18:10.180
 his stuff

00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:11.559
 more than

00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:11.880
 we want

00:18:11.880 --> 00:18:12.460
 a relationship

00:18:12.460 --> 00:18:13.000
 with him.

00:18:14.220 --> 00:18:15.039
 And whatever

00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:15.600
 good he

00:18:15.600 --> 00:18:16.259
 gives us,

00:18:17.100 --> 00:18:17.539
 we seem

00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:17.860
 to be

00:18:17.860 --> 00:18:19.440
 uncontrollably

00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:19.960
 bent to

00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:20.360
 use it

00:18:20.360 --> 00:18:20.700
 for our

00:18:20.700 --> 00:18:21.019
 own

00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:21.400
 ends

00:18:21.400 --> 00:18:21.700
 rather

00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:21.920
 than

00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:22.100
 for

00:18:22.100 --> 00:18:22.500
 his.

00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:26.079
 But Jesus

00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:26.539
 doesn't just

00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:27.019
 expose the

00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.559
 natural bent

00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:27.799
 of our

00:18:27.799 --> 00:18:28.380
 fallen hearts,

00:18:28.440 --> 00:18:28.779
 he also

00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:29.200
 shows us

00:18:29.200 --> 00:18:29.759
 the bitter

00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.500
 outcome of

00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.380
 pursuing life

00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:31.819
 apart from

00:18:31.819 --> 00:18:32.100
 God.

00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:32.759
 In verses

00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:33.279
 13 through

00:18:33.279 --> 00:18:33.700
 16,

00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:34.120
 the younger

00:18:34.120 --> 00:18:34.799
 son goes

00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:35.160
 on this

00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:36.059
 downward

00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:36.799
 spiral.

00:18:37.000 --> 00:18:37.799
 He squanders

00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.360
 the family

00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:38.720
 money,

00:18:39.140 --> 00:18:39.700
 a famine

00:18:39.700 --> 00:18:40.160
 hits,

00:18:40.440 --> 00:18:41.100
 his so-called

00:18:41.100 --> 00:18:41.860
 friends desert

00:18:41.860 --> 00:18:42.039
 him,

00:18:42.039 --> 00:18:42.420
 notice how

00:18:42.420 --> 00:18:42.759
 it ends,

00:18:42.859 --> 00:18:43.339
 and no

00:18:43.339 --> 00:18:43.960
 one was

00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.259
 there to

00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:44.700
 help him.

00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.059
 And he

00:18:46.059 --> 00:18:46.779
 finds himself

00:18:46.779 --> 00:18:47.799
 feeding pigs.

00:18:49.299 --> 00:18:49.899
 Imagine

00:18:49.899 --> 00:18:50.319
 that.

00:18:51.599 --> 00:18:52.420
 A Jewish

00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:54.000
 boy working

00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:54.319
 on an

00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:54.980
 unclean

00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.599
 Gentile

00:18:55.599 --> 00:18:56.399
 pig farm.

00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.700
 So hungry,

00:18:58.819 --> 00:18:59.399
 he's willing

00:18:59.399 --> 00:19:00.159
 to eat the

00:19:00.159 --> 00:19:00.940
 same food

00:19:00.940 --> 00:19:01.940
 he's feeding

00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:02.920
 the pigs.

00:19:03.879 --> 00:19:04.779
 Talk about

00:19:04.779 --> 00:19:05.139
 hitting

00:19:05.139 --> 00:19:05.879
 utter

00:19:05.879 --> 00:19:06.500
 bottom.

00:19:06.500 --> 00:19:11.359
 And again,

00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:11.880
 Jesus is

00:19:11.880 --> 00:19:12.319
 showing us

00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:12.700
 here that

00:19:12.700 --> 00:19:13.859
 this is

00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.519
 the eventual

00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.460
 outcome of

00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.319
 pursuing life

00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:16.799
 apart from

00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:17.140
 God.

00:19:17.900 --> 00:19:19.079
 We will,

00:19:19.380 --> 00:19:19.920
 Jesus says,

00:19:20.000 --> 00:19:20.900
 hit bottom.

00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.640
 Maybe not

00:19:22.640 --> 00:19:23.180
 financially,

00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:23.859
 maybe not

00:19:23.859 --> 00:19:24.460
 physically,

00:19:25.160 --> 00:19:26.380
 but certainly

00:19:26.380 --> 00:19:27.099
 spiritually.

00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.140
 After

00:19:31.140 --> 00:19:31.599
 showing us

00:19:31.599 --> 00:19:31.980
 the downward

00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.380
 spiral,

00:19:32.579 --> 00:19:33.599
 Jesus also

00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:34.039
 shows us

00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.339
 here the

00:19:34.339 --> 00:19:34.960
 working of

00:19:34.960 --> 00:19:35.640
 repentance in

00:19:35.640 --> 00:19:35.940
 the heart.

00:19:35.940 --> 00:19:36.600
 The younger

00:19:36.600 --> 00:19:37.259
 brother comes

00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:37.920
 to himself

00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:38.360
 in verse

00:19:38.360 --> 00:19:38.880
 17.

00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:40.920
 Realizing

00:19:40.920 --> 00:19:41.779
 that his

00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:42.400
 father's

00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:43.420
 hired hands

00:19:43.420 --> 00:19:43.779
 have it

00:19:43.779 --> 00:19:44.059
 better,

00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:45.820
 he decides

00:19:45.820 --> 00:19:46.480
 to go home

00:19:46.480 --> 00:19:46.940
 and confess

00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:47.360
 his wrong.

00:19:47.440 --> 00:19:47.779
 But he has

00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:49.000
 no expectations

00:19:49.000 --> 00:19:49.480
 that his

00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:50.120
 father will

00:19:50.120 --> 00:19:50.900
 continue to

00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:51.240
 treat him

00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:51.779
 as a son.

00:19:52.080 --> 00:19:52.240
 No,

00:19:52.320 --> 00:19:52.620
 he thinks

00:19:52.620 --> 00:19:53.059
 the best

00:19:53.059 --> 00:19:53.500
 he can hope

00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.240
 for is to

00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:54.700
 be treated

00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.620
 as one

00:19:55.620 --> 00:19:56.160
 of his

00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:56.580
 father's

00:19:56.580 --> 00:19:56.880
 hired

00:19:56.880 --> 00:19:57.480
 servants.

00:19:58.320 --> 00:19:58.620
 And then

00:19:58.620 --> 00:19:58.960
 he gets

00:19:58.960 --> 00:20:00.460
 up and

00:20:00.460 --> 00:20:00.779
 he heads

00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.279
 for home

00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:03.100
 in humility

00:20:03.100 --> 00:20:04.160
 and in

00:20:04.160 --> 00:20:04.500
 shame.

00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:08.259
 he gets

00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:08.519
 up and

00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:08.759
 he heads

00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:08.940
 home.

00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:09.160
 You see

00:20:09.160 --> 00:20:09.360
 throughout

00:20:09.360 --> 00:20:09.820
 this chapter

00:20:09.820 --> 00:20:10.340
 Jesus is

00:20:10.340 --> 00:20:11.000
 not saying

00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:11.940
 that sinners

00:20:11.940 --> 00:20:12.340
 and tax

00:20:12.340 --> 00:20:12.700
 collectors

00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:13.340
 were simply

00:20:13.340 --> 00:20:13.700
 to be

00:20:13.700 --> 00:20:14.120
 accepted

00:20:14.120 --> 00:20:14.840
 as they

00:20:14.840 --> 00:20:15.420
 stand.

00:20:16.320 --> 00:20:16.860
 Jesus is

00:20:16.860 --> 00:20:17.120
 clear.

00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:17.500
 Sinners

00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.200
 must repent.

00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:18.920
 The lost

00:20:18.920 --> 00:20:19.320
 sheep and

00:20:19.320 --> 00:20:19.920
 lost coin

00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:20.940
 must be

00:20:20.940 --> 00:20:21.380
 found.

