Lost At Home

But it's Pentecost Sunday what a perfect day to be in the house of God Pentecost for those of you that don't know is a is a feast in the Old Testament that was established by God to be celebrated. But Acts chapter 2 says and when the day of Pentecost was fully come now the reason I bring that verse up is there had been several Pentecost days. But something changed there and it got recorded in the Bible in Acts 2 and it said when the day of Pentecost fully. Come what happened that day is a promise was being fulfilled Jesus came and he gave his life, and he was talking about that he was going to send his Spirit the comforter in his place. And he had ascended back up into heaven where he was and he told those that were with him that followed after him to go, and Terry in Jerusalem till you be ued with power on high.

And they were all in one place in one mind and one Accord and Acts 2 says, and suddenly there came a sound from Heaven as of a rushing Mighty Wind and it filled the house where they were setting they began to speak with tongues. That was the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and that was the day the New Testament Church was born. So that's what we're doing today on this Pentecost Sunday we're celebrating the birth of the church. So happy birthday church I'm happy that you were with us to celebrate this day I was praying specifically about Pentecost Sunday, and in being transparent with you it was a few weeks ago we were I was working towards a sermon I was going to be using. On Wednesday night as a part of the parable series that we've been doing and as we were sitting down and putting together.

Who was going to be teaching which Parable on which Wednesday night the committee there had decided. Because they know how passionate and how much I love Luke chapter 15 they said pastor you need to you need to do the parable on the prodical son, and I'm be honest with you Luke 15 is probably one of my favorite chapters in the entirety. Of the Bible so I didn't even hesitate I'm like sure I got this one. So as I was trying to prepare for that now to put this in context that was the Wednesday night we had to cancel. Because of all the bad weather you guys remember that bad storms and stuff we had to come through on Wednesday night. So Monday and Tuesday and even Wednesday of that week I was really struggling trying to get my thoughts to come together in a in a way that would my normal Comfort level and usually.

When that happens is God's way of telling me that I don't want you to do what you're doing. Now, you've been with me for a while and you've called me Pastor for a while you know that there are times that I still like to argue with God, and that was one of those moments I'm like God you know I like Luke 15. And that this is this is like a candy stick for me Lord why is this. So hard for me to get like Lord I want to do this and I felt like he even went to the length of just shutting down service that night. Because I was determined I was like Lord I got this like I got Luke 15 I can talk about the prodical son in my sleep and he's like no. So when it come to me preparing for Pentecost Sunday all of a sudden he brought me back in a very unique way.

Now, you may be thinking well how am I going to talk about the prodical son in a unique way or the Parables that are there I will tell you that every time I go to Luke 15 with the intent of studying it out I always. Find something new and I have something that I feel like the Lord revealed to me new about this, and for just a little while today on this Pentecost Sunday I want to I want to bring to you I want to preach to you lost. At home lost at home I want to read an opening scripture Luke 15 verse number one, and it's setting up the context today and I'm going to if you're okay I'm just going to do a little taching today. So we may start slow down the runway, but I'll get it up in the air in a minute says this.

Then all the tax collectors and the Sinners Drew near to hear him now the did you notice. How many Tax Collectors were there all of them yeah that's a bad day when the IRS is standing there is it all the agents are standing outside your house would you be nervous yeah I'd be a little nervous. So all the tax collectors somebody said no all the tax collectors and the Sinners Drew near to hear him, and the Pharisees and scribes complained saying this man receives Sinners and eats with him now I'm going to stop here. Because I feel like it's really important that we make sure we have this picture setting in our mind of who is present at this meeting. So we know we know all the IRS is there and then we know that there are also some. Who are classified as Sinners that are there and then we also have the publicans and the scribes.

So what we have here is a very interesting Dynamic we have tax collectors we have Sinners and we have the religious people. So the story is being set up and the as Jesus does in such a brilliant way he always is telling stories. So that when the story is being told that you will grab a hold of someone in the story in this case for you to for you to put yourself in a category. So somewhere we're either going to be Tax Collectors we're going to be Sinners or we're going to be the religious ones. Now, you may be thinking I don't know Pastor I'm nervous about my options here some of you know where the story is going. So you're a little you're a little hesitant, but the audience and understanding is critical.

