Attitudes That Hinder Celebration In The Father's House
Luke 15:25-31
Some time ago I attended a 50th wedding celebration. The special couple had lived a great life, raised 7 children and were blessed to enjoy for 50 wonderful years of marriage. Their friends and family gathered together to honor this momentous occasion. There was music, food, fellowship and a vow renewal. But as good as things were, there was a problem.... someone was missing! Of their 7 children, only 6 were present. One of their sons would not attend. This was not because he had a problem with his mother or his father. But many years earlier he had a falling out with one of his sisters. As a result he selfishly stayed at home because he refused to be in the same place with that sister that he was so angry with. This was very difficult for the parents, and though they had a great time, the celebration was not as good as it could have been because their son decided to act like a spoiled child.
It is amazing how the actions and attitude of one individual can have a detrimental impact on an entire crowd of people. It has always been a mystery to me how we can see lost souls saved on a somewhat regular basis and see backsliders restored pretty regularly and all out revival not break out in this church. Likewise, when these things occur the spirit of worship in this place should be nothing less than amazing. But if we are honest, that is not always the case. So what is hampering worship and hindering revival? Well, I believe we can find the answer here in the story of the prodigal's elder brother. would like to look at his reaction to the celebration at the return of the prodigal, and consider some "Attitudes That Hinder Celebration In The Father's House".
Most of us are familiar with the story of the prodigal son. This is the man who went to his father and asked for his inheritance. He then left his father's house and went to a far country. Once he arrived he wasted his inheritance on wild living. Around the time he ran out of money a famine swept the land. He found himself homeless, hungry and broke. He took on the detestable job of feeding pigs for a farmer. One day he was so hungry that he found himself desiring the slop that he gave to the swine. At that point he realized that his father's servants were living better than he was. So he decided to return to his father and ask him to make him one of his servants. When he returned home, his father was filled with unconditional love and compassion. He ran to him, kissed him and gladly welcomed him home. The father told his servants to "Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the fatted calf. Let us celebrate with a feast, for my son was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’
This was a great day for the father. He had longed for his son to return ever since he had left his house. The house was filled with joy and celebration, the father was there the servants were there, and the prodigal was there. But someone was missing. The older brother was outside the house pouting and refusing to go in and celebrate. So the father has to leave the party and go and deal with his rebellious son. This man illustrates the actions and attitude of many childish "Christians" in our day. He is no different than that brother of sister who sits pouting with their lips pooched out, arms folded.... griping, whining and complaining about everything and everyone inside the Father's house.
Though there was a great celebration taking place... things could have been better. And though we may see God do some amazing things in this assembly, I believe that it is possible for things to get even better. Let's walk through these verses and see those "Attitudes That Hinder Celebration In The Father's House".The first thing I would like to consider is:
I. THE DISTANCE OF A BROTHER HINDERS CELEBRATION IN THE FATHER'S HOUSE
When the party began the elder son was out in the field. As he approached the house he hears music and dancing. He calls to one of the servants and asked what was going on. The servant informs him that his rebellious brother had returned and the father threw a celebration because he was home, safe and sound. This young man was right at the door of the father's house but he might as well have been a million miles away. I can see the father as he kept looking at the door waiting for his older son to join the celebration. He knew that he was close by. He knew that he could depend on him to return soon. Though he was in the house celebrating the return of the younger son, he longed for that special moment when both of his boys were again under the same roof.
Those who have children know how special it is to have all of them under the same roof at the same time. It doesn't matter how old they are, there is a sense of joy and security when the whole family is together. When one is absent things are just not the same.
Back in April my son spent 15 days in the hospital. Most every night my wife stayed with him at the hospital while I brought our daughters home. One of the greatest moments we experienced was that first night a home when all 5 of us were finally reunited under the same roof.
Our Heavenly Father longs for His children to be united in fellowship and celebrating together in His house.
When I say that "The Distance Of A Brother (or sister) Hinders Celebration In The Father's House" I am not only referring to those who no longer attend church. In fact, many who are distant are actually present on a regular basis. The elder brother was right outside the house complaining about everything that was going on and pouting about the attention his brother was receiving. Some of our brethren sit on a church pew week after week doing the same thing. Though they are present... they are distant! They don't contribute, they don't participate, they don't support others, they don't encourage the brethren, they are not involved in fellowship and they do not rejoice when prodigals return. As Dr. Adrian Rogers said "they just sit soak and sour!"
As a result, their distance hinders celebration in the Father's house! What causes one to be distant? Anger! That was the case for the elder brother. Notice:
II. THE ANGER OF A BROTHER HINDERS CELEBRATION IN THE FATHER'S HOUSE
Verse 28 plainly states that the older brother was "angry". Instead of getting over his anger, his anger overtook him. This man should be overjoyed that his brother has returned. If his heart had been in the right place he would have been in the house with the others rejoicing! But his deep rooted anger caused him to whine, pout and complain.
In the church today, instead of rejoicing over what God is doing in the lives of the brethren, many allow anger to overtake them and they too whine, pout and complain. Money is not spent the way they think is should be so ...they get angry! Decisions are made that they disagree with and ...they get angry! Someone else gets more attention than they do and ...they get angry! If they are not asked to serve on a certain committee... they get angry! No one calls them when they have a runny nose, so...they get angry! Another area of ministry receives more focus than their own and ... they get angry! The Pastor preaches about a childish man in the bible that acts just like they do and ...THEY GET ANGRY!!