00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.360
 The

00:20:22.360 --> 00:20:22.779
 prodigal

00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.559
 son comes

00:20:23.559 --> 00:20:23.940
 to his

00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:24.480
 senses and

00:20:24.480 --> 00:20:24.860
 returns

00:20:24.860 --> 00:20:25.259
 home.

00:20:26.920 --> 00:20:27.860
 But again,

00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.820
 why was

00:20:28.820 --> 00:20:29.519
 all of this

00:20:29.519 --> 00:20:30.240
 such good

00:20:30.240 --> 00:20:30.820
 news?

00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:31.940
 Why the

00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:32.360
 crowds?

00:20:32.359 --> 00:20:35.199
 Why were

00:20:35.199 --> 00:20:35.319
 the

00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:35.859
 outsiders

00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.240
 and the

00:20:36.240 --> 00:20:36.759
 irreligious

00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:37.259
 gathering

00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:37.679
 near to

00:20:37.679 --> 00:20:38.000
 Jesus?

00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.299
 Up to

00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:38.659
 this point,

00:20:38.719 --> 00:20:39.159
 Jesus just

00:20:39.159 --> 00:20:39.519
 sounds like

00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:39.959
 any other

00:20:39.959 --> 00:20:40.539
 religious or

00:20:40.539 --> 00:20:41.079
 moral teacher,

00:20:41.179 --> 00:20:41.419
 right?

00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.679
 After all,

00:20:42.719 --> 00:20:43.339
 the Pharisees

00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:43.619
 would have

00:20:43.619 --> 00:20:44.179
 stressed the

00:20:44.179 --> 00:20:44.539
 need for

00:20:44.539 --> 00:20:45.000
 repentance

00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.459
 too.

00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:45.959
 What made

00:20:45.959 --> 00:20:46.419
 Jesus any

00:20:46.419 --> 00:20:46.759
 different?

00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:49.939
 Well,

00:20:49.979 --> 00:20:50.559
 the difference

00:20:50.559 --> 00:20:53.279
 is what

00:20:53.279 --> 00:20:53.879
 Jesus said

00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:54.159
 you would

00:20:54.159 --> 00:20:54.740
 find when

00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.279
 you actually

00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:56.079
 return home.

00:20:58.539 --> 00:20:59.179
 What would

00:20:59.179 --> 00:20:59.619
 you find?

00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:02.739
 verse 20.

00:21:04.699 --> 00:21:05.159
 But while he

00:21:05.159 --> 00:21:05.619
 was still a

00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:06.000
 long way

00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:07.359
 off, his

00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:08.039
 father saw

00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:08.339
 him.

00:21:09.159 --> 00:21:09.719
 The father,

00:21:09.859 --> 00:21:10.319
 it seems,

00:21:10.399 --> 00:21:10.899
 had never

00:21:10.899 --> 00:21:11.639
 forgotten his

00:21:11.639 --> 00:21:12.139
 son, never

00:21:12.139 --> 00:21:12.739
 disowned him.

00:21:12.819 --> 00:21:13.199
 He had been

00:21:13.199 --> 00:21:13.979
 scanning the

00:21:13.979 --> 00:21:15.619
 horizon, eagerly

00:21:15.619 --> 00:21:16.239
 waiting and

00:21:16.239 --> 00:21:17.039
 hoping for his

00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.419
 return.

00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.879
 His father saw

00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:20.619
 him and felt

00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:21.679
 compassion and

00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:22.559
 ran and

00:21:22.559 --> 00:21:23.359
 embraced him

00:21:23.359 --> 00:21:23.979
 and kissed

00:21:23.979 --> 00:21:24.119
 him.

00:21:24.179 --> 00:21:24.479
 You see, the

00:21:24.479 --> 00:21:24.959
 father doesn't

00:21:24.959 --> 00:21:25.539
 wait for the

00:21:25.539 --> 00:21:26.419
 son to come

00:21:26.419 --> 00:21:27.239
 crawling back

00:21:27.239 --> 00:21:28.099
 and beg and

00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:28.419
 plead for

00:21:28.419 --> 00:21:29.119
 forgiveness and

00:21:29.119 --> 00:21:29.579
 then prove

00:21:29.579 --> 00:21:30.119
 himself.

00:21:31.859 --> 00:21:32.619
 No, while the

00:21:32.619 --> 00:21:33.579
 son is still a

00:21:33.579 --> 00:21:34.539
 long way

00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:35.879
 off, and

00:21:35.879 --> 00:21:36.399
 even before

00:21:36.399 --> 00:21:37.419
 the son gets

00:21:37.419 --> 00:21:38.220
 out a word,

00:21:38.359 --> 00:21:38.899
 the father

00:21:38.899 --> 00:21:39.759
 runs to

00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:39.939
 him.

00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.279
 I was

00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:42.839
 thinking about

00:21:42.839 --> 00:21:43.480
 this yesterday.

00:21:44.139 --> 00:21:44.779
 Have you

00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:45.699
 ever run

00:21:45.699 --> 00:21:46.439
 to meet

00:21:46.439 --> 00:21:46.779
 someone?

00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.740
 How thrilled

00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.740
 must you be

00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.519
 to run

00:21:51.519 --> 00:21:52.460
 and meet

00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:52.879
 someone?

00:21:55.599 --> 00:21:56.419
 Let alone

00:21:56.419 --> 00:21:57.619
 embrace and

00:21:57.619 --> 00:21:58.199
 kiss them.

00:21:59.579 --> 00:22:01.500
 And the

00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:01.980
 son said to

00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.119
 him,

00:22:02.179 --> 00:22:02.599
 father, I've

00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:02.819
 sinned

00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:03.359
 against heaven

00:22:03.359 --> 00:22:03.740
 and before

00:22:03.740 --> 00:22:03.939
 you.

00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:04.259
 I'm no

00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:04.819
 longer worthy

00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.220
 to be called

00:22:05.220 --> 00:22:05.579
 your son.

00:22:05.720 --> 00:22:06.559
 But the

00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.199
 father said

00:22:07.199 --> 00:22:07.480
 to his

00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:07.839
 servants,

00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:08.899
 bring quickly

00:22:08.899 --> 00:22:09.460
 the best

00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:10.240
 robe and

00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.759
 put it on

00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.419
 him and

00:22:11.419 --> 00:22:11.819
 put a ring

00:22:11.819 --> 00:22:12.079
 on his

00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:12.839
 hand and

00:22:12.839 --> 00:22:13.339
 shoes on

00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:13.759
 his feet.

00:22:14.439 --> 00:22:15.419
 Robe and

00:22:15.419 --> 00:22:16.500
 ring and

00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.399
 shoes, all

00:22:17.399 --> 00:22:18.000
 of these are

00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.199
 emblems that

00:22:19.199 --> 00:22:20.199
 this wayward

00:22:20.199 --> 00:22:21.000
 son is being

00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:21.859
 received back,

00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:22.740
 not as a

00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:24.579
 servant, but

00:22:24.579 --> 00:22:25.299
 as a son.

00:22:25.299 --> 00:22:29.379
 servants

00:22:29.379 --> 00:22:30.079
 didn't wear

00:22:30.079 --> 00:22:30.720
 shoes, but

00:22:30.720 --> 00:22:31.480
 sons wore

00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:31.940
 shoes.

00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:32.980
 You get

00:22:32.980 --> 00:22:33.599
 the sandals,

00:22:34.059 --> 00:22:34.399
 you get

00:22:34.399 --> 00:22:34.919
 the robe,

00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:35.720
 you get

00:22:35.720 --> 00:22:36.220
 the ring,

00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:37.700
 you're my

00:22:37.700 --> 00:22:38.039
 son.

00:22:39.319 --> 00:22:39.839
 He's

00:22:39.839 --> 00:22:41.159
 restored and

00:22:41.159 --> 00:22:41.399
 he's

00:22:41.399 --> 00:22:42.960
 reinstated and

00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.879
 he's clothed

00:22:43.879 --> 00:22:45.299
 with honor and

00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:45.759
 dignity.

