The Wedding! — John 2:1-12

The Wedding! — John 2:1-12
By Pastor Lee Hemen
October 19, 2014

According to a recent article by Kelsey Thibodeau of WGGB/CNN, “Marriage can be an expensive adventure. But can the size of your ring be a predictor of how long that marriage will last? New research from Emory University suggests the bigger the diamond, the shorter the marriage. Researchers surveyed 3,000 adults who’ve been married at some point. They found that men who spent between $2,000 and $4,000 on engagement rings were more likely to end up divorced than those men who spent less than $2,000. The same appeared to be true for women receiving rings. The more expensive it was, the more likely the woman reported being divorced. The study also suggests the more expensive the wedding, the higher the divorce rate. Women whose wedding cost $20,000 or more are 3.5 times more likely to divorce than women who spent $10,000 or less.”

Here we find Jesus invited to a wedding in Cana. It is a wonderful retelling of an intimate event in Jewish life. And what makes it even more delightful is the fact we not only find Jesus, but his mother, and the disciples there as well. I find it somehow comforting that Jesus enjoyed the normal things, the traditional things, and the joyous occasions of family and friends. What could be more enjoyable than a wedding of a friend or beloved relative? It is here we see the Savior at the wedding…

READ: John 2:1-12

I know that some pastors would rather do funerals than weddings; as one minister related to me, “Grief over death makes people see life in a healthier perspective and silences the obnoxious relative.” However, we find the wedding a place where…

I. Jesus does his first miracle! (Vv. 1-5)

On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

1. The third day could refer to three days after meeting Nathaniel, three days after Meeting Peter, or three days following John the Baptist telling his disciples to look intently at the Lamb of God. More than likely it was three days after meeting Nathaniel. And now, “a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee.” We also discover that “Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding.” She must have had a major part in the wedding planning and execution of the celebration, the feast, and the events. The reason I say this is because of her involvement in what occurs next, her concern for the wedding couple, and the embarrassment it would cause them, because “When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, ‘They have no more wine.’” A simple guest would not have been aware of such an intimate detail and certainly would not have been concerned. Yet we find Jesus’ mother both knowledgeable and anxious about the couple being embarrassed. And, interestingly John never names himself nor uses the name of Jesus’ mother. Here we read Jesus replies, “Dear woman, why do you involve me?” Jesus’ response has been dissected and discussed for centuries; however, within the words he uses we see his respect and love for her. Could she have known of her son’s ability to perform miracles or of his Messianic status? I would say “No” because we find her and the rest of Jesus’ siblings trying to discourage him later in the direction his life would take and John notes, “This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. (v. 11)” And, we see Jesus immediately responds to her request, “My time has not yet come.” It was not time for him to reveal himself to the general public through any outward sign. His mother commands the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” He still had not called all of his disciples yet to follow him and he was not willing to do something dramatic to draw attention to his self but out of respect and love for his mother, he does his first miracle.

EXAMPLE: “Keep calm and eat bacon.” “Keep calm and put the kettle on.” These sayings originate from the phrase: “Keep Calm and Carry On.” This message first appeared in Great Britain as World War II began in 1939. British officials printed it on posters designed to offset panic and discouragement during the war. My favorite would be, “Keep calm and ask mom!” There is something very endearing about Jesus doing this act of kindness. I do not believe Mary forces him into doing something he does not desire to do. The answer that Jesus gives his mother might be better translated as, “What do you want of me? I am not prepared for this.” Yet for sake of a young couple and because he loves his mother, Jesus performs his first miracle.

Jesus is always using the simplest of things for great things. He does this when feeding thousands, using a fish net, or in providing wine for a wedding. We discover that…

II. Jesus provides the very best using the mundane! (Vv. 6-12)

Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons. Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim. Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” They did so, and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him. After this he went down to Capernaum with his mother and brothers and his disciples. There they stayed for a few days.

