“Serving with the wrong Heart”

Luke 15:25–32 (NIV)

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.’

28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 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!’

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.’ ”

This Son and Servant

was faithful

But he was Faithful with the wrong heart

And some christians

Are faithful

but they are Faithful with the wrong Heart

Note: This parable in verses 25-32 is actually not about the celebration of the young brother than it’s so much about HONORING THE FATHER’s — Agenda/Will ( Explain )

Note: We have not made our service to the Kingdom actually ABOUT GOD

This elder brother

Is upset with his Father

About what he has done RIGHT

But he don’t want to deal with

What he’s doing wrong NOW ------- And this is MOST of the people in church

The Trueness of your Heart

will show up

in your Work

or Words

and this is what happen with the elder brother

when we look at the elder brother

this is the MAIN POINT of this Parable

And that is ALWAYS let your service

To the Lord

Be TRUE and of a Pure in Heart

True:

Romans 12:1 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Example: That’s why when a member get out of one ministry they have to get out of ALL of THEM — Because it’s NOT TRUE SERVICE

The Heart:

Love God

With all of your heart

That’s not the muscles

that are pumping

in your chest

It means your internal being

Love God

with all of your soul

with everything

that makes you who you are

Love God with that

Here’s the CONUNDRUM

And the FALSE APPEARANCE

To people around you

You can be Faithful

And not from a PURE HEART

When we look at

The Lost Sheep

The Lost Coin

The Lost Son

The emphasis of Luke 15

Is actually the elder brother

Because in Jewish culture

The character that’s mention last

Is where they want the emphasis

To be in the parable

Serving with the wrong heart

1st He served because he was expecting ( V. 29 )

Luke 15:29 NIV

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.

Note: we should not be serving and expect something for our service to the Lord

Note: He did not serve out of love for the father

Note: But his service was a burden to him because he said “ slaving for you “

Serving with the wrong heart

2nd He disconnected himself from his family ( V. 29 )

Luke 15:30 NIV

But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

Note: When things don’t go our way we disconnect ourselves from the SERVICE & the SAINTS

Serving with the wrong heart

3rd He wanted what he already had ( V. 31 )

Luke 15:31 NIV

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

Note: A lot of times we want what we already have

Example: Francois Truck

Serving with the wrong heart

4th He refuse to celebrate what pleased his father ( V. 32 )

Luke 15:32 NIV

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.’ ”

Note: even if you have problems with a person, whatever God done in their life you should be able to celebrate the father

Note: Your day is coming where you will want people to celebrate what God has done for you

1st He served because he was expecting ( V. 29 )

2nd He disconnected himself from his family ( V. 29 )

3rd He wanted what he already had ( V. 31 )

4th He refuse to celebrate what pleased his father ( V. 32 )