So Jesus is here and they're complaining they're saying I like how they worded this man they don't even call him by his name they just say this guy right here this guy he is he is giving audience to he is hanging out with Sinners. So again I know for Simplicity sake you may think I'm repeating myself, but I want us to grab it because if you don't get it at the start you're going to missed the ending okay Tax Collectors Sinners religious folks the religious folks are upset. Because Jesus is doing what he's hanging out with Sinners so it's the setting that's taking place, and in the middle of this he begins to tell a story matter of fact it's three stories on the surface. But it's actually one story that's being told he starts off by saying there was a man. Who had a hundred sheep and one of them drifts away one of his 100 gets lost, and it says in the story as Jesus is telling it that the shepherd of those sheep decides to leave the 99.

And goes and he finds the 100 or the one that was lost and then when he finds him he is happy, and he rejoices he brings the Sheep back in and he gets his friends. And his neighbors and his little Community around him and everybody is happy and rejoice. Because what was lost has now been found am pretty simple story right there was 100 loses one he leaves the 99 goes, and finds the one brings the one back and when he brings the one back. What happens there celebration and rejoicing and everybody who's listening all the audience the tax collectors the Sinners, and the religious people they all are going we get it we get it that makes sense to us it makes sense. If you were a Shepherd you want to make sure all your sheep are there, and you would go out and find the one and when you brought it back having a time of Celebration makes sense people would be happy with you because you would say.

Hey what I was lost has been found now remember the context of the setting right Tax Collectors Sinners religious people, and the religious people have verbalized and vocalized that they're upset. Because he's doing what he's eating with Sinners Jesus starts telling a story the next story he goes in, and it's all part of one long dialogue is that there was a lady. Who had 10 coins and she loses a coin in the house now the Sheep was somewhere out in the field it got lost it wasn't at home it drifted off somewhere. But the coin was lost where in the house she knew the coin was lost in the house she knew that I don't have to look outside the house I can go where I know I last seen it was in this house. So she begins to clean her house she begins to pull the furniture out she begins to sweep she begins to make things right we just had a graduation party at my house yesterday.

And our house is as clean as it's been in a long time because when people. Come over the house can never look like anybody lived in it we've been there 20 years that's a that's a tough task for us at this point. So you know you I know we're not the only ones who you stick stuff here, and behind that door you tell your guests like enjoy my home. Don't open that door like Mary Poppins purse behind that door pops out so this lady she's cleaning have you ever been cleaning your house, and found something yeah you're like oh that's where I put that yeah I love my wife. But there's things that she hides from us she doesn't intentionally hide from them she just puts them in places, and doesn't remember where she puts them so when we clean the house it's like a Easter egg hunt oh there's the shoe there's the remote.

There's my shotgun that may or may not be true this lady she's cleaning the house she's cleaning the house with the intent of finding. What a lost coin and then it says she finds the coin and she goes out, and she tells her neighbors and her friends hey I have found. What was lost and her neighbors and friends do what they celebrate and rejoice with her there's a lot of I could dive deeper into that little piece of the story about her being her doy. And all the stuff that was there we probably heard it taught and preached about, but so far in the story we have what Tax Collectors Sinners religious people, and he's telling a story about things that have been lost outside right 99 stayed he found. The one that was lost and when he brought the one back what happened people were rejoiced, and people were happy and then he tells another story about something that was lost where in the house.

And then when she found it she immediately went out and told her neighbors and friends and they did what they rejoiced. Now, remember this all started because he was eating with Sinners and the religious people were what upset they're upset. Now, some of you are smiling because you're starting to see where the story's going. Because Jesus is brilliant Storyteller now so far everything's going good look at your neighbor say things are going good right. Now, so and I say that because everybody in this story everybody who's pay attention. Everybody who's listening they're on board when you lose something and you find it you get excited about it you lose a sheep you find a sheep you come back you rejoice people are happy for you lose a coin you lose a part of your diary.

You lose a part of an inheritance thing that is there and you come back and you tell. Somebody like oh that's awesome I hate that you lost it, but I'm so thankful that you found it and everybody's on board right. Now, everybody's going real good but then all of a sudden things change and this is where the story gets really interesting. Because up until this point even the religious leaders listening to the story are not upset about the story. But things get a little different when we get to verse number 11 because in verse number 11 it says a certain man had two sons. Now, this is a different kind of story now for those of you who have been in church for a little while or been raised around Church you probably have heard the story of the prodical son.

And you know how so much of the story revolves around the youngest boy boy. Who goes into to his father and says father I want you to go ahead, and divide up the inheritance and give me my portion. Now, in our world today because our society is diminished to the point to where there's not a lot of respect, and honor anymore have you guys noticed that there's. Just not a lot of respect and honor, but in but in the in the in the in the in that Middle Eastern culture even still today. But especially during Biblical times those that are listening to this story are automatically tuned in, and somewhat appalled that someone would look at their father and basically say I wish you were dead. But since you're not dead can you just go ahead and give me what I'm going to get.