1. John relates that “Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.” This was no small gathering but rather a large celebration where perhaps the whole village was invited or at least a large group of folks. We find that there is between 120 and 180 gallons of water, and soon to be wine involved! This was not a few bottles of Champagne! Jesus tells the servant to “Fill the jars with water” and to fill “them to the brim.” They have no idea what is about to occur but in the time it took them to finish filling the jars and when the master of the banquet tastes the newly drawn liquid, it miraculously changes! Jesus simply tells the servants, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” Obediently they do so “and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine.” The water was used for purification rights before the meal so the participants would come to the meal clean. The master of the banquet “did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew.” This ceremonial water that was turned into wine ceased to be what it was before and became what it was not: celebration wine! The wine used in Hebrew meals was far weaker than what we drink in our day because wine for the Jew was seen as a food item to be enjoyed as part of the meal and not something to get a buzz from. And during most feasts folks would bring out the stronger wine first. This is why we learn that when the master of the banquet “called the bridegroom aside and said, ‘Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.’” The plain water of cleansing became the joyous drink of celebration! Jesus uses the mundane to provide the very best!

EXAMPLE: How often have parents planned and schemed to give a child a present they wanted only to later find them playing with the box it came in instead. I loved getting a refrigerator or washing machine box and turning it into a rocket ship, army tank, or play house. It is taking something simple and turning it into something wonderful. However, what Jesus does is more than using one’s imagination, it is the power and presence of God actively involved in the lives of those he loves. The Savior of the world provides the very best using the mundane! How truly marvelous is that? And yet this is exactly what Jesus does with our lives when we trust him with them? I believe so.

Conclusion:
Jesus does his first miracle! Jesus provides the very best using the mundane!
—
This article is copyrighted © 2014 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.

Courage triumphs when we are delivered! — Esther 8

Courage triumphs when we are delivered! — Esther 8
By Pastor Lee Hemen
May 26, 2013 AM

We live in a day and age whereby there are a lot of Christians blandly sitting by waiting for God to “do something.” They have forgotten that God regularly works through His people who are willing to follow Him, no matter what the personal cost, in order for Him to “do something.” If you want your nation and world changed, God desires that you “do something” for Him. Jesus’ last command to His followers, was for all of them to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV) Deliverance of God’s people comes when God’s people have enough courage to “do something” for Him. Esther and Mordecai found this to be true and in the process discovered that courage triumphs when we are delivered!

Although the king had elevated him to a position above “all the other officials”, Haman had felt snubbed by Mordecai. Mordecai was Jewish, whereas Haman was an Agagite. Jews and Agagites had been mortal enemies for nearly a thousand years. Haman then attempted not only to destroy Mordecai but all other Jews as well. He deceitfully manipulated King Xerxes into issuing an edict authorizing the systematic killing of all Jews in the Persian Empire. Unknown to Haman, the queen also was Jewish and the adopted daughter of Mordecai. Esther bravely confronted Xerxes and exposed Haman’s sinister plot. Xerxes immediately had Haman executed. However, the edict remained in effect because of Persian law. How would the Jewish people be delivered?

READ: Esther 8

There are believers who take God’s activity for granted and never expresses gratitude to God. There are also those whose passion for Christ has somewhat cooled because of personal or financial loss. Likewise, there are those who have become so wrapped up in current events they discount everything God has done. They all need to be reminded of how the past helps us to have courage for today. God has not changed. His activity in the past assures us that He is still active. God is at work. We learn through Esther that courage triumphs when we are delivered by…

I. God’s reward at our request! (Vv. 1-7)

1. God had sovereignly worked in various circumstances so that the Jews could be delivered. Now it was the Jews’ turn. They would have to fight to retain what was theirs. They had to actively take part in their own deliverance. The same day Haman was hanged, Esther was given his estate as a gift by the king. Esther knew she had to disclose her true purpose fully, and as “Mordecai came into the presence of the king” it was then Esther who “told how he was related to her.” “The king took off his signet ring, which he had reclaimed from Haman, and presented it to Mordecai.” What had been Haman’s prideful prize was now on his hated enemy’s finger! But notice that ” Esther again pleaded with the king, falling at his feet and weeping. She begged him to put an end to the evil plan of Haman the Agagite, which he had devised against the Jews.” Her work for the Lord was not finished. Esther had to show her courage one more time in order for her people to be delivered by God. “Then the king extended the gold scepter to Esther and she arose and stood before him.” Since the edict to exterminate the Jews (3:13) was still in effect, something had to be done. She and Mordecai were relatively safe, for no one would now dare touch them. However, Esther did not stop with securing safety for herself and for her relative. She was determined that all of her people be safe. The king had rewarded them, but now they needed him to answer Esther’s request. Esther emphasized the hurt that the edict would cause her if carried out, “For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?” The king understood that as an absolute monarch his laws could not be revoked, even by himself. However, he could grant Esther and Mordecai the power to change the law, “Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.” We learn through Esther that courage triumphs when we are delivered by God’s reward at our request!

