Episode 098 – Parable of the Lost Son Pt 5: Joy is the Test
Key Passage(s): Luke 15:11-32
Two significant (but often overlooked) moments in the parable reveal there’s more than one way to be lost. It’s just as possible to be lost in the Father’s house as it is to be lost in the far country. Countless people end up lost not as prodigals, but by believing they’re earning God’s love and acceptance with their obedience. This is not how the Father runs the house. And this episode explores how joy is the litmus test that keeps us from getting lost on the inside.
Discussion Questions
- What was your biggest takeaway from the teaching?
- What are one or two specific ways you’ve been the older brother in your life?
- If joy is the litmus test to a thriving relationship with God, what’s your joy level like right now? What are the implications of being at that level?
- What would it look like for you to “join the party” this week or in general?
- How will you begin living out the truths of this teaching this week?
For Further Study
- Stories With Intent by Klyne Snodgrass – Pages 117-143
- Poet & Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes (Combined Ed.) by Kenneth Bailey – Pages 158-206 in Poet & Peasant
- Jesus, The Middle Eastern Storyteller by Gary M. Burge – Chapter 6
- The Parables by Brad Young – Chapter 7
- The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henri Nouwen
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Joy has been my way of life in this season and year. No more work righteousness mentality, only grace oriented family life. What a change it has made inside and outside of me and my life. Perfect sermon Pastor Brad.
Is older son Israel?
Younger son, like Lucifer, who was not chosen to be the et ha Adam or Messiah on earth? demanded the inheritance from YEHOVAH who gave it, in Garden story?
Were hearers thinking back to the Garden and God and Lucifer?
If fatten calf is for restitution then why is the elder son so upset?
Appears to be about attitude at all levels in the parables bringing all to the truth of TORAH-One must love all where they are!
Soo how is the 613 plus 10 TORAH revealed here and why do all never bring viewers to individual actions in TORAH?
Works of TORAH motivated by love are acceptable to YEHOVAH as works of righteousness as presented in the TORAH???
Hey Bill, I do not believe these allegorical components are part of the parable – i.e. the older son representing Israel, etc. The one thing I did not explore in the series is the potential connection between the two brothers in the parable and Jacob and Esau (among the most famous “brothers” in the Bible). Ah, another teaching for another day.
AWESOME, Pastor Brad!!!
Grateful for that, Wesley.
Brad, what a great story shared with insight and emotion. I have not been listening for a while so I “caught up” this morning and absorbed all five segments. I was so moved in the middle of segment four that I paused and sent a message to a Christian brother who had recently shared with me about his life and ultimate acceptance of God’s salvation. Like many of us, he had gone his way but the love of the Father finally caught up with him. Thank you for the reminder that for those of us who have accepted His grace we have an obligation to share this story. I also want to thank you for your “parenting” segment that meant so much to me. We have grown children who are finding their way and we are anxiously waiting to see them coming up the road so we can all celebrate.
I appreciate you sharing this, Mike. I bless God these episodes have been helpful to you!