When you die because that's what the sun's doing is I don't want to wait for who knows. How long it's going to be for you to fall over dead I would really like to go ahead and have my portion. Now, so father would you divide unto me what's going to come to me anyway. Now, here's the crazy thing in the story now remember the setting there are what Tax Collectors there are sinners, and there are religious people and he's telling a story about things that have been lost outside. And inside and how there's rejoicing that goes on and all this is brought about because the religious leaders are upset. Because he's eating with Sinners and then he begins to tell these stories about things that are lost, and found and a celebration that takes place and then we get to the two sons.

And this is the majority of the chapter 15 in Luke and the youngest says, and now here's the crazy thing is that the father says okay I'm going to tell you at that moment he lost half the group at least half the group are like. What in the world what father in his right mind would have accepted such disrespect such open disrespect that his son would say I wish you were dead. But since you're not going to die how about you go ahead and give me what I'm going to get. When you die and then the father says okay now here's the deal they didn't have a ATM machine they had to go down, and you know withdraw the cash like the and we know. And I'll explain this a little bit more in a minute that there this family had means. Because of what they did so the father's wealth would have been contained mostly in livestock.

So he had to go sell he had to go down to the sailb barn oer sell some stuff off, and then come back and he divided unto his younger son the money that was there. And then it says that he went away and he wasted it in a foreign land, and it depends on which version of the Bible you read some say on prodical living some say on rius living. And anyway the picture is he went wasted it and then he found himself being in want that's King James language. What that mean in today's world is he found himself broke anybody ever been broke anybody currently broke God going to help you today he was broke, and then it says very interesting that he ends up feeding pigs. Now, him being a good Jew boy being around pigs that was that was forbidden. So I mean he's he's doing things way outside his comfort zone very very very degrading.

Now, remember don't forget the audience you're caught in the moment I know you're listening to me, and you're putting yourself in the story you got to go back and remember the audience that he's talking to okay it's tax collectors it's Sinners it's religious people. And he's talking about things that have been lost inside and outside and how they celebrate. When things are being found and then they all got started because they were grumbling and upset. Because of why he was eating with Sinners okay I don't want you to forget the story. So when he's telling this story The Open disrespect to the father and then wasted all that was given to him, and then he finds himself in a very degrading position it says and he came to himself anybody have a moment. When you come to yourself and I like it when this it says this he says he would have he would King James he would Fain fill his belly he was so hungry he was hangry anybody ever been hangry anybody hangry right.

Now, this is a long sermon I got no help for you he would ate. What he was feeding the pigs and then he said to himself my servant the servants that my father has have it better than I I'm going to go back to my father, and I'm going to ask for forgiveness. And say to my father father make me as one of your servants and then he comes back, and the crazy part of the story is the father sees him a far way off. Now, remember I know you know the story many of you know the story and you're thinking about it in your way stop thinking your way remember. Who he's telling the story to it says the father sees him away is off, and that he takes off running to his boy for an elder Statesman in a community to ever run is disrespectful.

Because he would had to have lifted up his robe and exposed his legs, but the father's willing to take on shame remember he's telling a story, and the people he's telling the story to they're living in their culture. And they're like there's no way there's no way there's no way he would have done that there's no way he would have gave them money there's no way he would have received him back. And there's a whole lot of this and I and I really I literally for those of you who know me I have nine pages in notes up here, and I had even got to my notes. Yet but he's running and he causes open shame because he knows I have to get to my son first. Because if I don't get to my son first the village that I live in will Stone him, and kill him because he has disrespected me so the father runs and meets the boy.

And Embraces him and takes him on and the sun's in the middle of him just trying to say say Dad father I'm sorry I'm sorry you know. Just make me a servant he and the father won't hear anything of it he's kissing his boy he's hugging his boy he's telling his servants you bring out the best robe you put a ring on his on his on his hand you put shoes. On his feet and you go kill the fatted calf and they're coming home and they're going to have a celebration. Because what was lost has been found prise God now so we get we see the connections in the story right we see something that was lost outside that got found and when it got brought back. What will happen celebration and then we see something was lost in the house and then when it was found.

What did they do they rejoiced and now we see something again that's lost outside that comes back and it's time to Rejoice. Everybody with me so far cuz now things get good now I'm going to get in my notes I'm preaching to you about lost at home. Let's go to verse 25 of Luke 15 now his older son was in the field, and as he came and Drew near to the house he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant and he said to him your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound your father has killed the fatted calf. But he was angry this is the brother he was angry everybody say he's mad, and he would not go in therefore his father came out and pleaded with him so he answered and said to his father Lo these many years I have been serving.

