Dear Explorer,
Read Luke 15:25-32
In God's Kingdom today there are also “sons” and “daughters” who are busy in the “fields”. These could be ministers of all kinds; pastors, evangelists, preachers, youth leaders, small group leaders, and volunteer ministers of all kinds – anyone working in God's Kingdom. But even though they are busy in the Kingdom – they could be out of tune with Jesus.
Now what do we know about this older brother?
Here's some I listed.
he was hard working
he didn't accept the invitation to the party
when he heard music – he asked a servant (not the father) what was going on
he was not in a loving relationship with his father
he considered himself a slave laborer to the father with no compensation or blessing.
he was angry that the other brother was being blessed.
You will encounter followers of Jesus who feel this way. They may feel isolated and unloved by their Father God. Yet, they continue to serve Him diligently. Are they sons?
Probably. But they, too, are following SELF and not the leading of the Holy Spirit. How do I know? I know because they are not filled with peace and love and joy, etc. that is evidence of the Holy Spirit's control.
Read Revelation 2:2-4
These are words written to the church at Ephesus. What was the accusation that Jesus was making against them?
In our relationship with Jesus, we can expect to see gradual growth; steadily increasing in our love for God, an understanding of the price of our salvation and a growing appreciation for Jesus' great sacrifice for us. Along with that, we should see an increase in the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness and SELF under control). If we don't see that growth, we need to ask, “What's wrong?”
In Psalm 81:10 God says, “Open wide your mouth wide and I will fill it!” (NASB)
To me that's a picture of a nest of baby birds. Their only job is to open their mouths and let the Mama bird feed them. Serving God is good, but if we fail to turn our faces toward God and receive all that He has planned for us – we will starve spiritually. Then we lose the blessings that He had planned for us. So, it is with being filled with Jesus – but refusing to obey His instructions. We become weak and powerless.
So, keep your mouth opened! At least spiritually! And your life will overflow with the abundance that God has planned for you. Then you won't wander off track like the younger brother or become bitter like the older brother in Jesus' story.
That concludes this set of 3 parables.
You are free to interpret them anyway you feel led. I have simply shared with you my interpretation.
I hope that you will stay on track and be obedient to God's plans for you. It's okay to be a “little one” while you are growing and learning – but it's not okay to stay little forever! And remember, we grow by being obedient one step at a time.
In His service, dale
Next study