Luke 15:11-32

WEBVTT
00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.980
Please be seated. Thank you for coming this Palm Sunday. I wonder if you could reach for the Bibles if you've got one.
00:00:05.980 --> 00:00:15.839
And we're going to look at this famous short story, page 874. So if you can flick to it. Do come back to the little Christian Explored course to ask any questions you might have of it.
00:00:16.500 --> 00:00:25.480
But we'd love it if you could just flick to it now. That'd be a great help. And mobile phones. I don't know if you've got a mobile phone on you. If you could try and turn it off, that'd be great.
00:00:25.480 --> 00:00:33.140
If your mobile goes off during the sermon, you'll be taken outside and stoned. So my advice is to turn it off if you would. That'd be lovely.
00:00:33.859 --> 00:00:42.120
So mobile phones, that'd be great. 874, Luke chapter 15 on this Palm Sunday.
00:00:46.299 --> 00:00:51.920
And let me pray as we begin. Father, thank you so much for Palm Sunday.
00:00:51.920 --> 00:00:57.280
Thank you that it's in this story that Jesus told.
00:00:58.140 --> 00:01:00.439
Thank you for the relevance of these parables.
00:01:01.520 --> 00:01:05.340
And we pray that you'd speak to each one of us in the very depths of our being now.
00:01:05.460 --> 00:01:09.379
We ask indeed that what we learn now would stay with us all our days and into eternity.
00:01:09.640 --> 00:01:11.640
So address us, we pray.
00:01:12.680 --> 00:01:13.040
Amen.
00:01:13.040 --> 00:01:13.200
Amen.
00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:20.040
Recently, a friend of mine who lives hundreds of miles from me rang me.
00:01:20.820 --> 00:01:22.439
And he said to me on the phone,
00:01:22.760 --> 00:01:24.040
Rico, I'm reaching out.
00:01:24.600 --> 00:01:27.340
Really, it's because the doctor tells me I've had a bit of a breakdown.
00:01:27.939 --> 00:01:30.659
I've been lying to people about the products I sell them for years.
00:01:30.760 --> 00:01:32.939
And the pressure of that has now broken me.
00:01:33.240 --> 00:01:35.920
I'm also missing my kids desperately since the divorce.
00:01:36.500 --> 00:01:38.400
Christmas was awful without them.
00:01:38.400 --> 00:01:41.880
And worst of all, he said at the moment, he said, a friend of mine keeps ringing me.
00:01:41.980 --> 00:01:43.920
His young wife has just died of cancer.
00:01:44.040 --> 00:01:44.780
He keeps ringing me.
00:01:44.820 --> 00:01:45.900
And I don't know what to say to him.
00:01:46.600 --> 00:01:47.540
Rico, I'm reaching out.
00:01:47.600 --> 00:01:51.260
It's quite a big thing to say in our individualistic culture.
00:01:51.580 --> 00:01:52.860
And what do you say to him?
00:01:53.500 --> 00:01:57.780
And honestly, ladies and gentlemen, what I wanted to say to him was this story that we've just had read.
00:01:58.600 --> 00:02:00.240
I wanted him to look at it.
00:02:00.460 --> 00:02:02.100
Because it's about life.
00:02:02.160 --> 00:02:03.000
It explains life.
00:02:03.080 --> 00:02:04.000
It's about being human.
00:02:04.100 --> 00:02:05.680
It's about the less life can be.
00:02:05.680 --> 00:02:09.260
It's about admitting and having the courage to admit that I'm not far from despair.
00:02:09.420 --> 00:02:12.300
And at this moment, I'm just holding on by my fingertips.
00:02:13.599 --> 00:02:17.560
And it's about an emptiness that can gnaw at the soul and broken relationships.
00:02:17.879 --> 00:02:19.280
Broken domestic relationships.
00:02:19.560 --> 00:02:20.780
I don't know about your family.
00:02:21.159 --> 00:02:24.100
But in my family, we have broken domestic relationships.
00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:24.939
And it's an agony.
00:02:26.439 --> 00:02:32.560
But above all, ladies and gentlemen, this story on this Palm Sunday is about experiencing a relationship
00:02:32.560 --> 00:02:38.060
of such generosity, such love, such kindness that it can turn any life around.
00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:43.740
That's why what we have before us today is the most famous short story ever told.
00:02:44.120 --> 00:02:47.219
Ladies and gentlemen, it's because it's changed millions of lives.
00:02:47.719 --> 00:02:50.439
It's got such power, such meaning, such pathos.
00:02:50.719 --> 00:02:52.800
It changes lives.
00:02:53.599 --> 00:02:55.520
So I wonder if we can look at it together this morning.
00:02:55.520 --> 00:02:57.380
Just to summarize, it's a family story.
00:02:57.640 --> 00:02:59.180
It's about a father who has two sons.
00:02:59.560 --> 00:03:02.240
Recently on Mothering Sunday, I was thinking, I don't know where the mother is.
00:03:02.300 --> 00:03:04.219
I'm not sure the boys would have got in such a mess.
00:03:04.480 --> 00:03:06.040
Their mother was there, but she's not there.
00:03:06.560 --> 00:03:08.180
A friend of mine tells it rather neatly.
00:03:08.340 --> 00:03:09.840
He says, Rico, it starts at home.
00:03:10.400 --> 00:03:11.820
Then the younger son gets sick of home.
00:03:11.879 --> 00:03:12.480
So he gets out.
00:03:12.560 --> 00:03:14.100
Eventually, he goes to being plain sick.
00:03:14.520 --> 00:03:15.640
And then he's homesick.
00:03:15.719 --> 00:03:16.740
Then ends with him home again.
00:03:16.820 --> 00:03:18.060
The father's thrilled to have him home.
00:03:18.340 --> 00:03:19.020
Throws a party.
00:03:19.140 --> 00:03:20.100
The older brother finds out.
00:03:20.120 --> 00:03:21.000
And he's sick about that.
00:03:22.000 --> 00:03:23.919
So that's how the story goes.
00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:31.620
And as Jesus tells the story, ladies and gentlemen, it becomes obvious in the story that the father is like God.
00:03:32.259 --> 00:03:36.740
And the two groups listening to the story are the two constituencies.
00:03:37.500 --> 00:03:38.960
There's the tax collectors and sinners.
00:03:39.080 --> 00:03:39.960
I wonder if we can look down.
00:03:40.039 --> 00:03:41.900
Can we see chapter 15, verse 1?
00:03:42.340 --> 00:03:45.139
The tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.
00:03:45.139 --> 00:03:47.199
And that is the younger son's constituency.
00:03:47.199 --> 00:03:51.679
And then there are the Pharisees and the scribes grumbling.
00:03:52.000 --> 00:03:53.780
This man receives sinners and eats with them.
00:03:54.079 --> 00:03:55.959
And that's the older brother's constituency.
00:03:56.439 --> 00:03:57.419
And here's the amazing thing.
00:03:57.500 --> 00:04:04.019
Ladies and gentlemen, it's as though as the story's being told, Jesus lifts up a mirror and he says, you're in it.
00:04:05.060 --> 00:04:08.079
Do you know, whenever I used to read my kids' stories, I'm such an egotist.
00:04:08.139 --> 00:04:09.799
I always used to put myself in the story.
00:04:10.179 --> 00:04:12.539
Well, can I say, ladies and gentlemen, you're in it today.
00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:16.980
I don't know if at it was being read, you thought, oh, I'm in the story.
00:04:17.339 --> 00:04:18.180
Well, you are.
