An Unfinished Story

August 6, 2000

Bethany Church of the Nazarene, Rumford, Rhode Island

Luke 15:1-3, 31

Introduction:

The sun had already set, and daylight had mostly faded and gone. A big house was dimly outlined under tall trees against the fading glow in the sky. But there was light stabbing out into the darkness from every window, and from the open door of the house. Not only was light piercing the darkness, but there were loud, happy sounds coming out of the house as well. Sounds of music and laughter and people having a good time. Dishes were clanking- a party was in full swing.

In the foreground of this scene stood two figures silhouetted in the light from the door. Two men stood talking quietly. As the light reflected in their faces it was evident they resembled each other. It was a father and his son. They were in a serious conversation.

"I heard you were out here. Why don't you just come on in?"

"You know why! He is in there!"

"He is your brother! You know how I love him. I'm so very glad he is home!"

"How could you? After what he's done! How could you love him?"

You know, of course, that we came in near the end of the story. For those of you who are at all familiar with this great 15th chapter of Luke, and the story of the Prodigal Son, the Prodigal has gone away, and has come home again. The loving Father has permitted him to go, but has watched and waited and welcomed him back home again. Now the older brother is wondering why.

Transition:

Probably ninety-nine times out of a hundred, when we read Luke 15 we think about the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. We think of how Jesus seems to tell us that God is willing to move heaven and earth and seek and save and welcome the lost. And that certainly is right. We are not wrong when we say that Luke 15 is about the lost being found. That is surely what our God is like.

Maybe it would be good to look again at that "lost and found" message in Luke for just a minute or two today before I come back to this story's unfinished ending.

I. GOD IS IN THE LOST AND FOUND BUSINESS:

LOST SHEEP, LOST COIN, LOST BOY

The message is clear: God values you. If you are like a poor sheep there is a Shepherd looking for you. If you feel like a coin that has fallen down into the cracks of life there is a light and a broom sweeping your way this very moment! And even if you have been wicked and wasteful and find yourself in a pigpen somewhere if you return to God you will find pardon.

If you know the Lord today you're a sheep, or a coin, or a Prodigal or maybe all three– but you were lost and now you are found! Or– maybe you are now an Older Brother!! Maybe you and I could have become one across the years?

Bridge:

Do you know to whom Jesus was telling these wonderful stories? There is nothing wrong with you and me taking them and believing them, and using them as evangel stories- help in winning the lost. But Jesus originally told these stories to Pharisees and scribes who criticized Him for eating with the publicans and sinners.

[Text Luke 15:1-3 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinners, and eats with them. And He spake this parable unto them, saying, . . . ] Jesus was telling scribes and Pharisees– old-time religious people "Don't get in my way when I am eating with sinners and seeking the lost! Don't miss the whole point of faith– God loves everybody!"

II. THE UNFINISHED STORY

In the evening shadows outside that big house, the big house that was shining with light and rocking with laughter and music, the father urged his older son to come in and join the party. In that conversation the father said two things that I have been thinking about over and over this summer. ( It may be dangerous to deduce doctrine from narrative, but I think in this case it is valid.)

The father said, (1) Son, you are always with me; and (2) all that I have is yours!

THE ELDER BROTHER WAS A FULL SON, YET HE ACTED LIKE A SERVANT

He served only from duty, or from expectations, or something other than love and shared ownership. It was his farm, too.

We don't just work for God, as good and important as that is. We work with God. I Corinthians 3:9 "We are laborers together with God" Yes, ours is the greatest task in the universe. It gets hard and even tiresome. But love helps transform labor. [Illustration, maybe? Expectations without love - - love way before expectations . . . ??]

THE ELDER BROTHER WAS RICH, YET HE WAS NOT HAPPY

Careful: Don't make this sound like "prosperity gospel" because it isn't!

His idea of getting ahead was comparing:

"I'm more righteous than he is!

"I didn't get the party he did! "

He had the idea that he had to wait until the old man died until he could take over. The inheritance was later, But the father made it plain: whatever you really need or want is already here for you!

HOW ARE WE "OLDER BROTHERS" RICH?

Are we? Do we really believe that?

What do we have that is better, richer, more wonderful– even more powerful than anything else in this world? When we think of 'making it'— of getting whatever we want, do we think of money? Do we think of security? Is that why "Do You Want to be a Millionaire" is so popular? We think that if we only had enough money, or enough things we could be happy–

What does God already have for us that makes us rich?

  1. Grace is ours. The forgiveness of all our sins. The Presence of God to dwell in our every-day-living lives! We are tenderly loved by the heavenly Father!
  2. the whole heritage of faith belongs to every child of God
    • creeds
    • saints
    • Fathers
    • martyrs
    • the fellowship of all saints belongs to every child of God
  3. Whatever we need to do the whole will of the father is ours!

    I'm trying to grasp that! I really believe it!

All the wealth of the kingdom belongs to all of God's children. "You are always with me! All that I have is yours!"

Did the Elder Brother go in? The story ends here. We don't know! But we can still join the party!!

Prayer:

O God, move me away from selfishness and smallness of soul– help me cherish my friendship with You, the great Father of Lights. Help me see how rich I am in the things that really matter. Help me to live in joy and in fellowship with You and with all your children. In Jesus' name. Amen

Hymn No. 617 (Sing to the Lord) O for a Closer Walk with Thee