Sons, Sin, & Salvation

Luke 15:1–3 CSB

All the tax collectors and sinners were approaching to listen to him. And the Pharisees and scribes were complaining, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable:

Luke 15:11 CSB

He also said: “A man had two sons.

Testimonies from CG members…Becky & Wayne. [5 min. ea.]

I have asked a couple of people from our CGs to share the significant, personal impact of this study for them.

NEXT… I want to be certain we are clear on two major truths found in Jesus’ parable which this study brings forth:

The Lostness of SELF-DISCOVERY & MORAL CONFORMITY.

Quote from TPG— “You can rebel against God and be alienated from Him either by breaking His rules or by keeping all of them.”

Luke 15.

Self-discovery (traditional view of a sinner) can more quickly see that Jesus is not their Lord or Savior [in fact, most prefer that].

Moral conformity (the unthinkable view of a sinner)— “If, like the elder brother, you believe that God ought to bless you and help you because you have worked so hard to obey him and be a good person, then Jesus may be your helper, your example, even your inspiration, but he is not your Savior. You are serving as your own Savior. [Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith, 1st ed. (New York: Dutton, 2008), 38.]

This is a works-based emphasis for salvation, but the Bible says:

Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith, 1st ed. (New York: Dutton, 2008), 38.

Ephesians 2:8–9 CSB

For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.

Eph 2.8-9

The ASSURANCE of Salvation through a true ELDER BROTHER.

Colossians 1:18–20 CSB

He is also the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile everything to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

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FINALLY…A few questions for thought:

Who do you identify with more, the younger or elder brother?

How would the attitude of the elder brother make it harder for the younger brother to come home? [How can you prevent this from happening in your own life and in your church?]

Why do you think many churches today are not attracting the broken and marginalized with Jesus’ message of grace?

How would the attitude of the elder brother make it harder for the younger brother to come home? [How can you prevent this from happening in your own life and in your church?]

Longing for Home…how does the biblical narrative of... Creation —> Fall —> Redemption —> Restoration…help us understand how that longing is ultimately satisfied?

The invitation still stands the same this week (and the next…) …If you’re tired of doing life on your own or trying to earn God’s favor on your own,—just stop and COME HOME!

AND…If, Christian, you are tired of running from God to do ‘Christianity’ your way or trying to control God by means of a ‘you owe me because I’ve done everything you said’ mentality—just stop and COME (back) HOME!

John 14:6 CSB

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 14:6 CSB

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.