Son Burn?

In this past Sunday's sermon, Pastor Sam spoke on the parable many of us know as "The Prodigal Son" (Luke 15:11-32).  But, as our pastor shared, we see that the story is the narrative of actions and interactions of a younger son, an older son, and a father.

Today, let’s consider the older son. What does the narrative reveal about him?

Disinterest in the well-being of his brother. The older son, who had remained at home the entire time that the younger son was gone, reacted in anger when he heard the reason for the household's music and dancing (see Luke 15:25-28). The father, however, had consistently been looking for the younger son and was overjoyed to see him return home (see Luke 15:20).

Disrespect for his own position as a son. The older son held incorrect, inappropriate heart-attitudes about his place in his father's house. As Pastor Sam noted on Sunday, the older son spoke as if everything he had was due to the hard work he had done rather than it being due to his status as a son, even going as far to describe himself in terms of servitude: "All these years I've been slaving for you..." (Luke 15:29) In the narrative, we see that the father had to remind the older son, “Everything I have is yours!” (see Luke 15:31)

Pastor Sam shared a phrase with us: “The older brother was in the house, but he was not at the party.” For those of us who have been in church-life a long time, this is a call for us to remember that we are beneficiaries. We did not earn our salvation; our Father provided it through the sacrifice of Christ. We did not purchase our spiritual gifts; our Father provided them by His Spirit. We have the privilege of celebrating all that our Father is and all that He does in and through us. Further, we have the privilege of interceding for “younger brothers”—those in our community who have wandered from the fold. May these lost ones return to find a family waiting with forgiveness, love, and joyous celebration.

How do you respond when wayward sons return home?

All Scripture references are from The Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

On Second Thought...

After a few days, the younger son gathered together all he had and left on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his wealth with a wild lifestyle. Then after he had spent everything, a severe famine took place in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and worked for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He was longing to eat the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. (Luke 15:13-16)

In the account of the prodigal son, we see that his first response to crisis was to find employment in a land of famine. We are given a sense of the severity of the famine by the diet of the pigs. Carob tree pods were an inexpensive, fattening food commonly fed to pigs. They were also used as a food source by the poorest people of the land: Pods were cheap to acquire, and useful in preventing hunger pangs. However, Scripture informs us that the young man was not even able to get any pods.

What is our first response to crisis? Often it is to attempt to make our own way—even if the odds are against us, even if we are transacting in unfamiliar territory, even if our hunger (literal or figurative) remains, even if our employment stands in direct conflict with our personal ethic. There is an element of human nature that convinces us we can make it on our own, but going it alone carries a devastating price tag.

What a blessing to know that the story did not end there. After a period of time, the young man came to an epiphany. Wait! My father has an abundance of food. Though I have squandered my inheritance I will return to him, apologize, and ask him to let me work in his fields. (Luke 15:17-19, paraphrase mine)

Are you in crisis today? Don’t go it alone. Appeal to your Father. Return to the familiar territory of love, grace, provision, and peace.

Blessed be the Lord, who daily loads us with benefits, even God our Savior. (Psalm 68:19)

From Reckless To Redeemed.

“I tell you, in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to repent.” (Luke 15:7)

“In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10) 

According to Jesus, the company of heaven rejoices when a sinner repents. It makes sense, then, that in the construction of our model for prayer, Jesus has instructed us to ask for forgiveness of our sins (see Matthew 6:12). We confess that we did something wrong, we are sorry for the wrong we have done, and we are seeking to renounce that wrong and return into right fellowship with our heavenly Father… and heaven rejoices.

In Luke 15, the elder brother stood outside of the circle of rejoicing. Why? Because he knew that his younger brother had spent money on prostitutes and riotous living. The elder brother, in his heart, had determined that there was no room for forgiveness.

However, the elder brother couldn’t stop the party. And the elder brother couldn’t stop their father from forgiving the younger brother. The father forgave the reckless son.

Repentance releases a powerful act of grace! The Father forgives the reckless one.

Are there persons you know who have repented and returned to the Father, and yet you have continued to harbor unforgiveness towards them? Today is a good day to forgive. After all, Scripture states that if we do not forgive, we will not be forgiven (see Matthew 6:14-15).

The reckless son, destitute and dirty, has repented and returned. Lord, give us grace to enter into heaven's celebration.

Having Sinners For Dinner?

Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” So He spoke this parable to them. (Luke 15:1-3)

During this past Sunday’s sermon Pastor Sam noted that the Pharisees and scribes were not complaining to Jesus directly, but Jesus heard their complaint. Perhaps some of us are in the same crisis: we see people drawing near to God that are not like us (or that we don’t like), we complain to our contemporaries, and in the act of our complaining we are heard by the LORD.

Our pastor asked a question that we would do well to reflect on today: Have we made a hierarchy of sins while we try to pursue holiness?

