WEBVTT

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 Good morning, everyone. It's good to be here with you in Brinsfield again.

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 He's one of the best-known characters in the Bible,

00:00:08.960 --> 00:00:11.599
 even by people who've never opened its pages.

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 And all this despite the fact that we never actually learn his name.

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 All you need to say are three words,

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 and I think many people will know just who you're talking about.

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 The prodigal son.

00:00:26.859 --> 00:00:34.140
 Yeah, I know that story that Jesus told about the guy who left home

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 with his share of the family fortune,

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 blew it on wine, women, and song,

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 ended up in a pigsty,

00:00:41.420 --> 00:00:44.299
 went back home, and his dad welcomed him with open arms.

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 Kind of synopsis of the story, and I'm not going to stop just here.

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 Not so many people know that he had an older brother,

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 which must have been really annoying for the older brother.

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 It's bad enough having a famous brother,

00:01:03.380 --> 00:01:04.719
 but an infamous brother,

00:01:04.960 --> 00:01:07.120
 and giving his name to the story.

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 But actually, there were two brothers in the parable story that Jesus told.

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 One who strayed, and one who stayed.

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 But actually, the main character in the story is not either of the brothers.

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 The main character in the story is the father.

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 Which is why I've renamed it as the parable of the prodigal father.

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 Now, it's not a misprint.

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 Why prodigal father?

00:01:40.420 --> 00:01:42.939
 Well, you'll just have to stay awake for another kind of...

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 I'm aiming at 20 minutes here, just to reassure you.

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 And Graham, you'll have to wait a few moments to find out why.

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 But first of all, what we need to do is read the original story in its context.

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 It's found in the third of the four stories of Jesus

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 that are recorded in the New Testament part of the Bible,

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 written by a doctor named Luke, and it's in Luke chapter 15.

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 If you've got one of those Bibles down there, it's page 1048.

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 1048.

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 And to get the context, we need to read the whole chapter.

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 All right?

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 We'll get the idea of where it fits in the story.

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 So, page 1048.

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 I'm in a church now.

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 Thank you for praying for Hope City,

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 where we tell people the page numbers,

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 and then we say,

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 and the chapter is the big letters, words,

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 and the little numbers are the verses,

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 especially for those who never wrote in the Bible.

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 So, Luke chapter 15.

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 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.

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 But the Pharisees and teacher of the Lord muttered,

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 this man welcomes sinners and eats with them.

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 Then Jesus told them this parable.

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 Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep,

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 loses one of them.

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 Doesn't he leave the 99 in the open country

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 and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

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 And when he finds it,

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 he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home.

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 Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says,

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 Rejoice with me.

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 I found my lost sheep.

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 I tell you in the same way,

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 there'll be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents

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 than over 99 righteous people who do not need to repent.

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 Or suppose a woman has 10 silver coins and loses one.

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 Doesn't she light a lamp,

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 sweep the house,

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 search carefully until she finds it.

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 And when she finds it,

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 she calls her friends and neighbors together and says,

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 Rejoice with me.

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 I found my lost coin.

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 In the same way,

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 I tell you,

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 there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God

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 over one sinner who repents.

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 Now our story.

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 Jesus continued.

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 There was a man who had two sons.

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 The younger one said to his father,

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 Father,

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 give me my share of the estate.

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 So he divided his property between them.

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 Not long after that,

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 the younger son got together all he had,

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 set off for a distant country,

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 and there squandered his wealth in wild living.

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 After he'd spent everything,

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 there was a severe famine in that whole country,

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 and he began to be in need.

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 So he went and hired himself out

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 to a citizen of that country

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 who sent him out to his fields to feed pigs.

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 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods

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 that the pigs were eating,

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 but no one gave him anything.

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 When he came to his senses,

00:04:31.319 --> 00:04:31.860
 he said,

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 How many of my father's hired servants

00:04:34.639 --> 00:04:36.099
 have food to spare?

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 Here I am starving to death.

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 I will set out and go back to my father

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 and say to him,

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 Father,

00:04:42.240 --> 00:04:44.819
 I have sinned against heaven and against you.

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 I am no longer worthy to be called your son.

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 Make me like one of your hired servants.

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 So he got up and went to his father.

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 But while he was still a long way off,

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 his father saw him

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 and was filled with compassion for him.

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 He ran to his son,

00:05:01.199 --> 00:05:02.480
 threw his arms around him,

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 and kissed him.

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 The son said,

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 Father,

00:05:04.920 --> 00:05:06.180
 I have sinned against heaven,

00:05:06.319 --> 00:05:06.860
 against you.

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 I am no longer worthy to be called your son.

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 But the father said to his servants,

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 Quick,

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 bring the best robe and put it on him.

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 Put a ring on his finger,

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 sandals on his feet.

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 Bring the fattened calf and kill it.

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 Let's have a feast and celebrate.

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 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again.

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 He was lost and is found.

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 So they began to celebrate.

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 Meanwhile,

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 the eldest son was in the field.

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 When he came near the house,

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 he heard music and dancing.

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 So he called one of the servants

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 and asked him what was going on.

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 Your brother has come,

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 he replied.

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 Your father has killed the fattened calf

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 because he has him back,

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 safe and sound.

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 The elder brother became angry,

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 refused to go in.

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 So his father went out and pleaded with him.

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 But he answered his father,

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 Look,

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 all these years I've been slaving for you

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 and never disobeyed your orders.

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 Yet you never gave me even a young goat

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 so I could celebrate with my friends.

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 But when this son of yours,

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 who has squandered your property

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 with prostitutes,

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 comes home,

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 you killed the fattened calf for him.

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 My son,

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 the father said,

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 You are always with me.

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 Everything I have is yours.

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 But we had to celebrate

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 and be glad

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 because this brother of yours

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 was dead

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 and is alive again.

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 He was lost

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 and is found.

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 In the opening sentence of the story,

00:06:36.259 --> 00:06:37.780
 Jesus introduces us

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 to its three main characters.

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 He says,

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 There was a man

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 who had

00:06:42.480 --> 00:06:43.860
 two sons.

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 So let's begin,

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 as the story does,

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 with the first son,

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 who we could call

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 the rebellious son.

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 This is the third,

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 as we read,

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 of three parables

00:06:52.139 --> 00:06:53.139
 that Jesus told

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 on the same theme.

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 The lost sheep,

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 the lost coin,

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 and the lost son.

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 While maybe the sheep

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 is lost

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 because of foolishness,

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 the coin maybe

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 because of carelessness,

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 the son is definitely lost

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 because he chooses

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 to get lost.

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 He is lost

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 because of deliberate decision

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 on his part.

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 The younger son

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 said to his father,

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 Give me my share

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 of the estate.

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 Now you need to know

00:07:24.379 --> 00:07:25.280
 a little bit of background.

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 In the law of Moses,

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 which governed

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 the people of Israel,

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 there were strict guidelines

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 laid down

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 for rights of inheritance.

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 The oldest son

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 in the family

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 got the lion's share,

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 what was called

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 in Hebrew

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 the double portion.

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 All the other sons

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 shared out

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 the other third.

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 Everyone still with me?

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 Two sons?

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 Oldest one gets

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 two thirds?

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 There's only one other son,

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 the younger son,

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 and so he's due

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 a third of the estate,

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 but not until

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 his father dies.

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 So demanding his share now,

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 he is actually saying

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 to his father,

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 I wish you were dead.

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 Let alone the difficulty

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 and disruption

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 of selling off

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 enough of the estate

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 to pay him out.

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 Yet despite this disgraceful

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 and distressing request,

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 there is no argument

00:08:17.980 --> 00:08:19.180
 on the part of the father.

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 He simply concurs,

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 so he divided

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 his property

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 between them.

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 Why did the youngest son

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 do such a thing?

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 Freedom!

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 He wanted to be liberated

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 from the shackles

00:08:31.699 --> 00:08:33.080
 of home life

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 and parental restraint.

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 He wanted to see life

00:08:36.200 --> 00:08:37.299
 and all that he had to offer

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 in glorious technicolor

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 instead of monotonous monochrome.

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 And so fortune in hand,

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 leaving not a single

00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:44.899
 possession behind,

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 he set off down the road

00:08:46.639 --> 00:08:48.240
 to this distant country,

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 this far country,

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 with never a glance back.

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 Such is life,

00:08:55.419 --> 00:08:56.340
 sometimes literally,

00:08:56.480 --> 00:08:57.320
 always spiritually.

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 Within each one of us,

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 there is a desire

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 to break free,

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 a rebellious spirit

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 which drives us

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 to go our own way

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 rather than God's way.

