INTRODUCTION
Outline.
1. The Father’s Resilience
2. The Younger Son’s Restoration
3. The Elder Son’s Rejection
Remarks.
1. In our lesson today we are going to be discussing this theme: “Son, Come in the House.” The part of Los Angeles where I was raised, we would ask our guest at the door: “won’t cha comin?” We are going to be discussing a needed behavior the church must exhibit to its entire membership and to the world, if it will call, win, and restore the lost and the erring. As this parable begins, with the Master is criticized by the religious leaders for receiving sinners, and eating with them,” verses 1-2. The Lord was displaying His compassion for the sinners – while the Jewish leaders had only contempt for them. The Pharisees and scribes: “trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others,” Luke 18:9.
2. In our first point we will consider, the Father’s resilience with his sons. We will notice the love, patience and compassion of the father. Clearly, the Lord is describing the true nature and behavior of God, our heavenly Father. These religious leaders had lost the real meaning of the nature and love of God. This father had a heart of love and compassion for both sons. The younger son would learn after leaving home; he left the greatest privilege and blessing – the fellowship with his father. The elder son while living at home could not see the real blessings he was wasting in his father’s house.
3. In our next point, we will look at the younger son’s restoration by the Father. This son would learn that all that he desired was already his – at home. He had to leave home to realize how blessed he really was in his father’s house. We don’t know what all was involved in causing him to leave home – but, it was abundantly clear all that happened to him in a “far country” – that directed his attention one day to return to his father’s house. This story ends joyfully. He who once was dead is now alive again; he who was once lost is now found. This young man’s story ended with his father accepting him back home. He was blessed again to “come into the house.”
4. In our last point, we will describe the elder’s son rejection of his brother. This son would exhibit the behavior of the religious leaders of this day. He was self-righteous, self-serving and critical of the faults and mistakes of his younger brother. When he drew near the house “he heard music and dancing.” He would learn that his younger brother had returned home “safe and sound;” but would not find joy in his return. The father came out of the house to entreat him and perhaps ask: “won’t cha comin the house?” When this story closes this son would not “come into the house.” He would not join the celebration going on inside. This story closes with the elder son on the outside of the father’s house.
BODY OF LESSON
I THE FATHER’S RESILIENCE
A. A certain man had two sons. This is a picture of the Father of heaven. We will notice the resilience (i.e., spirit, support and strength) of this father with his sons. Jehovah said Israel is my “firstborn” or elder son. That meant, Jehovah had also a younger son, the Gentile nations.
1. Notice the Lord’s instruction to Moses. “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn,” Exodus 4:22. First, the Lord relates the elder son in this parable to the “Pharisees and Scribes.” These were the religious elites of Jesus’ time. Although claiming to love and serve God, they held to the traditions of their fathers, rather than the commandments of God.
a. Notice Paul: “And I profited in the Jews’ religion above many (of) my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous in the traditions of my fathers,” Galatians 1:14. See also Philippians 3:4-7. Illustrate: What things were gain to me, those I count loss for Christ.
b. Jesus speaks of them: “Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, this people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men,” Mark 7:7-8. They did not abide in the commandments of God; but attempted to serve God through the "traditions of their fathers.”
2. Secondly, Jesus relates the “publicans and sinners” as the father’s younger son. They were outcasts and despised by these religious leaders. They were the “far off” of Paul’s writings; and in Peter’s preaching; and the “other sheep” of Jesus’ teaching.
a. Gentiles the other sheep. Notice Jesus: “Other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd,” John 10:16; Ezekiel 34:23, 37:24; Acts 26:12-18; 1 Corinthians 12:12-13.
b. Jesus came to seek and save the lost. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost,” Luke 19:10; Matthew 18:11.
c. The Gentiles are also God’s son. See Peter and James' discussion of the Gentiles in Acts 15:13-17. Compare with: Amos 9:11-12; Isaiah 11:10, 42:6-7; and Romans 15:8-13.
