Introduction Now we come to the other brother. This may seem like a needless epilogue, but it is actually the most important part of the story. The older brother represents the Pharisees, for whom the story is told. Luke 15:25-32 V. 28-30: What is the older brother’s problem? According to the old story,…

Introduction In this series we’ve been lookin at the story of a prodigal father who is always generous, never judges. It sure seems like there is no condition under which the father would turn away the son. Does that mean there’s not judgment? Not quite. There is a moment in this story that is a bit…

Introduction Now we come to the most important part of the story: the reconciliation. The son responds to his suffering, which sets in motion a series of events that results in reconciliation with the father. This is how we get saved. Here is where the story of the Prodigal Son most challenges our story.…

Suffering is the gap between what WE WANT and what WE GET . ( Luke 15:29 ) Why must we Suffer? In the story we have been telling, suffering plays an important function. It proves to the son that he is not as independent as he thinks he is. When we suffer, we experience the difference between the story…

Introduction In this series we are reading the story of the prodigal son as The Wrong Story: God is generous as long as I meet his expectations. He expects me to be perfect, and I failed. Now I am a failure, I am depraved, and God cannot bear my presence in this condition. The only way I can be reconciled…

Why do we reject God’s generosity? We would rather own MINE than share GOD’S . ( Luke 15:1-3 ) Have my own stuff. Go my own way. Do my own thing. Be my own man. We are always choosing less that we could have had. But we think that’s better. [The mind] Can make a Heav’n of Hell, a Hell of Heav’n.... Here…

Overview Text(s) : Big Idea : Our God is a GENEROUS father who gives us a GOOD world. Purpose : Congregants will come away with a greater appreciation for the goodness of God’s creation. Sermon Outline: Series Introduction This year we are growing together so we can follow God better as individuals,…

Remember: Back to school reminds us of uncertainty. How do we get through the unknown? Moses remember one thing, and do one thing. He said: Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Remember that the…

Introduction sdvsdvds By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps, for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in…