00:09:08.159 --> 00:09:08.560
 Proverbs,

00:09:08.680 --> 00:09:09.860
 the Hebrew book of wisdom

00:09:09.860 --> 00:09:11.019
 in the Old Testament

00:09:11.019 --> 00:09:12.220
 part of our Bibles,

00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:13.460
 comments,

00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:15.399
 there is a way

00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:17.019
 that seems right to a man,

00:09:17.019 --> 00:09:17.799
 but in the end

00:09:17.799 --> 00:09:19.059
 it leads to death.

00:09:19.299 --> 00:09:20.720
 Not that this young man

00:09:20.720 --> 00:09:22.179
 believed it at this point.

00:09:22.500 --> 00:09:24.179
 He was sure that the signpost

00:09:24.179 --> 00:09:25.199
 to the far country

00:09:25.199 --> 00:09:26.179
 read life

00:09:26.179 --> 00:09:27.220
 and for a time

00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:28.579
 it seemed that he was right.

00:09:29.319 --> 00:09:30.720
 Life in the fast lane,

00:09:31.179 --> 00:09:31.840
 fast living,

00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:33.240
 fast women,

00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:34.740
 fast camels.

00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:38.060
 But not forever.

00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:43.240
 His resources,

00:09:43.460 --> 00:09:44.139
 even those

00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:46.680
 of the son of a wealthy man,

00:09:47.139 --> 00:09:48.060
 are not limitless,

00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:49.419
 especially when they're spent

00:09:49.419 --> 00:09:51.399
 with such reckless abandon.

00:09:52.019 --> 00:09:53.100
 The word translated

00:09:53.100 --> 00:09:53.919
 in verse 13,

00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:54.600
 squandered,

00:09:54.940 --> 00:09:55.840
 is the word used

00:09:55.840 --> 00:09:56.539
 of winnowing

00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:57.500
 when you throw a load

00:09:57.500 --> 00:09:58.700
 of grain into the air

00:09:58.700 --> 00:10:00.200
 and it falls back

00:10:00.200 --> 00:10:00.759
 to the ground

00:10:00.759 --> 00:10:01.360
 and the chaff

00:10:01.360 --> 00:10:02.220
 is blown away.

00:10:02.220 --> 00:10:04.139
 That was what this young man

00:10:04.139 --> 00:10:05.160
 did when he squandered

00:10:05.160 --> 00:10:05.639
 his wealth

00:10:05.639 --> 00:10:06.420
 and there were plenty

00:10:06.420 --> 00:10:07.160
 of people around

00:10:07.160 --> 00:10:08.220
 to catch the falling shekels.

00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:10.580
 But soon,

00:10:11.080 --> 00:10:12.440
 sooner than it expected,

00:10:13.180 --> 00:10:14.160
 his plastic card

00:10:14.160 --> 00:10:15.180
 is spewed back out

00:10:15.180 --> 00:10:15.940
 of the cash point

00:10:15.940 --> 00:10:17.700
 and a flashing light

00:10:17.700 --> 00:10:19.220
 indicates insufficient funds.

00:10:21.100 --> 00:10:21.460
 And then,

00:10:21.600 --> 00:10:22.920
 so unfortunately then,

00:10:24.160 --> 00:10:24.960
 for this young man,

00:10:25.040 --> 00:10:26.220
 a famine strikes the country.

00:10:27.139 --> 00:10:28.300
 And not just a famine,

00:10:28.299 --> 00:10:29.479
 but a severe famine.

00:10:30.919 --> 00:10:32.299
 And the young man began,

00:10:32.439 --> 00:10:32.899
 we read,

00:10:32.979 --> 00:10:33.759
 to be in need.

00:10:36.579 --> 00:10:38.199
 And so is everyone else.

00:10:39.139 --> 00:10:40.740
 Belts are tightened

00:10:40.740 --> 00:10:42.179
 as well as purse strings.

00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:43.299
 And the boards

00:10:43.299 --> 00:10:44.179
 in the job center

00:10:44.179 --> 00:10:44.719
 are empty

00:10:44.719 --> 00:10:46.059
 except for one which reads,

00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:47.399
 swine herd required,

00:10:47.859 --> 00:10:49.219
 food and lodging provided.

00:10:50.259 --> 00:10:51.779
 The lodging is the pigsty,

00:10:51.979 --> 00:10:53.839
 the food is pig pods.

00:10:54.679 --> 00:10:55.679
 But desperation

00:10:55.679 --> 00:10:56.599
 and starvation

00:10:56.599 --> 00:10:58.279
 and no respecter of persons,

00:10:58.699 --> 00:11:00.059
 all his newfound friends

00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:01.259
 who swarmed around him

00:11:01.259 --> 00:11:02.699
 like bees around a honeypot

00:11:02.699 --> 00:11:04.059
 and nowhere to be found

00:11:04.059 --> 00:11:05.179
 now the jar is empty.

00:11:05.559 --> 00:11:06.299
 There he sits,

00:11:06.359 --> 00:11:07.019
 his hopes,

00:11:08.919 --> 00:11:09.839
 like his clothes,

00:11:09.959 --> 00:11:10.500
 in tatters.

00:11:12.299 --> 00:11:13.159
 At rock bottom.

00:11:14.239 --> 00:11:15.899
 What abject humiliation

00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:17.299
 for a rich Jewish boy

00:11:17.299 --> 00:11:18.519
 to end up keeping company

00:11:18.519 --> 00:11:19.639
 with unclean pigs.

00:11:20.519 --> 00:11:20.799
 Now,

00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:22.799
 you may be setting out

00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:23.919
 on the well-traveled road

00:11:23.919 --> 00:11:24.819
 to the far country.

00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:25.940
 You've grown up

00:11:25.940 --> 00:11:26.740
 in a Christian home.

00:11:26.800 --> 00:11:28.020
 You can't wait to be gone.

00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:28.900
 Maybe you're a student.

00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:29.620
 You've come to Edinburgh

00:11:29.620 --> 00:11:30.379
 your first year

00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:31.940
 and you've grown up

00:11:31.940 --> 00:11:32.780
 in a Christian family

00:11:32.780 --> 00:11:33.740
 so you're here today

00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:34.680
 or for a week or two

00:11:34.680 --> 00:11:35.760
 before you're gone

00:11:35.760 --> 00:11:36.400
 and when your parents

00:11:36.400 --> 00:11:37.100
 ring up and say,

00:11:37.440 --> 00:11:38.220
 have you gone to church?

00:11:38.300 --> 00:11:38.480
 Yes,

00:11:38.520 --> 00:11:40.340
 I was at Brentfield Evangelical Church.

00:11:40.800 --> 00:11:41.560
 And maybe this is

00:11:41.560 --> 00:11:42.400
 one of the last times

00:11:42.400 --> 00:11:43.400
 we might see you here.

00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:44.740
 You can't wait

00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:45.300
 to be freed

00:11:45.300 --> 00:11:46.080
 from the restrictions

00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:47.080
 of home and parents.

00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:48.100
 You don't believe

00:11:48.100 --> 00:11:49.060
 a word I'm saying

00:11:49.060 --> 00:11:50.420
 when I say

00:11:50.420 --> 00:11:51.300
 it will end in ruin.

00:11:52.020 --> 00:11:52.780
 Or maybe

00:11:52.780 --> 00:11:53.740
 you are a person

00:11:53.740 --> 00:11:55.000
 today who's already

00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:56.279
 arrived in the far country

00:11:56.279 --> 00:11:56.799
 and you're having

00:11:56.799 --> 00:11:57.680
 a wonderful time.

00:11:58.360 --> 00:11:59.740
 Life is truly fantastic.

00:11:59.940 --> 00:12:00.840
 Freedom from all those

00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:02.039
 restraints and regulations

00:12:02.039 --> 00:12:03.159
 is so liberating

00:12:03.159 --> 00:12:04.220
 you don't believe

00:12:04.220 --> 00:12:05.159
 a word I'm saying.

00:12:05.840 --> 00:12:06.639
 But perhaps,

00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:07.799
 perhaps there is

00:12:07.799 --> 00:12:08.460
 someone here

00:12:08.460 --> 00:12:08.960
 who's having

00:12:08.960 --> 00:12:09.980
 second thoughts.

00:12:10.779 --> 00:12:11.659
 Burning the candle

00:12:11.659 --> 00:12:12.440
 at both ends

00:12:12.440 --> 00:12:13.779
 means that it gets

00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:14.399
 very short

00:12:14.399 --> 00:12:14.960
 in the middle.

00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:16.440
 Things that were

00:12:16.440 --> 00:12:17.659
 once very fulfilling

00:12:17.659 --> 00:12:18.919
 now need

00:12:18.919 --> 00:12:19.879
 twice the effort

00:12:19.879 --> 00:12:21.080
 and investment

00:12:21.080 --> 00:12:21.779
 to get half

00:12:21.779 --> 00:12:22.620
 the satisfaction.

