Tomorrow Sunday March 10th 2013 at Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine: “Prodigal God” (Luke 15:1-3, 11-32) Remember Daylight Saving Time Begins Spring Ahead One Hour
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
“Prodigal God”
(Luke 15:1-3, 11-32)
Rev. Dr. Espinosa
Introduction: The definition of “prodigal”…adjective, 1. Recklessly extravagant; 2. Having spent everything.
1. Perhaps the most popular of all of Jesus’ parables!
2. This is my personal favorite, as indeed I have always felt that I am a recovering prodigal son! And how I thank God for my dad who confronted me with loving discipline!
3. The title of the parable, however, leads us to focus on one son, but there are two sons and they both have major issues!
a. In fact, given the fact that text informs us that the Pharisees were listening to Jesus and grumbling, it was the older brother contrasted to the younger brother who represented the proud Pharisees.
b. However, both brothers speak to the broad spectrum of sinners under two basic categories:
(1) The bad rebels…those who are immoral and irreligious. These reject the Lord and say, “I’m the only one who can decide what is right and wrong for me. I’m going to live as I want to live and find my true self and happiness that way. (Keller, The Prodigal God, 31)”
(2) The “good” rebels…those who are moral and quite religious. These reject the Lord and say, “I’m not going to do what I want, but what tradition and the community want me to do. (Keller, The Prodigal God, 31).”
c. Both are far from the God and the saving Gospel! Why? Because both live for something other than the Lord; both resent the father’s authority; and both wanted to tell the father (the Lord) what to do!
4. Still, the most important figure in the parable is neither the younger son nor the older son, but the most important figure is the father! First things first though…let’s get into the parable!
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