You and I've never transgressed your commandment at any time and yet you never gave me a young goat that I may make marry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came who has devoured your livelihood with harlots you killed the fatted calf for him, and he said to him son you're always with me and all that I have is yours it was right that we should. Make marry and be glad for your brother was dead and is alive again and was lost and is found. Again, one of the Geniuses of Jesus's teaching is that we are irresistibly finding ourselves identifying with someone in the story I remember a story about a Sunday school teacher. Who was trying to explain the story of the prodical son and she was talking about the question of which one of the characters that were there was not happy about what was going on, and little boy raised his hand he said the fatted calf.

It's pretty good I'm quite sure the fatty calf wasn't happy about about the son's return cost him his life. But here we are where are you at in this story cuz as I'm looking through this story myself there has been seasons in my life that I identify with different ones in the story there was a season in my life ashamed to say that I was away. From God I was the prodical son I was disrespectful I was selfish and I was self-centered, and I was self-focused and I went my own way and I drifted away from God and I had a moment too not necessarily feeding pigs. But I had a moment where I came to myself because I was running from a call in my life, and I was afraid and I was scared and I was feeling inadequate and not able to fulfill.

What I felt like God was trying to do for me so in my fear, and in self- focus and self-centeredness I ran from God. But I was so miserable I came to myself and finally gave up and said God. If you will just if you will just take me back whatever you want me to do I'm willing to do it I don't know. How I'll do it I don't even know what it means and I had I didn't have a clue all that was going to unfold for me, but I remember being the prodical before I want to get today. And for all the prodal that are in the room I want you to know your father will go to Great Lengths to prove his love to you, and all he's looking for is for you just to turn around. And I promise if you'll turn around you'll find him running toward you and he will embrace you, and he will love you and he'll put a robe on you and he'll put a ring on you and he'll put shoes on you and Heaven is going.

To celebrate just come home just come home just quit listening to excuses about you're not worthy you're G quit trying to get right. Just turn around and go back home your father is waiting for you, but I feel. So strongly today I feel like God confirmed it multiple times over the last couple days that I need I need to speak to those of us in the room. Who identify with the older brother this is going to take me a little bit of time, and I hope you'll be patient with me, but I feel like the Lord has a word for us today about those. Who find thems lost at home see when I look at this story and as I begin to dive into it I want to be really really really clear about what's going on in the heart of the older brother see the difference between the older.

Brother in Christianity following Jesus is meant to be is there's a struggle between these connections. Because often times those of us who've been around church for a while we take on this mindset of understanding the expectations that we're supposed to live to, and the problem that we often times find ourselves in unknowingly is that we get. So caught up in making sure that I don't break the rule that I miss the important part of why the rule is even there, and see this is what Jesus is doing remember the setting Sinners tax collector religious folks the religious folks are upset. Because he's talking and spending time with the Sinners and he starts telling a story about lost things that have been found in the celebration that should take place, and he tells This brilliant story all the way down. And everything's going pretty good they're having a hard time with how the prodal did what he did, and even harder time with the father's reaction.

When the prodal comes home but I'm going to tell you right now it went completely off the rails. When he gets to the older son they can't comprehend what's taking place because they're identifying with the older son. Because they have the same opinion as the older brother he made a choice to leave he embarrassed you he doesn't want to do the right things yet you willingly receive him back what's wrong with you he's made his bed. Let him lie in it we got to be careful we got to be careful that we don't find oursel having an older brother mindset. See, in this very communal Society family was so important family was a big deal, and what happened inside the family makes a huge difference and we see that this little this little picture that's being painted here as Jesus is telling the story about how.

The father is openly receiving the one who who embarrassed him back into the home, and the older son is having a problem as he comes out of the field. Now, here's a deal with this story you got to you got to pick up on all the pieces you can't glaze over it you, and I we read this story and we live in the our comfortable 2024 World we don't pick up on the fact. That they actually had a fatted calf that was reserved for a special party they have means or that the older brother says you didn't even give me a goat he's referring back to extra stuff that they have or the fact that there was celebratory. Clothes that they put on or there was an extra ring to have or spare shoes to put on there there's a lot of stuff that's letting you, and I know that this is a family that has means.