00:12:24.059 --> 00:12:24.559
 And maybe

00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:25.679
 who knows

00:12:25.679 --> 00:12:26.339
 and I only know

00:12:26.339 --> 00:12:27.699
 a handful of you here

00:12:27.699 --> 00:12:29.399
 maybe some of you here

00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:30.659
 are really in the pigsty

00:12:30.659 --> 00:12:31.360
 this morning.

00:12:32.439 --> 00:12:33.500
 It may not be

00:12:33.500 --> 00:12:34.299
 outwardly apparent.

00:12:34.779 --> 00:12:35.639
 You're not reduced

00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:36.740
 to sleeping on the streets

00:12:36.740 --> 00:12:37.439
 though you may be.

00:12:38.839 --> 00:12:40.399
 You may even have

00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:41.399
 all the material

00:12:41.399 --> 00:12:42.699
 possessions of life

00:12:42.699 --> 00:12:43.860
 but you are still

00:12:43.860 --> 00:12:45.279
 empty and still hungry

00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:46.620
 and nobody has

00:12:46.620 --> 00:12:47.459
 anything to offer

00:12:47.459 --> 00:12:48.419
 which will satisfy

00:12:48.419 --> 00:12:49.519
 the aching longing

00:12:49.519 --> 00:12:50.639
 within your spirit.

00:12:52.319 --> 00:12:53.059
 But it is

00:12:53.059 --> 00:12:54.039
 this point

00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:55.659
 at the lowest point

00:12:55.659 --> 00:12:56.799
 that hope begins

00:12:56.799 --> 00:12:59.600
 as we see

00:12:59.600 --> 00:13:00.279
 in the story.

00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:02.679
 At last in the pigsty

00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:03.299
 the young man

00:13:03.299 --> 00:13:04.220
 begins to think

00:13:04.220 --> 00:13:06.340
 and he can think now

00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:07.120
 for his mind

00:13:07.120 --> 00:13:08.220
 is no longer befuddled

00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:09.740
 by the intoxicating

00:13:09.740 --> 00:13:10.220
 pleasures

00:13:10.220 --> 00:13:11.299
 and bright lights

00:13:11.299 --> 00:13:11.939
 of the city.

00:13:12.199 --> 00:13:13.340
 All he has to look at

00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:14.000
 are pigs.

00:13:14.899 --> 00:13:15.600
 Look what it says

00:13:15.600 --> 00:13:16.419
 in verse 18.

00:13:16.539 --> 00:13:17.659
 When he came to his senses

00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:18.259
 he said

00:13:18.259 --> 00:13:19.860
 how many of my father's

00:13:19.860 --> 00:13:20.259
 hired men

00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:21.139
 have food enough to spare?

00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:21.639
 Here I am

00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:22.519
 starving to death.

00:13:23.259 --> 00:13:24.179
 I've got a strategy.

00:13:24.340 --> 00:13:24.899
 I will go back

00:13:24.899 --> 00:13:26.059
 and say to my father

00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:27.559
 Father I've sinned

00:13:27.559 --> 00:13:28.200
 against heaven

00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:28.939
 and against you.

00:13:29.039 --> 00:13:29.799
 I'm no longer worthy

00:13:29.799 --> 00:13:30.600
 to be called your son

00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:31.799
 but make me one

00:13:31.799 --> 00:13:32.960
 of your hired men.

00:13:33.960 --> 00:13:35.159
 The Bible has a word

00:13:35.159 --> 00:13:36.019
 to describe

00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:37.159
 what happened

00:13:37.159 --> 00:13:38.179
 to this young man.

00:13:38.860 --> 00:13:39.899
 It's a Bible word

00:13:39.899 --> 00:13:40.600
 and it's the word

00:13:40.600 --> 00:13:41.240
 repentance.

00:13:42.559 --> 00:13:43.379
 Repentance literally

00:13:43.379 --> 00:13:44.139
 means in the original

00:13:44.139 --> 00:13:44.779
 language it means

00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:46.559
 a change of mind

00:13:46.559 --> 00:13:48.639
 which then leads

00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:49.299
 to a change

00:13:49.299 --> 00:13:50.139
 of direction.

00:13:50.619 --> 00:13:51.179
 The young man

00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:52.119
 begins to think

00:13:52.119 --> 00:13:52.939
 about himself

00:13:52.939 --> 00:13:53.799
 and what he has done

00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:54.799
 about his father

00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:55.659
 and what he has left.

00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:56.500
 Repentance

00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.699
 is a change of mind

00:13:57.699 --> 00:13:58.279
 which leads

00:13:58.279 --> 00:13:59.459
 to a change of direction

00:13:59.459 --> 00:14:00.219
 before note

00:14:00.219 --> 00:14:01.639
 he did not stay there.

00:14:01.719 --> 00:14:03.319
 The key phrase

00:14:03.319 --> 00:14:04.619
 is in verse 20

00:14:04.619 --> 00:14:05.679
 so he got up

00:14:05.679 --> 00:14:07.139
 and went

00:14:07.139 --> 00:14:08.059
 to his father.

00:14:08.619 --> 00:14:09.339
 Now we'll return

00:14:09.339 --> 00:14:10.299
 to the details later

00:14:10.299 --> 00:14:11.039
 when we consider

00:14:11.039 --> 00:14:11.559
 the father

00:14:11.559 --> 00:14:12.159
 and his love

00:14:12.159 --> 00:14:13.079
 but simply

00:14:13.079 --> 00:14:13.599
 and wonderfully

00:14:13.599 --> 00:14:14.339
 note here

00:14:14.340 --> 00:14:15.899
 that the wayward

00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:17.060
 and rebellious son

00:14:17.060 --> 00:14:18.600
 is fully reconciled

00:14:18.600 --> 00:14:19.300
 to his father

00:14:19.300 --> 00:14:20.379
 not

00:14:20.379 --> 00:14:23.000
 as a hired servant

00:14:23.000 --> 00:14:24.080
 but as he goes

00:14:24.080 --> 00:14:24.720
 down the road

00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:25.879
 his father sees him

00:14:25.879 --> 00:14:27.960
 and runs to welcome him

00:14:27.960 --> 00:14:28.580
 and lays on

00:14:28.580 --> 00:14:30.019
 a tremendous celebration.

00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:31.639
 Bring the fattened calf

00:14:31.639 --> 00:14:32.800
 let's kill it

00:14:32.800 --> 00:14:33.420
 have a feast

00:14:33.420 --> 00:14:34.240
 and celebrate.

00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.639
 This son of man

00:14:35.639 --> 00:14:36.139
 was dead

00:14:36.139 --> 00:14:37.120
 and is alive again

00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:37.740
 he was lost

00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:38.200
 and found

00:14:38.200 --> 00:14:38.879
 so they began

00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:39.660
 to celebrate.

00:14:40.300 --> 00:14:41.220
 How ironical

00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:41.840
 that the son

00:14:41.840 --> 00:14:42.620
 who left home

00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.580
 because he wanted

00:14:43.580 --> 00:14:44.500
 to have a good time

00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:45.419
 ends up coming home

00:14:45.419 --> 00:14:46.580
 and having a great party.

00:14:48.399 --> 00:14:49.620
 But the story

00:14:49.620 --> 00:14:50.799
 does not end there

00:14:50.799 --> 00:14:52.060
 for there is

00:14:52.060 --> 00:14:52.759
 another son

00:14:52.759 --> 00:14:54.039
 an older son

00:14:54.039 --> 00:14:56.799
 not just the rebellious son

00:14:56.799 --> 00:14:57.639
 but what we could call

00:14:57.639 --> 00:14:58.759
 the resentful son.

00:15:01.159 --> 00:15:02.220
 When the younger son

00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:02.679
 returned

00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:03.940
 it's a beautifully

00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:04.980
 told story isn't it

00:15:04.980 --> 00:15:05.519
 you can imagine

00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:05.980
 the story

00:15:05.980 --> 00:15:06.759
 you can hear the drums

00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:07.120
 banging

00:15:07.120 --> 00:15:08.980
 and sound of drumming feet

00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:10.159
 and he comes in

00:15:10.159 --> 00:15:11.100
 from the fields

00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:11.600
 where he's been

00:15:11.600 --> 00:15:12.240
 slaving away

00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:12.960
 working away

00:15:12.960 --> 00:15:13.580
 in the fields

00:15:13.580 --> 00:15:14.840
 and he's probably

00:15:14.840 --> 00:15:15.700
 hungry and tired

00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:16.399
 and as he approaches

00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:18.120
 he hears the noise

00:15:18.120 --> 00:15:19.879
 and he thinks

00:15:19.879 --> 00:15:20.720
 what's going on?

00:15:20.840 --> 00:15:21.120
 Maybe

00:15:21.120 --> 00:15:22.399
 it's a surprise

00:15:22.399 --> 00:15:23.379
 party for me.