What is the response of the Pharisee? “Well yes, I sin, but at least I’m not as bad as that person over there.”

Sometimes we forget that God does not rank-order sinfulness. Scripture reminds us that “all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. We are justified by His grace” (see Romans 3:23-24), not by any thing we have done in our own strength.

In considering this, we don’t want to condemn the devotions of Pharisees and scribes. It’s wonderful to memorize Scripture, to be devoted to God and to godliness, and to be positive influences in the community. But it is never a good thing to seek to exclude others from the opportunity to learn about Jesus. The Pharisees and scribes made a particular judgement call: “Those tax collectors and sinners don’t deserve to get any attention from Jesus. They’re beyond redemption.” Wrong. On the contrary, everyone is welcome to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn from Him.

What does Bronx Bethany say? We are a Spirit-filled community of love with a place for everyone. People from all walks of life are coming to hear the wonderful words of life from our Lord. Don’t despise His grace in drawing them near to hear… after all, “they” are we.

Have we made a hierarchy of sins while we try to pursue holiness?

Servant "Lieder"!

In yesterday’s sermon, Pastor Sam spoke on Luke 15. In discussing the chapter’s closing parable (the story of the prodigal son and his loving father), our pastor spent a moment talking about characters in the story who we often overlook.

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.’” (Luke 15:22)

In this moment of profound joy at the return of his brother, the father’s first-born son chose to stay outside and sulk instead of joining the celebration. However, the father had servants around him who were capable of carrying out his commands. The parable makes no mention of delay, back-talk, or bitterness on the part of the servants. The prodigal son’s restoration to his family, facilitated by these servants, was not hindered by the attitude of the older brother.

And here we are today. How do we feel when our wanderer returns home? Do we rejoice in her return, or do we resent her transformation? Lord, make me a servant...

Ovis Aria.

So Jesus told them this parable: “Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it? Then when he has found it, he places it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” (Luke 15:3-5)

To us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders; and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

This past weekend Pastor Richie referenced Luke 15 and Isaiah 9. In Luke 15 we see the parable of the lost sheep. The responsible shepherd leaves the ninety-nine sheep in his pasture, finds the one which had wandered away, and then joyfully places it on his shoulders and carries it back to the fold. And in Isaiah 9, we see the prophetic announcement concerning our Messiah: “the government will be upon His shoulders.”

It is comforting to know that our Lord, the Shepherd who joyfully rescues and carries us, is also the Shepherd who rescues and carries government. He is the One who gives responsible oversight of individuals and kingdoms.

As I have reflected on this part of the sermon, I’ve been thinking of it in light of Psalm 23. Recently I read A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23, a book by Phillip Keller that gives helpful reflections from the perspective of a pastor who was also a successful sheep farmer. His book, and Psalm 23, have helped to shape my reflections below.

Why ought we remain on the shoulders of the Shepherd?

The Shepherd is the Supplier of everything we need. There is no need for us to seek another pasture besides the one in which He placed us. He calls individuals and governments to honor the boundaries He has set concerning marriage, society, geography, and ecology.

The Shepherd is the Guide who shows us when to walk and when to rest. There is no need for us to push ourselves into overdrive. He calls individuals and governments to honor the cycles of activity and rest He has instituted for humans, plants, livestock, and landscapes.

The Shepherd is the Executor of righteousness. There is no need for us to justify ourselves; we are made righteous in Christ, by His work on the cross. He calls us to a Biblical view of justice, respect for all, and preferential option for the poor among us (widows, orphans, the financially impoverished, and immigrants).

The Shepherd is the Inspector of our souls. He makes us aware of our wounds and sores, and He does whatever is necessary to bring healing. He calls us to be gentle with those who have been victimized personally or institutionally, and He calls us to be agents of His healing power.

The Shepherd is the Protector of our minds. He sends His Spirit to remind us of His word and warn us of impending dangers. He calls us to do the same: speaking the Truth which is His word of truth, and warning the world when it engages in actions that are contrary to His truth.

The Shepherd is the Owner of our bodies—bodies which are physical and spiritual. He is pleased to dwell in those of us who have completely submitted our lives to Him. He calls us to submit our bodies to Him: supporting all that promotes health, and shunning all that makes people and societies sick (whether physically or spiritually).

In the great hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing” (written by Rev. Robert Robinson), there is a profound line: “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it: prone to leave the God I love!” Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray.” Our tendency, according to Isaiah, is to give in to our sinful nature and walk away from our Shepherd. We foolishly leave the safe pasture and go to dark and dangerous places. But, also in Isaiah 53:6, we are told that our Shepherd-Messiah, Jesus, stepped in to take the full brunt of all the punishment that was hurtling towards us. We have been rescued! We, “His people and the sheep of His pasture” (Psalm 100:3), can be safe in His care. By the power of the Holy Spirit, we learn that peace and contentment are found nowhere else. Yes, Lord, enfold me.

