The Elder Brother
Introduction
Example of lady in the church
Today looking at the Elder Brother – he felt hard done by and overlooked
He had been faithful in the household of many years – but his younger brother was the complete opposite
He could not understand how his father rejoiced when the younger brother came home
He angry with his father and would not accept the younger brother – v28
Reading v29-30
Angry, bitter, jealous, upset
Why did Jesus tell a parable in this way?
About a profligate son
But an older jealous, bitter and angry son
At the start of the chapter
Sinners, prostitutes and tax collectors – these were offered forgiveness
The religious people – pharisees and scribes -> represented by the older brother
They despised and looked down on those who were not like them
Sadly, some people in church are like this
This parable is a warning to us – not to be religious/proud and cut off from heaven
Warning from Jesus
Overview:
A Heart Revealed
The Father’s Response
A Heart Revealed
The older brother has no real relationship with his father
He doesn’t go in when he hears the music and dancing
He doesn’t go in to his father – but his father must come out to him
He has no love or respect in how he speaks to his father
Is there anyone here like the elder brother?
Have you been baptised or attend church?
Do you have a real prayer life?
Do you love Him?
The elder brother represents religious people that have no real relationship with the Father
He is resentful and envious of the blessings the younger brother receives
He feels the younger brother has wasted his life and is resentful of the blessings given him
Are we envious of the blessings given to others?
The pharisees lived for the prestige and honour of the crowd – the were envious of Jesus
He is full of ingratitude
He is envious of the inheritance given to him – v12
He is ungrateful despite his many privileges
There is no thankfulness
Just like the Jews – examples
(cf 15:2)
Examine you heart – do you often murmur and complain
He is uncompassionate and unforgiving
v30 – “this son of yours”, not my brother
Maybe he is exaggerating the sins of his brother
Do we focus on the sins of others?
Do we exaggerate their faults?
Parable of the King’s Servant
Do we hold a grudge?
Is there someone we are refusing to forgive?
Warren Wiersbe – people have been alienated from the Church because they refuse to forgive
He is self-righteous
v29 – had he really “never transgressed” (though this is unlikely)
Because he had ‘obeyed’ he felt owed, he felt entitled
Some people in church feel like this – it becomes a religion
Parable of the Vineyard Worker
It is about grace and the goodness of God
The ugly heart of the sinner is revealed
The Father’s Response
He speaks with great love and pleads with his son (v28)
He does not demand the son come to him but he came out to this son
He was not angry but pleading
Quote from Spurgeon
Quote from Anon
Think of the way that Jesus often spoke to the Pharisees
The heart of God aches over the prodigal and the religious
He is conciliatory (v31)
He says that it is right to celebrate the return of the younger brother
He welcomes the older brother in
Jesus came to die for sinners
Example of daughter living in sin
There is a door we can walk through today to come to Jesus Christ – quote from song