There was a man who had two sons

Opening Story/Illustration: It’s often said that there are two types of people in the world. (Show pictures of two types of people).

Transition to Text: Jesus, in Luke Chapter 15, is speaking to an audience with two types of people in it.

Text:

Luke 14:25–15:3 ESV

25 Now great crowds accompanied him, and he turned and said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’ 31 Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple. 34 “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable:

Luke 14:34–15:3 ESV

34 “Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” 1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable:

Preview the Main Idea:

Notice what’s happening here - Jesus says, “Anyone with ears should listen to what I have to say.”

Preview the Main Idea:

Notice what’s happening here - Jesus says, “Anyone with ears should listen to what I have to say.” Next verse - Tax Collectors and sinners came to listen - but the pharisees complained.

Next verse - Tax Collectors and sinners came to listen - but the pharisees complained.

So we have 2 types of people here - Tax collectors and sinners - people who were considered bad people, and Pharisees who followed all the rules.

So Jesus is about to tell us 3 stories. All three of these stories have to do with these two groups of people who are listening to Jesus.

We are going to read one of them this morning.

Luke 15:11–31 ESV

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.

Luke 15:11–32 ESV

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”

Bridge: In this story and in Jesus’ audience there were two types of people living life two very different ways. The truth is that some of us in this room fall in to one of these two categories. In fact, most of the people on the planet fall in to one of these two categories. People are on a search to discover who they are. They want to know who they were meant to be - and in their search for meaning for significance in life, or even “connection with God,” they generally take 2 paths.

Preview the Main Idea: This is what I want to talk about this morning. Which path will you take? How will you discover who you were meant to be?

Transition to Points: The opening line of this parable sets us up for a two-part story. “There was a man who had two sons.”

Part 1 - The Younger Brother who thinks he will discover himself by doing life his own way.

He comes to the father and asks him for his inheritance.

In most cultures, as in this one, it’s rude to ask for your inheritance before someone dies.

The father here had a right to divide it up anytime he wanted, but asking for it before the father’s death would have still been seen at leas as extremely disrespectful and at worst he’s wishing the father was dead.

The younger son would have gotten 1/3 of the estate.

The older brother would have gotten 2/3’s.

The younger sons request is harsh and disrespectful. “I want what’s mine and I want it now.”

Jesus’ audience who is listening to this story would have been rooting for the father to tell the son where he could go. This kid deserves a beating, not an inheritance.

So the father gives it to him - but it’s not just as easy as writing him a check. He probably was wealthy because of the land he owned - so in order to get the son his inheritance he has to go sell off his land -1/3 of it to be exact.

Instead, the father says “yes” to his request, but it’s not just as easy as writing him a check.

He probably was wealthy because of the land he owned - so in order to get the son his inheritance someone has to go sell off his land -1/3 of it to be exact.

Some think that he gives his son the land and his son has to convert it to cash.

Others believe that the father did this.

The passage here gives the

The younger brother hates the rules and regulations and wants to get out, see he world, and find himself.

The Story tells us that he gathers all he has and runs off to a far country.

While there, he loses all that he has.

Not on a bad business deal - But on wild living.

To add insult to injury, now he’s out of money and a famine hits the land.

He soon finds his life empty

He is broken and beaten down.

He hires himself out to someone and begins working with pigs

This would have been against his religion and culture as a jew.

He was at the lowest point he could possibly go.

Many people think they will discover themselves by living life their own way.

Maybe you’re the type of person who isn’t going to take orders from anyone. You’re going to do things your own way.

You just want to have fun

You just want to live your life your way.

You’re the - I have to try everything for myself - type of person. Get out of my way and let me do my thing.

Our culture is full of people say things like -

“No one can Judge me”

“I’m just living out my own truth.”

Illustration:

Jesus is saying in this story - You will not find yourself, you will not find salvation, you will not be able to complete yourself this way.

The father in the story is God - and the younger brother is in a sense saying, I don’t need God.

I’ll do life on my own run it my way, my life, my rules, I’ll figure it out myself.

Jesus says, this doesn’t work - it always comes up short. There is always an emptiness that can’t be filled.

Part 2 - The older brother thinks he will discover himself by following the rules

The older brother is just the opposite of the younger brother

The older brother is just the opposite of the younger brotherHe doesn’t leave his father.He’s out working hardHe’s done everything his father has asked. He follows all the rules and does everything dad asks. - But he does it for the wrong reasons. He doesn’t really love his father - Look at what he says to him (vs. 29 - All these years I’ve slaved for you!) He’s following the rules for what he wants to get from his father. He thinks, “If I can just be good enough, If I can just do enough stuff for the father. I’ve done so good, I deserve something from the father.”He yells at his father - I’ve slaved away for you and you never gave me anything.

