To wrap up this series, we'll look at the three primary characters in the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Jesus told this parable to teach us more about the heart of God the Father. In today's message, the party for the younger son begins, but not everyone is feeling like a party. The older son of the Father protests. What we discover is that while the older son did go and squander money or live recklessly, he still missed the heart of the Father. The older son was busy doing things in the Father's house, but still hadn't experienced the Father's love. He was lukewarm, neither fully on fire in the Father's love or ice cold to the Father, and it was a sad place to be because nearness to the Father was strictly about obligation and it was absent of joy.
Questions for Reflection:
• Have you ever found yourself expecting something from God because of what you've done for Him?
• How do we prevent becoming lukewarm in our faith and how do we know it's starting to happen?