EXAMPLE: Today we celebrate Memorial Day. It reminds us of all those who willingly gave their lives for our freedom. That is what Purim is all about as well. It reminds the Jewish nation of how a young girl and a her brave cousin saved their people from total annihilation. As we remember the men and women who willingly gave their lives for our freedom, we need to also remember that God’s laws always nullify human laws. What human authority cannot change, God can. He maintains absolute sovereignty over everything and does revoke human decrees. Often God wants to exercise His sovereignty through His people. They need to allow God to work through them. More genuine believers need to become involved in politics and government. They should do what they can to influence fair, just, and beneficial legislation. What actions can you take in order to influence legislation on a local, state, or national level? Perhaps God is waiting for you to “do something.” We learn through Esther that courage triumphs when we are delivered by God’s reward at our request!

If we are led to expose a problem, we also need to provide a solution. Church members too often conclude their sole responsibility is to identify potential problems. They mistakenly decide responsibility for the solution is the exclusive domain of the pastor and church staff. Identifying problems without offering possible solutions is merely complaining, which according to James 5:9 is simply “grumbling” and wrong! We find that we can either be part of the solution or a major part of the problem. Esther reminds us that…

II. Our deliverance comes from God’s decree! (Vv. 8-11)

1. Though Haman’s decree could not be revoked, a second one could supersede it. Xerxes even gave Mordecai authority to write the decree any way he wished and to stamp it with the king’s authority by using his signet ring. This edict permitted Jews to defend themselves on the day Haman’s edict permitted their enemies to attack them. The language paralleled that of Haman’s decree. The new edict called for exacting retribution against the Jews’ enemies. The Jews could defend themselves with the same measures and weapons brought against them. “The king’s edict granted the Jews in every city the right to assemble and protect themselves; to destroy, kill and annihilate any armed force of any nationality or province that might attack them and their women and children; and to plunder the property of their enemies.” Interestingly, Jesus gave His disciples the same authority over their enemies as well, “He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.´(Matthew 10:1 NIV) It was according to Jesus’ absolute authority. He reminds us that Satan has fallen because of Him (Luke 10:18) and because of His authority given to us we have the power over evil influences in our lives as well, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” (Luke 10:19 NIV) No evil of man can ultimately harm us when we are safely His. Our deliverance comes from God’s decree! Notice that “At once the royal secretaries were summoned—on the twenty-third day of the third month, the month of Sivan. They wrote out all Mordecai’s orders to the Jews, and to the satraps, governors and nobles of the 127 provinces stretching from India to Cush.” The king’s authority was carried out by Mordecai whose ruling was carried out by others! Just as ” Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes,” we follow God in the name of Jesus! Just as it occurred in Esther’s day, our deliverance comes from God’s decree!

EXAMPLE: Governments throughout history have issued edicts in order to get rid of segments of society those in power did not like. Haman tried it with the Jews, Hitler did the same thing, mass murdering 14 million people. An attempt by Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot to form a Communist peasant farming society resulted in the deaths of 25 percent of the country’s population from starvation, overwork and executions. The Eugenics Society of America, which became Planned Parenthood, has resulted in the mass murdering of millions of the unwanted, the vast majority being ethnics, by governmental edict. Throughout America’s history, men and women have raised up, joined the military, and fought against such oppression. America faces its greatest enemy that could result in the death of millions of innocent people. Esther’s people could have never been freed if she had not gotten involved, and if the new edict had not been shared in every language of the empire. Our enemy today is the apathy of Christian believers who have hunkered down in their Sunday pews rather than going out and sharing the new edict of God. It is time for God’s Army to rise up and fight the good fight and share the new edict, the new testament, the gospel of God! Never forget that our deliverance comes from God’s decree!

