By E L Thornton
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“SINS IN THE FATHERS HOUSE”
(LUKE 15:11)
If you are looking for a parallel from the bible, are anywhere, as to the love of God toward wayward man, this chapter is it. I believe that God has a special love for those who have gone astray, and stands longing for that soul to return to its original place of safety in the kingdom of God.
This chapter tells about three things that are lost, however they were found. THE LOST COIN, which the woman went and got others to help her find. THE LOST SHEEP, the shepherd leaves the 99 and HE goes in search until He finds it, it’s after he finds it that he calls his friends and they rejoice. THE LOST SON, he makes the decision himself that he will arise and return.
But I believe in every case, wither you find them and bring them in, or if God goes to get them with his strong persuasion, or if they make the decision for, and by, themselves to come home, I believe that God stands ready to meet them, to welcome them back to the joys they once experienced.
This would be a great time to preach on the love and mercy of God, However, I’ve chose for a subject, SINS IN THE FATHERS HOUSE.
The two sins that I shall endeavor to talk about are, “the sins of the flesh”, and, “the sins of the disposition”. Now society has no doubt whatsoever as to which of these are the worst. It’s brand is impressed, without a challenge, upon the “prodigal”. But are we correct in this assumption. First of all let me assure you,——-
I. IT’S GOOD TO BE IN THE FATHERS HOUSE: No matter what faults a person may find, and there’s a few, the Fathers house is still the best place to be.
A. There is plenty: “—-HOW MUCH MORE SHALL YOUR FATHER WHICH IS IN HEAVEN GIVE GOOD THINGS TO THEM THAT ASK HIM.” (MATT. 7:11)
B. There is watchfulness and protection: “—–HOW MUCH MORE ARE YE THAN SPARROWS.” (MATT. 10:29)
C. There is peace in the Fathers house: “——CONSIDER THE LILIES — IF GOD SO CLOTHE THE LILIES——.” (MATT. 6:28)
D. Happiness: “——-WHOSO TRUSTETH IN THE LORD HAPPY IS HE.” (PROV. 16:20)
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“SINS IN THE FATHERS HOUSE”
II. FIRST LET’S LOOK AT THE SINS OF THE SPIRIT OR OF THE DISPOSITION:
A. “THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS LOVE, JOY, PEACE, LONGSUF- FERING, GENTLENESS, GOODNESS, FAITH, MEEKNESS, TEMPERANCE, CRUCIFIED FLESH, AFFECTIONS, AND
LUST, NOT DESIROUS OF VAIN GLORY, PROVOKING NOR ENVYING ONE ANOTHER.” (GAL. 5:22)
B. Look at this elder boy, he was meticulously moral, his virtuous scrupules were sound, he was faithful, hard working, patient, and dutiful,— let him get all he credit possible for his virtues. But look at this boy, this baby, sulking outside his fathers door. “HE WAS ANGRY AND WOULD NOT GO IN,” we read.
No form of vice, not worldliness, not greed of gold, not drunkenness, does more to un-christianize society that the sins of the spirit.
For embittering life, for breaking up communities, for devastating homes, for destroying the most sacred of relationships, for withering up men and women, for taking the bloom of childhood, this influence stands alone.
Nothing, absolutely nothing, so quickly negates your holy testimony as a foul, festering spirit. Nothing makes people question the validity of your HOLY GHOST experience more quickly than this ugly disposition, which constantly causes antagonism and bitterness.
There were excuses (not reasons) for this elder brother to feel as he did.
1. He didn’t understand what was happening.
2. Indignant toward his brother. (indigent—anger for unjustness)
3. Took somebody else’s word.
Friends we better take another look at Cor. 13, the love chapter.
If I were going on an extended hunting trip, if I were going on a around the world cruise, or if I were just going to the store and back, which one of these boys, do you think, I would take with me?
There’s some people who would say, “I can’t help because I say what I feel, I’m just outspoken”. NO-O-O-O-O you’re not. You are mean. You can’t cover a spirit like that with the guise of frankness. You say you’re
Christ-like, or just like Jesus, when you act and talk like a devil. In fact
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“SINS IN THE FATHERS HOUSE”
the more I think about it, maybe the younger son left home because of the older sons disposition.
Not only did this foul spirit effect him and his good time at the reunion, but how do you think it effected his father, how do you think it effect the wayward son. Brother, I wonder how many prodigals are kept out of the Kingdom, by the unlovely character of those who profess to be inside. “—-YE SHUT UP THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AGAINST MEN: FOR YE NEITHER GO IN YOURSELVES, NEITHER SUFFER YE THEM THAT ARE ENTERING TO GO IN.” (MATT. 23:13)
Ill tempers, touchy dispositions, jealousy, pride, cruelty, self righteousness sullenness, busybody, these were the ingredients of this dark and loveless soul.
Judge, if you will, if such sins of the spirit are not worse to live in, and for others to live with, than the sins of the flesh. Jesus answered this question, “I SAY UNTO YOU, THAT THE PUBLICANS AND THE HARLOTS GO INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD BEFORE YOU.” (MATT. 21:31)
Not saying that the harlots will go to heaven, but if you go to heaven with that old ugly spirit, look right in front of you, there’ll be a harlot going to heaven without repentance nor making right with God.
There is really no place in heaven for a spirit or disposition like this. “To be like Jesus, to be like Jesus,
On earth I long to be like Him, All through life’s journey, from earth to glory, I only ask to be like Him.”
Some Christians do not remind me of Jesus. There was something about the early Christians that cause the people to whisper, “they have been with
Jesus”.
III. NOW LET’S LOOK AT THE SINS OF THE FLESH:
A. The sins of the body differs from the sins of the disposition in this, the sins of the disposition hurt everyone it comes in contact with, the sins of the body only hurts ones self. And, O! the hurt that one can inflict on ones self when they are living in sin.
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My friend there are many in this life who have gone this way. They feed the body it’s every desire, they satisfy it with every craving. And, my God, what the body does crave.
There are many today that are living riotous life’s. (acting in a wild, unrestrained manner.)
Unrestrained in they’re desires, unrestrained in lasciviousness, unrestrained in lustful thoughts, unrestrained in drunkenness, unrestrained in adultery and fornication, unrestrained in witchcraft and idolatry, unrestrained in hatred and strife, unrestrained in sedition’s and traditions, and the Apostle Paul warns, that those that do those things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But drop the reins and let the passions run loose and wild, and we shall find ourselves as did the prodigal. He would have fain (willing) filled himself with husk, the dregs of a wasted and misused life.
Made originally in the image of God, man is dear to his maker, tho ever so far away and so broken. Oh! Dear prodigal soul, with all that is like God nearly broken out of you, smashed, bleeding, crushed, all but in hell, While there is a shadow of you outside of hell, He will heal you and save you, just give Him a try.
You are a ruin, but a grand one–the majestic ruin of a majestic edifice, for you know full well that you are the temple of God, but God will not dwell in an unclean house.
Some of us know how dark it is when the full shadow of our sins falls in upon our life’s, and how all the help of earth, and time, and man, just mocks the pain that sin can cause.
But let no man say that Christ will not go so low down as to find one so lost, base and vile as the prodigal.
There is no wrath in His face or voice, no sword is swung by His hand, as if in cruel joy, saying, “now at last I have my chance with you.
But His eyes gleam with love, His voice melts with pity, His words are “good news”, every one of them.
While you are a long way off, but coming home, Jesus, your heavenly Father will meet you.