00:15:26.039 --> 00:15:26.899
 So he calls

00:15:26.899 --> 00:15:27.659
 one of the servant

00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:28.220
 boys over

00:15:28.220 --> 00:15:28.879
 and he says

00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:30.019
 what's going on?

00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:31.299
 Your brother

00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:31.680
 has come

00:15:31.680 --> 00:15:32.180
 he replied

00:15:32.180 --> 00:15:32.700
 and your father

00:15:32.700 --> 00:15:33.139
 has killed

00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.840
 a fattened calf

00:15:33.840 --> 00:15:34.480
 because he has

00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:34.820
 him back

00:15:34.820 --> 00:15:35.680
 safe and sound.

00:15:36.539 --> 00:15:37.379
 But rather

00:15:37.379 --> 00:15:38.360
 than being pleased

00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:38.960
 that his brother

00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:40.299
 is back home

00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:41.859
 the elder brother

00:15:41.859 --> 00:15:43.019
 is incensed

00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:44.019
 he is angry

00:15:44.019 --> 00:15:45.279
 no doubt

00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:45.799
 he is angry

00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:46.559
 with his brother

00:15:46.559 --> 00:15:48.439
 for all the trouble

00:15:48.439 --> 00:15:49.039
 and heartache

00:15:49.039 --> 00:15:49.500
 he's caused

00:15:49.500 --> 00:15:50.079
 in the family

00:15:50.079 --> 00:15:51.159
 the cheek he has

00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:52.199
 in coming back home

00:15:52.199 --> 00:15:53.059
 when he's blown

00:15:53.059 --> 00:15:53.819
 his fortune

00:15:53.819 --> 00:15:55.000
 but behind this

00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:55.620
 will you notice

00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.319
 there is a much

00:15:56.319 --> 00:15:57.219
 deeper anger

00:15:57.219 --> 00:15:58.259
 and his deeper

00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.199
 anger and resentment

00:15:59.199 --> 00:16:00.059
 is not against

00:16:00.059 --> 00:16:00.679
 his brother

00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:01.459
 but against

00:16:01.459 --> 00:16:02.959
 his father.

00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:05.080
 this is seen

00:16:05.080 --> 00:16:05.900
 in his response

00:16:05.900 --> 00:16:06.580
 to his father

00:16:06.580 --> 00:16:07.639
 who comes out

00:16:07.639 --> 00:16:08.460
 from the feast

00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:09.019
 when he hears

00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:09.720
 the older brother

00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:10.139
 is there

00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:10.860
 his older son

00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.900
 and pleads with him

00:16:11.900 --> 00:16:12.519
 to come and join

00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:13.320
 the celebration.

00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.060
 Listen carefully

00:16:15.060 --> 00:16:15.980
 to what he says

00:16:15.980 --> 00:16:16.879
 it's very important

00:16:16.879 --> 00:16:18.019
 but he answered

00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:18.560
 his father

00:16:18.560 --> 00:16:19.019
 look

00:16:19.019 --> 00:16:19.900
 he says

00:16:19.900 --> 00:16:21.259
 all these years

00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.300
 I've been slaving

00:16:22.300 --> 00:16:22.900
 for you

00:16:22.900 --> 00:16:24.440
 and never disobeyed

00:16:24.440 --> 00:16:24.960
 your orders

00:16:24.960 --> 00:16:25.940
 yet you never gave

00:16:25.940 --> 00:16:27.019
 me even a young goat

00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:28.280
 so I could celebrate

00:16:28.280 --> 00:16:29.639
 with my friends

00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.680
 but when this son

00:16:30.680 --> 00:16:31.420
 of yours

00:16:31.419 --> 00:16:32.799
 who has squandered

00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:33.399
 your property

00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:34.360
 with prostitutes

00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:35.000
 comes home

00:16:35.000 --> 00:16:36.379
 you kill the fattened

00:16:36.379 --> 00:16:37.039
 car for him

00:16:37.039 --> 00:16:38.419
 notice the contrast

00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:39.519
 between his words

00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.120
 to his father

00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.740
 and that of his

00:16:40.740 --> 00:16:41.360
 younger brother

00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:43.099
 the returning son

00:16:43.099 --> 00:16:43.759
 says father

00:16:43.759 --> 00:16:45.139
 I have sinned

00:16:45.139 --> 00:16:48.599
 the resentful brother

00:16:48.599 --> 00:16:49.579
 bluntly says

00:16:49.579 --> 00:16:50.939
 look

00:16:50.939 --> 00:16:51.959
 all these years

00:16:51.959 --> 00:16:52.860
 I've been slaving

00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:53.399
 for you

00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.039
 he doesn't use

00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:54.860
 the word father

00:16:54.860 --> 00:16:55.579
 why?

00:16:55.919 --> 00:16:56.699
 because he doesn't

00:16:56.699 --> 00:16:57.299
 see himself

00:16:57.299 --> 00:16:58.000
 as a son

00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:59.419
 he sees himself

00:16:59.419 --> 00:17:00.599
 as a slave

00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:01.680
 you see

00:17:01.680 --> 00:17:02.320
 the younger son

00:17:02.320 --> 00:17:02.860
 had chafed

00:17:02.860 --> 00:17:03.340
 against the

00:17:03.340 --> 00:17:04.339
 restraints

00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:04.960
 of his father

00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:06.220
 and his home

00:17:06.220 --> 00:17:06.860
 he'd shown it

00:17:06.860 --> 00:17:07.759
 in open rebellion

00:17:07.759 --> 00:17:09.180
 he had taken

00:17:09.180 --> 00:17:09.640
 his share

00:17:09.640 --> 00:17:10.140
 of the family

00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:10.620
 wealth

00:17:10.620 --> 00:17:12.099
 cleared off

00:17:12.099 --> 00:17:12.740
 he didn't want

00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:13.440
 to be a son

00:17:13.440 --> 00:17:14.019
 anymore

00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:15.400
 but will you notice

00:17:15.400 --> 00:17:16.339
 the elder son

00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:17.480
 stayed at home

00:17:17.480 --> 00:17:18.360
 living

00:17:18.360 --> 00:17:19.720
 as a son

00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.759
 but with a

00:17:20.759 --> 00:17:22.019
 slave mentality

00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:23.860
 but now

00:17:23.860 --> 00:17:24.519
 with the welcome

00:17:24.519 --> 00:17:25.700
 given to his brother

00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.440
 his pent-up

00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:26.940
 resentment

00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:28.559
 explodes in open

00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:28.920
 anger

00:17:28.920 --> 00:17:29.740
 for his father

00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:31.100
 breaks all the rules

00:17:31.100 --> 00:17:32.180
 by throwing a big

00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:32.880
 feast for his

00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:33.500
 younger son

00:17:33.500 --> 00:17:34.480
 who deserves

00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:34.960
 nothing

00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:35.980
 while he's not

00:17:35.980 --> 00:17:37.120
 even being given

00:17:37.120 --> 00:17:37.539
 a goat

00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:37.980
 to have a

00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:39.420
 get-together

00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:40.080
 with his friends

00:17:40.080 --> 00:17:40.900
 it's not fair

00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:41.840
 if there had been

00:17:41.840 --> 00:17:42.320
 a national

00:17:42.320 --> 00:17:44.279
 farmers union

00:17:44.279 --> 00:17:45.420
 he would have

00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:46.420
 taken his employer

00:17:46.420 --> 00:17:48.700
 to the cleaners

00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:49.680
 for compensation

00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.420
 but you see

00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:52.019
 he's not his

00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:52.500
 employer

00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:54.060
 he's his father

00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:56.720
 he's not a

00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:57.139
 slave

00:17:57.139 --> 00:17:58.279
 but a son

00:17:58.279 --> 00:18:00.460
 as his father

00:18:00.460 --> 00:18:01.639
 gently reminds him

00:18:01.639 --> 00:18:02.619
 and that the one

00:18:02.619 --> 00:18:03.159
 he calls

00:18:03.159 --> 00:18:04.259
 this son of yours

00:18:04.259 --> 00:18:04.899
 is actually

00:18:04.899 --> 00:18:06.639
 also this brother

00:18:06.639 --> 00:18:07.139
 of yours

00:18:07.139 --> 00:18:07.700
 my son

00:18:07.700 --> 00:18:08.139
 the father

00:18:08.139 --> 00:18:08.579
 said

00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:10.399
 you were always

00:18:10.399 --> 00:18:10.899
 with me

00:18:10.899 --> 00:18:11.960
 everything I have

00:18:11.960 --> 00:18:12.419
 is yours

00:18:12.419 --> 00:18:13.159
 but we had to

00:18:13.159 --> 00:18:13.899
 celebrate and be

00:18:13.899 --> 00:18:14.119
 glad

00:18:14.119 --> 00:18:15.079
 because this

00:18:15.079 --> 00:18:16.059
 brother of yours

00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:16.819
 was dead

00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:17.440
 and is alive

00:18:17.440 --> 00:18:17.720
 again

00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:18.399
 he was lost

00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:19.099
 and is found

00:18:19.099 --> 00:18:20.399
 now while there

00:18:20.399 --> 00:18:21.079
 are many people

00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:21.659
 in the world

00:18:21.659 --> 00:18:23.139
 maybe a few

00:18:23.139 --> 00:18:24.119
 even here today

00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:25.099
 who are like

00:18:25.099 --> 00:18:25.799
 the younger brother

00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:26.959
 openly rebellious

