Can We Love Like the Father? (Luke 15:11-32)
Gary McManus, 01/28/2018Part of the God's Love; Beyond Belief series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
January 28, 2018
Luke 15:11- 32 (p.1035 / p. 1048)
Further thoughts on a perfect story. . .
Pastor considers this a perfect story.
EVERY word is what Jesus meant to say
when Jesus said it. If it is a Greek translation
of Jesus’ Aramaic words—then it is a perfect
translation of Jesus’ words.
But is it a story of a Prodigal Son?
At the end of the story, Jesus focused
on the Dad in the story.
There is much to learn here.
Do remember that Jesus and
Jesus’ audience are all Jews.
Notice there are a number of key verses
and key words in Jesus’ own story.
Verse 17: “came to his senses”,
“when he came to himself”
Behavior is the issue or identity?
Are we products of our genes or our learning?
Since younger son is his Father’s son he comes
up with a deal he can make with his Dad.
Poet and writer Robert Frost said:
“Home is the place where, when you have to
go there, they have to take you in.”
Younger son was ready to pitch his negotiation
to his Dad. . .
vs. 22 “But. . .
vs. 24: “So they began to celebrate.”
What happened to the deal?
Dad says, “This IS my son.”
Brother DOES NOT think like his Dad.
FOR YEARS I have been SLAVING for you!
Would older son have partied for someone else?
HIS FATHER went out and PLEADED with him.
Did the older son forget who he was, too?
Where you see yourself in Jesus’ story?
Where is your identity?
See 1 John 3:1 , John 1:12-13, Romans 8:14 and
Galatians 3:26
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.”
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