00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.619
 But there's

00:22:48.619 --> 00:22:49.079
 even more.

00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.079
 The father

00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:50.720
 says, bring

00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.399
 the fattened

00:22:51.399 --> 00:22:52.359
 calf and

00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:52.839
 kill it.

00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:53.659
 let us eat

00:22:53.659 --> 00:22:54.799
 and celebrate

00:22:54.799 --> 00:22:56.299
 for this my

00:22:56.299 --> 00:22:57.079
 son was dead

00:22:57.079 --> 00:22:57.679
 and is alive

00:22:57.679 --> 00:22:58.019
 again.

00:22:58.099 --> 00:22:58.720
 He was lost

00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.500
 and is found.

00:23:00.179 --> 00:23:00.879
 The father

00:23:00.879 --> 00:23:03.000
 initiates a

00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:04.079
 community-wide

00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:05.899
 party, a

00:23:05.899 --> 00:23:06.980
 feast, because

00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:07.539
 his son has

00:23:07.539 --> 00:23:08.000
 returned.

00:23:09.199 --> 00:23:09.439
 You know, in

00:23:09.439 --> 00:23:09.679
 the first

00:23:09.679 --> 00:23:10.240
 century, meat

00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:10.819
 was only eaten

00:23:10.819 --> 00:23:11.679
 on very special

00:23:11.679 --> 00:23:12.799
 occasions and

00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:13.559
 this fattened

00:23:13.559 --> 00:23:14.179
 calf would

00:23:14.179 --> 00:23:14.439
 have been

00:23:14.439 --> 00:23:15.039
 something that

00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:15.319
 they were

00:23:15.319 --> 00:23:15.759
 saving.

00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:16.879
 You know, it

00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:17.119
 was sort of

00:23:17.119 --> 00:23:17.639
 this special

00:23:17.639 --> 00:23:18.179
 animal that

00:23:18.179 --> 00:23:18.399
 they were

00:23:18.399 --> 00:23:18.919
 feeding and

00:23:18.919 --> 00:23:19.619
 keeping around

00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:20.559
 for only the

00:23:20.559 --> 00:23:21.359
 most important

00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:22.059
 and special

00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:24.299
 and utterly

00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:25.119
 groundbreaking

00:23:25.119 --> 00:23:25.879
 celebrations.

00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:29.679
 And here, this

00:23:29.679 --> 00:23:30.940
 prized gift is

00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:32.279
 lavished on the

00:23:32.279 --> 00:23:32.799
 son who

00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.539
 returns home.

00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:39.000
 I wonder, if

00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.659
 you come home

00:23:39.659 --> 00:23:42.000
 to God, what

00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:42.759
 sort of reception

00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:43.440
 do you think you

00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:43.940
 would find?

00:23:46.179 --> 00:23:46.940
 What would be

00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:48.399
 the look on

00:23:48.399 --> 00:23:48.919
 the father's

00:23:48.919 --> 00:23:50.940
 face when he

00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:51.700
 saw you coming

00:23:51.700 --> 00:23:52.559
 from afar?

00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:55.160
 Do you think he

00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:55.640
 would take you

00:23:55.640 --> 00:23:57.200
 back only as a

00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:59.360
 servant with

00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:00.160
 certain conditions

00:24:00.160 --> 00:24:01.080
 and certain terms

00:24:01.080 --> 00:24:01.480
 that you would

00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:02.559
 have to keep just

00:24:02.559 --> 00:24:03.279
 in case things

00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.980
 didn't work out?

00:24:06.660 --> 00:24:07.340
 Or would he

00:24:07.340 --> 00:24:08.240
 actually take you

00:24:08.240 --> 00:24:10.140
 back as a son,

00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:11.980
 as a daughter,

00:24:12.819 --> 00:24:14.019
 as a beloved

00:24:14.019 --> 00:24:14.580
 child?

00:24:14.579 --> 00:24:18.019
 friends, the glory

00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:19.679
 of the gospel,

00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:21.879
 the wonder of

00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:23.099
 Jesus' message

00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:24.379
 is that the

00:24:24.379 --> 00:24:25.359
 heavenly father

00:24:25.359 --> 00:24:26.779
 takes us back

00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:28.259
 in lavish,

00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:30.019
 unmitigated,

00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:31.639
 unrestrained

00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:32.740
 grace.

00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:35.859
 no matter how

00:24:35.859 --> 00:24:36.779
 far we've fallen,

00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:37.740
 no matter how

00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.839
 lost we think

00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:39.519
 we are,

00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:40.720
 there's a robe

00:24:40.720 --> 00:24:41.880
 and a ring

00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:43.140
 and a feast

00:24:43.140 --> 00:24:44.120
 waiting for you

00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:44.880
 in the house

00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:45.519
 of your heavenly

00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:45.980
 father.

00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.779
 You see, the

00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.960
 promise of the

00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:51.339
 gospel isn't just

00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:51.880
 that God's going

00:24:51.880 --> 00:24:52.839
 to forgive you,

00:24:53.000 --> 00:24:53.799
 but that he's going

00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:54.799
 to honor you

00:24:54.799 --> 00:24:55.779
 and that he's going

00:24:55.779 --> 00:24:57.319
 to rejoice over

00:24:57.319 --> 00:24:57.740
 you.

00:24:57.740 --> 00:25:00.299
 And he's not

00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:01.019
 going to do it

00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:02.039
 because you deserve

00:25:02.039 --> 00:25:03.319
 it or because

00:25:03.319 --> 00:25:04.279
 you've earned it.

00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:05.000
 You could never

00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.660
 do that.

00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.220
 He's going to do

00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:09.279
 it because he

00:25:09.279 --> 00:25:09.880
 loves you.

00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.700
 Because he loves

00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.019
 you.

00:25:15.420 --> 00:25:16.500
 Do you see now

00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:17.579
 why the tax

00:25:17.579 --> 00:25:18.240
 collectors and

00:25:18.240 --> 00:25:18.720
 sinners were

00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:20.359
 drawing near to

00:25:20.359 --> 00:25:21.380
 hear this Jesus?

00:25:23.259 --> 00:25:23.980
 Here was a

00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.579
 teacher saying

00:25:24.579 --> 00:25:25.319
 that God

00:25:25.319 --> 00:25:27.720
 accepted us

00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:29.380
 by sheer

00:25:29.380 --> 00:25:30.519
 undeserved

00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:31.700
 grace apart

00:25:31.700 --> 00:25:32.200
 from our

00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:32.900
 works that no

00:25:32.900 --> 00:25:33.799
 matter how far

00:25:33.799 --> 00:25:34.460
 we had fallen,

00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.319
 no matter how

00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:36.200
 reckless and

00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:37.200
 sinful we become,

00:25:37.299 --> 00:25:37.720
 no matter how

00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.600
 much of a mash

00:25:38.600 --> 00:25:39.420
 we've made of

00:25:39.420 --> 00:25:40.019
 our life,

00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:41.779
 there's a place

00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:43.380
 of honor ready

00:25:43.380 --> 00:25:44.400
 to be lavished

00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:45.220
 upon us.

00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.299
 Not for the

00:25:48.299 --> 00:25:48.720
 deserving,

00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:49.299
 but for the

00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:49.900
 undeserving.

00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:51.319
 Not for the

00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:51.579
 worthy,

00:25:51.700 --> 00:25:52.079
 but for the

00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:52.539
 unworthy.

00:25:53.100 --> 00:25:53.839
 The father's

00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:54.380
 eyes are

00:25:54.380 --> 00:25:55.640
 scanning the

00:25:55.640 --> 00:25:56.319
 horizon.

00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:57.200
 His feet are

00:25:57.200 --> 00:25:57.680
 ready to

00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:57.960
 run,

00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:58.820
 his arms

00:25:58.820 --> 00:25:59.560
 are ready

00:25:59.560 --> 00:26:00.360
 to embrace.