00:18:26.959 --> 00:18:27.759
 against God

00:18:27.759 --> 00:18:28.480
 and his laws

00:18:28.480 --> 00:18:29.459
 there are many

00:18:29.459 --> 00:18:30.240
 outwardly

00:18:30.240 --> 00:18:32.539
 good living

00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.559
 religious people

00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.199
 who are like

00:18:34.199 --> 00:18:35.000
 the elder brother

00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:36.119
 in fact this is

00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:36.699
 the context

00:18:36.699 --> 00:18:37.219
 why I read

00:18:37.219 --> 00:18:38.079
 the whole chapter

00:18:38.079 --> 00:18:39.119
 it begins

00:18:39.119 --> 00:18:39.819
 with Jesus

00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:41.919
 who is associating

00:18:41.919 --> 00:18:43.199
 with younger

00:18:43.199 --> 00:18:44.199
 brother types

00:18:44.199 --> 00:18:47.299
 now the tax

00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:47.719
 collectors

00:18:47.719 --> 00:18:48.419
 and sinners

00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:51.960
 despised tax

00:18:51.960 --> 00:18:52.360
 collectors

00:18:52.360 --> 00:18:52.920
 collaborators

00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:53.519
 with the Romans

00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.259
 people they

00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:54.980
 call sinners

00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.700
 who never

00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:56.320
 followed God

00:18:56.320 --> 00:18:56.740
 or his law

00:18:56.740 --> 00:18:57.259
 were all

00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:57.840
 gathering around

00:18:57.840 --> 00:18:58.380
 to hear him

00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:59.519
 but the Pharisees

00:18:59.519 --> 00:19:00.019
 the religious

00:19:00.019 --> 00:19:00.600
 people

00:19:00.600 --> 00:19:02.000
 the teacher

00:19:02.000 --> 00:19:02.380
 of the law

00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:02.860
 muttered

00:19:02.860 --> 00:19:03.460
 this man

00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.039
 welcomes

00:19:04.039 --> 00:19:04.519
 sinners

00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:05.000
 and eats

00:19:05.000 --> 00:19:05.420
 with them

00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.060
 you see

00:19:06.060 --> 00:19:06.920
 the Pharisees

00:19:06.920 --> 00:19:07.320
 and teacher

00:19:07.320 --> 00:19:07.940
 of the law

00:19:07.940 --> 00:19:08.860
 were the religious

00:19:08.860 --> 00:19:09.680
 people of the day

00:19:09.680 --> 00:19:10.300
 the good living

00:19:10.300 --> 00:19:10.940
 people who did

00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:11.580
 their absolute

00:19:11.580 --> 00:19:12.320
 best to keep

00:19:12.320 --> 00:19:13.039
 God's laws

00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:14.340
 they would never

00:19:14.340 --> 00:19:15.100
 be seen dead

00:19:15.100 --> 00:19:15.640
 in the far

00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:16.100
 country

00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:17.120
 they would never

00:19:17.120 --> 00:19:17.880
 associate with

00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:18.160
 anyone

00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.700
 who had been

00:19:18.700 --> 00:19:19.019
 there

00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:20.500
 they label

00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.259
 such people

00:19:21.259 --> 00:19:21.840
 sinners

00:19:21.840 --> 00:19:22.920
 and they

00:19:22.920 --> 00:19:23.720
 called themselves

00:19:23.720 --> 00:19:24.420
 righteous

00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.940
 you see

00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:26.480
 their religion

00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.019
 was based

00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.740
 on the premise

00:19:27.740 --> 00:19:28.460
 of punishment

00:19:28.460 --> 00:19:29.320
 and reward

00:19:29.320 --> 00:19:30.820
 God punished

00:19:30.820 --> 00:19:31.460
 those who did

00:19:31.460 --> 00:19:32.240
 what was wrong

00:19:32.240 --> 00:19:33.259
 and rewarded

00:19:33.259 --> 00:19:34.019
 those who did

00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:34.720
 what was right

00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.900
 it was a slave

00:19:35.900 --> 00:19:36.560
 mentality

00:19:36.560 --> 00:19:37.300
 and God

00:19:37.300 --> 00:19:38.140
 owed them

00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:39.140
 what they had

00:19:39.140 --> 00:19:39.440
 earned

00:19:39.440 --> 00:19:40.120
 so if this

00:19:40.120 --> 00:19:41.019
 Jesus really

00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:41.560
 was

00:19:41.560 --> 00:19:42.860
 God's chosen

00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:43.279
 Messiah

00:19:43.279 --> 00:19:43.820
 if he really

00:19:43.820 --> 00:19:44.620
 came from God

00:19:44.620 --> 00:19:45.320
 he would have

00:19:45.320 --> 00:19:46.259
 nothing to do

00:19:46.259 --> 00:19:47.660
 with prostitutes

00:19:47.660 --> 00:19:48.359
 collaborators

00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:49.460
 like tax collectors

00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.500
 instead he would

00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:51.000
 only mix

00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:51.519
 with folk

00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:52.059
 like them

00:19:52.059 --> 00:19:52.940
 but Jesus

00:19:52.940 --> 00:19:53.579
 actually did

00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:54.200
 exactly the

00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:54.660
 opposite

00:19:54.660 --> 00:19:55.599
 why he even

00:19:55.599 --> 00:19:56.319
 went to parties

00:19:56.319 --> 00:19:57.019
 they organized

00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:57.839
 on his behalf

00:19:57.839 --> 00:19:59.119
 with singing

00:19:59.119 --> 00:19:59.619
 and dancing

00:19:59.619 --> 00:20:00.339
 and lots of fun

00:20:00.339 --> 00:20:01.180
 what kind of

00:20:01.180 --> 00:20:02.220
 religion was it

00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:03.299
 where such people

00:20:03.299 --> 00:20:03.720
 were welcome

00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.700
 where such parties

00:20:04.700 --> 00:20:05.079
 were held

00:20:05.079 --> 00:20:05.539
 no wonder

00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.180
 they muttered

00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:07.000
 the original

00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:07.799
 language in Greek

00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:08.700
 is one of those

00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.379
 words that sounds

00:20:09.379 --> 00:20:09.940
 like it has

00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:10.460
 gone good

00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:14.360
 and in answer

00:20:14.360 --> 00:20:15.220
 Jesus tells them

00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:16.100
 these three parables