00:04:18.719 --> 00:04:20.079
You've got to walk on part.
00:04:20.719 --> 00:04:23.639
So as we look at it together, I wonder if you can see yourself.
00:04:23.759 --> 00:04:25.659
And we're meant to see ourselves in the story.
00:04:26.039 --> 00:04:27.360
Who are you in the story?
00:04:28.439 --> 00:04:28.899
So let's go.
00:04:28.899 --> 00:04:31.339
I've only got two points.
00:04:31.459 --> 00:04:35.360
First of all, there is a deceptive contrast between these two sons.
00:04:35.659 --> 00:04:36.439
Can we have a look down?
00:04:36.719 --> 00:04:37.740
So the microphone's up.
00:04:37.899 --> 00:04:38.719
The mirror's up.
00:04:38.800 --> 00:04:39.399
Let's have a look.
00:04:39.779 --> 00:04:41.600
And verse 11, let's start there.
00:04:41.600 --> 00:04:42.180
Do we see?
00:04:43.340 --> 00:04:45.120
There was a man who had two sons.
00:04:45.980 --> 00:04:47.660
And then we begin with the younger son.
00:04:47.700 --> 00:04:49.820
And he's what you might call the out-and-out rebel.
00:04:50.340 --> 00:04:51.879
And here he is in verse 12.
00:04:52.360 --> 00:04:57.540
And the younger of them said to his father, father, give me the share of property.
00:04:58.040 --> 00:04:59.200
That is coming to me.
00:04:59.480 --> 00:05:04.860
And he divided his property between them and set off for a distant country.
00:05:05.220 --> 00:05:06.740
Now, this younger son cuts loose.
00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:11.600
And he says, dad, he says, dad, do you know that life insurance you've taken out for me?
00:05:12.280 --> 00:05:13.280
And his father says, yeah.
00:05:13.639 --> 00:05:16.460
He says, dad, actually, I'd like my share now.
00:05:16.920 --> 00:05:20.139
And his father says, well, actually, son, those things are immature when I die.
00:05:20.139 --> 00:05:23.479
And the son says, yeah, dad, you've got the point.
00:05:23.939 --> 00:05:24.779
I wish you were dead.
00:05:25.459 --> 00:05:26.879
That's what he's saying in the story.
00:05:27.139 --> 00:05:29.039
Look, in that culture, it was just like our culture.
00:05:29.259 --> 00:05:31.740
You basically inherit from parents once they're dead.
00:05:32.120 --> 00:05:35.099
So this boy is saying to his father, I wish you were dead.
00:05:35.100 --> 00:05:39.280
And I want your things, but I don't want you.
00:05:40.340 --> 00:05:42.960
So you see, the father in the story is a bit like God.
00:05:43.360 --> 00:05:45.860
And some people treat God just like that.
00:05:46.040 --> 00:05:47.939
They act as though he's an irrelevance.
00:05:48.740 --> 00:05:49.980
They don't want him.
00:05:50.040 --> 00:05:51.660
They want the gifts, but they don't want him.
00:05:51.960 --> 00:05:55.820
And if there's one, two words that are the slogan, can we see them in verse 12 as we look down?
00:05:55.900 --> 00:05:56.800
Let's have a look at the slogan.
00:05:57.200 --> 00:05:57.939
Here's the slogan.
00:05:58.340 --> 00:05:59.540
Father, give me.
00:06:00.200 --> 00:06:01.020
Give me the gifts.
00:06:01.019 --> 00:06:06.159
I want fun, family, friends, falling in love, food, fitness, but I don't want you.
00:06:07.180 --> 00:06:09.039
And here's the question.
00:06:09.479 --> 00:06:14.759
Ladies and gentlemen, what was it that so attracted this young man to life without God?
00:06:16.120 --> 00:06:17.799
Why does he say this?
00:06:18.919 --> 00:06:21.839
And I think it's because this is his independence day.
00:06:22.319 --> 00:06:23.379
That's what he's doing.
00:06:23.759 --> 00:06:26.039
He didn't want to be dependent on God.
00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:28.500
He's saying to his father, I don't need you.
00:06:28.500 --> 00:06:34.620
And can you imagine, he's probably feeling great as he's walking down the drive with the remains of the life insurance in his back pocket.
00:06:34.699 --> 00:06:37.220
And he thinks, yes, yes, I'm free.
00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:38.740
I'm out of here.
00:06:39.319 --> 00:06:45.920
Because he is convinced, as so many are in the culture, independence, wild living, pleasure.
00:06:46.420 --> 00:06:47.459
That'll make me happy.
00:06:48.180 --> 00:06:49.240
That's the key to happiness.
00:06:50.839 --> 00:06:52.399
Independence, wild living, pleasure.
00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:55.500
And I'm away, and give me, and I'm gone.
00:06:55.500 --> 00:06:59.759
And don't you think he had the slight butterflies in his tummy as he went down the drive?
00:06:59.819 --> 00:07:01.120
He says, no, I'm away from here.
00:07:01.519 --> 00:07:02.519
I'll do what I want.
00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:03.439
Brilliant.
00:07:04.420 --> 00:07:05.600
So give me, and he's gone.
00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:08.259
Now, I don't know if you can relate to that.
00:07:08.620 --> 00:07:11.220
Just to say, if you can, it's brilliant you're here this morning.
00:07:11.860 --> 00:07:14.759
But it may be you relate a bit more to the older brother.
00:07:14.819 --> 00:07:15.600
Let's have a look at him.
00:07:15.879 --> 00:07:18.000
And he's what you might call the establishment figure.
00:07:18.180 --> 00:07:19.800
And he tells us a bit about himself.
00:07:19.899 --> 00:07:21.259
Can we look down in verse 29?
00:07:21.259 --> 00:07:22.939
Let's see verse 29.
00:07:23.360 --> 00:07:26.939
When he has a public row with his father outside his brother's party.
00:07:27.639 --> 00:07:28.120
Verse 29.
00:07:28.459 --> 00:07:30.319
But he was angry and refused to go in.
00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:33.039
His father came out and entreated him.
00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:33.680
Verse 29.
00:07:34.379 --> 00:07:37.980
But he answered his father, look, these many years I've served you.
00:07:38.300 --> 00:07:40.240
And I never disobeyed your command.
00:07:40.599 --> 00:07:44.879
Yet you never gave me even a young goat that I might celebrate with my friends.
00:07:45.899 --> 00:07:46.399
Do you see?
00:07:47.219 --> 00:07:48.439
He's the dutiful child.
00:07:48.939 --> 00:07:50.319
He's joined the family firm.
00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:51.159
He's hardworking.
00:07:51.279 --> 00:07:51.800
He's loyal.
00:07:52.259 --> 00:07:52.980
Job wise.
00:07:53.060 --> 00:07:55.920
He's something boring like a solicitor or an accountant.
00:07:56.099 --> 00:07:57.019
You can see it, can't you?
00:07:57.040 --> 00:07:57.599
It's obvious.
00:07:58.319 --> 00:08:00.659
And where his father is, he's close around.
00:08:00.759 --> 00:08:02.740
So he'd be an elder at IPC.
00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:04.339
He'd be on the eldership.
00:08:05.019 --> 00:08:07.920
I mean, he's what the Brits would call a fine, upstanding chap.
00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:10.300
He's very different from his brother.
00:08:10.939 --> 00:08:12.579
But it's a deceptive contrast.
00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:13.759
He's not like his brother.
00:08:14.259 --> 00:08:16.519
But he's nothing like his father either.
00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:18.579
Do we see as we look down verse 28?