00:26:02.580 --> 00:26:03.360
 And for

00:26:03.360 --> 00:26:03.759
 sinners,

00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.220
 that is such

00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:05.840
 good,

00:26:06.140 --> 00:26:07.140
 good news.

00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:12.640
 But not

00:26:12.640 --> 00:26:13.279
 everyone sees

00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:13.799
 it that way.

00:26:16.120 --> 00:26:16.920
 There's another

00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.460
 son in this

00:26:17.460 --> 00:26:17.779
 story,

00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:18.420
 you remember.

00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.460
 And here's

00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:20.759
 the real

00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.740
 point Jesus

00:26:21.740 --> 00:26:22.140
 has been

00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:22.720
 driving toward

00:26:22.720 --> 00:26:23.299
 the whole

00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:23.799
 time.

00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:25.940
 there are

00:26:25.940 --> 00:26:27.379
 some who

00:26:27.379 --> 00:26:27.899
 think they

00:26:27.899 --> 00:26:28.599
 are righteous,

00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:29.720
 as verse

00:26:29.720 --> 00:26:30.319
 seven puts

00:26:30.319 --> 00:26:30.519
 it,

00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:31.599
 and who

00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.079
 think they

00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:33.319
 need no

00:26:33.319 --> 00:26:34.000
 repentance.

00:26:38.000 --> 00:26:38.839
 It's obvious

00:26:38.839 --> 00:26:39.279
 that Jesus

00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:40.079
 has characterized

00:26:40.079 --> 00:26:41.440
 his critics as

00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:41.919
 the older

00:26:41.919 --> 00:26:42.680
 brother in this

00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.000
 story,

00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:43.379
 isn't it?

00:26:43.700 --> 00:26:44.399
 The Pharisees

00:26:44.399 --> 00:26:45.240
 grumble that he

00:26:45.240 --> 00:26:45.980
 eats with tax

00:26:45.980 --> 00:26:46.680
 collectors and

00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:47.019
 sinners,

00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:47.119
 years.

00:26:48.119 --> 00:26:48.500
 And this

00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:49.059
 older brother

00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.920
 is angry,

00:26:50.920 --> 00:26:51.400
 grumbling,

00:26:51.799 --> 00:26:52.759
 that the

00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.259
 father would

00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:54.259
 celebrate at

00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.000
 the return of

00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:55.319
 the younger

00:26:55.319 --> 00:26:55.700
 brother.

00:26:56.819 --> 00:26:57.619
 But Jesus

00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:57.879
 says,

00:26:57.940 --> 00:26:58.259
 don't you

00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:58.539
 see,

00:26:59.299 --> 00:27:00.639
 this is the

00:27:00.639 --> 00:27:01.379
 very mission

00:27:01.379 --> 00:27:02.440
 and joy of

00:27:02.440 --> 00:27:02.740
 heaven.

00:27:03.180 --> 00:27:03.900
 The father is

00:27:03.900 --> 00:27:04.259
 full of

00:27:04.259 --> 00:27:05.220
 extravagant grace,

00:27:05.539 --> 00:27:06.500
 rejoicing because

00:27:06.500 --> 00:27:07.139
 the lost are

00:27:07.139 --> 00:27:07.500
 found.

00:27:07.639 --> 00:27:08.039
 And you,

00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:08.799
 Pharisees,

00:27:09.119 --> 00:27:09.779
 you're like this

00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:10.639
 older brother,

00:27:10.940 --> 00:27:11.720
 angry and

00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.920
 resentful because

00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.879
 the father is

00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:14.660
 celebrating his

00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:15.240
 lost son's

00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:15.619
 return.

00:27:17.019 --> 00:27:17.740
 And in this

00:27:17.740 --> 00:27:18.160
 paragraph,

00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:19.279
 Jesus suddenly

00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:19.980
 turns the

00:27:19.980 --> 00:27:20.639
 story upside

00:27:20.639 --> 00:27:21.180
 down.

00:27:23.500 --> 00:27:24.139
 One writer

00:27:24.139 --> 00:27:24.579
 drew out the

00:27:24.579 --> 00:27:25.220
 contrast this

00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:25.359
 way.

00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:25.660
 He said,

00:27:25.879 --> 00:27:26.019
 you know,

00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.420
 you see the

00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.079
 younger son

00:27:27.079 --> 00:27:28.639
 who's reckless

00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:29.740
 in disobedience

00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.839
 and confesses

00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.339
 his sin.

00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.299
 And then you

00:27:33.299 --> 00:27:33.519
 have the

00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:34.079
 elder son,

00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:35.400
 ungrateful in

00:27:35.400 --> 00:27:36.119
 his obedience,

00:27:36.519 --> 00:27:37.220
 insisting on

00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:37.900
 his rights.

00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:40.359
 The younger

00:27:40.359 --> 00:27:41.180
 son renounces

00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:42.079
 all his claims

00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:42.839
 to sonship

00:27:42.839 --> 00:27:43.900
 and invites

00:27:43.900 --> 00:27:44.819
 servitude.

00:27:44.819 --> 00:27:44.879
 servitude.

00:27:46.659 --> 00:27:47.319
 The elder son

00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:48.779
 complains of

00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.460
 disappointed

00:27:49.460 --> 00:27:51.939
 sonship and

00:27:51.939 --> 00:27:52.740
 despises the

00:27:52.740 --> 00:27:53.379
 servitude to

00:27:53.379 --> 00:27:54.139
 which he thinks

00:27:54.139 --> 00:27:55.779
 himself unfairly

00:27:55.779 --> 00:27:56.480
 reduced.

00:27:56.659 --> 00:27:57.059
 Notice in

00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:58.879
 verse 29 how

00:27:58.879 --> 00:27:59.379
 the older brother

00:27:59.379 --> 00:27:59.720
 says,

00:28:00.279 --> 00:28:00.559
 look,

00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:01.619
 these many

00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:02.159
 years I've

00:28:02.159 --> 00:28:02.919
 served you.

00:28:03.980 --> 00:28:04.259
 Literally,

00:28:04.419 --> 00:28:04.779
 he says,

00:28:04.819 --> 00:28:05.460
 I've slaved

00:28:05.460 --> 00:28:06.259
 away for you.

00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:09.919
 The younger

00:28:09.919 --> 00:28:10.599
 brother receives

00:28:10.599 --> 00:28:11.339
 mercy from his

00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:11.659
 father.

00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:11.700
 father,

00:28:12.100 --> 00:28:12.860
 the elder

00:28:12.860 --> 00:28:13.740
 accuses the

00:28:13.740 --> 00:28:14.279
 father in

00:28:14.279 --> 00:28:14.840
 resentful

00:28:14.840 --> 00:28:15.920
 self-righteousness.

00:28:17.480 --> 00:28:18.300
 The younger

00:28:18.300 --> 00:28:19.080
 son confessed,

00:28:19.200 --> 00:28:19.759
 I've sinned

00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:20.660
 without excuse.

00:28:21.360 --> 00:28:21.940
 The older

00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:22.860
 son complains,

00:28:23.100 --> 00:28:24.400
 I have served

00:28:24.400 --> 00:28:25.900
 without recompense.

00:28:30.019 --> 00:28:30.779
 The great

00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.480
 irony here is

00:28:31.480 --> 00:28:31.820
 that at the

00:28:31.820 --> 00:28:32.380
 story's end,

00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:32.900
 it's the older

00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:34.180
 brother who's

00:28:34.180 --> 00:28:34.759
 outside the

00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:36.519
 feast and

00:28:36.519 --> 00:28:37.340
 estranged from

00:28:37.340 --> 00:28:37.840
 his father.

00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:39.619
 father, the

00:28:39.619 --> 00:28:40.419
 very ones who

00:28:40.419 --> 00:28:40.919
 thought they

00:28:40.919 --> 00:28:42.399
 were in, are

00:28:42.399 --> 00:28:43.419
 actually out.