But what becomes of the sheep that wrests its way off His shoulders and leaves His pasture?

It Feels Like Eternity.

The parables in Luke 15 are an allegory to the kingdom life. One of the interesting aspects of the kingdom life is that it reminds us of the reality of “the already”, though it is “not yet”.

An example of the 'already and not yet' is demonstrated in our day-to-day living. During the sermon, Pastor Sam referenced Matthew 25. The explanation Jesus gives of the sheep and the goats moves beyond the scope of parables, and speaks to our present reality as a harbinger of eternity.

There is a corollary that Jesus gives to us: “As much as you did this to the least... you have done it to Me.” A lack of compassion for the lost is also a lack of compassion for Jesus. Our ignoring the plight of the poor is also our ignoring of Jesus. Apathy in the face of injustice is also apathy in the face of Jesus.

And the harbingers are found not in the dark corners of the world, but in the community where Light is the order of the day. “Lord, didn't we?” It is the spiritually gifted, the leaders, the ones empowered by God to heal and deliver. Though armed with apostolic power, they live in a present reality of disinterest in the rescue process. Luke 15 compels them, as William Booth was constrained in his day, to “go for souls and go for the worst”... but the disinterested manage to flourish in ministry without ever leaving the ninety-nine in pursuit of the wandering one. And, eventually, heaven pours out its recompense. The Savior says, “I never knew you”, and we are banished from His kingdom forever.

So, we are urged to examine ourselves on this side of eternity. The indicator of our position in Christ is not found in our effectiveness in prayer, preaching, music ministry, nor apostolic anointing. It is found in the heart.

Are you really living the kingdom life?

Love Is For Everyone.

One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, He was being carefully watched. (Luke 14:1)

Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear Him. (Luke 15:1)


Some of us are watchers. In Luke chapter 14, we are told that Pharisees and teachers of the law were watching to see whether Jesus would heal a sick man who was at the Pharisee's house. Rather than having compassion on the sick man, and rather than rejoicing at the man's being healed, they harbored contempt in their hearts.

Jesus asked them a question: “If one of you has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull him out?” (Luke 15:5) Amazingly, no one answered. They remained silent in the face of being asked to consider two things highly valued in their culture: legacy (having sons) and property (having cattle).

You see this lame man? He's part of My property and part of My legacy. And I have chosen to free him.

Some of us are hearers. Luke chapter 15 begins by showing us Jesus's audience: religious experts, and religious novices. The people classified as “sinners” were positioning themselves to hear from God, and those who were experts complained in their hearts.

To the hearers, Jesus spoke about the kingdom of God. And though He spoke in parables, each parable reinforced a concept that the “sinner” can grasp. Lost things can be searched for and found. Wanderers can be brought back home. Prodigals can be restored.

You see this lost soul? He is important to Me. And I have chosen to seek him out and claim Him for My kingdom.

And here we are. Jesus is present, and He has some things to tell us. Will we listen? Or will we just watch?

Life Of The Party!

In the parables of the lost coin, lost sheep, and lost son, we see that there is a pattern of leaving off from the secure majority in order to focus attention on the one who is lost.

It’s a pattern we Christians sometimes have a problem with. We, like the older brother in Luke 15, respond harshly to the kingdom’s display of extravagant joy over the lost soul who is found and returned to fellowship. We act as if the prodigal has been given special treatment, forgetting that we ourselves also were rescued from the kingdom of darkness and given an inheritance in the kingdom of God.

Or, like the ninety-nine sheep, we may see our shepherd leave us on our own as he pursues the one who has gone wayward. We may want to ask, What about me? Why don’t you ask me how I’m doing?, rather than being grateful for our position in Christ, and being concerned for the fate of our lost brother or sister.

Luke 15 advises us that our response should be in line with the responses of the searchers who found what was lost. Rejoice! Be glad! Celebrate! Follow heaven’s example, where even angels rejoice over a sinner who repents.

Happy Tuesday! Let's celebrate the new souls that will join the kingdom of God today!

Life Vest.

This week, we'll take more time to reflect on the kingdom of heaven. The sermon yesterday began with a review of Luke 15. The parables of the lost sheep, lost coin, and lost son remind us of how interested God is in redeeming lost people.

What does it mean to make a diligent search? Pastor Sam gave the example of a woman who, while diligently searching for lost money, refused to take time to speak to a neighbor. The urgency of the search took priority over all other things, even the good thing of conversing with a colleague. And, ultimately, the intensity of the search led to an intense joy at having found what was lost.

I'd encourage us all to re-read Luke 15. Though it is a familiar chapter to many Christians, we have an opportunity to allow God to graciously speak to us again by His word. So I hope we'll read it with hearts open to the Holy Spirit.

The kingdom of heaven has a vested interest in the redemption of mankind. What are we vested in?