3. These two sons in a fuller explanation of this parable, represent the nation of the Jews and the Gentiles. The younger son – the Gentiles. The elder son – the Jews.
a. First, note Paul’s discussion of these two nations: Ephesians 2:11-17.
b. Second, his conclusion: “For through him (Christ) we both (Jews and Gentiles) have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye (Gentiles) are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God,” verses 18-19. The Gentiles now part of the body of Christ, Ephesians 3:1-7.
c. Finally, we are no longer in a “far country” as the younger son once was; but now in the house of our heavenly Father; reconciled and restored to all his blessing.
B. They had the father’s commandments. The elder (Gr: presbuteros) son complained: “father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgress I at any time thy commandment,” Luke 19:29a.
1. I have not yet met one son that did not transgress any of his father’s commandments.
2. Maybe this is why the younger son left. Tired of being under the instruction and service of his father. Unware of the plight that awaited him in that “far country.”
3. Listen to Solomon: “My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother,” Proverbs 6:20.
4. Solomon again: “For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life,” Proverbs 6:23. See Psalms 119:104-105.
5. We should be mindful as Christians to keep before us that we too are under our Father’s commandments. And they are not grievous, 1 John 5:1-3; John 14:15.
C. He provided for his sons. It appears the father had laid up an inheritance for his sons. Notice the wise man Solomon on this point:
1. “A good man leaveth an inheritance to his children's children: and the wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just,” Proverbs 13:22.
2. “An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed,” Proverb 20:21. These words seem to symbolize the younger son. His inheritance was obtained too early; and spent wastefully and recklessly.
3. God has provided an inheritance for his children. Peter says: ‘Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,” 1 Peter 1:3-4. There are many mansions in the Father’s house, John 14:1-3. Illustrate: That’s all you sent to build with!
4. How we know this is true? “In whom ye also trusted,…ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest (down payment) of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory,” Ephesians 1:13-14. See also Hebrews 9:14-15. God has given his sons the Holy Spirit as an inheritance for the final eternal redemption of their bodies.
D. He required work and service. The father’s house was one of order and freedom. The father treated both sons in the same manner. He did not have a favorite.
1. The younger son seemed to have a wandering spirit. He would leave home, and was not restrained by the father.
2. The elder son would manifest problems that might have been the reason for the younger son’s desire to leave the father’s house. He was selfish, stubborn and hateful in his behavior to his brother and father.
E. The father’s behavior. Like God, the father proved to be loving, merciful, compassionate, and forgiving to:
1. His younger son. He did not wait until he came in the house – but ran out to meet him. The father appears to have been watching for the son’s return. I would imagine like many of us; this father prayed for this son on many occasions. The father had seen his son while he was “a great way off.” He did not wait for him to come to the house and confess his sins. Illustrate: Too Many Fathers are filled with Wrath; their sons and daughters will never come home; or confess their sins. There are many saints that behave the same way.
2. Notice this father’s reactions and behavior:
a. Had compassion on him.
b. Ran out to meet him.
c. Fell on his neck and kissed him.
d. The boy just got out of the pig pen; probably smelt like one!
3. His servants. He was kind to his servants; and they had a plenty. The younger son would reflect on this while in the pig pen. The father not only included his servant in the work, but also in the celebrations.
4. His neighbors. He invited his neighbors and friends to rejoice with him. He had received his son home ‘safe and sound.” Remember how Jesus describes these reunions. There is great joy in heaven over the sinner’s repentance. Notice Jesus:
a. Lost sheep when found. “And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulder, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he called together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need not repentance,” Luke 15:5-7.
b. Lost coin when found. “And when she found it, she called her friends and neighbors together, saying, rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth,” Luke 15:9-10.
5. Joy over the younger son’s return. "For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry,” Luke 15:24.
II THE YOUNGER SON’S RESTORATION
A. The younger son was selfish. “And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me (that is my portion of your fortune). And he divided unto them his living,” verse 12.
1. The younger son requested his inheritance from his father. This usually occurred when the father has died.
2. However, there was a precedent for an early issuance of the inheritance from the parent. One just for the reason of this son. He wanted to leave home and journey into a far country and start a life for himself. On the surface none of his wishes would warrant any criticism. He was behaving like any son. This departure would prove hurtful to him later- after he arrived in that “far country.”