00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:16.740
 with the same

00:20:16.740 --> 00:20:17.180
 theme

00:20:17.180 --> 00:20:18.600
 culminating in the

00:20:18.600 --> 00:20:19.380
 last in detail

00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:20.019
 which answers

00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.660
 their muttering

00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:21.940
 Jesus says

00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.680
 when lust

00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:24.259
 when the lust

00:20:24.259 --> 00:20:24.960
 are found

00:20:24.960 --> 00:20:26.500
 there is rejoicing

00:20:26.500 --> 00:20:27.079
 in heaven

00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:31.299
 but here

00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.720
 among the

00:20:31.720 --> 00:20:32.480
 religious people

00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:32.860
 there is

00:20:32.860 --> 00:20:33.680
 complaining on

00:20:33.680 --> 00:20:33.980
 earth

00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.539
 as far as

00:20:34.539 --> 00:20:34.779
 they are

00:20:34.779 --> 00:20:35.220
 concerned

00:20:35.220 --> 00:20:35.980
 like the

00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:36.559
 elder brother

00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.500
 they refuse

00:20:37.500 --> 00:20:38.100
 to join

00:20:38.100 --> 00:20:38.940
 the celebrations

00:20:38.940 --> 00:20:39.539
 the chapter

00:20:39.539 --> 00:20:40.100
 begins

00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:40.439
 with them

00:20:40.439 --> 00:20:41.119
 refusing to

00:20:41.119 --> 00:20:41.480
 join the

00:20:41.480 --> 00:20:41.799
 parties

00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:42.199
 Jesus

00:20:42.199 --> 00:20:42.659
 is at

00:20:42.659 --> 00:20:43.379
 it ends

00:20:43.379 --> 00:20:43.699
 with the

00:20:43.699 --> 00:20:44.199
 elder brother

00:20:44.199 --> 00:20:44.879
 refusing to

00:20:44.879 --> 00:20:45.299
 join the

00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:45.919
 celebration

00:20:45.919 --> 00:20:47.159
 on the

00:20:47.159 --> 00:20:47.639
 return of

00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:48.039
 his brother

00:20:48.039 --> 00:20:49.000
 so what

00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:49.339
 is the

00:20:49.339 --> 00:20:50.059
 root of

00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:50.639
 their problem

00:20:50.639 --> 00:20:52.000
 it is

00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:52.619
 simply this

00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:52.980
 the one

00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:53.459
 fact they

00:20:53.459 --> 00:20:53.939
 fail to

00:20:53.939 --> 00:20:54.579
 understand

00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.740
 or accept

00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.159
 the true

00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:56.759
 character of

00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:57.019
 God

00:20:57.019 --> 00:20:58.179
 who is

00:20:58.179 --> 00:20:59.319
 the prodigal

00:20:59.319 --> 00:20:59.659
 father

00:20:59.659 --> 00:20:59.980
 now

00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:01.459
 the word

00:21:01.459 --> 00:21:02.000
 prodigal

00:21:02.000 --> 00:21:02.379
 in the

00:21:02.379 --> 00:21:02.759
 dictionary

00:21:02.759 --> 00:21:03.639
 has two

00:21:03.639 --> 00:21:04.219
 meanings

00:21:04.219 --> 00:21:05.539
 its normal

00:21:05.539 --> 00:21:05.959
 meaning

00:21:05.959 --> 00:21:07.000
 is wasteful

00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:08.279
 or recklessly

00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:09.299
 extravagant

00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.200
 it is

00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.419
 used

00:21:10.419 --> 00:21:11.079
 negatively

00:21:11.079 --> 00:21:11.339
 of

00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:11.779
 something

00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.879
 valuable

00:21:12.879 --> 00:21:13.359
 which is

00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:13.720
 wasted

00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.440
 but it

00:21:14.440 --> 00:21:14.779
 has a

00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:15.259
 secondary

00:21:15.259 --> 00:21:15.940
 and positive

00:21:15.940 --> 00:21:16.519
 meaning

00:21:16.519 --> 00:21:18.079
 giving or

00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:18.659
 yielding

00:21:18.659 --> 00:21:19.639
 profusely

00:21:19.639 --> 00:21:21.000
 lavishly

00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:21.539
 abundant

00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:22.399
 and this

00:21:22.399 --> 00:21:22.879
 wonderful

00:21:22.879 --> 00:21:23.399
 parable

00:21:23.399 --> 00:21:23.879
 teaches

00:21:23.879 --> 00:21:24.240
 us

00:21:24.240 --> 00:21:24.619
 an

00:21:24.619 --> 00:21:25.220
 incredible

00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:25.839
 truth

00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:27.500
 that

00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:28.000
 God's

00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:28.180
 love

00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:28.359
 is

00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:29.599
 prodigal

00:21:29.599 --> 00:21:30.639
 it is

00:21:30.639 --> 00:21:31.659
 extravagant

00:21:31.659 --> 00:21:32.319
 his

00:21:32.319 --> 00:21:33.139
 extravagant

00:21:33.139 --> 00:21:33.700
 prodigal

00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.079
 love

00:21:34.079 --> 00:21:34.920
 is shown

00:21:34.920 --> 00:21:35.500
 to both

00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.079
 sons

00:21:36.079 --> 00:21:37.039
 it is

00:21:37.039 --> 00:21:37.319
 shown

00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:37.659
 to the

00:21:37.659 --> 00:21:38.220
 rebellious

00:21:38.220 --> 00:21:38.420
 son

00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:38.859
 first of

00:21:38.859 --> 00:21:39.159
 all by

00:21:39.159 --> 00:21:39.440
 letting

00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:39.599
 him

00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.039
 leave

00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:40.240
 if

00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:40.399
 he'd

00:21:40.399 --> 00:21:40.519
 been

00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:40.799
 my

00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:41.079
 son

00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:41.519
 and

00:21:41.519 --> 00:21:41.639
 have

00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:41.899
 locked

00:21:41.899 --> 00:21:42.039
 him

00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:42.139
 in

00:21:42.139 --> 00:21:42.279
 his

00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:42.659
 bedroom

00:21:42.659 --> 00:21:42.899
 and

00:21:42.899 --> 00:21:43.119
 double

00:21:43.119 --> 00:21:43.399
 locked

00:21:43.399 --> 00:21:43.539
 it

00:21:43.539 --> 00:21:43.700
 or

00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:43.960
 thrown

00:21:43.960 --> 00:21:44.099
 him

00:21:44.099 --> 00:21:44.240
 out

00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:44.420
 for

00:21:44.420 --> 00:21:44.759
 good

00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:46.779
 but

00:21:46.779 --> 00:21:47.119
 it is

00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:47.400
 also

00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:48.059
 especially

00:21:48.059 --> 00:21:49.339
 shown

00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:49.759
 by the

00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.000
 fact

00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:50.180
 that

00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:50.299
 he

00:21:50.299 --> 00:21:50.920
 welcomes

00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:51.420
 home

00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.440
 rebels

00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:53.339
 and

00:21:53.339 --> 00:21:54.019
 runaways

00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:55.200
 while

00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:55.400
 the

00:21:55.400 --> 00:21:56.059
 younger

00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:56.359
 son

00:21:56.359 --> 00:21:56.500
 is

00:21:56.500 --> 00:21:56.740
 still

00:21:56.740 --> 00:21:56.900
 a

00:21:56.900 --> 00:21:57.059
 long

00:21:57.059 --> 00:21:57.259
 way

00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.519
 off

00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.019
 what

00:21:58.019 --> 00:21:58.140
 is

00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:58.299
 the

00:21:58.299 --> 00:21:58.579
 father

00:21:58.579 --> 00:21:58.859
 doing

00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:59.059
 he's

00:21:59.059 --> 00:21:59.299
 looking

00:21:59.299 --> 00:21:59.559
 down

00:21:59.559 --> 00:21:59.740
 the

00:21:59.740 --> 00:21:59.940
 road

00:21:59.940 --> 00:22:00.240
 looking

00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:00.500
 for

00:22:00.500 --> 00:22:01.680
 the

00:22:01.680 --> 00:22:02.200
 returning

00:22:02.200 --> 00:22:02.819
 prodigal

00:22:02.819 --> 00:22:04.099
 and

00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:04.259
 when

00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:04.420
 he

00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:04.779
 sees

00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.019
 him

00:22:05.019 --> 00:22:05.900
 in

00:22:05.900 --> 00:22:06.039
 the

00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:06.440
 distance

00:22:06.440 --> 00:22:06.680
 he

00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:06.960
 lays

00:22:06.960 --> 00:22:07.359
 aside

00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:07.579
 all

00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:08.039
 dignity

00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.299
 it's

00:22:08.299 --> 00:22:08.480
 hard

00:22:08.480 --> 00:22:08.619
 to

00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:08.980
 understand

00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.240
 this

00:22:09.240 --> 00:22:09.359
 in

00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:09.559
 our

00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:09.900
 culture

00:22:09.900 --> 00:22:10.480
 but

00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:10.779
 people

00:22:10.779 --> 00:22:11.140
 don't

00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:11.379
 run

00:22:11.379 --> 00:22:11.539
 and

00:22:11.539 --> 00:22:11.779
 old

00:22:11.779 --> 00:22:12.079
 people

00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:12.559
 especially

00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:12.960
 don't

00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.299
 run

00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:14.000
 he

00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.339
 gathers

00:22:14.339 --> 00:22:14.539
 up

00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:14.700
 his

00:22:14.700 --> 00:22:14.960
 cloak

00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.119
 and

00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:15.240
 he

00:22:15.240 --> 00:22:15.700
 runs

00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:15.940
 down

00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:16.139
 the

00:22:16.139 --> 00:22:16.480
 road

00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:18.440
 running

00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:18.700
 to

00:22:18.700 --> 00:22:19.139
 welcome

00:22:19.139 --> 00:22:19.960
 his

00:22:19.960 --> 00:22:20.339
 lost

00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:20.639
 son

00:22:20.639 --> 00:22:23.279
 you

00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:23.419
 see

00:22:23.419 --> 00:22:23.599
 we

00:22:23.599 --> 00:22:23.919
 come

00:22:23.919 --> 00:22:24.559
 if

00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:24.759
 you've

00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:24.940
 ever

00:22:24.940 --> 00:22:25.180
 been

00:22:25.180 --> 00:22:25.379
 in

00:22:25.379 --> 00:22:25.519
 the

00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:25.720