00:28:46.459 --> 00:28:47.159
 And that

00:28:47.159 --> 00:28:47.779
 makes us wonder

00:28:47.779 --> 00:28:48.459
 who really is

00:28:48.459 --> 00:28:49.879
 the lost son of

00:28:49.879 --> 00:28:50.679
 Luke 15.

00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:54.559
 The reality is

00:28:54.559 --> 00:28:56.079
 they're both

00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:56.539
 lost.

00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:58.579
 The younger

00:28:58.579 --> 00:28:59.379
 brother broke

00:28:59.379 --> 00:29:00.099
 all the rules,

00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:01.299
 the older

00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:02.419
 brother kept

00:29:02.419 --> 00:29:03.059
 all the rules,

00:29:03.579 --> 00:29:04.159
 and in the

00:29:04.159 --> 00:29:05.279
 end, they

00:29:05.279 --> 00:29:05.839
 both need to

00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:06.459
 be rescued.

00:29:07.839 --> 00:29:13.119
 And here's

00:29:13.119 --> 00:29:13.500
 where Jesus'

00:29:13.699 --> 00:29:14.439
 story surprises

00:29:14.439 --> 00:29:15.119
 us the most.

00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.659
 He's not

00:29:17.659 --> 00:29:18.139
 done yet.

00:29:19.759 --> 00:29:20.639
 The father

00:29:20.639 --> 00:29:22.500
 goes out to

00:29:22.500 --> 00:29:22.919
 the elder

00:29:22.919 --> 00:29:23.519
 brother too.

00:29:26.779 --> 00:29:27.519
 And while the

00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:27.899
 older brother

00:29:27.899 --> 00:29:29.079
 never calls him

00:29:29.079 --> 00:29:30.059
 father, did you

00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.599
 notice that?

00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.220
 The father

00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:34.019
 still calls him

00:29:34.019 --> 00:29:34.359
 son.

00:29:35.819 --> 00:29:36.619
 And he doesn't

00:29:36.619 --> 00:29:37.199
 use the ordinary

00:29:37.199 --> 00:29:37.819
 word for son,

00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:38.279
 the father

00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:38.960
 uses the word

00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:39.919
 technon, which

00:29:39.919 --> 00:29:40.779
 here is a term

00:29:40.779 --> 00:29:41.539
 of endearment,

00:29:41.619 --> 00:29:43.079
 full of affection

00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:44.179
 and warmth and

00:29:44.179 --> 00:29:44.740
 compassion.

00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:45.960
 You see, this

00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.599
 older son is

00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:47.179
 bitter and

00:29:47.179 --> 00:29:47.700
 resentful.

00:29:47.759 --> 00:29:48.539
 He's self-righteous

00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.019
 and proud.

00:29:49.119 --> 00:29:50.179
 He is lost.

00:29:50.439 --> 00:29:51.439
 He's lost in the

00:29:51.439 --> 00:29:52.179
 most pernicious

00:29:52.179 --> 00:29:53.139
 and dangerous

00:29:53.139 --> 00:29:53.799
 way because on

00:29:53.799 --> 00:29:54.299
 the outside he

00:29:54.299 --> 00:29:55.139
 looks so good.

00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.119
 He is lost.

00:29:58.799 --> 00:29:59.579
 But to him

00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:00.379
 too, the father

00:30:00.379 --> 00:30:01.519
 comes in love

00:30:01.519 --> 00:30:02.159
 as well and

00:30:02.159 --> 00:30:02.779
 says, son,

00:30:03.480 --> 00:30:04.839
 you're always

00:30:04.839 --> 00:30:05.460
 with me.

00:30:05.460 --> 00:30:06.960
 And all

00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:07.600
 that is mine

00:30:07.600 --> 00:30:08.340
 is yours.

00:30:11.539 --> 00:30:12.360
 You know, this

00:30:12.360 --> 00:30:13.059
 is the really,

00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:14.259
 really scandalous

00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:14.819
 thing about

00:30:14.819 --> 00:30:15.660
 God's grace.

00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.860
 Not just that

00:30:17.860 --> 00:30:18.759
 we all need

00:30:18.759 --> 00:30:21.079
 it, but that

00:30:21.079 --> 00:30:21.819
 we all can

00:30:21.819 --> 00:30:22.299
 have it.

00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.680
 If you and

00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.140
 I were telling

00:30:25.140 --> 00:30:25.840
 this story, we'd

00:30:25.840 --> 00:30:26.519
 let the Pharisees

00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:27.180
 have it, wouldn't

00:30:27.180 --> 00:30:27.360
 we?

00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:29.039
 The younger

00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.720
 son would be

00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:30.840
 celebrated and

00:30:30.840 --> 00:30:31.500
 the older son

00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.360
 would be thrown

00:30:32.360 --> 00:30:32.680
 out.

00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:34.120
 He would

00:30:34.120 --> 00:30:34.779
 get what's

00:30:34.779 --> 00:30:35.279
 coming to

00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:35.580
 him.

00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.160
 Outer

00:30:37.160 --> 00:30:37.620
 darkness,

00:30:37.960 --> 00:30:38.480
 exclusion,

00:30:39.600 --> 00:30:40.160
 you're done.

00:30:44.860 --> 00:30:45.600
 We'd let the

00:30:45.600 --> 00:30:46.000
 older brother

00:30:46.000 --> 00:30:46.440
 get what's

00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:46.840
 coming to

00:30:46.840 --> 00:30:47.019
 him.

00:30:48.360 --> 00:30:48.700
 But don't

00:30:48.700 --> 00:30:49.039
 you realize,

00:30:49.180 --> 00:30:49.400
 friends,

00:30:50.340 --> 00:30:51.240
 literally, by

00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:52.880
 definition, that's

00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:53.640
 not how God's

00:30:53.640 --> 00:30:54.279
 grace works.

00:30:55.560 --> 00:30:56.560
 It's undeserved

00:30:56.560 --> 00:30:58.180
 favor for the

00:30:58.180 --> 00:30:58.660
 undeserving.

00:31:00.460 --> 00:31:01.400
 If there's hope

00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:01.880
 for the

00:31:01.880 --> 00:31:04.019
 unrighteous, then

00:31:04.019 --> 00:31:04.640
 there's hope for

00:31:04.640 --> 00:31:05.440
 the self-righteous

00:31:05.440 --> 00:31:05.740
 too.

00:31:08.320 --> 00:31:08.940
 And that

00:31:08.940 --> 00:31:11.380
 hope is the

00:31:11.380 --> 00:31:12.240
 undeserved love

00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:12.820
 of the Father.

00:31:15.880 --> 00:31:16.620
 I sometimes

00:31:16.620 --> 00:31:17.180
 wonder how the

00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:17.900
 older brother felt

00:31:17.900 --> 00:31:18.420
 as he heard

00:31:18.420 --> 00:31:18.900
 those words

00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:19.440
 coming out of

00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:20.060
 his own mouth

00:31:20.060 --> 00:31:20.920
 in verses 29

00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.400
 and 30.

00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:23.820
 Have you ever

00:31:23.820 --> 00:31:24.420
 been there when

00:31:24.420 --> 00:31:25.160
 you start speaking

00:31:25.160 --> 00:31:25.920
 and you surprise

00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:26.640
 yourself at what

00:31:26.640 --> 00:31:27.440
 starts coming out?

00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:29.420
 Do you think he

00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:30.220
 surprised himself?

00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:31.819
 I've slaved

00:31:31.819 --> 00:31:32.460
 away for you

00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:32.740
 and you've

00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:33.120
 given me

00:31:33.120 --> 00:31:33.500
 nothing.

00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:34.380
 And the

00:31:34.380 --> 00:31:34.880
 son of yours

00:31:34.880 --> 00:31:35.440
 comes home

00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:36.079
 having ripped

00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.539
 apart your

00:31:36.539 --> 00:31:37.079
 property and

00:31:37.079 --> 00:31:37.480
 spent it on

00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.720
 prostitutes and

00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:39.319
 you give him

00:31:39.319 --> 00:31:39.720
 the biggest

00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.079
 party.

