This Week's Light Service Sermon

Light Service Sermons for the Month
Homemade Bread for the Heart
The Patient Dad
DATE: February 21, 1999
TEXT: Luke 15:11-32

"Have I got a great story for you…"

"Have you ever heard the story about the…"
When we hear phrases like this, it perks up our ears. We might be drifting off when the speaker speaks, but we hear a story, it draws us in. From the time when we were little children we enjoyed great stories. Why do you think that sports networks spend so much of its revenue dollars telling the stories behind the story of various athletes. Or why is A&E's Biography one that networks most popular shows.
Why do Nike commercials, instead of extolling the qualities of its tennis shoes, tell stories? They know we love a great story! In fact, most of the commercials today spend if not as much time, more time on sharing with us a brief mini-story as they promote their products.
Why has the book series Chicken Soup for the Soul--just a book of stories--sold so well? We love great stories because they sneak up on us and draw us into the action. We identify with the characters. A great story warms our hearts. And a great story gives us something to chew on for a long, long time.
Jesus was the greatest storyteller that ever lived. He told lots and lots of stories called parables. When his disciples asked him tough questions about faith, Jesus said "Let me tell you a story…" Or when his enemies tried to trap him, Jesus would say, "Let me tell you a story…" And so today we begin a new series telling some of the stories from Jesus. We call it "Homemade Bread for the Heart--Inspirational Stories for Dynamic Living." Today we're going to look at what some consider the greatest short story ever told. Before we do that, let's pray.
Jesus we loved it when we were young and mom and dad would send us to bed with a story. We sit enthralled watching a TV show that often is nothing more than just a good story. We return from vacation filled with stories of funny episodes and amazing sites. We love a good story because it is about life. And that's what you're all about life, life everlasting. AMEN
When is enough, enough? A couple of summers ago we visited some friends at Cedar Point. One of the new rides that summer was the Raptor. The Raptor is kind of a roller coaster where you sit in a chair with your feet dangling under you. There are corkscrews, loop-de-loops, twists and turns that literally has your heart pounding to the surface. As Mark and I entered this ride and I buckled into the seat, I looked at the young man who operated the ride. I could tell right away that this young man had absolutely no concern as to whether I lived or died! But no time to worry about that! Soon the ride was on. It went faster and faster. I remember weathering the first few twists and turns pretty well but then my mind began spinning. Then my stomach began to churn. Then the smile on my face gradually disappeared and I started to pray, pray that I might survive what was fast becoming merely an ordeal.
Thank God. My prayers were answered and we stopped. WHEW. But my legs were gone. I knew I had them when I got on but now they were gone. As I willed my rubbery leg stumps into action, I caught the eye of the young operator who was smiling. Smiling mind you. How dare he smile at us old timers. I thought of saying something to him but I was afraid that if I did I might have lost my lunch. So I walked over to the nearest bench and lay down. I had had enough!
When is enough, enough? I had enough of that ride and that operator long before it was over. When does our patience run out? I know sometimes as a parent or husband I don't have the patience that I should with those I love. Today in our text the religious people--the church-going people--started grumbling and complaining because Jesus had been spending all his time eating with the sinners, the outcasts. They said, "Jesus, enough is enough. I know God loves all people, but shouldn't you be spending more time with us? Now far should God's patience go with these terrible sinners? Enough is enough."
So Jesus told them this story. This beautiful story about a father and two sons. The first son said to his father, "Enough is enough. I want my half of the inheritance and I want to leave." We may wonder what was going through his mind. Perhaps, "Father, I'm tired of living under the thumb of your command. I want to go out and find myself. Show me my money." The father obliged and gave the son half of his inheritance. The son went off to a "far country." And there he squandered his wealth on loose and wild living.
A famine hit the land. He had no money. No one would hire him. Finally he found himself a job feeding pigs, an absolute disgrace for a young Jewish man. He was so hungry, so starving, that he wished he could eat the garbage that he was feeding to the pigs.
Finally, it says the son came to his senses. He said, "My father's slaves have it better than I. At least they can eat. I'll ask my father if I can be one of his slaves. I know I've gone too far. I know my dad will say 'enough is enough' but I'll ask if he'll welcome me as a slave."
And so he began the journey back. This is the beautiful part, "while he was still far away the father saw him." Perhaps he was out looking for him. And the Bible says, the father ran to his son. Jewish men in those days NEVER ran! It was a disgrace to run. It was improper. But he RAN to his son anyway!
His son expected a scolding. He expected his father to say, "I told you so." Or, "enough is enough!" And so the son began his little speech, "Dad, I know I've done wrong. But if you would welcome me as one of your slaves…" But the father wouldn't listen. He said, "Get the best robe. Put it on my son. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Go kill the fatted calf. Let's have a party! Let's celebrate!" They then had the biggest and best barbecue party you could ever imagine.
What a picture of God's incredible patience with all of us!
There's a true story about a young man named Augie. Augie was brilliant. His parents saw in him an incredible mind, so they sent him to college at 17. But Augie not only studied hard, he played hard. He said, "I want to experience all the pleasures of life." He hired prostitutes (perhaps from Fairlawn); he had a mistress. She gave birth to an illegitimate son. He experimented with eastern philosophies and then eastern religions, trying all those avenues to find fulfillment and truth. You could say Augie was about as far away in the "far country" as anyone could be. He felt distant from God.
What Augie didn't know was that his mother Monica prayed for him every day. God heard those prayers. One day Augie agreed to attend a meeting with his mother. A great speaker was coming to town. When Augie heard this speaker he was not only moved by his tremendous excellence in speaking, but he heard about the speaker's faith in Jesus Christ. Through that meeting, in the days that followed, Augie gave his life to Jesus Christ. He became a Christian.