00:08:18.579 --> 00:08:20.399
Let's just see that in verse 28.
00:08:20.859 --> 00:08:24.120
When his brother comes home, he was angry and refused to go in.
00:08:25.300 --> 00:08:26.899
So, you know, typical accountant.
00:08:27.139 --> 00:08:28.180
So much repressed anger.
00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:29.079
You can see it, can't you?
00:08:29.339 --> 00:08:30.819
But you see the brother comes home.
00:08:31.240 --> 00:08:32.179
And the father's glad.
00:08:32.240 --> 00:08:32.899
The brother's angry.
00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:35.340
The father greets him with open arms.
00:08:35.419 --> 00:08:36.519
The brother with clenched fists.
00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:38.120
The father says, my son.
00:08:38.379 --> 00:08:40.439
The brother, verse 30, says, this son of yours.
00:08:40.500 --> 00:08:44.319
In other words, he says, I'm not even from the same gene pool as this boy.
00:08:44.320 --> 00:08:48.480
How dare you relate him to me, this son of yours.
00:08:48.540 --> 00:08:49.540
He's nothing to do with me.
00:08:50.620 --> 00:08:54.220
So you see, this older brother thought he was the model of unselfishness.
00:08:54.740 --> 00:08:57.360
But actually, all he can think about is himself.
00:08:57.480 --> 00:08:58.660
Have a look at verse 29.
00:08:59.200 --> 00:08:59.680
Do you see?
00:09:00.040 --> 00:09:02.000
I, me, or mine come up four times.
00:09:02.540 --> 00:09:03.320
Look all these years.
00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:04.379
I've served you.
00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:06.080
And I never disobeyed your commands.
00:09:06.160 --> 00:09:10.160
Yet you never gave me even a young goat that I might celebrate with my friends.
00:09:10.760 --> 00:09:12.620
He's actually totally self-obsessed.
00:09:12.620 --> 00:09:18.740
It was Samuel Butler who wrote about two incredibly selfish people called Mr. and Mrs. Carlisle.
00:09:18.940 --> 00:09:19.759
And he wrote this.
00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:26.019
How good of God for Carlisle and Mrs. Carlisle to marry one another and so make two people miserable instead of four.
00:09:26.700 --> 00:09:28.060
And it's on here, isn't it?
00:09:28.440 --> 00:09:29.740
Now, here's the issue, ladies and gentlemen.
00:09:30.060 --> 00:09:35.019
If you want to think about religion, then these two boys are very different.
00:09:35.019 --> 00:09:44.220
But if you want to think about the heart of the Christian faith as we come to this Easter week, which, ladies and gentlemen, is relationship with God?
00:09:44.220 --> 00:09:46.800
That's what we're on about.
00:09:47.680 --> 00:09:50.379
Then these two boys, well, they're both out of sorts.
00:09:50.800 --> 00:09:52.660
They're both out of relationship with their father.
00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:56.440
You know, if it's religion, well, it's just a bunch of rules.
00:09:56.779 --> 00:09:59.240
But actually, we're meant to relate to God.
00:09:59.279 --> 00:10:01.920
And he's meant to be as central to our life as a ball is to a game.
00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:04.200
And a lot of people think, well, it's just religion.
00:10:04.300 --> 00:10:04.920
It's just rules.
00:10:04.919 --> 00:10:06.439
Well, the rules are great.
00:10:06.899 --> 00:10:07.860
But actually, no.
00:10:08.500 --> 00:10:11.939
It's a relationship in which he's as central to life as a ball is to a game.
00:10:12.259 --> 00:10:15.120
And both these boys are out of relationship with their father.
00:10:15.360 --> 00:10:16.860
It's a deceptive contrast.
00:10:17.000 --> 00:10:18.159
One's religious, the other's not.
00:10:18.559 --> 00:10:20.139
One's respectable, the other's not.
00:10:20.419 --> 00:10:22.500
They're both out of relationship with their father.
00:10:23.559 --> 00:10:25.719
So when it comes to you, where are you?
00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:29.699
Now, it might be that you're in the younger son's constituency.
00:10:30.599 --> 00:10:34.039
And can I say, if that's the case, there are, I'm amazed at the moment nationally,
00:10:34.039 --> 00:10:38.679
there are thousands of people, particularly young men, going back to church.
00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:40.159
Thank you for joining them.
00:10:40.899 --> 00:10:44.439
It's an extraordinary time nationally as people are flooding back.
00:10:45.099 --> 00:10:46.699
But it's great to have you here.
00:10:46.819 --> 00:10:48.059
And thank you for coming.
00:10:48.439 --> 00:10:50.779
You're probably rather amazed to see yourself sitting here.
00:10:51.319 --> 00:10:52.779
Well, it's just a joy to have you.
00:10:53.659 --> 00:10:58.079
But it might be that you're a respectable conventional type.
00:10:58.779 --> 00:11:00.500
And so actually, you're more like the older brother.
00:11:00.500 --> 00:11:06.480
But if you're honest, your religion has as much in common with real relationship with God
00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:13.539
as a cold, frigid, formal marriage has in common with a real lifelong love story.
00:11:14.279 --> 00:11:15.179
And here's the question.
00:11:16.759 --> 00:11:19.919
How can you tell if you're in the older brother's constituency?
00:11:20.440 --> 00:11:21.519
What's the diagnosis?
00:11:22.580 --> 00:11:25.500
And actually, this occurred to me as Paul preached to Galatians,
00:11:26.220 --> 00:11:27.379
Paul's letter to the Galatians.
00:11:27.379 --> 00:11:29.259
But this is the diagnosis, I think.
00:11:29.939 --> 00:11:32.460
It's if your experience of the Christian faith,
00:11:32.700 --> 00:11:35.480
and even as you come out this morning, makes you feel,
00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:36.740
now you never say this publicly,
00:11:37.299 --> 00:11:42.439
but inside it just makes you feel a little bit superior to other people.
00:11:43.240 --> 00:11:45.360
So as you came out this morning, you thought,
00:11:45.799 --> 00:11:50.299
well, at least someone on my street's going to church.
00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:52.080
At least someone's going.
00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:57.100
And there was just that little sense of self-righteousness as you came out.
00:11:57.740 --> 00:12:00.540
And maybe, even worse, you went for a run before that.
00:12:01.040 --> 00:12:03.120
So you're just absolute self-righteous.
00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:06.540
I'm fit, and I'm spiritually fit, and out I go.
00:12:06.879 --> 00:12:08.040
Oh, marvellous.
00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:10.220
Can I say to you,
00:12:10.660 --> 00:12:17.200
if your experience of Christian faith makes you feel just that little bit superior to others,
00:12:17.200 --> 00:12:19.960
ladies and gentlemen, can I say to you as we come to this Easter week,
00:12:20.520 --> 00:12:22.759
you're in terrible trouble spiritually.
00:12:23.960 --> 00:12:26.800
And you're a million miles from the real Christian faith.
00:12:27.660 --> 00:12:29.440
If there's any sense of superiority,
00:12:30.400 --> 00:12:31.680
you're dead spiritually.
00:12:31.679 --> 00:12:36.559
And it was exactly that sense of superiority,
00:12:36.939 --> 00:12:39.199
which was the Anglicanism that I was brought up with.
00:12:39.719 --> 00:12:40.519
Exactly that.
00:12:41.359 --> 00:12:42.939
In church, Sunday morning,
00:12:43.599 --> 00:12:45.599
because actually we're just a little bit better.
00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:49.379
And it's a million miles from the real Christian faith.