B. He was venturous. He sought for a far country. The younger son leaves the house. Sometimes it takes one to leave the house before they can recognize the blessing in the house. “And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country.” We too like the patriarchs of old “sought a far country, a city not made with hands, whose builder and maker is God.” Speaking of Abraham the writer says: “For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God,” Hebrews 11:10.
C. He was wasteful. Jesus said in the far country, “he wasted his substance with riotous living.” The portion that was given to him; of which the father had accumulated; he wasted it on reckless living. God sometimes have to bring perilous events into our lives to wake us up; and course us to come to ourselves.
1. “And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.” How is it when we have money, we have friends.
2. “And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”
3. He had to get down in his life; before he could look up for his help. How many young people today must go through the same peril because they are unable to appreciate the blessings at home?
4. How many Christians, though warned of such danger have to leave the church before they learn to appreciate Christ?
D. He became repentant. In his time of peril, Jesus said: “he came to himself.”
1. His assessment. He began to make an assessment of his condition. “He said, How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!” He recognized the servants were better off than he in his father’s house.
2. His decision. “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father; I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.”
3. His pronounced judgment. “And I am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” We most likely will judge ourselves more harshly than our Father- regardless of the sin we have committed and stand guilty before Him. Not only will our Father be kinder; he will be most forgiving.
E. He was restored. “And he arose, and came to his father.” We now notice the confession and restoration of the son to his father.
1. The son’s confession and recommendation. “And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son,” verses 21.
2. The father’s forgives and restores the son. “But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.” He was restored as a son. He left a son and came back a son.
3. And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry. There was a great celebration as a result of his return home.
4. The father said: “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry,” verses 22-24.
5. The younger son was lost after leaving home. He returned and was reconciled with his father. I would suggest to you today, that many do not make it back to the house. Paul encourages, “be ye reconciled to God,” 2 Corinthians 5:20-21.
6. Application. Here are our lessons learned.
a. First, if you’re like this son, deciding whether to come home. Let me encourage you to “come on in the house” right NOW. God is watching for you.
“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded,” James 4:8. All that you will ever need is in your Father’s house. Today can be your day of celebration!
b. Further, if you have returned home, behave yourself while living in the house of God. Paul’s instruction:
1) “These things write I unto thee, hoping to come shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth,” 1 Timothy 3:16.
2) “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal; The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity,” 2 Timothy 2:19.
3) “These things command and teach,” in your: a) public life; b) pulpit life; and c) private life, 1Timothy 4:11-14.
4) “Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee,” 1Timothy 4:15-16. Keep thyself pure, 1Timothy 5:22.
c. Finally, the younger son – “was lost when he left the house.” He forgot his father’s instruction. He might have forgotten the commandments while in his “far country,” but he remembered his way back home. Illustrate: My “far country” was a combat zone, in South Vietnam.
III THE ELDER SON’S REJECTION
A. Then elder son industrious. “Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing,” verse 25. Illustrate: Music and dancing. It’s about time some here make merry in their house. Husbands, Christian brothers, should go home and put on some Al Green, Teddy Pendergrass, or Luther Vandross; and take their wife; dance and make merry in the house.
1. Inquires of his servant. “And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant,” verses 25-26.
2. Servants reply. “And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound,” verse 27.
B. He was angry and stubborn. “And he was angry, and would not go in: Therefore, came his father out, and entreated him,” verse 28. Perhaps he said: “Son, come in the house.” The entire house is making merry because your brother has returned home “safe and sound.” The elder son's heart was "filled with anger and jealousy:"
1. First, James says when the heart is: “Filled with bitter envying and strife…this wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, and devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace,” James 3:13-18.
2. Further, Peter says we must: “…laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes…,” 1 Peter 2:1-3.
3. Finally, Paul says we should: “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you,” Ephesians 4:31-32.
C. He was self-righteous. He began to rail on his father for his reception of the younger son back home.
1. He declared his loyalty and devotion to his father. “And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee,” verse 29a.
2. He stated how obedient he was to his father’s commandments. “Neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment.”
3. Notice Jesus speaking of service: “So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, we are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do,” Luke 17:10.
4. He was jealous of the father’s kindness to his son. “And, thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends,” verse 29b.