And stuff to do they have ability so I say that because when it says that the older son was in the field he wasn't working at best he was in a supervisory position out there making sure that the servants were doing. What they were doing and he comes back and he sees more servants that he has an opportunity to ask what's all the noise I hear in the house I hear music, and I hear dancing going on what's the celebration that's taking place. And he's okay with the fact that there's a celebration until he finds out the why there's a celebration no remember the younger brother had the audacity to say Dad I wish you were dead go ahead. And give me what I got coming now there's only two brothers that we know of, and according to studying out the scriptures the lying share of the inheritance was going to go to the older brother because the older brother had the responsibility of taking.

Care of his parents so the younger brother would have got a smaller piece of what was going on that's what Biblical tradition tells us in there many of you know this you've studied this out yourself. But here's the deal the older brother knows everything that's left belongs to me so that fatty calf that's my fatty calf that house you're dancing in that's my house. Now, the problem with this way of thinking is that yes when Dad dies that stuff will be passed down to you, but dad's not dead yet however older brother's mindset is not much different than younger brother's mindset. Because he's already Counting what belongs to him before it ever gets to him say that he's already got an inventory list running and what's really. Just made it not set well with him is that there's a party going on and the fatted calf's been killed.

But hey that's belongs to me bub you've already taken your portion so instead of being happy that his brother's home, and his brother's alive he doesn't even know the condition of his brother he doesn't know. What shape his brother's in he refuses to go in the house and even acknowledge that everything's okay instead he sits outside, and he he's mad and he's pouting. Because what belongs to him is being used Beyond his control what he doesn't realize is that his very action is just as disrespectful as his brother's action yes cuz in this culture, and Society to openly disrespect your father regardless of the reason is shameful. See, the party's going on and his dad's already inside the village has already been there in those small villages I promise you there's no secrets the gossip train is running they've already found out hey hey he welcome to back he ran past us we wouldn't.

Have let him in the gates we would not have let him in the village. But Dad ran past us all and hugged him and he put a robe on him, and a ring on him and shoes on him and he welcomed him back in it was beyond our control. And now he's throwing a party to celebrate so well let's go to the party. So everybody's in the house remember the Sun comes in from the field and he hears music, and dancing with such as snow there's people already gathered in there the celebration's going on, but because the oldest son. Won't go out he shames his dad because here's the deal the father should not be the one who's having to do the entertaining the father should be seated at a table talking to the guest. And it was the high honor of the oldest son to be the servant or the head waiter of what took place it was a symbol of saying to the guest that would show up that we respect you so much that my oldest son is going.

To wait on you but instead of the son taking his rightful position in welcoming the guest, and celebrating the brother's return the son's outside refusing to come in the house. So now the father has to get up from the party and walk outside the door he has to shame himself. Again, remember all the pieces of the of the story once again in the same day that he had to shame himself by running outside the village gates to embrace the son. Who is lost and bring him back in as the in the middle of the celebration that was taking place, and the party that was there he has to leave the celebration shame himself. Again, to walk outside to the stubborn oldest son who refuses to celebrate his brother 's arrival. Now, remember who's he talking to tax collectors Sinners religious leaders who are upset because he's spending time with sinners.

Now, how many of you think the religious leaders were connecting the dots at this point yeah yeah. Because he's being very matter of fact about what his mission is to seek and to save that which was lost hang on to that is that what Jesus said he was there I came to seek. And to save that which was lost and this whole chapter is about something that has been lost that has been found and not. Just found but celebrated so in this story there's a lot more to it you guys okay there's a lot more into this Parable that is there we see the we see the younger son has hurt his dad. But the older son has hurt him as well the older brother's son deliberately chooses to expose his father to public humiliation, and the whole village sees this the truth is in this strange new way it's almost like the older brother is enjoying his resentment.

He's just kind of settling in it and I'm reaching for some folks today you need to be very careful. When you find yourself just settling down in resentment justifying why it is that you can feel the way that you feel be very very careful the Sun comes out to plead with his son this is unusual. But it feeds something really dark inside of him and the older brother who seemingly likes to just. Just just feed on this he almost like you can hear him saying let them sing you let them dance none of them will know the pain none of them will know the hurt none of them would know. What I had to live with no one no one will know they're all here they're celebrating him he's wouldn't had his fun he's wouldn't done all the things that he wanted to do, but I've been here the whole time I've had to do all.

The stuff I've had to take on all the burden with him being gone I'm going to tell you that resentment I'm going to tell you how it works, and I read this some time ago it was talking about the method of how they were how. They could kill wolves way up in Alaska and it talked about how they would take a big old clump of meat, and they would stick a knife in it they would set it out there in the Frozen. And the Wolves will come up and they'll find the meat and they begin to eat the meat, and eat the meat of course it's cold outside and eventually it would get down to where the knife was out. And the knife as they were continue eat the knife would end up cutting the tongue of the wolf. But the wolf so consumed with eating the meat wouldn't realize that his tongue kept getting cut, and cut and cut and tasting that blood and tasting not realizing it was its own blood.

