The Son Who Stayed At Home

TEXT:  Luke 15:11-13

INTRODUCTION:

A.      LET'S FOCUS ON THE OTHER SON - THE "NEGLECTED" SON.

B.      BACKGROUND -

          1.       Criticism for associating with sinners( vs. 1-2 ).

          2.       His purpose( 19:10 ).

          3.       Pharisees looked down on everyone - Their problem( Matt. 21:28-31 ).

C.      THE SON WHO STAYED AT HOME - LIKE THE PHARISEES.

          1.       We want to be different.

          2.       He was a model of what we should not be.

I.      HE WAS SELF-RIGHTEOUS( vs. 29-30 ).

A.      REMINDS OF THE PHARISEE AND THE PUBLICAN( Luke 18:10-14 ).

B.      "JUDGE NOT"( Matt. 7:1-5;  Rom. 14:10-12 ).

II.     HE COULDN'T CONTROL HIS ANGER( vs. 28 ).

A.      IT'S NOT WRONG TO BE ANGRY( Eph. 4:26-27 ).

B.      HOW SHOULD WE BEHAVE( James 1:19-20;  Col. 3:8 ).

III.    HE WAS SELFISH( vs. 31 ).

A.      JESUS WAS WILLING TO GIVE UP ALL( 2 Cor. 8:9 ).

B.      THERE IS PLENTY TO GO AROUND( 1 John 3:16-18 ).

IV.   HE HAD AN UNFORGIVING SPIRIT.

A.      WAS SURPRISED THAT HIS FATHER FORGAVE SO EASILY. NOT HIM!

B.      WHAT DID JESUS SAY?( Matt. 6:12;  Luke 17:3-4 ).

C.      DO WE JUDGE GOD?( Rom. 9:18 ).

V.    HE DID NOT REJOICE TO SEE A SINNER REPENT.

A.      JESUS CAME TO CALL SINNERS TO REPENTANCE( Luke 5:32 ).

B.      ANGELS HAVE A SPECIAL JOY WHEN SINNERS REPENT( Luke 15:7 ).

C.      IT'S GOD'S DESIRE THAT ALL REPENT( 2 Pet. 3:9 è Eph. 5:1 )

VI.   HE WAS JEALOUS( vs. 29-30 ).

A.      1 Pet. 2:1;  Gal. 5:19-21.

B.      Rom. 12:15.  "REJOICE WITH THEM THAT REJOICE."

VII.  HE WAS NOT HUMBLE - WANTED TO TELL HIS FATHER

HOW TO RUN HIS HOUSE.

A.      DO WE QUESTION THE DECISIONS OF GOD AND HIS WILL( Rom. 9:18 ).

B.      SOME ARE LOYAL AS LONG AS THEY HAVE THEIR WAY( 2 Pet. 2:10 ).

C.      IT'S GOD'S WILL THAT WE SHOULD UPHOLD( Luke 22:42;  Rom.11:33ff. ).

CONCLUSION:

A.      WE NEED TO LEARN THE LESSON OF OUR TEXT.

B.      WE MUST OBEY IN ALL THINGS( Matt. 7:21 ).