00:12:50.819 --> 00:12:52.659
So, it's a deceptive contrast,
00:12:52.959 --> 00:12:55.699
but secondly, both these boys make an amazing discovery.
00:12:56.099 --> 00:12:57.919
They both discover they're welcome with the Father.
00:12:58.000 --> 00:12:59.799
They both find it, but it's clearer with the younger son.
00:13:00.019 --> 00:13:00.719
Let's join him again.
00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:01.899
Can we look down verse 13?
00:13:02.180 --> 00:13:03.600
Let's have a look and see him there.
00:13:04.100 --> 00:13:05.240
Not many days later,
00:13:05.320 --> 00:13:07.560
the younger son gathered all he had and got together
00:13:07.560 --> 00:13:10.500
and took a journey into a far country.
00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:13.560
And there he squandered his property in reckless living.
00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:15.399
And when he'd spent everything,
00:13:15.519 --> 00:13:17.240
a severe famine arose in that country,
00:13:17.399 --> 00:13:18.660
and he began to be in need.
00:13:18.820 --> 00:13:21.480
So, he went and hired himself out to the citizens of that country
00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:23.500
and went into his field to feed pigs.
00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:26.320
You see, what this young man finds,
00:13:26.360 --> 00:13:26.920
it's amazing,
00:13:27.060 --> 00:13:29.220
is that he's left home to be free,
00:13:29.220 --> 00:13:31.200
but he finds, actually,
00:13:31.399 --> 00:13:32.580
he's out of control.
00:13:33.139 --> 00:13:34.920
He's left home to be in control,
00:13:35.060 --> 00:13:35.860
and he's out of control.
00:13:35.960 --> 00:13:37.460
The word wild means out of control.
00:13:37.759 --> 00:13:39.779
And he squandered his wealth in wild living.
00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:41.820
So, he wasted his life.
00:13:41.940 --> 00:13:42.420
Ladies and gentlemen,
00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:44.480
you only get one life,
00:13:44.740 --> 00:13:45.860
and he wastes it.
00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:48.139
And what this young man finds is just,
00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:49.180
yeah, not that freedom,
00:13:49.300 --> 00:13:50.220
but bondage.
00:13:50.220 --> 00:13:52.560
And he finds himself isolated,
00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.519
and then he finds,
00:13:53.639 --> 00:13:55.240
oh, a famine's coming.
00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.220
And can I say,
00:13:57.960 --> 00:13:58.779
any life,
00:13:59.740 --> 00:14:00.540
Christians believe,
00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.639
that's without Christ,
00:14:01.980 --> 00:14:03.460
ends up in famine.
00:14:04.420 --> 00:14:05.480
It ends in famine.
00:14:06.160 --> 00:14:07.460
But the famine's coming.
00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:08.960
He's out of control.
00:14:09.259 --> 00:14:10.200
He's not free.
00:14:10.600 --> 00:14:12.399
And then we have some of the saddest words
00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:12.980
in the whole Bible.
00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:14.940
Can we see the end of verse 16 there?
00:14:15.160 --> 00:14:16.360
No one gave him anything.
00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:18.259
So, no job,
00:14:18.360 --> 00:14:18.759
no money,
00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.360
no friends.
00:14:19.460 --> 00:14:21.039
He finds that the people around him
00:14:21.039 --> 00:14:21.580
are takers,
00:14:21.680 --> 00:14:22.200
not givers.
00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:24.060
We're all one of two things in life,
00:14:24.120 --> 00:14:24.360
aren't we?
00:14:24.379 --> 00:14:25.680
We're drains or radiators.
00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.240
So, they're takers.
00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:29.340
And he's cosmically lonely.
00:14:29.519 --> 00:14:30.340
So, what does he do?
00:14:30.980 --> 00:14:31.639
What does he do?
00:14:31.680 --> 00:14:33.100
Let's see the halfway point in the story.
00:14:33.180 --> 00:14:34.360
Can we look down and see what he does?
00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.460
Verse 17.
00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:36.419
This is so important.
00:14:36.940 --> 00:14:38.700
But when he came to his self.
00:14:39.300 --> 00:14:40.560
So, he comes to his senses,
00:14:40.560 --> 00:14:41.340
and he suddenly goes,
00:14:41.560 --> 00:14:41.800
oh,
00:14:42.259 --> 00:14:44.920
how can I have missed the obvious?
00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:47.720
How can I have done this?
00:14:48.980 --> 00:14:50.419
Have I been so blind?
00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:52.120
Have I been so ungrateful?
00:14:52.940 --> 00:14:54.980
So, he comes to his senses about himself,
00:14:55.560 --> 00:14:56.860
and he starts to see himself
00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:58.340
as he really is a Jew in the pigsty.
00:14:58.500 --> 00:15:00.320
And he comes to his senses about his father,
00:15:00.560 --> 00:15:02.300
and he starts to surrender
00:15:02.300 --> 00:15:04.460
his precious delusions about independence.
00:15:04.820 --> 00:15:05.779
And what does he long for?
00:15:05.820 --> 00:15:06.639
It's really interesting.
00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.440
You see in the passage,
00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:08.379
what does he long for?
00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:09.519
Let's look down and see that.
00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.320
Verse 17.
00:15:10.940 --> 00:15:11.940
And see what he longs for.
00:15:12.320 --> 00:15:13.340
But when he came to himself,
00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:13.680
he said,
00:15:13.840 --> 00:15:15.379
how many of my father's hired men
00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.159
of food to spare?
00:15:17.360 --> 00:15:19.440
But I'm perishing here with hunger.
00:15:19.740 --> 00:15:21.639
I'll arise and go back to my father,
00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:22.460
and I'll say to him,
00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.800
Father, I've sinned against him
00:15:23.800 --> 00:15:24.440
and against you.
00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:25.220
Do you get it?
00:15:26.019 --> 00:15:26.639
Ladies and gentlemen,
00:15:26.700 --> 00:15:27.919
he starts longing for home.
00:15:28.980 --> 00:15:30.340
That's what's happening here.
00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:33.279
One psychiatrist has said,
00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:35.700
children who don't experience a home
00:15:35.700 --> 00:15:37.659
experience a fundamental inability
00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:38.399
of attachment.
00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:40.580
But this home,
00:15:40.700 --> 00:15:41.180
what is home?
00:15:41.220 --> 00:15:42.100
It's not a place.
00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:43.019
It's a relationship.
00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:44.700
He's longing for his dad.
00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:46.440
And home is the place
00:15:46.440 --> 00:15:47.060
where you belong
00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:47.820
and you're accepted.
00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:49.200
You see,
00:15:49.420 --> 00:15:50.180
up until then,
00:15:50.259 --> 00:15:51.040
all his relationships
00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:51.720
were conditional
00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:52.720
in the far country.
00:15:53.140 --> 00:15:54.480
Just like the West End of London,
00:15:54.540 --> 00:15:55.660
where I worked for 30 years.
00:15:55.900 --> 00:15:56.720
We'll love you
00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:57.800
if you're young
00:15:57.800 --> 00:15:58.500
and you're rich
00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.180
and successful.
00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:00.379
If you're good looking,
00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.120
if you're slim,
00:16:01.200 --> 00:16:01.700
we'll love you.
00:16:01.820 --> 00:16:02.860
But if you aren't those things,
00:16:02.920 --> 00:16:03.600
we won't love you.
00:16:04.300 --> 00:16:05.020
But at home,
00:16:05.180 --> 00:16:05.820
oh, ladies and gentlemen,
00:16:05.940 --> 00:16:06.620
at home,
00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:08.480
they love you anyway.
00:16:09.440 --> 00:16:10.779
They know all about you
00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:12.539
and they love you anyway.
00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.580
That's a real home.
00:16:14.180 --> 00:16:15.659
And he starts longing for home.
00:16:16.220 --> 00:16:17.080
So what does he do?
00:16:17.560 --> 00:16:18.840
He comes to his senses
00:16:18.840 --> 00:16:22.340
and he surrenders his attitude to God
00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:24.600
and he does something which is so hard
00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:26.320
and millions never do it.
00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:27.539
They never do it.
00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:28.159
Do you know what he does,
00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:28.680
ladies and gentlemen?
00:16:29.560 --> 00:16:31.139
He swallows his pride.
00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:32.980
He says,
00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:33.399
do you know,
00:16:33.399 --> 00:16:35.699
I'm going to have to go home
00:16:35.699 --> 00:16:37.840
and I'm going to have to say sorry.
00:16:38.899 --> 00:16:40.019
And some people,
00:16:40.199 --> 00:16:40.980
they're too proud.
00:16:41.600 --> 00:16:42.720
They'll never say it.
00:16:43.220 --> 00:16:46.059
But you never get to Easter week.
00:16:46.459 --> 00:16:47.939
You never get to Good Friday.
00:16:48.079 --> 00:16:49.439
You never get to the Christian faith
00:16:49.439 --> 00:16:50.059
unless you go,
00:16:50.159 --> 00:16:50.500
do you know,
00:16:51.500 --> 00:16:52.519
I need to say sorry.
00:16:53.379 --> 00:16:54.759
And it's so hard.
00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.860
It's so hard saying sorry.
00:16:56.959 --> 00:16:58.179
I always delay endlessly.
00:16:59.120 --> 00:17:00.620
A previous Bishop of London said,
00:17:00.699 --> 00:17:02.079
London's biggest problem is BSE.
00:17:02.199 --> 00:17:02.779
We looked at each other.
00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:03.059
He said,
00:17:03.120 --> 00:17:03.220
yes,
00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:04.319
blame somebody else.
00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.119
But actually,
00:17:06.299 --> 00:17:07.180
sometimes we've got to say,
00:17:07.220 --> 00:17:07.319
no,
00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.220
I need to say sorry.
00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:08.980
In marriage,
00:17:09.059 --> 00:17:09.480
just to say,
00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:11.200
can all the married keep their elbows in here?
00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:12.579
As I say these two phrases,
00:17:13.119 --> 00:17:14.619
I don't want to see elbows flying out.
00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.259
Elbows in.
00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:16.680
But in marriage,
00:17:17.000 --> 00:17:17.960
there are two phrases
00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:19.200
that are key to married life.
00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:21.240
I'm sorry I was wrong
00:17:21.240 --> 00:17:22.579
and that's okay.
00:17:22.639 --> 00:17:23.240
I forgive you.
00:17:23.920 --> 00:17:25.599
And some people will never say it.
00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:26.960
But this boy,
00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:27.359
he says,
00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:27.619
you know,
00:17:27.700 --> 00:17:29.399
I don't just need my father's food.
00:17:29.639 --> 00:17:30.799
I don't just need his fellowship.
00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:32.099
I need his forgiveness.
00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:33.759
So what does he do?
00:17:33.779 --> 00:17:35.099
He comes out of the pigsty
00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:37.339
and can you imagine him rehearsing it?
00:17:37.379 --> 00:17:38.960
I've sinned against heaven and against you.
00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:41.059
And he starts heading for home
00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:42.579
and then what happens?
00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.139
Let's have a look.
00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:43.639
Verse 20,
00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:44.359
as we look down.
00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:44.920
Can we see?
00:17:45.500 --> 00:17:46.000
Verse 20.
00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:47.000
Well,
00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:47.920
I'll go from 18.
00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:50.299
I'll rise and go back to my father.
00:17:50.400 --> 00:17:51.079
I'll go home.
00:17:51.380 --> 00:17:51.839
I'll say,
00:17:51.960 --> 00:17:52.220
Father,
00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:53.779
I've sinned against heaven and against you.
00:17:53.940 --> 00:17:55.680
I'm no longer worthy to be called your son.
00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:57.700
Treat me as one of your hard hands.
00:17:58.059 --> 00:17:59.880
And he arose and came to his father.
00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:02.420
But while he was still a long way off,
00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:03.480
his father,
00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:05.140
you see his father's been watching for him.
00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:05.880
He's been watching.
00:18:06.319 --> 00:18:07.539
His father saw him.
00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.420
And what does his father do?
00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:09.920
Does his father
00:18:09.920 --> 00:18:12.440
tap his foot,
00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:15.800
tap his foot and look out from the veranda and go,
00:18:16.060 --> 00:18:16.820
this better be good.
00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:18.560
This better be good.
00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.640
What does his father do?
00:18:20.840 --> 00:18:21.460
As we look down,
00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:21.860
do we see,
00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.380
ladies and gentlemen,
00:18:22.480 --> 00:18:23.300
hold on to your seats.
00:18:23.620 --> 00:18:24.519
Let's see what he does.
00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:26.680
And he arose and came to his father.
00:18:26.759 --> 00:18:28.000
While he was still a long way off,
00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:30.539
his father saw him and felt compassion.
00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:32.900
And that means a turning of the stomach.
00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:35.000
So I remember seeing a woman
00:18:35.000 --> 00:18:37.340
and her family had been washed away in the tsunami.
00:18:37.640 --> 00:18:39.080
And I looked at her face
00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:40.199
and the grief.
00:18:40.619 --> 00:18:41.960
And I felt my stomach turn.
00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:43.199
And that's what's happening here.
00:18:44.079 --> 00:18:46.299
So the father's stomach turns.
00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:48.919
And he ran and embraced him
00:18:48.919 --> 00:18:49.960
and kissed him.
00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:53.139
Has anyone here ever seen the queen run?
00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:55.379
It would be too awful, wouldn't it,
00:18:55.399 --> 00:18:56.299
to see the queen run.
00:18:56.899 --> 00:18:57.480
But actually,
00:18:57.619 --> 00:18:58.859
to see her break into a trot.
00:18:58.939 --> 00:18:59.659
In this culture,
00:19:00.079 --> 00:19:00.519
the hire,
00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:01.659
the nobleman never ran.
00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:03.119
But he doesn't care what the neighbors think.
00:19:03.379 --> 00:19:03.879
And he runs.
00:19:03.939 --> 00:19:04.960
And he probably ran across
00:19:04.960 --> 00:19:05.819
a couple of the fields
00:19:05.819 --> 00:19:06.899
that had been sold off
00:19:06.899 --> 00:19:07.799
for the life insurance.
00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:08.939
And he runs.
00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:09.939
And he runs.
00:19:10.199 --> 00:19:11.139
And this is amazing.
00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.779
It's very un-British.
00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.519
Because often the Brits
00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.359
would just shake hands.
00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:15.980
But no,
00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:17.859
the father kisses him
00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.839
and embraces him.
00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:19.679
And ladies and gentlemen,
00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:20.779
what we have here
00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:22.139
is the key to happiness.
00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:24.899
Do you want to find happiness in life?
00:19:25.419 --> 00:19:26.099
Here's the key.
00:19:26.199 --> 00:19:27.139
You do three things.
00:19:27.519 --> 00:19:28.019
Number one,
00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:28.740
ladies and gentlemen,
00:19:28.839 --> 00:19:29.740
you come to your senses.