And eventually it would end up eating its own tongue it would end up dying. Because it ate itself resentment works that way you'll be careful about resentment you're at a knife, and you start feeding on it in your own sense and that's what was going on here with this with this older brother he he's eating all this stuff. Up and didn't realize that he's he's causing himself harm he's doing himself no good by being caught up in this mindset that the party's going on, and he's been living there the whole time. And all this is taking place and you got to got to be careful because if you don't if you not. If you're not care careful you'll find yourself hungry and craving the resentment so the question I have for you today is are you able to identify it, and if you can are you able to let it go can you learn.

How to forgive are you going to need God's help because sometimes these hurts and pains are so deep inside of us you got to ask God to help you forgive. Because what happens is that resentment that resentment stays there long enough and it takes root, and it begins to grow is it this is it doesn't. Just stay at resentment because it ends up moving into a spirit of complaint take a look for a moment at verse number 29 in chapter 15 The Father goes out to ple with his son. Who won't come into the party he's being disrespected, but he goes outside he loves he loves his older son. Just as much as he loves his younger son he would be willing to shame himself for the younger son he's going to shame himself for the older son, and he goes outside to plead with him and here we go in verse 29.

So he answered and said to his father loow these many years I've been serving you I never transgressed your commandment at any time, and yet you never gave me a young goat that I may make marry with my friends. Now, again remember I got I know I got you you're going to be like me the first hundred times I read this I didn't catch it, but there's something to be caught there put that verse back up for me you're going to miss it let. Me explain it because remember people are listening to the story who's listening Tax Collectors Sinners, and religious people and I tell you everything that is in scripture and everything that is not in scripture is there for a reason you're going to see something right. Here he said to his father Lo these many years I've been serving you the first striking thing is that he did not direct he did not address him as father hang on to that for a second okay he didn't he didn't he just began.

Talking to him but he didn't say father now the reason I say that is cuz. If you go to let's go to the chapter go back up to verse number 12, and the younger of them said to his father father give me the portion of goods in fact every interaction that the younger boy has with his Dad he always. Addresses him as father why it's respect it's honor even even if he's doing something that is not right he's still honors his dad by saying father. But when we get to the older son the older son is so caught up in his resentment, and his bitterness that he can't even talk to his dad in a respectful way. Now, remember I'm talking about the one who stayed home I'm talking about the one. Who who kept every commandment who I did everything the way you wanted me to do it I was I was obedient in every way I'm being compliant yet even in his so-called compliance he's disrespecting his dad he won't go in the house.

And when his dad comes out to plead with him he won't even honor him, and give him the title he deserves his father he says I've been with you this whole time he forgets his place. Because that's what happens when you let resentment get in there resentment all of a sudden turns into a spirit of complaint he begin to pour out big Venom to his dad, and all of a sudden we see this entire thing begin to trans transpire. Out in front of our eyes and remember they're listening to the story and I promise you as that story is being told there was a whole lot of oh oh did you no God there. Because of all of the disrespect in this beautiful Parable that's being told even in that moment he begins his statement disrespecting the whole town is there the truth is he doesn't know a thing about obedience.

Listen, to me listen to these words he doesn't know a thing about obedience he understands Conformity he understands following the rules. But he doesn't understand obedience he's eaten up with pride and superiority and jealousy and bitterness, and self-righteousness and envy and sarcasm and mockery and deceit and condemnation and judgmentalism and lovelessness. But he doesn't understand obedience he thinks he does, but it's apparent in his actions, and in his speech that he's simply been compliant I feel the holy ghost moving right. Now, I'm speaking to somebody this life we live is much more than being compliant I know a whole lot of people that are compliant, and they are bitter and they do not represent God in the beauty of Holiness they know. How to be compliant they understand how to follow the rules they understand Conformity, but we see here he was lost in fact I don't know that he wasn't further away from his father sitting at home than his brother was a thousand miles away CU.

Just being in the house doesn't mean you're safe just being in the house doesn't mean you're right there's much more than just showing up in the house it's your mindset in the house it's how you react in the house it's how you interact with your father. In the house that makes a difference there are people who who who I'm ashamed to say will spend a lot of time in the house, and when the end of time comes and the Rapture comes they're going to still be sitting in the house. And missed the whole thing now you think it's getting a little hot for Jesus right. Now, with the listeners oh yeah oh yeah he is he is stirring the pot good yeah he is he is he is doing a real good job about making them upset. Because here what here's what goes on is we went from resentment to complaint to judging it's what happens.

