October 3, 2021

The Elder Brother

Preacher:
Series:
Passage: Luke 15:25-32
Service Type:

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