00:19:31.199 --> 00:19:31.879
You say,
00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:32.460
oh my goodness,
00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:33.480
how have I behaved like this?
00:19:34.299 --> 00:19:34.700
Secondly,
00:19:34.860 --> 00:19:36.360
you realize it's at home
00:19:36.360 --> 00:19:37.059
where you belong
00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:37.759
and you're accepted.
00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:39.500
And then the key to happiness,
00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:42.339
the key to peace in life,
00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.460
you then say,
00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:44.920
you say this to God,
00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:45.460
you say,
00:19:46.279 --> 00:19:46.720
oh God,
00:19:46.759 --> 00:19:47.579
I'm so sorry.
00:19:48.860 --> 00:19:49.579
I'm sorry.
00:19:49.659 --> 00:19:50.319
Am I sinned again?
00:19:50.379 --> 00:19:50.839
I'm sorry.
00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:52.159
And as you do that,
00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:52.799
ladies and gentlemen,
00:19:53.399 --> 00:19:54.980
you feel God's embrace.
00:19:55.799 --> 00:19:57.139
And that is the heart
00:19:57.139 --> 00:19:58.279
of the human condition,
00:19:58.599 --> 00:19:59.240
the soul,
00:19:59.619 --> 00:20:00.899
and the Christian faith.
00:20:02.240 --> 00:20:02.619
And you know,
00:20:02.659 --> 00:20:03.519
it's an amazing thing.
00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:04.259
In the morning,
00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:04.980
as we get up,
00:20:05.179 --> 00:20:05.740
the Bible,
00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:07.240
Christians read the Bible
00:20:07.240 --> 00:20:07.740
in the morning
00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.980
and it's like a mirror
00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:10.139
and you see your wrongdoing
00:20:10.139 --> 00:20:10.639
and you say,
00:20:10.720 --> 00:20:10.819
Lord,
00:20:10.879 --> 00:20:11.359
I'm sorry.
00:20:11.619 --> 00:20:12.859
And you feel his embrace.
00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:14.179
So would you please pray
00:20:14.179 --> 00:20:14.799
tomorrow morning
00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:15.599
I'll read my Bible
00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.699
because it's always a battle.
00:20:17.199 --> 00:20:17.939
But when I do,
00:20:18.000 --> 00:20:18.819
it's a lovely thing,
00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:20.139
but it's a battle to do it.
00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:22.200
But I see my wrongdoing.
00:20:22.299 --> 00:20:22.559
I say,
00:20:22.639 --> 00:20:22.980
Lord God,
00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.859
I'm so sorry.
00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.879
And I feel his embrace.
00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:26.960
But you see,
00:20:27.019 --> 00:20:28.039
although this young man
00:20:28.039 --> 00:20:29.899
had forgotten about his father,
00:20:30.179 --> 00:20:31.019
his father hadn't forgotten
00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:31.539
about his him.
00:20:31.579 --> 00:20:32.539
His father was waiting
00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.099
and looking.
00:20:33.439 --> 00:20:34.119
His father was going,
00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:34.839
where are you?
00:20:34.899 --> 00:20:35.519
Where are you?
00:20:35.659 --> 00:20:36.299
Now what happens?
00:20:36.359 --> 00:20:36.859
He goes straight
00:20:36.859 --> 00:20:37.619
into the rehearsed speaks.
00:20:37.700 --> 00:20:38.679
Can we see the speech?
00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.299
Verse 21.
00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.000
Father,
00:20:40.099 --> 00:20:40.919
I've sinned against heaven
00:20:40.919 --> 00:20:41.500
and against you.
00:20:41.559 --> 00:20:42.039
I'm no longer
00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:43.339
worthy to be called your son.
00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:45.059
He gets halfway through
00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:45.879
and the father says,
00:20:45.879 --> 00:20:46.879
bring the best robe,
00:20:46.980 --> 00:20:47.559
a sign of honor.
00:20:47.960 --> 00:20:48.799
Put a ring on his finger.
00:20:48.819 --> 00:20:49.779
A sign of authority.
00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:51.659
Put shoes on his feet.
00:20:51.899 --> 00:20:53.159
A slave didn't have shoes.
00:20:53.259 --> 00:20:54.359
A servant didn't have shoes.
00:20:54.619 --> 00:20:55.539
A son had shoes.
00:20:55.879 --> 00:20:57.259
Go and kill the fattened calf.
00:20:57.679 --> 00:20:58.700
A little boy was once
00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.619
asked in Sunday school,
00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.960
and who was not pleased
00:21:00.960 --> 00:21:01.819
to see the younger son
00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:02.279
come home?
00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.419
And he shot up his hand
00:21:03.419 --> 00:21:03.720
and said,
00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.720
that would be the calf.
00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:08.059
But actually,
00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:08.920
what we've got here,
00:21:08.920 --> 00:21:09.519
ladies and gentlemen,
00:21:09.680 --> 00:21:11.500
is God doesn't treat us
00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:12.339
as we deserve.
00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:13.880
So there's some people
00:21:13.880 --> 00:21:14.579
here this morning
00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:15.380
and you're thinking,
00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:15.940
do you know,
00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:17.339
I might be here this Easter week,
00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.100
but actually,
00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:19.519
I'm not going near God.
00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:21.640
Because if you go near God,
00:21:21.880 --> 00:21:23.519
he's going to drill your face
00:21:23.519 --> 00:21:24.120
into the ground.
00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:26.839
You go too close to God
00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:28.220
and he'll grind your face
00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.880
into the ground.
00:21:28.880 --> 00:21:31.040
And can I say,
00:21:31.580 --> 00:21:32.300
I don't know where
00:21:32.300 --> 00:21:33.160
you got that from,
00:21:34.360 --> 00:21:35.780
but the Bible tells us
00:21:35.780 --> 00:21:37.780
God is so generous.
00:21:38.820 --> 00:21:39.860
He's so kind.
00:21:41.300 --> 00:21:41.960
Years ago,
00:21:42.080 --> 00:21:43.380
I was at home on my day off
00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:43.980
and I was teaching
00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.740
my brother's kids.
00:21:44.840 --> 00:21:45.540
They were four and two
00:21:45.540 --> 00:21:46.160
to play rugby.
00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.900
So I was down on the ground
00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:49.200
scrummaging with a four-year-old.
00:21:49.280 --> 00:21:50.740
You've got to start them young
00:21:50.740 --> 00:21:51.900
in my parents' sitting room.
00:21:52.140 --> 00:21:52.860
And I was there.
00:21:53.160 --> 00:21:54.180
And as I was doing that,
00:21:54.260 --> 00:21:55.360
the two-year-old, Patrick,
00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:56.180
got so excited,
00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:57.740
he picked up a large plant pot
00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:58.860
and he started to empty it
00:21:58.859 --> 00:22:01.019
all over my mother's lounge floor
00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:02.339
in order to make a pitch.
00:22:03.000 --> 00:22:04.059
And when I next looked up,
00:22:04.099 --> 00:22:04.539
I'm not kidding,
00:22:04.619 --> 00:22:05.539
it was trashed.
00:22:05.599 --> 00:22:06.559
There was mud everywhere.
00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.899
And at that point,
00:22:07.959 --> 00:22:09.000
my mother came in
00:22:09.000 --> 00:22:10.459
and she walked over
00:22:10.459 --> 00:22:11.119
to her grandson.
00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:12.599
She picked up the plant pot.
00:22:12.659 --> 00:22:13.639
She put it on one side.
