The new message series at The Family Church here in Gainesville that Pastor Philip Griffin began last Sunday is about Jesus' parable of the prodigal son, appearing in the New Testament book of Luke 15:11-32...here is a link to the passage for this sermon, in the New International Version via the Bible Gateway website: [link]...
In introducing his message, Pastor Philip made two points: one, the term "prodigal" means wasteful and squandering...and two, what is commonly referred to as the "parable of the prodigal son"...which I myself just used...is actually about two prodigal sons, each meeting that description in a different way. Most who are familiar with this story know of the irresponsible, selfish son who demands his father give him his portion of his inheritance up front and then squanders it all in a distant land on prostitutes, ultimately finding himself destitute, left to feed pigs while he himself is starving. He then decides to repent of his ways and returns to his father, willing to be taken back not as a son, but as a servant. But the father sees him from far off and rejoices that his son, once lost, is now found...and stages a big party for him. The older brother, who had dutifully stayed with his father, takes offense at this type of greeting...feeling slighted and unjustly treated while prideful at his own righteousness behavior...
Last Sunday's message focused on the rebellious son in this story from Jesus. Pastor Philip unraveled the process through which this prodigal son rejected his father...in fact treating him as "dead" by demanding his inheritance, rebelled against his father's ways...in the opinion of the pastor, probably alienating him from the local population and necessitating him moving far away, finally reaching an all-time low, responding to that bottoming-out by repenting, and then receiving forgiveness and restoration from his father. Not only does this all conform pretty closely to the sermon notes I have in front of me, but as Pastor Philip pointed out, it is also a picture of the salvation process we have through Jesus...the father represents God, the party he throws is his kingdom in heaven, and the prodigal is...actually, each of us...
As this series continues over the next couple of weeks, the focus will shift to the father and then that "dutiful" prodigal son. You can view Pastor Philip's message, as well as many others from previous weeks, by getting on The Family Church YouTube video website, which you can access with the following link: [link]. The Family Church holds its Sunday morning services at 9:30 and 11 and is located at 2022 SW 122 Street...
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