 far

00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:26.119
 country

00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:26.759
 we

00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:27.019
 come

00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:27.359
 back

00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:28.680
 expecting

00:22:28.680 --> 00:22:29.019
 so

00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.419
 little

00:22:29.419 --> 00:22:30.599
 we're

00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:31.339
 expecting

00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:31.859
 at best

00:22:31.859 --> 00:22:32.180
 to be

00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:32.339
 a

00:22:32.339 --> 00:22:32.619
 hired

00:22:32.619 --> 00:22:33.099
 servant

00:22:33.099 --> 00:22:34.659
 but

00:22:34.659 --> 00:22:34.819
 we

00:22:34.819 --> 00:22:34.960
 are

00:22:34.960 --> 00:22:35.279
 welcomed

00:22:35.279 --> 00:22:35.559
 home

00:22:35.559 --> 00:22:35.700
 with

00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.159
 amazing

00:22:36.159 --> 00:22:36.720
 grace

00:22:36.720 --> 00:22:38.000
 as

00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:38.299
 sons

00:22:38.299 --> 00:22:38.539
 and

00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:38.960
 daughters

00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.980
 given

00:22:39.980 --> 00:22:40.200
 the

00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:40.440
 best

00:22:40.440 --> 00:22:40.720
 robe

00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:40.879
 of

00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:41.359
 distinction

00:22:41.359 --> 00:22:41.659
 the

00:22:41.659 --> 00:22:42.039
 signet

00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:42.220
 ring

00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:42.379
 of

00:22:42.379 --> 00:22:42.819
 authority

00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.119
 the

00:22:43.119 --> 00:22:43.539
 sandals

00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:43.719
 of

00:22:43.719 --> 00:22:43.879
 a

00:22:43.879 --> 00:22:44.139
 son

00:22:44.139 --> 00:22:44.919
 rather

00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:45.179
 than

00:22:45.179 --> 00:22:45.359
 the

00:22:45.359 --> 00:22:45.619
 bare

00:22:45.619 --> 00:22:45.939
 feet

00:22:45.939 --> 00:22:46.099
 of

00:22:46.099 --> 00:22:46.239
 a

00:22:46.239 --> 00:22:46.579
 slave

00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:47.099
 and

00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:47.279
 when

00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:47.419
 it

00:22:47.419 --> 00:22:47.779
 happens

00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.099
 heaven

00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:48.439
 throws

00:22:48.439 --> 00:22:48.639
 a

00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:49.059
 party

00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:50.799
 graham

00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.079
 asked me

00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:51.479
 to speak

00:22:51.479 --> 00:22:51.759
 at this

00:22:51.759 --> 00:22:52.119
 he said

00:22:52.119 --> 00:22:52.559
 we're

00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.019
 hoping it's

00:22:53.019 --> 00:22:53.319
 going to be

00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:53.779
 a baptism

00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.099
 well

00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:55.139
 it isn't

00:22:55.139 --> 00:22:55.599
 a baptism

00:22:55.599 --> 00:22:56.199
 today but

00:22:56.199 --> 00:22:56.879
 baptismal

00:22:56.879 --> 00:22:57.479
 services are

00:22:57.479 --> 00:22:57.959
 the happiest

00:22:57.959 --> 00:22:58.779
 occasions in

00:22:58.779 --> 00:22:59.500
 any church

00:22:59.500 --> 00:23:01.899
 because we're

00:23:01.899 --> 00:23:02.839
 celebrating lost

00:23:02.839 --> 00:23:03.459
 people being

00:23:03.459 --> 00:23:03.919
 found

00:23:03.919 --> 00:23:07.679
 there's more

00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:08.319
 rejoicing of

00:23:08.319 --> 00:23:09.199
 in 99 people

00:23:09.199 --> 00:23:09.559
 who think

00:23:09.559 --> 00:23:09.899
 they're good

00:23:09.899 --> 00:23:10.279
 enough and

00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:10.719
 don't need

00:23:10.719 --> 00:23:11.339
 to repent

00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:12.379
 than one

00:23:12.379 --> 00:23:12.839
 person

00:23:12.839 --> 00:23:13.059
 who

00:23:13.059 --> 00:23:13.599
 turns

00:23:13.599 --> 00:23:14.899
 i wonder

00:23:14.899 --> 00:23:15.759
 is that

00:23:15.759 --> 00:23:16.199
 you this

00:23:16.199 --> 00:23:16.559
 morning

00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:18.480
 have you

00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:18.679
 ever

00:23:18.679 --> 00:23:19.419
 experienced

00:23:19.419 --> 00:23:20.519
 the father's

00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:20.980
 prodigal

00:23:20.980 --> 00:23:22.179
 love no

00:23:22.179 --> 00:23:22.659
 matter what

00:23:22.659 --> 00:23:23.199
 you've done

00:23:23.199 --> 00:23:24.759
 maybe even

00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.399
 thinking about

00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:25.819
 some of the

00:23:25.819 --> 00:23:26.259
 things you've

00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:26.720
 done makes

00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:27.240
 you embarrassed

00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:27.839
 and ashamed

00:23:27.839 --> 00:23:28.259
 you wouldn't

00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:28.720
 want anyone

00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:29.279
 else to know

00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:29.759
 about them

00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:31.119
 i simply say

00:23:31.119 --> 00:23:31.319
 to you

00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:31.799
 whatever they

00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.099
 are

00:23:32.099 --> 00:23:33.459
 god is

00:23:33.459 --> 00:23:33.939
 looking for

00:23:33.939 --> 00:23:34.220
 you to

00:23:34.220 --> 00:23:34.619
 return

00:23:34.619 --> 00:23:35.059
 and he

00:23:35.059 --> 00:23:35.439
 welcomes

00:23:35.439 --> 00:23:35.740
 you with

00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.319
 open arms

00:23:36.319 --> 00:23:36.839
 and flings

00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:37.259
 his arms

00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:37.939
 around you

00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:39.059
 yet you

00:23:39.059 --> 00:23:39.440
 see the

00:23:39.440 --> 00:23:39.980
 father not

00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.600
 only shows

00:23:40.600 --> 00:23:41.180
 his love

00:23:41.180 --> 00:23:41.820
 to the

00:23:41.820 --> 00:23:42.400
 rebellious

00:23:42.400 --> 00:23:42.779
 son but

00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.320
 also to

00:23:43.320 --> 00:23:43.720
 the elder

00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:44.140
 son you

00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:44.440
 see the

00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:44.960
 elder son

00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.440
 has also

00:23:45.440 --> 00:23:45.900
 defied

00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:46.440
 convention

00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:47.180
 seriously

00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:49.960
 he shamed

00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.440
 his father

00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:51.120
 by refusing

00:23:51.120 --> 00:23:51.600
 to join

00:23:51.600 --> 00:23:52.299
 the celebration

00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:52.740
 he should

00:23:52.740 --> 00:23:53.059
 have gone

00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:53.519
 into the

00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.039
 celebration

00:23:54.039 --> 00:23:54.519
 and then

00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:54.880
 talked

00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:55.400
 afterwards

00:23:55.400 --> 00:23:55.820
 with his

00:23:55.820 --> 00:23:56.140
 father

00:23:56.140 --> 00:23:56.940
 and sorted

00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:57.380
 it out

00:23:57.380 --> 00:23:57.880
 he has

00:23:57.880 --> 00:23:58.360
 embarrassed

00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:59.140
 culture and

00:23:59.140 --> 00:23:59.680
 convention

00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:03.640
 and as

00:24:03.640 --> 00:24:03.960
 with the

00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.480
 younger son

00:24:04.480 --> 00:24:04.940
 the father

00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:05.460
 goes out

00:24:05.460 --> 00:24:05.840
 to meet

00:24:05.840 --> 00:24:05.980
 him

00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.559
 he earnestly

00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:07.160
 pleads with

00:24:07.160 --> 00:24:07.600
 him also

00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:08.159
 to come

00:24:08.159 --> 00:24:08.799
 and he

00:24:08.799 --> 00:24:09.359
 says look

00:24:09.359 --> 00:24:10.240
 we had

00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.259
 to celebrate

00:24:11.259 --> 00:24:12.219
 and be

00:24:12.219 --> 00:24:12.599
 glad

00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:13.719
 you see

00:24:13.719 --> 00:24:14.399
 the father's

00:24:14.399 --> 00:24:15.119
 extravagant

00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:15.539
 love

00:24:15.539 --> 00:24:16.839
 his prodigal

00:24:16.839 --> 00:24:17.359
 love is

00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:17.759
 shown to

00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.459
 the rebellious

00:24:18.459 --> 00:24:19.480
 son as

00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:19.799
 well as

00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.500
 the resentful

00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:21.299
 son he

00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:21.819
 shows his

00:24:21.819 --> 00:24:22.419
 love to

00:24:22.419 --> 00:24:23.240
 the unrighteous

00:24:23.240 --> 00:24:24.339
 as well as

00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:24.819
 the self

00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.859
 righteous and

00:24:25.859 --> 00:24:26.379
 I guess all

00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:26.919
 of us fall

00:24:26.919 --> 00:24:27.439
 into one of

00:24:27.439 --> 00:24:27.819
 those two

00:24:27.819 --> 00:24:28.379
 categories

00:24:28.379 --> 00:24:30.839
 the great

00:24:30.839 --> 00:24:32.519
 tragedy of

00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.139
 this story

00:24:33.139 --> 00:24:34.699
 then and

00:24:34.699 --> 00:24:35.339
 now is that

00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:35.779
 the self

00:24:35.779 --> 00:24:36.519
 righteous stand

00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:37.459
 outside refusing

00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:38.059
 to join the

00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:38.640
 celebration

00:24:38.640 --> 00:24:40.000
 but returning

00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:40.860
 prodigals join

00:24:40.860 --> 00:24:41.480
 the party

00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:42.519
 celebrating with

00:24:42.519 --> 00:24:43.000
 the angels

00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:43.579
 in heaven

00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:47.279
 so this is a

00:24:47.279 --> 00:24:47.759
 parable about

00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.299
 the father

00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:49.980
 and his two

00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:50.920
 sons but of

00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.600
 course there is

00:24:51.600 --> 00:24:53.120
 a third son in

00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:53.980
 the bigger story

00:24:53.980 --> 00:24:55.220
 the one who is

00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:56.200
 telling the story

