Introduction

Good morning, family.

I’d like to take a moment to share with you a quote from Philip Yancey. He writes, "Grace, like water, flows to the lowest part." Now, what does that mean for us? Simply put, no matter how low we think we've sunk, God's grace is still available and abundant. Today, as we dive into one of the most powerful parables Jesus tells us in Luke 15:25-32, we are going to explore three key themes: the danger of self-pity, the Father's unconditional love, and the power of repentance.

The Danger of Self-Pity

In the parable of the prodigal son, we see the older brother falling into the trap of self-pity. He sees his younger brother, who had squandered his inheritance, being welcomed back with open arms and a grand celebration. Instead of rejoicing at his brother's return, the older brother wallows in self-pity, feeling overlooked and underappreciated. This feeling of self-pity is a dangerous emotion that can lead us down a path of bitterness, resentment, and isolation.

A form of self-centeredness: It’s where we focus on our own suffering and hardships, often exaggerating them and ignoring the blessings we have. In the case of the older brother, he had always been with the father, enjoying his presence, love, and provision. Yet, he chose to focus on what he perceived as a lack of recognition and appreciation for his loyalty and hard work. He allowed his self-pity to blind him to the blessings he had and the joyous occasion of his brother's return.

Can lead to a distorted view of God's grace and love: The older brother, in his self-pity, failed to understand the father's unconditional love for both of his sons. He saw the celebration for his brother as an injustice, rather than a manifestation of the father's grace and forgiveness. When we wallow in self-pity, we can easily forget that God's love and grace are not based on our works or merit, but on His mercy and love for us.

Can isolate us from others: The older brother chose to stay outside, isolating himself from the celebration and his family. He let his self-pity create a barrier between him and his loved ones. Similarly, when we indulge in self-pity, we can push others away, creating unnecessary distance and tension in our relationships.

Can hinder our spiritual growth: The older brother, in his self-pity, was unable to rejoice at his brother's repentance and return. He was stuck in his own feelings of resentment and bitterness, preventing him from experiencing the joy of forgiveness and reconciliation. When we are consumed by self-pity, we can become stagnant in our spiritual journey, unable to experience the fullness of God's grace and love.

Can lead us to a place of ingratitude: The older brother, in his self-pity, failed to appreciate the blessings he had as a son who had always been with the father. He was so focused on what he felt he lacked that he overlooked the abundant blessings he had. In the same way, self-pity can make us ungrateful, as we focus on our hardships and ignore the many blessings God has given us.

The Father's Unconditional Love

In the parable of the prodigal son, we see a beautiful depiction of the Father's unconditional love ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO