Trinity Baptist Church

November 25, 2007
www.truthtapes.com

Lord’s Day Newsletter
Grace Baptist Church
Jonesboro, Ga. 30238

 

THY BROTHER WAS DEAD

Luke 15:31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. 32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

The above two verses record the last words spoken by the father of the two sons in the parable of the prodigal son. Although they were addressed to the elder brother, they apply to  all like him who think themselves acceptable of the Father's blessings due to their own works! They strongly lay out God's gospel intentions concerning those religionists, not  rejoiced over by heaven, contrasted from poor, lost  sinners saved by sovereign grace alone.

His statement is clear! "Thy brother was dead!" That's why he is now alive! Eph. 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; "But you never thought yourself to be dead in sin! That's why you are not now alive!"

"Thy brother was lost!" - "That's why he is found!" Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. But as you stated, "neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment:" (v.29). "You are like the 90 and 9 sheep left by the shepherd, who thought themselves unneedful of repentance! You are like the 9 silver pieces that the woman didn't sweep and search for! You are like one who, although you are dying of the spiritual disease of sin, think yourself to be well, and therefore, in no need a physician!"

The Contrasts

There is a great deal of difference between the self sufficient religionist, depending on his works, and the self confessed, relized sinner, depending on the Father's good grace! Let us consider some of them.

1. Regarding Sin. - In verse 18 we read the lost son saying, I have sinned. This was not just an admission of Romans 3:23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; His confession did not just come from a Sunday School Bible memorizing. He had actually been awakened by the Holy Spirit in the midst of the hog pen! His was an experiential awareness of sin!

He had confessed with his mouth what he believed in his heart. And this God- pleasing confession was, unto salvation! (Rom 10:9,10).
But the elder brother's heart is revealed in his mouth's confession as well. For in verse 29 he firmly instructs his father,  neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: Terrible confession! It both contradict's the Father's word, and rebukes him for not extending the same rewards to himself!

This is why this son was not sought for! He was never lost! This is why he shall die in his sins! He is now like the salt of Luke 14:34,35. The salt was not lost! This son was not lost! But, just as the salt, he had lost something within that made him worthy looking for! In fact, the salt without its tastefulness would not only, not be sought for, it would actually be cast out! Heb. 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, ... 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

2. Regarding Works. - Of the lost son's condition, we read in Luke 15:21 I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. He is saying, "My works render me unworthy!" For it is not of works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy that he has saved us! (Titus 3:5). But it was most certainly unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. (Eph 2:10). For he DID come back and confess unto the Father!

But the elder brother had just the opposite to proclaim! For in verse 29 he states that it was actully his works that made him worthy! And that is his undoing! Job 9:20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse. 1John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

3. Regarding Joy. - And THEY began to be merry. Zeph. 3:17 The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing. Sin abounds in order that grace may more abound! (Rom. 5:20). And grace abounds to give glory to God! And in the glory of his grace, God's joy over recovered sinners causes him to break forth over them in song!
But the unrepentant sinner refuses heaven it's joy! They continue to restrain the God man in a role of the man of sorrows, and to be acquainted with much grief! He weeps over their city and renders them a verdict of truth. How often would I have gathered, but ye would not!

4. Regarding Prejudice. - A repentant sinner cannot have a Master who is equal with God, but is willing to be numbered with the trangressors, and allow prejudice to remain in his own heart! The lost son now seeks to be numbered with the servants! He had now rather be a bread eating servant (vs. 17-19), than to be a hog husk eating son! Servitude is the ear mark of true Christianity! (Matt 20:25-28).
 
But the elder son sought to name his brother's sins, while he proclaimed himself to be perfectly righteous by his own efforts! See verse 30. The parable of the Pharisee and the Publican was given for this very thing! Luke 18:9 And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: In fact, in that parable, the Lord proclaimed the religionist with prejudice in his heart not to be justified!
How should a true convert act towards others sin? Galations 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

And just as the lost son, (and all those he represents),  came to himself in the hog pen, so all those like the elder brother shall one eternal day lift up his eyes, confessing with all other tongues, Jesus Christ is Lord! (Phil. 2:10,11). gb