The Parable of the Lost Son Part II

Introduction

Summarize yesterdays message

Reintroduce eldest son

Discuss how we often identify with the youngest son

Maybe some of us are more like the older son?

The Eldest Son

The New International Version Chapter 15

25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

“The son was in the field”

This son seems to be the complete opposite of the younger son

He obeys the rules

He is a hard worker

The New International Version Chapter 15

28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.

Raise your hand if you have ever been left out of something?

maybe a friend didn’t invite you to something fun

maybe someone made a friend group chat without you

maybe you weren’t invited to a party or celebration

The New International Version Chapter 15

But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

This seems to unfair!!

The fattened calf was waaay more valuable than a goat (Goats were cheap)

Modern day example: Do ya’ll have younger siblings? Pick someone

Imagine if ____ was like the prodigal son

If ____ was given the coolest clothes, a new pair of Jordans, and a huge feast with their favorite artist playing live

You’d be pretty mad too if you’d have never been given a party

SON of YOURS

He can’t even refer to this prodigal son as brother anymore

SLAVING

This phrasing shows his true colors

He does not know what it means to be a son

Consequently, he doesn’t know what it means to be a father. He can’t wrap his head around why the father is happy to see the prodigal son.

The Father is happy because his son has returned home!

The New International Version Chapter 15

31 “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 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.’ ”

The word he used is teknon

Just like the younger son, the father is inviting his older son into his house.

The party is not just for the younger son.

The party is for the FAMILY. ALL are invited to the party

The oldest son knew how to be obedient

The oldest son didn’t know what it meant to be a son

Maybe the oldest son thought he needed to earn the fathers love

Maybe the youngest son knew he couldn’t earn it so he ran away

Mission trip on the floor

If we aren’t careful we can easily submit to the idea that we have to do XYZ to be good enough.

All too often, we are working for something we cannot attain and we can never earn.

If I just get good grades, I will be good enough

If I get into the best sports team, I will be good enough

My parents will love me better if I do chores

If I go to church twice a week, God will love me

Three things we need to learn

God loves us first (that changes everything)

We are God’s sons and daughters

God has uniquely created each and every one of you

To recognize God’s love for us changes everything

No amount of work is good enough and no amount of sin is big enough to separate us from the love of God

The New International Version Chapter 8

38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2. The Father is inviting BOTH sons inside

3. We are called to be LIKE the father

The New International Version Chapter 6

36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.