Come to the party and enjoy God’s love
Gregory Bishop
(Audio: English)
SUMMARY: The parable of the lost son in Luke 15 is often seen as a story about a wayward son who comes back to his father and is welcomed with open arms. However, the true focus of the parable is on the older son who stays home but is lost in his heart. The parable is part of a series of stories about finding lost things and celebrating their return. The invitation in the parable is not just to find what was lost but to share in a mystical, invisible celebration that is happening all around us. The older son in the story is missing out on this celebration, and the story invites us not to miss it as well.
The parable of the lost son in the Bible portrays two sons with different attitudes towards their father. The younger son demands his inheritance, squanders it, and returns home to his father's warm embrace. The older son remains dutiful, but when his father throws a party for the younger son's return, he becomes angry and resentful. He sees himself as a slave working for his father and views God as a slave driver. He also sees his father as stingy and miserly, viewing the world as a limited supply of blessings. This attitude is called legalism, which views our relationship with God in terms of rules and expectations. The lack of grace in legalism leads to personal insecurity and judgment of others. Grace, on the other hand, is unmerited divine favor.
The concept of grace is the opposite of law. Grace is unmerited divine favor. The older son in the parable of the prodigal son had no concept of grace, only law. The father addresses him with love and reminds him of their relationship as father and son. He also reminds him of the abundance he has in his inheritance. It is possible to function as a Christian and still be self-absorbed, but joy comes from losing oneself in God and celebrating the good things happening around us. The transformation of lives in Christianity is amazing to witness and a blessing to be a part of. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that changes people.
The speaker discusses the parable of the prodigal son and how it represents the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives. He emphasizes the joy and celebration that comes with being found and the importance of making a decision to enter into that joy. He also addresses the older son in the parable and how he was missing out on the celebration because he was too focused on doing the right thing. The speaker invites the audience to come into God's house and experience his love and grace. He encourages them to say yes to God and enter into his joy.
The parable of the lost son in the Bible portrays two sons with different attitudes towards their father. The younger son demands his inheritance, squanders it, and returns home to his father's warm embrace. The older son remains dutiful, but when his father throws a party for the younger son's return, he becomes angry and resentful. He sees himself as a slave working for his father and views God as a slave driver. He also sees his father as stingy and miserly, viewing the world as a limited supply of blessings. This attitude is called legalism, which views our relationship with God in terms of rules and expectations. The lack of grace in legalism leads to personal insecurity and judgment of others. Grace, on the other hand, is unmerited divine favor.
The concept of grace is the opposite of law. Grace is unmerited divine favor. The older son in the parable of the prodigal son had no concept of grace, only law. The father addresses him with love and reminds him of their relationship as father and son. He also reminds him of the abundance he has in his inheritance. It is possible to function as a Christian and still be self-absorbed, but joy comes from losing oneself in God and celebrating the good things happening around us. The transformation of lives in Christianity is amazing to witness and a blessing to be a part of. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that changes people.
The speaker discusses the parable of the prodigal son and how it represents the power of the Holy Spirit to transform lives. He emphasizes the joy and celebration that comes with being found and the importance of making a decision to enter into that joy. He also addresses the older son in the parable and how he was missing out on the celebration because he was too focused on doing the right thing. The speaker invites the audience to come into God's house and experience his love and grace. He encourages them to say yes to God and enter into his joy.
We’ll be looking at Luke 15. The pastor spoke from this a few weeks ago and so we’ll be following up on where he started. Luke 15, if you’re not there, just listen closely, Luke 15, and I’m going to start by reading the first couple of verses, because they set the tone for the whole chapter, ok, Luke 15, verse 1 and 2, it says:
“…. Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear him, Jesus, but the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘this man welcomes sinners and meets with them?’ And then Jesus told them this parable……”.
“…. Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear him, Jesus, but the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘this man welcomes sinners and meets with them?’ And then Jesus told them this parable……”.
