Sermon Tone Analysis

Today’s Parable: The Prodigal Son

In response to this criticism, Jesus tells three parables.

The first two, “the lost sheep” and “the lost coin,” deal with things that are lost through no fault of their own, but simply by happenstance.

The third parable, “the lost son,” goes to a deeper level: what about those who caused themselves to be lost?

To the Pharisees and scribes, Jesus was encouraging ungodly behavior under the guise of teaching the will of God moe accurately than they were teaching.

What’s a Parable?

Do you know that over one-third of Jesus’ recorded sayings are parables?

He was the master of the parable.

But what are parables?

Some have said that a “parable” is a heavenly story with an earthly meaning.

Others have said “parables” are comparisons or illustrations of what Jesus wanted to say.

The latter is closer to the truth.

Not being able to tell us exactly what the kingdom is, He used “parables” to tell us what it is like.

VERY EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH outsiders saw Christians drawing their faith from parables.

One of these witnesses was Galen, the most famous medical doctor of the second century.

He was also the first pagan to say positive things about Christians.

Around A.D. 140 he wrote:

Most people are unable to follow a demonstrative argument consecutively; hence they need parables, and benefit from them … just as now we see the people called Christians drawing their faith from parables [and miracles] and yet sometimes acting in the same way [as those who philosophize] … and in their keen pursuit of justice, have attained a pitch not inferior to that of genuine philosophers.

In short, Jesus’ parables focus on God and His kingdom.

They reveal what kind of God He is, by what principles He works, and what He expects of humanity.

Those who have ears to hear do hear what He is saying—those who aren’t given ears, don’t understand God’s message.

Most people are unable to follow a demonstrative argument consecutively; hence they need parables, and benefit from them … just as now we see the people called Christians drawing their faith from parables [and miracles] and yet sometimes acting in the same way [as those who philosophize] … and in their keen pursuit of justice, have attained a pitch not inferior to that of genuine philosophers.

VERY EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH outsiders saw Christians drawing their faith from parables.

One of these witnesses was Galen, the most famous medical doctor of the second century.

He was also the first pagan to say positive things about Christians.

Around A.D. 140 he wrote:

Most people are unable to follow a demonstrative argument consecutively; hence they need parables, and benefit from them … just as now we see the people called Christians drawing their faith from parables [and miracles] and yet sometimes acting in the same way [as those who philosophize] … and in their keen pursuit of justice, have attained a pitch not inferior to that of genuine philosophers.

Where was Jesus in these parables?

Where were the sinners and tax collectors?

Where were the Pharisees and Scribes?

Where are you?

Where is your church?