Parable 14
Notes
Transcript
The Shameful Brother
The Shameful Brother
Parable 14
The Shameful Brother
Luke 15:25-32
The Clean Window
Great Illustration
A woman looked out her kitchen window every morning and complained about her neighbor’s dirty laundry hanging on the line.
She’d say, “That woman really needs to learn how to wash her clothes!”
One day, after several weeks of grumbling, she looked again and was surprised — the laundry was spotless!
She said to her husband, “Finally! Someone taught her how to clean.”
Her husband replied quietly, “Honey, I got up early this morning and washed our window.”
What’s the why of this parable?
Luke 15:1 (REB) — 1 Another time, the tax-collectors and sinners were all crowding in to listen to him;
Another time, the tax-collectors and sinners were all crowding in to listen to him;
Luke 15:2 (REB) — 2 and the Pharisees and scribes began murmuring their disapproval: ‘This fellow’, they said, ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’
and the Pharisees and scribes began murmuring their disapproval: ‘This fellow’, they said, ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’
Verse 3 “So Jesus tells a story.”
Lost sheep – Lost coin – Lost son.
Lost sheep – Lost coin – Lost son.
Here comes the death blow.
The sad part is some are not going to get this.
It will be easy to point say yeah you hypocrite
But in reality you will need to “First take the plank out of your own eye” (Matt. 7:5).
Set the Stage
Set the Stage
The Lost Son has Returned
Robe ring and sandals
Robe ring and sandals
Then a party - The fatted calf (that technically belong to the older son).
Working in the field
Luke 15:25 (NLT) — 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working.
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working.
Kinda like a child’s birthday party and one parent start the party while the other is still at work.
Luke 15:25 (CEB) — 25 Coming in from the field, he approached the house and heard music and dancing.
Coming in from the field, he approached the house and heard music and dancing.
It stirs feeling of anger and jealousy. (verse 28)
What was a meant for celebration turns to envy.
Envy and jealousy distort our view of God.
Envy and jealousy distort our view of God.
DO YOU BECOME ENVIOUS AT THE BLESSINGS OF OTHERS?
DO YOU BECOME ENVIOUS AT THE BLESSINGS OF OTHERS?
Do you say, “why are they special?”
Romans 12:15 (MEV) — 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
1 Corinthians 12:26 (LSB) — 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.
Envy questions the goodness of God.
Envy says I deserve more.
Jealousy whispers that God is unfair.
Jealousy blinds us to the blessings we have.
“His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours.
We miss God’s blessings
Grace says, “I already have more than I deserve”.
A Heart Revealed
A Heart Revealed
Refuses to attend the party.
Luke 15:28 (GW) — 28 “Then the older son became angry and wouldn’t go into the house. His father came out and begged him to come in.
“Then the older son became angry and wouldn’t go into the house. His father came out and begged him to come in.
Did you know that anger is a mask for self-righteousness?
He couldn’t see the father’s grace because it seemed unfair.
He was blinded by his anger.
Why are you rejoicing with this sinner?
I’m the one that stayed.
Verse 28 “His father came out and begged him to come in.”
Luke 15:29 (NLT) — 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to.
but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to.
His relationship with his father is built on duty.
It’s the older brother that saw himself as a servant not a son.
Rate your relationship with Jesus.
Duty or Love?
Duty or Love?
Where’s my goat?
Where’s my goat?
And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.
We used to have number the presents we gave our children.
Then spend the same.
Ask them who’s the favorite.
Every year church has to turn in an annual profile.
“How many are you running?”
Comparison is the thief of joy.
Do you measure your worth by works or love?
Which does God love more? The church running 10 or 10,000?
“This son of yours”
“This son of yours”
Not “my brother”.
Sin divides us. Pride keeps us divided.
We sing amazing grace how sweet the sound.
Until God blesses a rival – Then we are offended
The Father’s Plea.
The Father’s Plea.
“You are always with me.”
Luke 15:31 (NIV) — 31 “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
“ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
It’s a relationship not a performance.
Do you know God’s greatest gift?
His presence.
“It’s all yours.”
“It’s all yours.”
He had given the older son everything. V:12
He showed a lack of gratitude.
If heaven rejoices
Luke 15:32 (NIV) — 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”
But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”
If heaven rejoices over one sinner so should we.
The older son stood outside –
Alone Bitter Angry
Final Words
Final Words
Lessons for the heart
God’s grace gives us what we don’t deserve.
The real test of our heart is how we respond to someone else’s blessing.
The door of grace swings open to both the prodigal and the proud.
Are you coming in?
Are you coming in?
The story just ends.
Jesus leaves it open-ended
You must decide.
Will you lay down your resentment and pride?
Or cling to your sense of fairness.
