Lost Sons Series

Appl: When it comes to the lost where are your eyes focused? Where is you heart? Is it like the father’s who is constantly looking for the lost to return? Are you ready toe rush to great them, to usher them home

The Challenge for the Other Sons

Sibling Rivalry:

Seven year old Bobbie and twelve year old Rob just came in from a long afternoon playing in the park with the neighborhood friends, they come home fatigued. They immediately flop on the couch to watch some television. Their father who witnessed Rob clean his room while Bobbie was watching his favorite cartoon programs on the television, tells Rob that it is his turn to pick a show.

"Try to find something that you boy can enjoy," says the father, right before heading outside to do some gardening.

Within minutes screaming and bickering echoes across the yard, the parents arrive in the living room to find the boys crying, and insulting each other.

"What is the problem here," asks the Mother.

"Dad said I could watch a show and Bobbie ruined the whole thing so I could not even hear my show!" shouts Rob

"No I didn’t" cries Bobbie, "I just said this show was stupid and he came over and bent my fingers back!"

"Did you hurt your brother?" demands the father.

"No!" wails Rob, wiping his tears away. "He is just lying to get me in trouble. ’

"I’m not lying!" sobs Bobbie.

And so it goes.

The Challenge for older sons is not fail prey to the sibling rivalry for the father’s favor.

25 "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ’Your brother has come,’ he replied, ’and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ’Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

31 "’My son,’ the father said, ’you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’"

Not to mistake God’s patience with the Lost for a lack of concern.

24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Not to mistake God’s forgiveness for the Lost as demeaning faithfulness.

So his father went out and pleaded with him.

31 "’My son,’ the father said, ’you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’"

SUMMARY

Jesus portrays the lost as people struggling with their desire for freedom and their need for the father’s love. God longs for them to be restored to himself, but he will patiently wait for their return never forcing himself upon them, but instantly receiving them back. Older sons and daughters should never feel slighted or demeaned by God’s passion for the lost since he always full loves and rewards our faithfulness.