02 True Stories - the Far Country at Home

River Church Sermons

True Stories

Pt. 2: The Far Country At Home

By Louie Marsh, 8-18-2024

Intro – 3 graphics and then what is a parable.

1) Never forget – Christianity is all about my HEART.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ Luke 15:25-27 (ESV)

Notice he was working when his younger brother came home.

His type is seldom counted as lost, either by himself or others. This makes his condition all the more hopeless. He is not away in the distant land among swine as is the case with his prodigal brother, although he is just as lost. He is in an environment that is wholesome and clean. "Now the elder son was in the field." Socially he had not brought reproach upon his father. He had resisted all temptation to physical dissipation. He was industrious and thrifty. His conduct created no scandal.

7 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 (ESV)

He was in short someone we’d all call a “good man.” Would have made a great church member, yet he did not know his Father – he was separated from God – a completely works righteousness kind of person.

Show pic – Damned Thru The Church

25 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. 27 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. Matthew 23:25-27 (ESV)

2) I know I’ve drifted from God when I RESENT other’s blessings.

28 But he was angry and refused to go in…. Luke 15:28a (ESV)

3) God FOLLOWS me when I drift from him.

28 …His father came out and entreated him, Luke 15:28b (ESV)

19 We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (ESV)

6 For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. Romans 5:6 (ESV)

4) The results of trying to get right with God by WORKING.

· I fail to really KNOW the Lord.

29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. Luke 15:29 (ESV)

The seven deadly sins, also known as the capital vices or cardinal sins, is a grouping and classification of vices within Christian teachings. Behaviors or habits are classified under this category if they directly give birth to other immoralities. According to the standard list, they are pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth.

This classification originated with the desert fathers, especially Evagrius Ponticus, who identified seven or eight evil thoughts or spirits that one needed to overcome. Evagrius' pupil John Cassian, with his book The Institutes, brought the classification to Europe, where it became fundamental to Catholic confessional practices

· I RESENT it when God gives grace to others.

30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ Luke 15:30 (ESV)

38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Do not stop him, for no one who does a mighty work in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Mark 9:38-39 (ESV)

5) I completely miss the HEART of God.

31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’” Luke 15:31-32 (ESV)