Message: The gospel according to Luke
Text: Luke 15:11-32
The father stayed home waiting for his son, the shepherd went searching for one lamb—which is right? The lamb: wanders off, can’t help himself, doesn’t know what he’s doing.
The son: leaves intentionally, doesn’t think he needs help, thinks he knows what he’s doing.
We all start out as one of the sons, or more like one of the sons, no other choices to start.
Which are you most like?
Younger son—Coming back home:
Was in love with his father’s things, not his father. He was selfish, unloving, uncaring, self-centered, ungrateful, unjoyful.
Older son—Making a home to come home to:
Was in love with his father’s things, not his father. In love with the things his brother wasted, not his brother. He was selfish, unloving, uncaring, self-centered, ungrateful, bitter/angry, unforgiving, ungraceful, unjoyful.
What would it take to have a joyful home again? Love, acceptance of the person not the lifestyle, forgive & forget, peace…(what else?)