Matt Nelson - January 15, 2023
Two Lost Sons
Luke 15:1-2 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:11-32 11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “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.23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 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.’” What does a world of ungrace look like? Love has limitations Acceptance is conditional Grace only extends so far Forgiveness is only possible up to a certain point Rewards are determined by behavior or performance God’s grace is lavish. It’s over the top. It defies what we can comprehend or what we deserve. You can escape God in several different ways: Breaking every rule – rebellion Keeping every rule – religion, performance, & pride Chair #1 – Younger Son Self-discovery/Independence Sin: open rebellion Represents: Sinners & tax collectors Chair #2 – Older Brother Moral conformity Sin: hidden superiority; pride Represents: Pharisees & religious leaders The Older Brother’s problem: There is a radical insecurity that comes from basing your identity on achievement and performance rather than the love of the Father.
From Series: "Scandalous Grace"
Throughout scripture, we get numerous stories of God's extravagant grace poured out on the lost, the least, and the undeserving. This grace often illicit responses of awe, worship, and repentance from those receiving this undeserved grace. To those who have built their lives and understanding on morality, the law, or performance, these acts of grace can cause outrage and bitterness. In this series, we look deep into the heart of our Father who lavishly and extravagantly pours out his grace on us and our response to this amazing grace.