The Persian Empire stretched from India to Greece and into Africa as far as Cush, the region south of Egypt. This immense region was populated with various nationalities and ethnic groups. Numerous tongues and dialects were spoken. The new decree was translated into every one of these languages. Then couriers were dispatched to carry it to the various provinces of the empire. The result was tremendous. We discover from Esther that…

III. When we follow God’s command, a celebration results! (Vv. 12-17)

1. The decree Mordecai wrote was sent out in the third month… Sivan (June-July) 474. Since this was a little over two months after Haman’s decree the Jews had about nine months to prepare themselves for the conflict. Here we find again the providential care that God takes of those He has chosen. Even though they have entirely fallen from all outward relation to Him, are deprived of all the rights of God’s people, and are stripped of the promises, God watches over and takes care of them-a people beloved and blessed in spite of all their unfaithfulness. Does this sound familiar, it should. The drama is fascinating! “A copy of the text of the edict was to be issued as law in every province and made known to the people of every nationality so that the Jews would be ready on that day to avenge themselves on their enemies. The couriers, riding the royal horses, raced out, spurred on by the king’s command. And the edict was also issued in the citadel of Susa.” Like the Minutemen or Paul Revere of America’s Revolutionary War, the couriers of Persia race throughout the kingdom with the king’s decree, issued by the king’s right-hand man, Mordecai! Notice the change. No longer is Mordecai sitting outside by the king’s gate, now “Mordecai left the king’s presence wearing royal garments of blue and white, a large crown of gold and a purple robe of fine linen!” The decree was sent and God’s people are triumphant! “And the city of Susa held a joyous celebration.” God holds the reins by His providence; He watches over the accomplishment of His purposes and over everything necessary to their fulfillment; and He cares for His people, whatever may be their condition or the power of their enemies. “For the Jews it was a time of happiness and joy, gladness and honor.” And ” In every province and in every city, wherever the edict of the king went, there was joy and gladness among the Jews, with feasting and celebrating. And many people of other nationalities became Jews because fear of the Jews had seized them.” Esther teaches us that when we follow God’s command, a celebration results!

EXAMPLE: In the US Capitol building there stands a statue honoring one of the “Black Regiment.” It is a reference to the brave clergy who left their pulpits to fight for America’s freedom. Pastor Peter Muhlenberg knew he could not stand behind his pulpit while men were dying for his freedom. In 1775 he concluded his sermon with these words, “There is a time for all things — a time to preach and a time to pray; but those times have passed away.” Then raising his voice, which sounded like a trumpet call, he exclaimed, “There is a time to fight, and that time has now come!” He set aside his pastoral garments and pulpit Bible, and stood before his congregation in the full uniform of a Virginia Colonel. He ordered drums to be beaten for recruits to join him and almost the entire male audience did, nearly 300 men enlisted on the spot! Later, he became one of Washington’s primary generals. Massachusetts affirmed the truth of fighting for God’s freedom in by printing, giving every church of every denomination the best way to promote the Declaration of Independence. They issued an order that it be read on Sunday form every pulpit in the State! We owe our freedom to the truths of God’s gospel as declared and fought for by our forefathers. We must never forget those who have died for our freedom. And as believers, we must join the battle. The reason is obvious: Esther teaches us that when we follow God’s command, a celebration results!

Conclusion:

Now is the time to stop waiting for others to “do something” in your church and in your nation. We learned through Esther that courage triumphs when we are delivered by God’s reward at our request; our deliverance comes from God’s decree; and when we follow God’s command, a celebration results!
—
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 27 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2013 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.

Luke 15:1-7, 11-13, 22-24, 28-32 – When folks come to Christ!