And that anger begins to boil. It begins to cause that person to act irrationally. The angry individual begins to have a negative impact on others in the church. They sow discord and division. That anger often spreads though the church like a cancer. When this happens it diverts attention from the Savior. It also blinds people to the amazing work that God is doing in the lives of others. And as a result "The Anger Of A Brother Hinders Celebration In The Father's House"
Once anger creeps in, it has a tendency cause grown people to act like two year olds. That was the case for the elder brother. Consider:
III. THE CHILDISHNESS OF A BROTHER HINDERS CELEBRATION IN THE FATHER'S HOUSE - v28 (the older brother) would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
I have referred to this man as "the older" or "the elder" brother. But you would not know it by the way he was acting. In fact, he is conducting himself like a spoiled child. He stayed outside and refused to join the celebration. As a result the father had to leave the party to go and deal with his brat of a son! What should have been a wonderful day for the father is hampered by the childish response of the older brother. Obviously this hindered the celebration.
The same thing occurs in the church today. Though there are childish people God still saves lost souls. Though there are immature folks the Lord still reclaims the backslidden. But the childishness of a brother can have a detrimental impact on the church. Their immature acts may cause some to leave a certain assembly. Likewise, they may hinder others from coming to that specific church. Childish folks also have a way of causing others to become malcontents. Also, their childish ways can prevent a true spirit of worship. People see their actions and hear their words and they want nothing to do with the church.
There is a church in our local association that has had the police called several times during their business meetings. I have been in churches in the past and when certain people speak up during the service it creates immense tension in the congregation because everyone knows that they are going to complain about something. I have seen men shout a preacher down from the pew because they didn't like something he said. My friends, our Heavenly Father is not pleased when there is childishness in His house. And just like the father in our selected text, our Father will do what is necessary to deal with those who hinder the celebration that should be taking place!
So far we have examined distance, anger and childishness. Each of these are outward expressions of an inner problem. The root cause of anger, distance and childishness is PRIDE! Let's consider the fact that:
IV. THE PRIDE OF A BROTHER HINDERS CELEBRATION IN THE FATHER'S HOUSE - v29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment:
This man's pride is apparent. "All of these years I have served you." "I never transgressed your commands." - Do you know what he is saying... "I didn't do these things but my brother sure did!"
I can guarantee you, if there is a malcontent in a church, pride is the root cause of the problem. People start comparing themselves to others. They lift themselves up and tear others down. They are not focused on the Savior they are focused on themselves. Somewhere along the way church became about their wants, their needs and their desires!
Let me remind you what God's Words says:
- Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.
- Philippians 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
- Philippians 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
The older brother did not care that his lost brother had come home. He didn't care about that which pleased the father. He didn't care about the glory of the father, he wanted the glory for what he had been doing. He didn’t serve his father out of love for the father, but out of a desire to help himself. He did not even care about the father, he did what he did for what he could get out of it.
People that would hinder the celebration in the Father's house are the same way. They are not here for the Heavenly Father's benefit. Usually, they have some self serving motives behind their attendance. They seek to attain glory for themselves... not the Lord. It is really not hard to figure out what they are all about. All you have to do is listen to what comes out of their mouths. - "for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh". - Matthew 12:34
If pride is in their heart, it will be apparent by what comes out of their mouths. And their pride will no doubt hinder celebration in the Father's house. As we move further we will see that:
V. THE JEALOUSY OF A BROTHER HINDERS CELEBRATION IN THE FATHER'S HOUSE - v29b and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: 30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
These verses illustrate a major problem for this man. He was jealous of his little brother. Not only was he jealous about the party... he was jealous of the things that the prodigal did while he was in that far country. Remember, he hasn't even gone in the house. He hasn't talked to the Father or his brother. He has no idea what the prodigal had been up to. He accuses his brother of devouring his substance on harlots!
Where did he get that idea? Again I say - "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh" - He accused him of this because that is exactly what he wants to do himself! My friend, when you spend your looking at others instead of Jesus, when you are focused on their abilities and their opportunities and when you constantly look at what they have done, where they have been, how they have been blessed and what they have that you don't... bitterness and jealousy will consume you! And jealously will hinder celebration in the Father's house every time!
Distance, Anger, Childishness, Pride and jealousy will always hinder celebration in the Father's house, and lastly we will see that:
VI. THE UNTHANKFULNESS OF A BROTHER HINDERS CELEBRATION IN THE FATHER'S HOUSE - v31 And (the father) said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.32 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.
The father listened to his son's complaint. He then informs him that all that he has belongs to his son. But he let it be known that it was appropriate to celebrate the return of his brother. The older brother lost sight of what mattered to his father. He also lost sight of his personal relationship with the father. Instead of being grateful for what he had, he was focused on what he did not have. Instead of resting in his privilege, he let his jealousy, pride and anger cause him to act like a child. He was unthankful!
Un-thankfulness is found in who don't appreciate the things that God has blessed them with. Un-thankfulness is looking at the negative, despite the positive. People who are unthankful will naturally have negative personalities. These are people who find it easy to complain about little things. They forget about what God has given them and as a result they gripe, whine, grumble and complain. This will always hinder celebration in the Father's house.
You may be here today and you are a prodigal who has left the father. You are wasting your substance with riotous living. Before long you will find yourself in the pig pen of sin. Maybe you realize that you are there as we speak. Why don't you do what the prodigal did and arise and return to your Father. I can assure you He will welcome you home today. If you do, there will be a celebration in the Father's house today!
Maybe you are here and you have never been born again. Why don't you come and surrender to Jesus and be adopted into God's family this morning. If you do, there will be a celebration in the Father's house today!
Maybe there are some of you who have the attitudes of the older brother. You are distant, angry, childish, prideful, jealous and unthankful. Whether you realize it or not you are hindering the celebration in the Father's house. If you will repent and return and forsake these attitudes then there can be amazing celebration in the father house. When the Father's children get right then we will experience worship that is unexplainable and we may even see a revival that is uncontainable! I can assure you, great things happen when there is celebration in the Father's house!
