The Prodigal Father
Roger Thomas
Luke 15:11-32
The Bible confronts anyone who approaches it on three different levels. First, the Bible presents us with a picture. We hear the story. We see the scene. We can often imagine the setting. We get the picture.
Then, if we stick with the Bible long enough, the picture turns into a window. We begin to see beyond the surface. We look through the story. We no longer just see the picture. It forces us to see the world in a totally new light. The picture has become a window.
Finally, if we are persistent and sometimes when we least expect it, the picture that became a window suddenly turns into mirror. We see ourselves. The story is no longer about some historical character or events in a distant land. The story in the picture that becomes a window that turns into a mirror is our story. Much of the Bible is really about us!
Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son is a classic story. It has been called the "pearl of the parables." Others say, it is the "gospel in the gospel." In story form, Jesus paints an unforgettable picture of love, redemption, and second chances. It is the story of a homecoming!
Over the next four messages, I want you to explore the Parable of the Prodigal Son with me. We will examine that homecoming through four different sets of eyes. All four become mirrors in whose reflection we can see ourselves-if we are willing!
Let's start with the father. We know this is a story. Jesus wasn't talking about any particular family. But anyone who reads this knows he could have been. In fact, some of us know that between the lines is a story just like ours. Those of us who are parents know all about rebellious kids, bossy siblings, and tears of joy and sadness, sometimes all in the same day.
To understand the father, we have to start with an obvious fact. Parenting isn't easy. Parenting isn't for wimps or cowards as Dr. Dobson tells us. In the best of times, it's hard. ...
Roger Thomas
Luke 15:11-32
The Bible confronts anyone who approaches it on three different levels. First, the Bible presents us with a picture. We hear the story. We see the scene. We can often imagine the setting. We get the picture.
Then, if we stick with the Bible long enough, the picture turns into a window. We begin to see beyond the surface. We look through the story. We no longer just see the picture. It forces us to see the world in a totally new light. The picture has become a window.
Finally, if we are persistent and sometimes when we least expect it, the picture that became a window suddenly turns into mirror. We see ourselves. The story is no longer about some historical character or events in a distant land. The story in the picture that becomes a window that turns into a mirror is our story. Much of the Bible is really about us!
Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son is a classic story. It has been called the "pearl of the parables." Others say, it is the "gospel in the gospel." In story form, Jesus paints an unforgettable picture of love, redemption, and second chances. It is the story of a homecoming!
Over the next four messages, I want you to explore the Parable of the Prodigal Son with me. We will examine that homecoming through four different sets of eyes. All four become mirrors in whose reflection we can see ourselves-if we are willing!
Let's start with the father. We know this is a story. Jesus wasn't talking about any particular family. But anyone who reads this knows he could have been. In fact, some of us know that between the lines is a story just like ours. Those of us who are parents know all about rebellious kids, bossy siblings, and tears of joy and sadness, sometimes all in the same day.
To understand the father, we have to start with an obvious fact. Parenting isn't easy. Parenting isn't for wimps or cowards as Dr. Dobson tells us. In the best of times, it's hard. ...
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