Luke 15:1-2 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." (NIV)

5 DIFFERENCES BETWEEN OLDER BROTHER CHURCHES AND LOVING FATHER CHURCHES

1A. OLDER BROTHER CHURCHES ARE CONSUMED WITH THEMSELVES

Luke 15:29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I'VE been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave ME even a young goat so I could celebrate with MY friends. (NIV)

1B. LOVING FATHER CHURCHES ARE CONSUMED WITH WHO’S MISSING

2A. OLDER BROTHER CHURCHES ARE COUNTING RIGHTS AND WRONGS

Luke 15:29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. (NIV)

Luke 15:30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ (NIV)

2B. LOVING FATHER CHURCHES ARE COUNTING SOULS

Luke 15:32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ” (NIV)

3A. OLDER BROTHER CHURCHES FOCUS ON RULES

Luke 15:30 But when THIS SON OF YOURS who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ (NIV)

3B. LOVING FATHER CHURCHES FOCUS ON RELATONSHIP

Luke 15:27 ‘Your BROTHER has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ (NIV)

Luke 15:32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother OF YOURS was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ” (NIV)

Luke 15:24 For this son OF MINE was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. (NIV)

4A. OLDER BROTHER CHURCHES RESENT GRACE

Luke 15:28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. (NIV)

4B. LOVING FATHER CHURCHES REJOICE IN GRACE

Luke 15:32 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ” (NIV)

Ephesians 2:8–9 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast. (NIV)

5A. OLDER BROTHER CHURCHES STAND OUTSIDE THE PARTY

Luke 15:28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. (NIV)

5B. LOVING FATHER CHURCHES PLEAD WITH OLDER BROTHERS TO JOIN THE PARTY

Luke 15:28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and PLEADED with him. (NIV)