This all happened in the 4th Century. We know this man as Augustine or Saint Augustine. Not only did he become a Christian but he became a teacher and pastor-eventually a bishop. Historians would agree that St. Augustine was probably the most influential theologian in the history of the Christian church. A man in the far country God brought home. God said, "Welcome home."
There may be someone here today who thinks that you are in the far country. Most of us don't turn our backs on God, but somehow we tend to wander a little bit. We get busy with our families, work or other activities. There comes a time when we start to sense a distance between God and us. We feel like we're in the far country. Perhaps you're one of those people. You think that you've done something so bad, so terrible, that God could never forgive you. You think that God could never have enough patience with you and that he is saying, "Enough is enough!"
I have good news for you today. Jesus Christ came especially for you. Jesus died on a cross for you, to welcome you home.
How many of you have heard the old hymn, "The Old Rugged Cross?" As in this song, we often picture the cross up on a hill. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre covers a stone outcropping that tradition says is the Place of the Skull. But as we read through the accounts of the crucifixion, it's interesting to note that it never says that the cross is on a hill. It was in a place called Golgotha, the "place of the skull." Many believe it could have been in one of the valleys or ravines that flanked ancient Jerusalem. Wherever you place Golgotha, all agree that this cross was outside the city walls.
In those days, at the time of Jesus, if you wanted to get close to God, you went inside the city walls. In fact, you went inside the temple walls. And if your really wanted to get close, you went into the Holy of Holies. If you wanted your sins forgiven you went inside the temple. If you wanted to meet God, you went inside. The priests dressed right, they did the proper sacrifice and hopefully you met God.
Yet here comes Jesus. Son of God. The ultimate sacrifice. God allows Jesus to be crucified outside the temple, outside the city walls.
We come today to church with a smile on our face. We dress up a bit and wear what we feel is proper and right. We're polite to each other in the parking lot (for the most part). But what happens to you when you leave this place? What is your life like outside these walls? When you walk inside your home and close the door, what kind of pains are you experiencing? What kind of struggles, doubts, fears? What kind of sins and shortcoming do you live with every day? What kind of addictions?
Friends, it's in these places that Jesus comes. Outside the city walls into your place of pain, into your "garbage dump." It is there that Jesus Christ most often comes to welcome you home, to say, "I love you."
Jesus wants us to know today that he welcomes us into his family. With Jesus, enough is NEVER enough. He keeps on loving with patience.
But Jesus adds a little kicker at the end of this story. The other brother arrives and sees a party going on. He's furious! His face is red and he says, "Father, this is not fair! I've worked for you faithfully as a slave everyday! I've provided money for this family and you've not even given me a GOAT. And here you give my brother a fatted calf and throw this big party? This is not fair!"
The father then says so beautifully to his son, "Son, you have always been with me. Everything I have is yours!"
Tony Campolo tells a great story about a time when was out speaking and because of Jet lag and the time delay he couldn't sleep. At 3:00 AM he leaves his hotel room and decides to go to a nearby coffee shop for breakfast. As he's sipping his coffee, in walk nine prostitutes. He overhears them talking. One of them says that tomorrow is her 39th birthday. Her announcement is met with jeers and laughs. He feels sorry for the girl.
Tony later approaches the coffee shop owner and says, "How about if we throw a surprise birthday party for this girl tomorrow morning." The shop owner thinks it is a great idea and he even offers to bake a cake for her. In the wee hours of the next morning the coffee shop is jammed with prostitutes. At 3:30 AM this prostitute walks through the door and Tony stands up and begins to lead the group in song. "Happy Birthday to you…" She is shocked. Then the owner brings out the birthday cake. Tears begin to flow down her cheek. She grabs the cake and holds it tight. She won't let anyone touch it, let alone eat it! Finally she admits, "This is the first birthday cake I've ever had!" The place falls silent. In that awkward moment, Tony doesn't know what to do so he says, "Let's pray." Then it REALLY got silent! But, it was a powerful moment.
Afterwards, the coffee shop owner came to him and said, "What kind of church do you go to?" Tony said, "Will, I go to the kind of church that throws parties for prostitutes at 3:30 in the morning!" The owner responds, "Naw, there's no such church like that. If there was a church like that I'd be there."
Friends, that's the kind of place and that's the kind of people that God wants us to be. Not only does God welcome US, he does so that we can turn around and throw our arms around others that are hurting.
Maybe you know a family member or a friend who has wandered off to the far country. You've given up hope on them. But, God doesn't give up! God wants us to keep loving and caring and reaching out to them. Pray for them!
You are here today because of a miracle. God wants to perform many other miracles in our neighborhoods and among our family. And he will do it.
There's a story about a father and son in Spain named Jorge and Paco. Father and son got into a big argument. The next morning Jorge went to Paco's bedroom and Paco was gone. He had run away from home. Jorge felt remorseful about their fight and so he went down to the City center--the biggest store downtown--and he wrote a big sign that read, "Paco, I love you. Please come home! Meet me beneath this sign tomorrow morning." The next morning when Jorge arrived at the store, there was not one little boy, but seven--all named Paco. Seven little boys all yearning for their father to love them back home--to say "welcome home."
Deep in our hearts we all need that welcome home. God offers you that today. We celebrate that as we celebrate the gift of communion. It's God's hug to you that says, "I am patient with you. I will keep on loving you and forgiving you! It's our opportunity to come to the Lord and give to him our shortcomings, our failures and our sins knowing that he is set to forgive them.
As get ready to receive this gift spend a moment in prayer. Let this be a time to come openly and honestly before God. If you feel like you're wandering into the far country, it's time to come home and let God love you and remind you of his forgiveness.
AMEN