He doesn’t leave his father.

He’s out working hard

He’s done everything his father has asked.

He follows all the rules and does everything dad asks. - But he does it for the wrong reasons.

He doesn’t really love his father - Look at what he says to him (vs. 29 - All these years I’ve slaved for you!)

He’s following the rules for what he wants to get from his father.

He thinks, “If I can just be good enough, If I can just do enough stuff for the father. I’ve done so good, I deserve something from the father.”

He hates his younger brother - “This son of yours...”

He yells at his father - I’ve slaved away for you and you never gave me anything.

Many people think they will discover themselves by following the rules.

Just because you sit in a pew, doesn’t mean your close to the father. Many prodigals are still sitting in the pew.

You come to church every week and you work hard and following all the rules.

You come to church every week and you work hard and following all the rules.You work hard trying to please GodBut are you doing it for the right reasons? Are we doing it just to say we are “good?” Our goal in life must be something more than to simply be “good”Some of you sit in church every Sunday and you’ve done all the right stuff and it still seems like something is missing.That’s what Jesus is saying in this story - You will not find yourself, you will not find salvation, in trying to be good. You will not be able to complete yourself this way. Jesus says, this doesn’t work - it always comes up short. There is always an emptiness that can’t be filled.

You work hard trying to please God

But are you doing it for the right reasons?

Are we doing it just to say we are “good?”

Our goal in life must be something more than to simply be “good”

Some of you sit in church every Sunday and you’ve done all the right stuff and it still seems like something is missing.

Perhaps you’re angry with God - You feel like you’ve given him everything and worked so hard to be good, and you still had trouble in life.

The least God could do is help you out since you’ve given so much to him.

Illustration: I spent my early teenage years being the elder brother. Church kid. Just trying to be good. But I want to tell you - There came a point where things were empty. Something was missing in my life. Going to church and trying to be good wasn’t cutting it - I need the father.

That’s what Jesus is saying in this story - You will not find yourself, you will not find salvation, in trying to be good. You will not be able to complete yourself this way. Jesus says, this doesn’t work - it always comes up short. There is always an emptiness that can’t be filled.

So how do you find yourself?

Jesus says you discover yourself by allowing his love to save and transform you.

How do you find salvation?

How do you find a life that is complete?

Jesus says you discover yourself by allowing his love to save and transform you.

The Father lovingly accepts the younger brother

The Father lovingly accepts the younger brother The younger son, when he reaches his lowest point decided to go back to the father.He thinks that he is going to have to work his way back into the house - But the father welcomes him back as a son. What does this mean? No matter what you have done, Jesus loves you. Jesus wants you. No matter how bad you have blown it, Jesus loves you and accepts you and wants to help you. The Father lovingly pleads with the older brotherNotice when the older brother yells at his father - the father responds “Dear Son.”The father loves him even when the older son is angry with him. The father pleads with him to come in and join the party. The older son thinks he deserves something because of his “goodness.”What does this mean? That you do not earn God’s love by “doing the right things.” God loves you just as much no matter what you have done. The older son wants to talk about what he’s done and what he thinks he deserves, the father just wants him to love him and the younger son.

The younger son, when he reaches his lowest point decided to go back to the father.

He thinks that he is going to have to work his way back into the house - But the father welcomes him back as a son.

What does this mean? No matter what you have done, Jesus loves you. Jesus wants you. No matter how bad you have blown it, Jesus loves you and accepts you and wants to help you.

The Father lovingly pleads with the older brother

Notice when the older brother yells at his father - the father responds “Dear Son.”

The father loves him even when the older son is angry with him.

The father pleads with him to come in and join the party.

The older son thinks he deserves something because of his “goodness.”

What does this mean? That you do not earn God’s love by “doing the right things.”

God loves you just as much no matter what you have done.

The older son wants to talk about what he’s done and what he thinks he deserves, the father just wants him to love him and the younger son.

MI - You discover who you were meant to be when you learn to accept God’s love for you.

What Jesus is saying in this story is that when we try to do things on our own, neither way works.

In a world where there are two kinds of people - Be the third kind.

Jesus is offering an alternative view of life and an alternative view of God - A God who simply LOVES YOU! Not based on what you’ve done or not done, but simply because he loves you!

He loves you too much to let you stay where you are…Notice something:

The younger son makes a move towards the father’s house. He did not stay in the pig pen.

The father is trying to get the younger

Now What?

Tonight If you’re here and you say, that first son is me. I want to run and do things on my own - and I know I need to respond to God’s love and let him work in my heart.

Tonight if you’re here and you say, that second sone is me - I do all the right stuff for all the wrong reasons and I need Jesus to transform and work in my heart.

There was a man who had two sons

Introduction

Points

Conclusion