Luke 15:1-7, 11-13, 22-24, 28-32 – When folks come to Christ!
By Pastor Lee Hemen
March 18, 2012 AM

The meeting grew quiet. Tension filled the air. The pastor had just shared his concern for the lost of the community. A deacon stood. “Pastor, if they want to come to our church, they know where it is. We need to take care of our own. I’m not sure they are our kind of people anyway.” The pastor took that deacon visiting, and he experienced the joy of seeing someone saved. The deacon now leads witnessing teams to experience what he has experienced. He changed from hindering evangelism to promoting and leading it in his church. Evangelism is taught, but it is also caught.

Salvation is a joy like no other. The point of Jesus’ parables in Luke 15 is to teach us to invite people to Christ and welcome all who come to Him. Jesus’ stories should inflame our hearts for outreach and turn skeptics into joyful participants

READ: Luke 15:1-7, 11-13, 22-24, 28-32

In our Lord’s eyes, everyone is someone who matters. To Christ, there is no insignificant person. Red, yellow, black, or white, each one is precious in His sight. The parable of the lost sheep expresses Jesus’ concern. His compassion for lost people shows itself in heartfelt action. The shepherd goes on a search-and-find mission that should be the mission of every disciple. Shepherds search for lost sheep; believers search for lost people. When folks come to Christ believers should…

I. Manifest Compassion (Luke 15:1-7)
1. Compassion comes when we sacrifice our safety for the security of others! — Leeferism
1) In response to the religious leaders’ attitude toward His actions, Jesus gave a package of three parables all designed to show how wrong the leaders were and how right He was. His defense began in the form of a question that suggested an agreeable answer, “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?” Jesus described the sheep as lost from the flock, a word that portrays a life-threatening situation for a sheep. The number of safe sheep does not justify the shepherd ignoring the missing one. The right decision was to go after the lost one on a rescue mission! It became the highest priority even to the point of leaving the 99 in the open field! Certain risks and obstacles would have to be faced to mount the rescue! The “go after” mind-set of the shepherd is worth noting. In this case, the searching shepherd refuses to quit until he finds the one lost sheep. To go after … until he finds should be the focus of every Christian. Lost people are a priority with a loving God. Whatever risks there are to bear, the disciple should never allow taking care of the “found” to replace exhaustive efforts to reach the “lost.” Notice what occurs after the one lost sheep is found, “And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep!’” This parable ended with Jesus’ words, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Heaven rejoices when the lost are found! God manifested His compassion on us “in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Believers manifest compassion when they seek and win the lost!
EXAMPLE: I shook from fear the first time I shared my faith. Yet after I had shared with the young mother, she accepted Jesus as her Savior and Lord! Her husband later was saved and served as a deacon. She is still active in her church and all her children are saved as well. The adventure of outreach is a risky adventure. It will push a Christian to the edge of his or her courage. What is sacrificed in shrinking back from going out is the finder’s joy of seeing the lost coming in. This heavenly delight is more experienced than explained. To see a lost person receive Christ because of your witness is to experience the Father’s joy.

Jesus was facing religious experts who had more of an accusing finger and less of a forgiving heart. We can understand it by the misbehavior of the “tax collectors and the sinners” of His world. One ripped off honest people to line their pockets while the other led trashy lives. It was not a wholesome crowd. When it comes to forgiveness, however, all of us are in the category of “tax collectors and the sinners”. Too often, our Christian voice is raised more in accusation than in celebration. What should drive us more is the response of heaven—a chorus of hallelujahs! When folks are saved we should…