00:24:56.200 --> 00:24:58.039
 Jesus himself

00:24:58.039 --> 00:25:00.180
 we're not told

00:25:00.180 --> 00:25:01.140
 the parable is

00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:02.059
 left open-ended

00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:03.079
 did the eldest son

00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:03.600
 ever join the

00:25:03.600 --> 00:25:04.799
 party well the

00:25:04.799 --> 00:25:05.600
 story doesn't tell

00:25:05.599 --> 00:25:06.699
 us but the

00:25:06.699 --> 00:25:07.199
 story of the

00:25:07.199 --> 00:25:08.299
 gospel does

00:25:08.299 --> 00:25:10.359
 tell us the

00:25:10.359 --> 00:25:11.159
 eldest son the

00:25:11.159 --> 00:25:12.179
 Pharisees the

00:25:12.179 --> 00:25:12.779
 teacher the law

00:25:12.779 --> 00:25:13.679
 religious people

00:25:13.679 --> 00:25:14.779
 never joined the

00:25:14.779 --> 00:25:17.519
 party instead

00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:19.480
 they killed the

00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:21.079
 one who tells

00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:22.759
 the story but

00:25:22.759 --> 00:25:23.599
 this was part of

00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.899
 God's wonderful

00:25:24.899 --> 00:25:26.759
 plan listen to

00:25:26.759 --> 00:25:27.459
 some words written

00:25:27.459 --> 00:25:28.119
 by John a

00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:28.919
 follower of Jesus

00:25:28.919 --> 00:25:31.059
 he says this is

00:25:31.059 --> 00:25:32.039
 how God showed

00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.779
 his love among

00:25:32.779 --> 00:25:33.699
 us he sent his

00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.360
 one and only

00:25:34.360 --> 00:25:35.039
 sin into the

00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:36.420
 world that we

00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.019
 might live

00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:37.660
 through him

00:25:37.660 --> 00:25:39.000
 this is love

00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.660
 not that we

00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.940
 love God but

00:25:40.940 --> 00:25:41.620
 that he loved

00:25:41.620 --> 00:25:42.319
 us and sent

00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:43.059
 his son as an

00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:44.279
 atoning sacrifice

00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:46.100
 to pay for our

00:25:46.100 --> 00:25:48.420
 sins and I

00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:49.340
 simply conclude

00:25:49.340 --> 00:25:51.660
 slightly over my

00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.380
 twenty minutes

00:25:52.380 --> 00:25:53.000
 five minutes

00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:54.080
 over but I

00:25:54.080 --> 00:25:55.279
 conclude by

00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.880
 asking this

00:25:55.880 --> 00:25:57.600
 morning have

00:25:57.600 --> 00:25:58.420
 you experienced

00:25:58.420 --> 00:25:59.120
 the prodigal

00:25:59.120 --> 00:25:59.700
 love of the

00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:01.259
 father you know

00:26:01.259 --> 00:26:01.840
 what it is to

00:26:01.840 --> 00:26:02.360
 know God as

00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:02.740
 your heavenly

00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:07.939
 father are

00:26:07.939 --> 00:26:09.259
 you rejoicing

00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:09.819
 in that love

00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:13.079
 today celebrating

00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:16.799
 the prodigal

00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.319
 love of God

00:26:17.319 --> 00:26:17.919
 the father by

00:26:17.919 --> 00:26:18.559
 which he calls

00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.059
 you his son

00:26:19.059 --> 00:26:19.579
 and daughter

00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:21.059
 another verse

00:26:21.059 --> 00:26:21.659
 from the Bible

00:26:21.659 --> 00:26:22.719
 written again

00:26:22.719 --> 00:26:23.319
 by John

00:26:23.319 --> 00:26:25.019
 see what great

00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:25.799
 love the father

00:26:25.799 --> 00:26:26.699
 has lavished on

00:26:26.699 --> 00:26:28.279
 us that we

00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:28.859
 we

00:26:28.859 --> 00:26:31.439
 unrighteous

00:26:31.439 --> 00:26:32.399
 self-righteous

00:26:32.399 --> 00:26:34.019
 should be called

00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:34.679
 the children of

00:26:34.679 --> 00:26:35.679
 God so I

00:26:35.679 --> 00:26:36.579
 simply conclude

00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:38.179
 by asking you

00:26:38.179 --> 00:26:39.399
 three questions

00:26:39.399 --> 00:26:40.819
 are you lost

00:26:40.819 --> 00:26:42.159
 or found

00:26:42.159 --> 00:26:44.699
 are you a

00:26:44.699 --> 00:26:45.059
 slave

00:26:45.059 --> 00:26:46.959
 or a son

00:26:46.959 --> 00:26:48.799
 are you

00:26:48.799 --> 00:26:49.199
 grumbling

00:26:49.199 --> 00:26:51.139
 or rejoicing

00:26:51.140 --> 00:26:52.240
 let's pray

00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:52.620
 together

00:26:52.620 --> 00:26:57.500
 our father

00:26:57.500 --> 00:26:57.920
 in heaven

00:26:57.920 --> 00:26:58.640
 thank you so

00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:59.220
 much for your

00:26:59.220 --> 00:27:00.400
 amazing prodigal

00:27:00.400 --> 00:27:01.220
 love generous

00:27:01.220 --> 00:27:02.020
 love shown to

00:27:02.020 --> 00:27:02.759
 each one of us

00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:04.220
 here not one

00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:05.080
 of us deserves

00:27:05.080 --> 00:27:05.660
 your love

00:27:05.660 --> 00:27:06.920
 one of us

00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.840
 deserves to be

00:27:07.840 --> 00:27:08.360
 a member of

00:27:08.360 --> 00:27:08.940
 your family

00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:10.240
 to be called

00:27:10.240 --> 00:27:10.800
 your child

00:27:10.800 --> 00:27:11.480
 your son and

00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:12.980
 daughter and

00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.520
 yet you've made

00:27:13.520 --> 00:27:14.300
 it possible by

00:27:14.300 --> 00:27:15.080
 giving your own

00:27:15.080 --> 00:27:16.080
 son up for us

00:27:16.079 --> 00:27:18.119
 so whoever we

00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:18.819
 are this morning

00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:19.539
 as we bow

00:27:19.539 --> 00:27:21.399
 in your presence

00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:22.220
 you know who

00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:22.759
 we are and

00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.419
 where we are

00:27:23.419 --> 00:27:25.379
 whether we're in

00:27:25.379 --> 00:27:26.179
 the far country

00:27:26.179 --> 00:27:27.819
 whether we're on

00:27:27.819 --> 00:27:28.639
 the road home

00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:34.339
 whether we're

00:27:34.339 --> 00:27:35.119
 standing outside

00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:35.699
 angry

00:27:35.699 --> 00:27:38.299
 refusing to

00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:39.119
 join the party

00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:41.000
 show your love

00:27:41.000 --> 00:27:41.779
 to us by your

00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:42.240
 spirit

00:27:42.240 --> 00:27:43.899
 and may we

00:27:43.899 --> 00:27:44.460
 rejoice

00:27:44.460 --> 00:27:46.059
 today with

00:27:46.059 --> 00:27:46.720
 the angels in

00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.019
 heaven

00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:48.460
 that you

00:27:48.460 --> 00:27:49.099
 welcome us

00:27:49.099 --> 00:27:49.599
 back as

00:27:49.599 --> 00:27:50.940
 lost people

00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:52.240
 we pray in

00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:52.919
 Jesus name

00:27:52.919 --> 00:27:54.519
 Amen