The Other Son

Good morning Church. I am sure glad to be here worshiping with you all today. I am glad to have a family in you that loves the Lord and wants to do what is best in His eyes. I love that we can grow and love each other in every situation and in everything the Devil tries to send our way. I feel blessed in Him and I want to tell you I am thankful for all He is doing and has provided for us. My hope is that we are like minded in our thanksgiving as we focus on God and remember he has always been with us and does not forsake us as it says in : Read

Pray

Woman in car driving and getting mad story. Anger can cloud our judgement and get us thinking in a wrong direction. When we don’t approach our situations from Christ’s perspective with thanksgiving and grace in our hearts we will miss the blessing. It is not different for our second son in the story of the Prodigal. Most people don’t even cover this son or talk about Him, but perhaps his was the greater sin than his brothers because he is in danger of missing the blessing, lets read.

I. Part of the Story – vs 25 - 27

A. Asked the servant

1. Doesn’t go to the source

a. Go where we are comfortable

b. Offer no conflict

c. Easiest way, path of least resistance

ii. Butterfly example (Sonoria D’Vila)

2. Only gets part of the story

a. Only a snapshot

b. Not enough to be wise

c. Can be how rumors or Gossip start

B. What to do with it

1. Assume

a. Create our own judgement

b. No room for insight or love

c. React instead of being proactive

2. Investigate (Ask the questions)

a. Look further

b. Find the whole truth

c. See it from different perspectives

d. Find out true motivations

e. Prevent miscommunication

i. Go right to the source

ii. Understanding is developed

iii. Relationships strengthen

Assumptions can drive anger and anger blocks the blessing. I can remember when I was a young Airman, hard work, would have go extra time off, but my anger blocked the blessing story. And that’s exactly what happens with the second son.

II. The sons’ reaction – Vs 28

A. He became angry

1. Reacted from emotional stand point instead of a spiritual one

b. God is going to work all things for His purpose

c. Must ask, what is God’s purpose in this

2. He refuses to go in

a. Now his pride shows up

b. He wants to see the wound and not the purpose

c. Maybe even a bit of self-pity

B. Felt entitled – vs 29

1. What do I get?

a. What’s in it for me

b. Consumer mentality

c. Bad in America today

2. Look at what I have done?

a. Taking pride in work

b. Forgetting that strength to do comes from God

3. I am owed

a. Forgetting what we already have

b. Defeat this with thanksgiving

C. Unwilling to have grace – vs 30

1.Points out other brother’s faults

2. Wants him held accountable

a. Not himself

b. He is self-righteous

c. He has been in service all these years

3. But what about the grace given me

b. Can never forget that grace

c. How I can accept others in their sin

III. The explanation – vs 31 - 32

A. Everything, I have is already yours

1. Those in Christ already

2. We already participate in the party

3. We have already received so much from God

a. Remember to keep perspective

b. Again remain in thanksgiving

c. Hard to be made when thankful

B. Rejoice for those who find it too

1. – Rejoice with those who rejoice

2. Put aside the selfish desires

3. Let grace and thanksgiving rule

Conclusion:

We don’t know what happens in the story to the older son, we hope that he comes to see reason and comes in with the father to rejoice the finding of his brother. We hope that thanksgiving and grace melt his heart. I know in my life when I have that anger welling up inside, let me tell you I have. I have to stop and remember to be thankful for what is in my life. I have to remember that all anger does is prevent me from getting the blessings. I have to remember to rejoice with those who are rejoicing so that we can all find peace in the Lord. When we are joyful and thankful we defeat the enemy and his purpose. We defeat sin and death, we allow God to rule and reign in our family. Let us be thankful and rejoice for our family God has given us. Let us rejoice and be glad in Jesus for the grace we have received. Let us rejoice and be thankful so that others might see our good work and Glorify God!