II. Celebrate Forgiveness (Luke 15:11-13, 22-24)
1. We will either hardly party or party hardy when someone comes to Christ! — Leeferism
1) A man had two sons. The younger son approached the father with an arrogant attitude: “Father, give me my share of the estate.” What should have been a request was a demand. How often do we “demand” from our loving Father our “fair share” right now? The son was not patient enough to wait for his father’s death but wanted his share of the estate immediately. Jewish law would award the younger son a third of the estate at his father’s death (Deut. 21:17). The son, however, succumbed to his greed. We learn that “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.” The younger son wasted no time he took his share and split. A rich son quickly became a broke son and another thrill ride came to a miserable end. He spends all he has and to make matters worse, there is a severe famine. In desperation the son has to hire himself out to a pig farmer, a disgrace to a Hebrew, and had to eat the pig’s food! In the midst of his misery he comes to his senses and decides to head home and ask his father for forgiveness. In the other parables, the shepherd searched, the woman searched, but here the father waited. Will the father forgive him? Will he love him again? After the son confesses that father’s response are orders to his servants, “Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate! For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” This celebration spared no expense and restoration would not be complete without a major celebration. “So they began to celebrate.” We should always celebrate forgiveness!
EXAMPLE: Too many evangelical churches have stopped having a response time at the end of their worship. The excuse is so they do not embarrass those who need to make a decision. Is it any wonder that the percentage of folks coming to Christ has diminished? The response time not only follows Jesus’ public asking his disciples to “come and follow me” and it is also a time of public congregational rejoicing! The body of Christ is to celebrate together when someone comes to Christ! Forgiveness is our greatest need and God’s greatest provision. The joy of our receiving it is only exceeded by God’s joy in giving it. The prodigal reminds us of how gracious God has been to all forgiven sinners. Regardless of the depth of sin, every Christian is a product of amazing grace. Therefore, as we join the forgiveness celebration we rejoice with the forgiven, but we also delight in the Forgiver. Join the party. When folks are forgiven, we are to celebrate!

Not all is happiness in the family, however. The older brother is the poster child of self-righteousness. He reflects the attitude of the scribes and Pharisees of Jesus’ day and sadly some believers today. The eldest son had been off stage while the younger brother had been restored. Coming in from the fields, he heard the music and asked for an explanation. The news of his brother’s return and the fattened calf being slaughtered stopped him in his tracks. In all three parables of chapter 15 everybody experienced joy except the elder brother. We learn that when folks are forgiven we must…

III. Reject Self-Righteousness (Luke 15:28-32)
1. We can be right, we can be correct, and yet be oh so wrong! — Leeferism
1) The news about his brother’s return and the ongoing party made the older son angry. You would think he would be happy not resentful and sullen. Anger for the wrong reasons can be destructive. He refused to be part of the celebration; he didn’t want to go, not even to speak to his brother. So the father had to take the initiative to restore the relationship. He went to his son. The father’s discussion with his firstborn was not an in-your-face speech. He “pleaded” with him repeatedly in an effort to change his attitude. The son accuses, “Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.” It all seemed so unfair! Perhaps the father had preferred the arrogant younger brother. The elder blames his father, “But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!” The father responds in the only way he can, in love, “My son.”  The father gently reminds him, “You are always with me, and everything I have is yours!” The acceptance and forgiveness of the younger brother did not mean the rejection and dismissal of the elder brother. The father loved them both! The father desired his son reject his self-righteousness, “We had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!” The older brother just didn’t get it. The issue was not him, not his father, not even his brother. The issue was that his brother had been dead and lost to them but now was found! When folks are forgiven we are to reject self-righteousness.
EXAMPLE: “You don’t know him like I do!” he declared to me. He was angry that his friend who had betrayed him with a girlfriend had just accepted Christ. I reminded him, “That is true, but God knows him even better than both of us. Do not allow your anger to get in the way of what God has done.” When folks are forgiven we are to reject self-righteousness. The parable ends on an open-ended note. We are left not knowing the response of the elder brother. The appeal, however, moves beyond the parable occasion to reach out to the self-righteous of every age. Each of us is challenged to break the gridlock of our own elder brother attitude. Rejoicing with the Father is far better than nursing the coldness of self-righteousness. It is the difference between stagnation and celebration. When folks are forgiven we are to reject self-righteousness!

Conclusion:
When folks come to Christ believers should manifest compassion, celebrate forgiveness, and reject their own self-righteousness! What about you? What do you do when folks come to Christ?
—
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Pastor Lee Hemen has been the outspoken pastor of the same church for 25 years in Vancouver, WA. He writes regularly on spirituality and conservative causes and maintains several web blogs. This article is copyrighted © 2012 by Lee Hemen and is the sole property of Lee Hemen, and may not be used unless you quote the entire article and have my permission.