See, here's the deal we have scripture that tells us that I'm supposed to judge you by the fruit you bear. Well, Pastor the Bible also says judge not L you be judged I'm so thankful you have that rememorized it's like three verses you got memorized all have to do with how you have self-preservation that same chapter though. If you read the whole thing tells me I'm supposed to judge the fruit you bear Spirit of judgmentalism is another char eristic of the elder brother in verse 30 it says, but as soon as this son of yours came. Notice the language who has devoured your livelihood with harlots where'd that come from you killed the fat of C for him notice he doesn't say my brother when my brother got home you know as a father there have been times. When my daughters have not always done the things they should be and there may have been a time or two that I looked at Chast and said your daughter s.

How I always know things are bad if I come home and say your daughter did this I'm like. Well, whatever precedes that usually is bad because if it's something worth praiseworthy it's like you know. What our girls did yeah pick up on that so he's there and he says your son, and then we have this we have this Harlot where did where did this. Come from we have nothing in the story that leads us there Jesus is telling the story we have nothing that it says, and he went away and he spent all his money doing that we just said he went off the rius Living King James. New King James say prodical living you know he obviously didn't spend it wisely, but we have no indication. What we're seeing here is another glimpse into the heart of the older brother because the older brother is resentful, and is bitter and is complaining at home and has dreamed up.

What he thinks his little brother's done or maybe I don't know I don't think it's too far to stretch that maybe. Just maybe this is something the older brother thinks well this is what I would do if I did that we this is what we're got we have no indication other than his brother just spits it out we see this judgment coming down as pointing. Out the wrong in someone some else's life and again remember he's in the house he didn't leave he's been there the whole time he's been obedient to every command he's done everything that was ever asked of him even though he doesn't understand obedience got. To remember that when we're being judgmental it leaks out in things like gossip your son which devoured his living with harlots verse 13 all we got is in many days after the younger son gathered allog together.

And journey to a far country and wasted his possession on prodical living, but what I feel like is the prodical S is feeding on the on excuse me the older son was feeding on what Proverbs says in Proverbs 188 the words of a tail. Bearer are like tasty Trifles they go down to the innermost parts of the body I know. What you're thinking Pastor why do you always bring up food at 12:52 you got to be careful about how you talk you got to be careful about the intent or you bring yourself I got a prayer request you know. So and so and so and so is doing this and I just want everybody to know that so we can pray for it is that really the way it needs to go no there are some instances. When it's appropriate to give a few details of context, but sometimes you just need to say they need prayer.

Now, again I'm speaking to the people that are still at home so I'm going to bring this to a close in fact music you can get ready. Because I feel strongly that there's some healing going to take place today the father goes out he pleads with his son. Again, very strange considering the culture that a father would do this verse 31 says, and he said to him son you always with me and I want you again I want you to just leave that verse up there son you're always with me in all. That I have is yours now order makes sense now the actual term there son is it's very interesting. What Luke uses in this instance is not the normal word that gets translated Sun instead it's a different word for context it's the same word that Mary uses. When she finds Jesus in the temple and says son why have you done this to us it was more of a it was more of an ende in term it's more of like my child my child.

Why have you done this it was so we see in this that the father Luke is Luke is writing the words as Jesus told the story. So it it's a term of if more than just son why'd you do this. But my child like why why are you being this way son you're missing the point you're not you're not grasping a hold of it all I I'm here with you always, and all that I have belongs to you he he's he's given him an enormous. Amount of Grace but because of the selfishness in the oldest boy he doesn't realize. What the father's actually saying to him the son it's never been about the stuff on he says I'm with you always. But instead of you being concerned about making sure that you and I are right you've always been worried about the stuff that you thought was coming your way son you're lost at home you're worried about a fatted calf you're worried that I put a robe.

On your brother's back shoes on his feet son you're missing me you you're treating me no different than your brother did you didn't use the same word words. But there's the same meaning behind it is that you don't value the relationship with me you value the stuff that comes with me I'm afraid that there's going to be a bunch of apostolics one day wake up. And realize they missed it because they got so consumed by everybody else that had all the things they didn't have, and why it seemed to be that always worked out for them to get this. And to get get that and they always seem to have a hard time they always seem to suffer, and you you're going to be just like the older brother who sits outside. When it's time to celebrate and you're not happy that people are being baptized in Jesus name you're not happy that people are being filled with this spir you're not happy that they're coming home you're going to be like those you're going to be like.