00:31:43.180 --> 00:31:43.740
 In that

00:31:43.740 --> 00:31:44.079
 moment, I

00:31:44.079 --> 00:31:44.579
 wonder if he

00:31:44.579 --> 00:31:44.980
 saw his

00:31:44.980 --> 00:31:45.740
 self-righteousness

00:31:45.740 --> 00:31:46.140
 for what it

00:31:46.140 --> 00:31:46.779
 truly was for

00:31:46.779 --> 00:31:47.500
 the first time.

00:31:49.960 --> 00:31:50.480
 And I

00:31:50.480 --> 00:31:50.940
 wonder if he

00:31:50.940 --> 00:31:51.640
 was uncertain

00:31:51.640 --> 00:31:52.100
 in that

00:31:52.100 --> 00:31:52.640
 moment how

00:31:52.640 --> 00:31:53.200
 his father

00:31:53.200 --> 00:31:54.059
 would respond

00:31:54.059 --> 00:31:54.600
 to his

00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:55.460
 ungratefulness

00:31:55.460 --> 00:31:55.779
 and his

00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:56.200
 resentment

00:31:56.200 --> 00:31:56.640
 and his

00:31:56.640 --> 00:31:56.980
 bitterness.

00:31:56.980 --> 00:32:00.339
 If he

00:32:00.339 --> 00:32:00.839
 was uncertain

00:32:00.839 --> 00:32:01.160
 at that

00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:01.599
 moment how

00:32:01.599 --> 00:32:02.000
 the father

00:32:02.000 --> 00:32:02.700
 would respond

00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.120
 to his

00:32:03.120 --> 00:32:03.640
 own sort

00:32:03.640 --> 00:32:04.140
 of rejection

00:32:04.140 --> 00:32:04.500
 of the

00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:04.839
 father.

00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:08.799
 And the

00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.420
 greatest surprise

00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:09.900
 of all is

00:32:09.900 --> 00:32:10.140
 that the

00:32:10.140 --> 00:32:10.980
 father responds

00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:11.539
 here too

00:32:11.539 --> 00:32:12.140
 in grace.

00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:17.079
 But just

00:32:17.079 --> 00:32:17.339
 as the

00:32:17.339 --> 00:32:17.799
 younger son

00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.220
 needed to

00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:18.759
 repent and

00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:19.319
 come home,

00:32:20.380 --> 00:32:21.039
 so the

00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:21.599
 older son

00:32:21.599 --> 00:32:22.059
 needs to

00:32:22.059 --> 00:32:23.120
 repent and

00:32:23.120 --> 00:32:23.599
 come home

00:32:23.599 --> 00:32:23.900
 too.

00:32:23.900 --> 00:32:27.259
 And

00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:27.680
 practically,

00:32:27.840 --> 00:32:28.100
 what that

00:32:28.100 --> 00:32:28.440
 meant for

00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:28.780
 him was

00:32:28.780 --> 00:32:29.160
 this.

00:32:30.140 --> 00:32:30.940
 Coming back

00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:31.660
 into fellowship

00:32:31.660 --> 00:32:32.080
 with his

00:32:32.080 --> 00:32:33.500
 father has

00:32:33.500 --> 00:32:33.800
 to mean

00:32:33.800 --> 00:32:34.380
 coming back

00:32:34.380 --> 00:32:34.980
 into fellowship

00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:35.460
 with his

00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:36.040
 younger brother

00:32:36.040 --> 00:32:36.380
 too.

00:32:38.800 --> 00:32:39.420
 Notice the

00:32:39.420 --> 00:32:39.860
 father says

00:32:39.860 --> 00:32:40.160
 in verse

00:32:40.160 --> 00:32:40.580
 32,

00:32:40.800 --> 00:32:41.060
 this,

00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:42.240
 your brother.

00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:44.340
 He's reversing

00:32:44.340 --> 00:32:45.040
 the older son's

00:32:45.040 --> 00:32:45.560
 word in verse

00:32:45.560 --> 00:32:46.220
 30 where he

00:32:46.220 --> 00:32:46.420
 said,

00:32:46.660 --> 00:32:47.200
 this son of

00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:47.820
 yours,

00:32:48.600 --> 00:32:49.180
 he says,

00:32:49.380 --> 00:32:50.080
 disowning his

00:32:50.080 --> 00:32:50.580
 brother on the

00:32:50.580 --> 00:32:50.940
 spot.

00:32:51.060 --> 00:32:51.540
 No, the

00:32:51.540 --> 00:32:52.080
 father pushes

00:32:52.080 --> 00:32:52.500
 back.

00:32:53.900 --> 00:32:54.620
 This,

00:32:54.759 --> 00:32:55.240
 your brother.

00:32:57.840 --> 00:32:58.460
 And the

00:32:58.460 --> 00:32:59.140
 solidarity that

00:32:59.140 --> 00:32:59.440
 the older

00:32:59.440 --> 00:33:00.120
 brother has

00:33:00.120 --> 00:33:00.920
 to acknowledge

00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:01.460
 with the

00:33:01.460 --> 00:33:01.980
 younger brother

00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:02.360
 is more

00:33:02.360 --> 00:33:02.820
 than just

00:33:02.820 --> 00:33:03.560
 biological.

00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:06.640
 They are

00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:07.060
 from the

00:33:07.060 --> 00:33:07.660
 same family,

00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:07.920
 yes,

00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.300
 but more

00:33:08.300 --> 00:33:08.840
 than that,

00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:10.300
 they're from

00:33:10.300 --> 00:33:10.759
 the same

00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.540
 spiritual

00:33:11.540 --> 00:33:12.060
 family.

00:33:13.340 --> 00:33:14.040
 In other

00:33:14.040 --> 00:33:14.320
 words,

00:33:14.400 --> 00:33:14.759
 the older

00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.300
 son is

00:33:15.300 --> 00:33:15.980
 just as

00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:16.460
 unworthy

00:33:16.460 --> 00:33:17.680
 to join

00:33:17.680 --> 00:33:18.320
 the father's

00:33:18.320 --> 00:33:18.800
 feast as

00:33:18.800 --> 00:33:19.140
 the younger

00:33:19.140 --> 00:33:19.560
 son.

00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:21.040
 And he

00:33:21.040 --> 00:33:21.400
 needs to

00:33:21.400 --> 00:33:21.880
 get that.

00:33:21.880 --> 00:33:24.000
 they are

00:33:24.000 --> 00:33:24.500
 truly

00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:25.480
 brothers,

00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.040
 they are

00:33:26.040 --> 00:33:26.460
 truly

00:33:26.460 --> 00:33:26.960
 equals,

00:33:27.080 --> 00:33:27.360
 that is,

00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:27.640
 they are

00:33:27.640 --> 00:33:27.920
 both

00:33:27.920 --> 00:33:29.000
 sinners in

00:33:29.000 --> 00:33:29.280
 need of

00:33:29.280 --> 00:33:29.740
 radical

00:33:29.740 --> 00:33:30.300
 grace.

00:33:32.520 --> 00:33:33.300
 And that

00:33:33.300 --> 00:33:33.540
 is where

00:33:33.540 --> 00:33:33.960
 the parable

00:33:33.960 --> 00:33:34.400
 ends,

00:33:34.940 --> 00:33:36.520
 with an

00:33:36.520 --> 00:33:36.940
 invitation.

00:33:38.620 --> 00:33:39.160
 Will we

00:33:39.160 --> 00:33:39.820
 recognize

00:33:39.820 --> 00:33:40.960
 our need

00:33:40.960 --> 00:33:41.640
 for grace

00:33:41.640 --> 00:33:42.800
 and having

00:33:42.800 --> 00:33:43.460
 done so,

00:33:43.640 --> 00:33:44.120
 join

00:33:44.120 --> 00:33:45.320
 repentant

00:33:45.320 --> 00:33:46.300
 sinners at

00:33:46.300 --> 00:33:46.820
 the table

00:33:46.820 --> 00:33:47.200
 of the

00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:47.560
 father?

