The Prodigal & His Brother

With Doug and Nancy out of town, we welcome Jim Dearman, who did a great job filling in today.
He spoke on the parable of the Prodigal Son.

The Older Brother
Many have made comparisons with this story to their individual lives, but this story can also be applied to the Church. As an "older brother" to new Christians, the Church should be careful not to fall into the attitude held by the older brother in the story. When he heard the celebration over the return of his brother, he pouted and refused to go in. Yet the Father came to him and reminded him that he already possesses everything that the Father owns.

We, as "older brothers," ought to remember that all the Father (God) owns has been given to us. Do not begrudge the Father's celebration over a son who was lost and has returned. Remember that God loves everyone the same.

The Prodigal
An important point to take from this story is that the Father's love is not dependent on our performance. The younger son had taken his inheritance and spent it on prostitutes and high living. Yet the Father never gave up on him and kept waiting for his return.

In Luke 15:20 we read, "But while he [the son] was still a long way off, his father saw him..." We can presume that if the father could see the son while the son was still a long way off, the father must have been waiting and watching for him.

If you feel as though you are a long way off from God, remember that He is waiting and watching for you. He will not turn you away when you come to Him. He will welcome you with open arms and a great celebration.