Those Pharisees and scribes are like why are you hanging out with the Sinners when we're the ones. Who are always conforming to what we're supposed to do and Jesus is telling the story, and he's telling them you're missing it you've had an opportunity to be with me, but you chose the stuff you had an opportunity for a deep walk. And a deep relationship with me but instead you're keeping accounts and Records on what's going to be passed down to you, and you're no different than them you're just waiting on me to go away the power that is in this story is the fact. That there's a father who willing to openly shame himself no matter the circumstances of his child. If his child's drifted away and comes back he openly shames himself he runs out, and he Embraces he Embraces and he restores he Embraces and he restores he Embraces and he restores.

Because he wants everybody to know look you may have made some bad decisions, but I have I have never stopped loving you I have never stopped looking for you to return back to me I have looked every day I've looked on the horizon to see. It's today going to be today that my son's coming back to me and that day it happened he took off, and he ran as hard as he could shaming himself to embrace that son before anybody could accuse him of wrong. But that same father has Sons and Daughters who are still at home who have missed. How important the relationship is with him right instead they've looked around and seen what others have, and what they don't and what others have gotten away with and they have not. Because they've always been compliant they've always done a b c and d in that order, and you've never you've never thrown a party for me you've never had you've never had to welcome me back in I have never called you shame.

Well, son I'm standing outside the party just to meet you where you are just to try to convince you that it's right that we celebrate. What was lost has been found what was dead is alive, but instead of me being in there celebrating son I'm having to walk out here with you, and you won't even be decent enough to call me father. But I want you to know son you've been with me always all that I have is yours. But you've missed it and the beauty in this story as he doesn't end it the chapter. Just closes we don't know what takes place we don't know you know it could be it could be in that moment that the oldest son. Just stays out there and he doesn't go in and the father leaves him and goes back in the party the older brother just becomes more, and more bittered more and more cynical more.

And more caught up in his own selfishness to it leads him to where every relationship in his life is broken. Because he's consumed with resentment and complaint and judgmentalism or could it be that in that moment the oldest son falls down on his knees, and says father forgive me I'm so sorry I didn't even realize that I lost sight of the fact that my brother is home. Could it be his father pulls him up and hugs him and they walk in that house together, and when he sees his brother he sees sees a scrawny skinny little thing that's malnourished. And he runs to his brother and he hugs him and Embraces him and he remembers. How great a relationship they had at one time and the family goes on we don't know we're left with a moment where you and I have to pick. Who are we in the story who are we now here here's the deal it's really hard to be the father that one's kind of set, and there is a time in my life.

When I was a prodigal so thankful he had mercy on me he welcomed me back, and He restored me and if that's what you need today I want you to know there's a father. Who loves you and he is in the business of restoration he specializes in taking broken down burnout lives you just bring those Ashes to him, and his word says he'll give you beauty back he will put you back together in ways you could never. Imagine so if that's you today come allow him to love you back to where you need to be what I really feel today is there's a room full of us here. Who identify too well with that older brother and because things haven't went according to our plan we got a little resentment got a little resentment we got a little complaint got a little judgmentalism we it's there we find ourselves going through motion doing the things.

We know we're supposed to do but we're not really in and what I mean by that is we've we've drifted away from the relationship with the father, and what I know today is he wants to restore back. What has been lost see he said he came to seek and to save that which was lost do you know. What was lost you know what was lost lost it was lost in the garden. What was lost in the garden it wasn't life right because they said they were going to die they did die eventually. But what was lost the relationship was lost he came to seek and to save that which was he came to restore back the relationship than you Jesus than there's going to be a restoration today God I'm going to pray I'm going to ask you to close. Close your eyes this altar is open this is the only appeal I'm going to make.

But I hope you take advantage of it when you feel I pray that you would come. If you're a prodal away from God come he's here with open arms if you're if you're lost in the house take advantage of this day you don't know. How many he really got let's pray Jesus I love you so much I'm so thankful for the truth that is in your word I'm so thankful for the picture we get of a father. Who loves us so deeply he's willing to Bear shame and reproach just to reach us I feel you moving here today God I feel you pulling, and drawing and I pray God that we would have courage to take a step of faith. And trust that you can restore back what has been lost in our lives God I plead right. Now, that your spirit will remove all condemnation thank you Jesus God that we could come, and lay our guilt and our shame down God that you would restore us back where we need to be in Jesus name in Jesus name it's prayer time Church.