00:33:47.559 --> 00:33:51.119
 and seeing

00:33:51.119 --> 00:33:51.740
 ourselves

00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:52.599
 in need

00:33:52.599 --> 00:33:53.519
 of grace

00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:54.299
 just as

00:33:54.299 --> 00:33:54.740
 much as

00:33:54.740 --> 00:33:55.220
 everyone

00:33:55.220 --> 00:33:55.700
 else,

00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:57.779
 will we

00:33:57.779 --> 00:33:58.159
 celebrate

00:33:58.159 --> 00:33:58.639
 with the

00:33:58.639 --> 00:33:59.039
 joy of

00:33:59.039 --> 00:33:59.980
 heaven at

00:33:59.980 --> 00:34:00.500
 the lost

00:34:00.500 --> 00:34:01.259
 being found?

00:34:05.679 --> 00:34:06.379
 And yet

00:34:06.379 --> 00:34:06.819
 the parable

00:34:06.819 --> 00:34:07.980
 still isn't

00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:08.440
 complete

00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:10.460
 until we

00:34:10.460 --> 00:34:10.940
 see one

00:34:10.940 --> 00:34:11.719
 last piece,

00:34:13.000 --> 00:34:14.840
 until we

00:34:14.840 --> 00:34:15.239
 see that

00:34:15.239 --> 00:34:15.739
 the true

00:34:15.739 --> 00:34:16.959
 and better

00:34:16.959 --> 00:34:17.599
 elder brother

00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.399
 isn't the

00:34:18.399 --> 00:34:18.779
 one in

00:34:18.779 --> 00:34:19.319
 the story,

00:34:19.779 --> 00:34:20.299
 but the

00:34:20.299 --> 00:34:20.839
 one telling

00:34:20.839 --> 00:34:21.439
 the story.

00:34:23.199 --> 00:34:23.859
 After all,

00:34:23.899 --> 00:34:24.139
 on what

00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:24.799
 grounds does

00:34:24.799 --> 00:34:25.159
 the father

00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:25.659
 reinstate

00:34:25.659 --> 00:34:26.039
 the younger

00:34:26.039 --> 00:34:26.319
 brother?

00:34:26.419 --> 00:34:26.559
 Have you

00:34:26.559 --> 00:34:26.899
 thought about

00:34:26.899 --> 00:34:27.159
 that?

00:34:28.459 --> 00:34:28.979
 If the

00:34:28.979 --> 00:34:29.899
 inheritance

00:34:29.899 --> 00:34:30.459
 has already

00:34:30.459 --> 00:34:31.179
 been divided,

00:34:31.759 --> 00:34:32.079
 then the

00:34:32.079 --> 00:34:32.659
 younger brother

00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:33.239
 had already

00:34:33.239 --> 00:34:34.239
 received his

00:34:34.239 --> 00:34:34.919
 customary

00:34:34.919 --> 00:34:35.439
 one-third

00:34:35.439 --> 00:34:35.719
 of the

00:34:35.719 --> 00:34:36.099
 estate,

00:34:36.500 --> 00:34:37.099
 and,

00:34:37.219 --> 00:34:37.599
 as we

00:34:37.599 --> 00:34:37.859
 know,

00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:38.399
 it's been

00:34:38.399 --> 00:34:39.139
 sold and

00:34:39.139 --> 00:34:39.519
 spent.

00:34:39.699 --> 00:34:40.099
 It is

00:34:40.099 --> 00:34:40.479
 gone.

00:34:41.500 --> 00:34:41.839
 The

00:34:41.839 --> 00:34:42.239
 remaining

00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:42.879
 two-thirds

00:34:42.879 --> 00:34:43.359
 of the

00:34:43.359 --> 00:34:43.759
 father's

00:34:43.759 --> 00:34:44.539
 property now

00:34:44.539 --> 00:34:45.039
 belong

00:34:45.039 --> 00:34:45.820
 entirely

00:34:45.820 --> 00:34:46.480
 to him.

00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:48.500
 The

00:34:48.500 --> 00:34:48.699
 elder

00:34:48.699 --> 00:34:49.019
 brother.

00:34:50.440 --> 00:34:50.920
 When the

00:34:50.920 --> 00:34:51.380
 father says

00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:51.679
 in verse

00:34:51.679 --> 00:34:52.079
 31,

00:34:52.360 --> 00:34:52.860
 all that

00:34:52.860 --> 00:34:53.300
 is mine

00:34:53.300 --> 00:34:54.099
 is yours,

00:34:54.679 --> 00:34:55.360
 that is

00:34:55.360 --> 00:34:55.739
 literally

00:34:55.739 --> 00:34:56.259
 true.

00:34:59.000 --> 00:34:59.759
 All that

00:34:59.759 --> 00:35:00.279
 is left

00:35:00.279 --> 00:35:01.219
 belongs by

00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:02.460
 right to

00:35:02.460 --> 00:35:02.840
 the older

00:35:02.840 --> 00:35:03.199
 brother.

00:35:04.340 --> 00:35:04.900
 So,

00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:05.420
 who then

00:35:05.420 --> 00:35:05.860
 pays the

00:35:05.860 --> 00:35:06.440
 price for

00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:07.059
 reinstating

00:35:07.059 --> 00:35:07.440
 the younger

00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:07.759
 brother?

00:35:08.420 --> 00:35:09.179
 And who

00:35:09.179 --> 00:35:09.619
 bears the

00:35:09.619 --> 00:35:10.179
 cost of

00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:10.599
 receiving

00:35:10.599 --> 00:35:11.119
 this sinner

00:35:11.119 --> 00:35:11.759
 home again?

00:35:15.039 --> 00:35:16.039
 it's

00:35:16.039 --> 00:35:16.500
 supposed to

00:35:16.500 --> 00:35:16.739
 be the

00:35:16.739 --> 00:35:16.920
 older

00:35:16.920 --> 00:35:17.279
 brother.

00:35:19.860 --> 00:35:20.420
 But the

00:35:20.420 --> 00:35:20.820
 brother in

00:35:20.820 --> 00:35:21.420
 this story

00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:23.579
 seems so

00:35:23.579 --> 00:35:24.460
 unwilling to

00:35:24.460 --> 00:35:24.759
 pay.

00:35:27.820 --> 00:35:28.400
 And yet,

00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:28.800
 we have a

00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:29.259
 better older

00:35:29.259 --> 00:35:29.539
 brother.

00:35:32.019 --> 00:35:32.519
 Do you

00:35:32.519 --> 00:35:32.699
 want to

00:35:32.699 --> 00:35:33.279
 realign your

00:35:33.279 --> 00:35:33.779
 joy with

00:35:33.779 --> 00:35:34.259
 the joy of

00:35:34.259 --> 00:35:34.500
 heaven?

00:35:35.400 --> 00:35:35.820
 Do you

00:35:35.820 --> 00:35:36.000
 want to

00:35:36.000 --> 00:35:36.860
 rekindle your

00:35:36.860 --> 00:35:37.619
 love over

00:35:37.619 --> 00:35:38.239
 the loss

00:35:38.239 --> 00:35:38.980
 being found?

00:35:39.279 --> 00:35:39.519
 Do you

00:35:39.519 --> 00:35:39.820
 want your

00:35:39.820 --> 00:35:40.440
 heart to be

00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:41.159
 thrilled by

00:35:41.159 --> 00:35:41.619
 the mission

00:35:41.619 --> 00:35:42.159
 of God?

00:35:42.480 --> 00:35:42.759
 Do you

00:35:42.759 --> 00:35:43.039
 want your

00:35:43.039 --> 00:35:43.340
 heart to

00:35:43.340 --> 00:35:44.059
 come aflame

00:35:44.059 --> 00:35:44.380
 with a

00:35:44.380 --> 00:35:45.019
 divine love

00:35:45.019 --> 00:35:45.320
 for the

00:35:45.320 --> 00:35:45.779
 lost?

