All I Have Is Yours (Crossover Service 2017)

In v.11 of our text, we see that “a certain man had two sons”. The man in the parable represents God the Father and the sons are representative of everyone in the world.

The two sons typify the two main kinds of people in the world, one group being rebellious and worldly while the other group are dutiful and pious. They might have different characteristics and failings, but they still remain sons of the father.

Five major character flaws associated with the younger son, he was:

1. Self-centred
   • He was selfish and thought of himself alone, this was evident in his demanding for things that he believed he was entitled to even though he hadn’t worked for it.
2. Pleasure seeking
   • There’s nothing wrong with pleasure, but you’re in trouble when pleasure replaces God in your life. You weren’t made to seek pleasure alone, but to give glory to God.
3. Independence-seeking
   • While there’s nothing wrong in desiring independence in life, but independence without accountability is
4. Rebellious
   • He rebelled against authority figures in his life. His state of mind was that “no one is going to tell me what to do”.
5. Immaturity
   • One of the first signs of immaturity is instant gratification, they want what they want and they want it now. They seek to gratify the flesh above all else immediately.
   • We see the wayward son demanding that the father “give me…” before leaving home, but when he came home he asked that his father “make me…”
   • We should seek to make ourselves into someone of worth instead of having a sense of entitlement demanding that someone give you things you think you deserve.

Some character flaws in the life of the older son. He was:

1. Resentful & bitter
   • Why allow the attitude of someone else to control and determine your own outlook and view of life. You might feel aggrieved by what others might have done, but you shouldn’t let this colour and influence your own choices and lifestyle.
   • You have to live your life for yourself and not based on what others might or might not have done
2. Hateful & unforgiving
   • He was pained by the actions of his brother and he held onto that instead of letting go of the pain.
   • If you refuse to let go of the pain you’re going to allow other people influence and control your life
3. Holier-than-thou
   • He considered himself better than his brother (others), believing that he hadn’t sinned.
   • Don’t be arrogant and look down on other people
4. Timid
   • He was timid and afraid to ask for what he wanted and was actually rightfully his (like his brother did).
   • He was waiting to be given (to receive) instead of demanding for what was rightfully his.

In both cases with either of the brothers, the father intervened. The father’s love was available to both of them and was the redeeming factor in their lives.

Have the guts to be a son, apologise for what you did and ask to be restored as a son (make me and not give me)

If you find yourself in the place of the Older brother:

(v.31a) Appreciate what you have. Realise the value of relationship with the Father. Your relationship with God is the most important thing in life.

(v.31b) Recognise that God is offering you all that He has

• In 2018, God is offering you all that He has promised you.
• Declaration: In 2018, all that God has is mine.
• Declaration: In 2018, you will stop being angry, bitter and resentful and enter into the best that God has laid out for you in Jesus’ name.
• Declaration: You will dance in the name of Jesus. Nothing will be lacking in your life in Jesus’ name.