00:22:13.959 --> 00:22:14.959
She picked him up.
00:22:15.259 --> 00:22:16.000
She kissed him.
00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:16.839
And she said,
00:22:16.839 --> 00:22:17.740
let's go and have lunch.
00:22:17.899 --> 00:22:19.500
And as she carried him
00:22:19.500 --> 00:22:20.259
out of the room,
00:22:20.459 --> 00:22:21.639
he looked over her shoulder
00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:22.399
and his older brother
00:22:22.399 --> 00:22:23.000
and I on the ground
00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:24.500
and he went like that.
00:22:25.959 --> 00:22:26.519
You see,
00:22:26.879 --> 00:22:28.000
his grandmother knows
00:22:28.000 --> 00:22:28.579
what he's done.
00:22:29.399 --> 00:22:30.919
She's going to clear up the mess
00:22:30.919 --> 00:22:32.979
and she loves him anyway.
00:22:33.459 --> 00:22:34.119
And ladies and gentlemen,
00:22:34.459 --> 00:22:35.740
that's what it's like
00:22:35.740 --> 00:22:36.359
to be Christian.
00:22:37.719 --> 00:22:39.059
God knows what we've done.
00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.979
He clears up the mess.
00:22:41.759 --> 00:22:42.639
He loves us anyway.
00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:44.500
It's just the most
00:22:44.500 --> 00:22:45.439
wonderful experience.
00:22:46.179 --> 00:22:47.000
He's so kind.
00:22:47.099 --> 00:22:48.019
He's so generous.
00:22:48.919 --> 00:22:50.019
But it's interesting,
00:22:50.159 --> 00:22:50.500
isn't it?
00:22:50.919 --> 00:22:52.439
This older brother,
00:22:53.439 --> 00:22:55.139
well, he wouldn't have been
00:22:55.139 --> 00:22:56.459
so good in terms of the welcome.
00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:57.220
I mean,
00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:57.920
it was fortunate,
00:22:58.100 --> 00:22:58.480
wasn't it,
00:22:58.579 --> 00:22:59.480
that the younger brother
00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:01.500
got seen by his father
00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:01.980
on the road,
00:23:02.059 --> 00:23:02.740
not the older brother.
00:23:02.840 --> 00:23:03.259
Can you imagine
00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.880
what the older brother
00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:04.299
would have done?
00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:06.059
But amazingly,
00:23:06.319 --> 00:23:08.019
as we come to Palm Sunday,
00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:09.380
as we come to this week,
00:23:09.900 --> 00:23:10.400
ladies and gentlemen,
00:23:10.519 --> 00:23:12.079
the Bible says that Christians
00:23:12.079 --> 00:23:13.420
have a different older brother.
00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.360
He earned everything.
00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.259
He earned the robe.
00:23:16.340 --> 00:23:17.100
He earned the ring.
00:23:17.340 --> 00:23:18.000
The Lord Jesus
00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:19.120
lived a perfect life.
00:23:19.120 --> 00:23:20.240
You can look at his life
00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.440
on the Christian Explored course.
00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.980
He lived a perfect life.
00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:24.059
Well, look at Mark's Gospel.
00:23:24.640 --> 00:23:25.740
There's nothing you want
00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.880
to reject in the life.
00:23:28.140 --> 00:23:29.720
But on Good Friday,
00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.740
having come into Jerusalem
00:23:31.740 --> 00:23:33.259
on Palm Sunday,
00:23:33.340 --> 00:23:33.880
what did they do?
00:23:33.940 --> 00:23:34.700
They stripped him.
00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:37.059
They cast lots for his clothing.
00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.680
He didn't get the fattened calf.
00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:40.160
He got hyssop and vinegar.
00:23:40.880 --> 00:23:41.960
And this older brother,
00:23:42.080 --> 00:23:43.380
as he dies on the cross,
00:23:43.840 --> 00:23:44.279
he says,
00:23:44.380 --> 00:23:45.220
the only way for you
00:23:45.220 --> 00:23:46.100
to be clothed
00:23:46.100 --> 00:23:47.059
is for me to be stripped.
00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:48.600
And the only way
00:23:48.600 --> 00:23:49.400
for you to get the ring
00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:50.340
is for me to lose them.
00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:50.960
And the only way
00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:52.120
for you to go home
00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:53.140
is if I,
00:23:53.259 --> 00:23:54.660
as I die on the cross,
00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:56.340
pay in death and blood
00:23:56.340 --> 00:23:57.380
for you to go home.
00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.800
It's not a cheap thing
00:23:58.800 --> 00:23:59.720
to be able to go home.
00:24:00.580 --> 00:24:02.100
The Lord Jesus Christ says,
00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:02.400
Rico,
00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:04.560
I'm paying for your past,
00:24:05.080 --> 00:24:05.600
present,
00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:07.680
and future sin
00:24:07.680 --> 00:24:09.640
so that you can go home.
00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.120
And actually,
00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:11.680
ladies and gentlemen,
00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:12.800
there's only one way
00:24:12.800 --> 00:24:13.540
to get to hell.
00:24:14.220 --> 00:24:15.640
The only way you get to hell
00:24:15.640 --> 00:24:16.660
is you trample
00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:18.040
over the cross of Jesus.
00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:20.180
Jesus blocks the way to hell
00:24:20.180 --> 00:24:20.659
and he says,
00:24:20.859 --> 00:24:21.980
I'm the true older brother.
00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:23.379
I've died for you.
00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:24.920
I'm paying for you to go home.
00:24:25.059 --> 00:24:26.899
So please come home.
00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:28.819
I mean,
00:24:28.859 --> 00:24:29.899
this boy would never
00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:30.599
have left home
00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:31.099
if he'd known
00:24:31.099 --> 00:24:32.680
his father's generosity properly.
00:24:33.819 --> 00:24:34.480
Come in,
00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:35.240
come home.
00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:37.279
And the payment
00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:38.319
for you to come home
00:24:38.319 --> 00:24:39.440
is colossal.
00:24:39.500 --> 00:24:40.240
And we'll look again
00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:41.599
at that on Good Friday.
00:24:41.779 --> 00:24:42.659
Please come back.
00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.980
But it's very interesting
00:24:44.980 --> 00:24:46.059
just as we close now.
00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:46.740
Let's close now.
00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.440
But let's just think
00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:48.079
of the older brother
00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.660
for a moment.
00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.400
Why doesn't he go
00:24:50.400 --> 00:24:51.099
into the party?
00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:52.940
Why doesn't he say,
00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:53.460
oh, great,
00:24:53.620 --> 00:24:54.599
my brother's home.
00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:57.279
What stops him going home?
00:24:58.559 --> 00:25:00.400
How is it that he just says,
00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.359
no, I won't do it?
00:25:01.420 --> 00:25:02.420
And this is the message
00:25:02.420 --> 00:25:03.700
of chapter 15,
00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.259
verse 2,
00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:04.839
do you see?
00:25:05.200 --> 00:25:05.960
The Pharisees,
00:25:06.039 --> 00:25:06.620
the scribes,
00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.059
grumbled,
00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:07.660
saying,
00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.759
this man receives sinners
00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.440
and eats with them.
00:25:10.559 --> 00:25:11.079
Ladies and gentlemen,
00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:13.079
what is it that stops
00:25:13.079 --> 00:25:13.919
so many people
00:25:13.919 --> 00:25:14.659
from going home?
00:25:14.740 --> 00:25:14.839
Well,
00:25:14.879 --> 00:25:15.839
with this older brother,
00:25:16.679 --> 00:25:17.659
I wonder if you can hear
00:25:17.659 --> 00:25:18.159
what it is.