5. Finally, he assailed the son’s character. “But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf,” verse 30. He would not even call him brother to his father. But railed on him saying, “But as soon as this, thy son was come, you killed for him the fatted calf.”
D. Father’s final admonition. “And he (the father) said unto him, Son:”
1. First, “thou art ever with me,”
2. Further, “and all that I have is thine.” Son, all that I had is now your; you need only ask your servants to cut out the herd any kid you desire; that they may cook it, to allow you to make merry with your friends.
3. Finally, “It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found,” verses 31-32.
E. He (the elder son) was lost – although he never left the house. Now, he refuses to go into the house and be a part of this joyous celebration. Anger, jealousy and hatred will keep you out of the father's house. There may a son or daughter like this elder brother, right here now. If so, I'm asking right now, even as the father did then: "come into the house.” In my conclusion, let me entreat of some of the leaders here; that might be behaving like the elder son. Notice, as I conclude a few words of admonition:
1. First, of Diotrephes, John writes: “I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church,” 3 John 9-10. Are there any elder sons like Diotrephes in this house? I pray, it is not so.
2. Further, Jesus said of the Pharisees: “But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in,” Matthew 23:13. Are there any elder sons like the Pharisees in this house? If so, you are not entering the kingdom of God yourself; and are hindering others desiring to do so. May God grant you time to get your life in order; and help the children of this community to "come into the house."
3. Finally, another parable of Jesus regarding, “a certain man that had two sons,” Matthew 21:28-32. His conclusion: “Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, the first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, that the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you,” Matthew 21:32. He was speaking to the chief priests and the Pharisees; the elder brother in our lesson, Matthew 21:23, 45.
4. Application. Here are our lessons learned.
a. The elder son - “was lost while living in the house.”
b. He had become bitter and despiteful to others.
c. Spoke evil of his brother; and disrespectful to his father.
d. He would not forgive his brother; nor accept his father’s love.
e. He remained on the outside seeing and hearing the celebration; after refusing the father’s final invitation: “son, come into the house.” There was no happy ending for this son. He remains lost "while living in the house."
f. Remember church: "Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not; love vaunteth not (i.e., boastful, arrogant) itself; is not puffed up (i.e., self-important, pompous, or high-minded). Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Love never faileth...And now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love," 1 Corinthians 13:4-13. Church, as we leave here today, let "brotherly love continue," Hebrews 13:1.
CONCLUSION
A. Outline.
1. The Father’s Resilience
2. The Younger Son’s Restoration
3. The Elder Son’s Rejection
B. Summarize main points.
1. In our first point we considered, the Father’s resilience with his sons. We will noticed the love, patience and compassion of the father. Clearly, the Lord is describing the nature and behavior of God, the heavenly Father. These religious leaders have lost the real meaning of the nature and love of God. This father was filled with a heart of compassion for both his sons. The younger son after leaving home will learn how privileged and blessed he really had it. While the elder son while living at home would not even understand his real blessing given to him of his father.
2. In our next point, we looked at the younger son’s restoration by the Father. This son learned that all that he desired was already his – at home. He had to leave home to realize how blessed he really was in his father’s house. We don’t know what all was involved in causing him to leave home – but, it was abundantly clear all that happened to him in a far country – directed his attention one day to go back home. This story ends joyfully. He who once was dead is now alive again; he who was once lost is now found. This young man’s story ended with his father accepting him back home. He was blessed again to “come into the father's house.”
3. In our last point, we described the elder’s son rejection of his brother. This son exhibited the behavior of the religious leaders of this day. He was self-righteous, self-serving and critical of the faults and mistakes of his younger brother. When he drew near the house “he heard music and dancing.” He learned that his younger brother had returned home “safe and sound” but would not find joy in his brother’s return to his father’s house. The father came out of the house to entreat him and perhaps ask “won’t you come into the house?” When this story closes this son would not “come into the house.” He would not join the celebration going on inside.
C. H, B.R, C, B. Invitation. How to become a Christian? Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 11:26.
D. Exhortation. “And with other words did he testify and exhort, saying: save yourselves from this untoward generation,” Acts 2:40.
E. Motivate. "Behold now is the acceptable time; behold, today is the day of salvation," 2 Corinthians 6:2. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is not promised. All we have is today!