00:35:47.219 --> 00:35:47.599
 Then you

00:35:47.599 --> 00:35:47.920
 need to

00:35:47.920 --> 00:35:48.440
 fix your

00:35:48.440 --> 00:35:49.000
 gaze on

00:35:49.000 --> 00:35:49.559
 your true

00:35:49.559 --> 00:35:49.920
 elder

00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:50.259
 brother

00:35:50.259 --> 00:35:50.759
 Jesus,

00:35:51.440 --> 00:35:53.039
 who was

00:35:53.039 --> 00:35:53.599
 willing to

00:35:53.599 --> 00:35:54.259
 leave heaven

00:35:54.259 --> 00:35:54.799
 and go

00:35:54.799 --> 00:35:55.199
 into the

00:35:55.199 --> 00:35:56.099
 far country

00:35:56.099 --> 00:35:56.900
 after us.

00:35:57.340 --> 00:35:57.599
 And he

00:35:57.599 --> 00:35:58.259
 was willing

00:35:58.259 --> 00:35:59.259
 and glad

00:35:59.259 --> 00:35:59.759
 to pay

00:35:59.759 --> 00:36:00.299
 the cost

00:36:00.299 --> 00:36:00.619
 with his

00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:01.239
 own life

00:36:01.239 --> 00:36:02.019
 so that

00:36:02.019 --> 00:36:02.380
 we could

00:36:02.380 --> 00:36:02.960
 become the

00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:03.380
 sons and

00:36:03.380 --> 00:36:03.900
 daughters of

00:36:03.900 --> 00:36:04.619
 God again

00:36:04.619 --> 00:36:05.480
 and come

00:36:05.480 --> 00:36:05.860
 home.

00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:10.179
 This is

00:36:10.179 --> 00:36:10.559
 the mission

00:36:10.559 --> 00:36:11.039
 of God

00:36:11.039 --> 00:36:11.340
 and the

00:36:11.340 --> 00:36:11.699
 joy of

00:36:11.699 --> 00:36:11.960
 heaven.

00:36:12.860 --> 00:36:13.279
 And Jesus

00:36:13.279 --> 00:36:13.799
 has done

00:36:13.799 --> 00:36:14.019
 it.

00:36:14.059 --> 00:36:17.179
 Are you

00:36:17.179 --> 00:36:17.579
 ready to

00:36:17.579 --> 00:36:18.000
 join him

00:36:18.000 --> 00:36:18.420
 friends?

00:36:19.279 --> 00:36:19.619
 Are you

00:36:19.619 --> 00:36:19.960
 ready to

00:36:19.960 --> 00:36:20.320
 let his

00:36:20.320 --> 00:36:21.519
 joy invade

00:36:21.519 --> 00:36:22.279
 your life

00:36:22.279 --> 00:36:23.119
 and invade

00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:23.779
 our church

00:36:23.779 --> 00:36:24.299
 and send

00:36:24.299 --> 00:36:24.980
 us on

00:36:24.980 --> 00:36:25.759
 this glad

00:36:25.759 --> 00:36:26.400
 mission of

00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:26.840
 redemption?

00:36:27.779 --> 00:36:28.659
 Then fix

00:36:28.659 --> 00:36:29.139
 your eyes

00:36:29.139 --> 00:36:29.880
 on Christ.

00:36:32.739 --> 00:36:33.259
 Let's

00:36:33.259 --> 00:36:33.500
 pray.

00:36:33.500 --> 00:36:33.579
 Amen.

00:36:33.579 --> 00:36:44.199
 Father, we

00:36:44.199 --> 00:36:44.579
 ask that

00:36:44.579 --> 00:36:44.880
 as we

00:36:44.880 --> 00:36:45.400
 prepare to

00:36:45.400 --> 00:36:46.460
 come to

00:36:46.460 --> 00:36:47.019
 this table

00:36:47.019 --> 00:36:47.400
 where we

00:36:47.400 --> 00:36:47.900
 remember

00:36:47.900 --> 00:36:50.219
 the shedding

00:36:50.219 --> 00:36:50.960
 of the

00:36:50.960 --> 00:36:51.299
 blood of

00:36:51.299 --> 00:36:51.779
 your son

00:36:51.779 --> 00:36:52.099
 and the

00:36:52.099 --> 00:36:52.659
 breaking

00:36:52.659 --> 00:36:53.039
 of his

00:36:53.039 --> 00:36:53.480
 body.

00:36:54.519 --> 00:36:54.940
 Oh Lord,

00:36:55.000 --> 00:36:55.420
 we pray

00:36:55.420 --> 00:36:55.699
 that you

00:36:55.699 --> 00:36:55.840
 would

00:36:55.840 --> 00:36:56.480
 rekindle

00:36:56.480 --> 00:36:56.819
 in our

00:36:56.819 --> 00:36:57.400
 hearts

00:36:57.400 --> 00:36:59.139
 a deep

00:36:59.139 --> 00:37:00.380
 abiding

00:37:00.380 --> 00:37:01.019
 gratitude

00:37:01.019 --> 00:37:01.079
 gratitude

00:37:01.079 --> 00:37:01.539
 for your

00:37:01.539 --> 00:37:01.920
 grace

00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:02.519
 for us.

00:37:05.639 --> 00:37:06.400
 Lord, it's

00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:06.980
 so hard

00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.519
 for us

00:37:07.519 --> 00:37:08.259
 at times

00:37:08.259 --> 00:37:09.019
 to acknowledge

00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:10.079
 that we

00:37:10.079 --> 00:37:10.739
 aren't worthy

00:37:10.739 --> 00:37:11.679
 of your

00:37:11.679 --> 00:37:12.079
 love and

00:37:12.079 --> 00:37:12.679
 your grace.

00:37:15.440 --> 00:37:16.320
 Lord, fill

00:37:16.320 --> 00:37:16.800
 us with a

00:37:16.800 --> 00:37:17.940
 vision of

00:37:17.940 --> 00:37:18.239
 the love

00:37:18.239 --> 00:37:18.900
 of Christ,

00:37:18.900 --> 00:37:21.260
 taking off

00:37:21.260 --> 00:37:21.960
 his robe

00:37:21.960 --> 00:37:22.780
 and his

00:37:22.780 --> 00:37:23.280
 ring and

00:37:23.280 --> 00:37:24.079
 coming down

00:37:24.079 --> 00:37:25.559
 to be

00:37:25.559 --> 00:37:26.200
 spent for

00:37:26.200 --> 00:37:27.460
 us, to

00:37:27.460 --> 00:37:27.960
 make room

00:37:27.960 --> 00:37:28.519
 for us and

00:37:28.519 --> 00:37:28.760
 to make

00:37:28.760 --> 00:37:29.360
 time for

00:37:29.360 --> 00:37:29.900
 us and

00:37:29.900 --> 00:37:30.420
 paying the

00:37:30.420 --> 00:37:30.880
 price of

00:37:30.880 --> 00:37:31.079
 our

00:37:31.079 --> 00:37:31.880
 reinstatement

00:37:31.880 --> 00:37:32.720
 as your

00:37:32.720 --> 00:37:33.039
 children.

00:37:33.180 --> 00:37:33.599
 Oh, fill

00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:34.160
 our hearts

00:37:34.160 --> 00:37:34.559
 with that

00:37:34.559 --> 00:37:36.639
 vision and

00:37:36.639 --> 00:37:37.280
 rekindle our

00:37:37.280 --> 00:37:37.700
 love for

00:37:37.700 --> 00:37:39.500
 you and

00:37:39.500 --> 00:37:40.099
 our love for

00:37:40.099 --> 00:37:40.500
 those who

00:37:40.500 --> 00:37:40.940
 don't yet

00:37:40.940 --> 00:37:41.460
 know you.

00:37:42.340 --> 00:37:43.039
 We pray

00:37:43.039 --> 00:37:43.380
 this in

00:37:43.380 --> 00:37:43.780
 Christ's

00:37:43.780 --> 00:37:44.000
 name.

00:37:44.579 --> 00:37:44.860
 Amen.