00:25:18.199 --> 00:25:19.419
Let's see it in verse 29.
00:25:20.079 --> 00:25:21.059
What is his weapon
00:25:21.059 --> 00:25:22.500
of rebellion against God?
00:25:22.699 --> 00:25:23.639
Hold on to your seats.
00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.619
It's very shocking.
00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:25.819
Have a look down.
00:25:26.819 --> 00:25:27.480
Have a look.
00:25:27.599 --> 00:25:28.859
Verse 29.
00:25:29.740 --> 00:25:30.819
He says to his father,
00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:31.699
shouts at him
00:25:31.699 --> 00:25:32.599
as he has a row
00:25:32.599 --> 00:25:33.559
outside the party,
00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.319
look,
00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:35.039
these many years
00:25:35.039 --> 00:25:35.679
I've served you
00:25:35.679 --> 00:25:36.460
and never disobeyed
00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:36.980
your command,
00:25:37.339 --> 00:25:38.299
yet you never gave me
00:25:38.299 --> 00:25:38.940
even a goat
00:25:38.940 --> 00:25:39.680
that I might celebrate
00:25:39.680 --> 00:25:40.539
with my friends.
00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:43.419
What stops him going home,
00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:44.059
ladies and gentlemen,
00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:46.019
is his own goodness.
00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:47.960
He says,
00:25:48.059 --> 00:25:49.139
because I'm good,
00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:50.799
I control this,
00:25:50.919 --> 00:25:51.799
I make the rules,
00:25:51.919 --> 00:25:52.879
and there's nothing
00:25:52.879 --> 00:25:54.039
I need to be sorry for.
00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:54.659
In fact,
00:25:55.019 --> 00:25:55.559
you, father,
00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:56.539
are lucky to have me here.
00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:56.919
Now,
00:25:56.960 --> 00:25:57.419
just to say,
00:25:57.539 --> 00:25:58.419
in Jewish culture,
00:25:58.819 --> 00:25:59.700
to have a row
00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:00.940
with your father publicly
00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:02.919
was massively serious.
00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:04.079
In the Old Testament,
00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:05.460
in a book called Deuteronomy,
00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:07.819
in Deuteronomy chapter 21,
00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:10.779
they actually executed children
00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:12.379
for publicly disobeying
00:26:12.379 --> 00:26:13.079
their parents.
00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:15.259
Well,
00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:16.339
it would sort the schools out,
00:26:16.379 --> 00:26:16.639
wouldn't it,
00:26:16.679 --> 00:26:17.200
don't you reckon?
00:26:17.859 --> 00:26:19.000
We've got a bit of a problem
00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:20.119
with Haskins 3,
00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:20.919
he'll be executed
00:26:20.919 --> 00:26:21.759
Thursday morning.
00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.099
But,
00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:23.579
sorry,
00:26:23.639 --> 00:26:24.519
you'll think I'm a fascist
00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.179
if I say this,
00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:26.039
I don't mean to do that,
00:26:26.099 --> 00:26:27.039
but what I am saying
00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:27.539
is this,
00:26:27.619 --> 00:26:28.519
I'm saying that
00:26:28.519 --> 00:26:30.279
it was so serious
00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:32.480
for people to see
00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.079
this boy
00:26:33.079 --> 00:26:34.759
publicly disobey his parents,
00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:35.740
and yet,
00:26:35.740 --> 00:26:38.160
his weapon of rebellion
00:26:38.160 --> 00:26:39.059
against his father
00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:40.000
is his own goodness.
00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.839
And that was exactly
00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.480
my grandmother.
00:26:44.700 --> 00:26:46.120
What put me into the ministry
00:26:46.120 --> 00:26:47.720
was I watched my grandmother die
00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:49.380
from the 1st to the 8th of April,
00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.220
1988.
00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:52.000
I watched her die,
00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:53.880
and she said repeatedly,
00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:56.400
because I'm a good person,
00:26:57.339 --> 00:26:58.180
God will accept me.
00:26:58.180 --> 00:27:01.680
It was utterly heartbreaking.
00:27:02.940 --> 00:27:04.120
Please don't be like her.
00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:06.060
I mean,
00:27:06.120 --> 00:27:07.700
why did God send his son to die
00:27:07.700 --> 00:27:09.340
if your goodness is good enough?
00:27:10.960 --> 00:27:12.340
But the weapon of rebellion
00:27:12.340 --> 00:27:13.340
is your own goodness.
00:27:14.140 --> 00:27:15.140
I'm a bit superior,
00:27:15.360 --> 00:27:16.240
I do my duty,
00:27:16.440 --> 00:27:18.019
I never have to say sorry to God.
00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.560
Well,
00:27:19.600 --> 00:27:20.360
it's tantalizing,
00:27:20.460 --> 00:27:20.700
isn't it,
00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.200
ladies and gentlemen,
00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:21.799
because actually,
00:27:21.940 --> 00:27:23.259
we don't know how the story ends.
00:27:23.840 --> 00:27:25.100
We don't know if the younger brother
00:27:25.100 --> 00:27:26.140
was a flash in the pan,
00:27:26.140 --> 00:27:27.620
we don't know if the older brother
00:27:27.620 --> 00:27:28.480
went into the party.
00:27:29.080 --> 00:27:30.080
And the reason is,
00:27:30.320 --> 00:27:31.800
we have to finish the story.
00:27:32.700 --> 00:27:34.520
So keep coming to listen.
00:27:35.140 --> 00:27:36.759
The little Christian Explored course
00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:38.620
there on the 13th,
00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:39.900
20th and 27th of April,
00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.720
those Monday nights,
00:27:40.800 --> 00:27:42.000
it would be lovely to have you there.
00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.380
Get the information
00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:44.440
to finish the story.
00:27:45.240 --> 00:27:46.300
Come back Good Friday,
00:27:46.460 --> 00:27:47.000
Easter Day,
00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:48.000
make it a priority.
00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:49.960
Because the Bible amazingly says
00:27:49.960 --> 00:27:51.540
that actually as you keep listening,
00:27:52.300 --> 00:27:53.300
faith comes by hearing.
00:27:53.400 --> 00:27:54.840
You start believing it.
00:27:54.839 --> 00:27:56.839
But at the heart of faith
00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:57.559
is information,
00:27:58.019 --> 00:27:59.119
then you get the meaning,
00:27:59.539 --> 00:28:00.399
then you act on it.
00:28:00.439 --> 00:28:01.699
But you've got to get the information.
00:28:01.939 --> 00:28:02.939
Come back and do that.
00:28:03.859 --> 00:28:05.059
But for one or two others
00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.720
here this morning,
00:28:06.259 --> 00:28:06.740
they'll be going,
00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.079
do you know,
00:28:08.220 --> 00:28:09.419
I need to go home.
00:28:10.139 --> 00:28:11.039
I really do.
00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.659
And if that's the case,
00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.119
then again,
00:28:15.599 --> 00:28:18.099
just keep coming and listening.
00:28:18.899 --> 00:28:20.039
Keep coming and listening.
00:28:20.039 --> 00:28:22.819
And what you'll find is
00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:23.920
the Lord Jesus
00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:26.559
starts walking off the pages of Scripture
00:28:26.559 --> 00:28:28.740
and putting his arms around you.
00:28:29.619 --> 00:28:30.420
Let's pray together.
00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:30.859
Let's pray.
00:28:30.859 --> 00:28:30.879
Let's pray.