As we get our first look at the third main character of this story, we get a glimpse into his personality and even, I believe, into his heart. How many legalistic older brothers keep the younger ones from walking in the fullness of God because some–thing does not fit their idea of how God operates? Think about this for a minute. There are people who must have everything figured out or they do not believe whatever is happening can be of God. I don’t understand this; if we could figure out everything there is to know about God, He would be a pretty small God!

   25    Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh 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 unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

    28    And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

Too often the legalistic ones will go out of their way to say that if you do not see things as they do, God is not involved in it. Yet, if you look at the fruit in people’s lives, it is easy to see who is walking in the power of God. It is easy to see who has true joy, who is bringing people into the freedom of Jesus and who is keeping others all bound up.

If you look at the fruit in people’s lives,

it is easy to see who is walking in

the power of God.

Many times the people who do not believe that the Father really cares for them do whatever they can to make others as miserable as they are. Any time we say “This is not God”, we had better be sure. I do not think God is going to allow people to keep running around much longer saying “This is not God” when, in fact, it is. I believe there are going to be some very serious consequences for those who call a move of God demonic. The day of the older brother’s dominance in God’s church is fast coming to an end.

The attitude the older brother displays is that of the Pharisees and their doctrine of works to salvation. Neither the older brother nor the Pharisees have a true relationship with the Father.

The older brother’s attitude represents those who have a form of religion, those who, in the eyes of the world, seem to be in tune. However, inside they are void and empty of life. In many cases they are consumed with emptiness so they put on a front pretending that everything is great, that they are in tune, that they are in the know, while in fact they are not very happy people. Many of these people have been living the lie for so long that they really believe they are right even though in reality they are far from the One who gives life.

The older brother portrays many today in the church.

They go to church (may even serve in certain areas) but really have no idea who the Father is.

Think about the fact that the older brother had access to everything the father possessed. He had the ability to see the life of his father up close. Yet, in spite of all that was available to him, he had no idea of what was in the father’s heart or what made him tick. It is obvious that he was not only angry but verse 27 reveals an attitude of jealousy. How many today in the church have no idea about the heart of God yet become angry when they do not get their own way or when others are promoted?

Are we any different? How do we treat someone who repents or comes seeking a better way? What is our response? Is it “Well, you deserve to keep eating with the pigs. Maybe someday, when I think you have suffered enough, I might allow you to be a servant”? Or do we respond like the father with arms stretched wide open, saying “Welcome!” Do we immediately begin the celebration and the process of reestablishing them and enabling them to walk in their rightful position as sons representing the Father.

I really think the older brother played a major role in the younger one wanting to leave. Here is a real scary question: What happens when someone with the attitude or character of the older brother gets married? What does that person reproduce in his children? This man does not strike me as a proper role model for his own children or for the children of others that may attend the same church. I always remember my own son and what he saw in the leaders of a church we once attended.

They would say one thing was right for the congregation and then do something different when it came to themselves. He was able to see through their hypocritical actions and attitudes. Unfortunately, many people were destroyed by the actions of a few.

Parents, we must be very careful how we walk in front of our children. If our lives show the opposite of what we say, won’t we play a major part if they rebel and reject God? I could tell you endless stories I have heard about parents who were hypocrites.

We must guard the church as well as our families from the spirits that influence the older brother. I am fully aware that many times these are the only people who volunteer to do some of the work that needs to be done. But, I have also learned first hand that if you allow someone with the attitude of the older brother to operate in any position of authority you are opening yourself up to pain and misery.

One day you will look up and realize that his cancerous attitude has spread throughout your whole group. Yes, the love and the restoration of God are available to the older brother but, more often than not, he will refuse. He wants the privileges the father offers without paying the price or at least he wants it all at a price he is willing to pay.

There should not be anyone in any place of leadership who maintains the attitude of the older brother. There should never be anyone allowed in any place of leadership who does not operate in the heart and the compassion of Jesus. All who display a spirit of legalism or elitism should be offered a chance to repent.

If they refuse, they need to be removed gently but immediately from leadership. God is a God of love and of restoration. He is not a god of bondage.

Today, as the church is entering a new era, I cry out — I call to all who think they are the keepers of the truth. Listen! The same blood of Jesus that is available to cleanse you is able to cleanse all who repent and return to Christ. You have absolutely no right to try to keep anyone in bondage to past failures, sins or mistakes. Whoever Jesus has forgiven is forgiven indeed! To put it very bluntly, if Jesus has forgiven someone and you step in and obstruct the way God has opened for them, you are standing against God Himself.

In fact, here is a warning to leaders. Because of the days we are entering into, there is a strong sense that if leadership will not adjust their attitudes, God will have to take the necessary steps to see you removed before your cancer spreads. Judgement starts in the house of God.

1 Peter 4:17 says, For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Here are some very serious questions. What should we do with leaders whose marriage partners are often opposed? If the marriage partner does not stand with, encourage, inspire and honor the leader, the toxins that are slowly poisoning the marriage will begin to drain into the church or fellowship. Many innocent people get poisoned and hurt when these ‘little foxes’ are permitted to run free.

What happens in the home of a leader whose partner belittles, mocks, and undermines his or her authority? How will the children or friends not become affected by such ungodly situations?

What should we do with those people in our fellowship who are always opposed to everything. Some will even smile and claim to be the Devil’s Advocate. Is this just an expression or does it put a politically correct mask on the face of someone Jesus would have labeled a child of their father, satan?

There is a vast amount of difference between someone who questions for the sake of finding and understanding truth and someone who is seeding dissension and rebellion (possibly in the name of good discussion). Those seeking to disrupt will often have a proud cockiness about them, they will seek center stage and they will distract from the process of teaching the truth others need to grow and mature in.

As leaders we must start to face many tough questions. We often run across those who refuse to deal with the pain they have experienced. Too often they wear it like a badge of honor. This booklet is not designed to answer every question (as if we could) rather it’s to challenge us to allow God’s truth to invade every issue. We do not suggest or say that every issue or situation we face is cut and dried, for often many issues are interwoven throughout each situation. But, as we allow the love of God to rise within us, we can face challenges so often overlooked. Let’s guard against being quick to jump to conclusions or to quickly pronounce to others our off the cuff answers, for we may have no comprehension of the whole story — let alone the facts.

Leaders and parents, a lot of pain and suffering could be avoided if we would learn from verse 13 what is so often overlooked.

   13    And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

Two things jump out at me at this stage of our discussion. The younger son gathered all, in other words the father released everything into the hands of his sons. While the younger actually took the step of leaving home, the older brother took the same step — the only difference was he hung around.

The older son stayed to serve the father but with wrong attitudes and out of all the wrong motives. Everything the father owned was available to him but he was so blinded by wrong motives and desires that he never really experienced who his father was.

Parents, do you love your kids enough to release them to God and allow Him to work out the things in their lives? When our children come to the age where they take themselves out from under our covering, we must release them to God. We do not abandon them by this process, but we must consistently intercede for them. If we don’t, there is a good chance they may become older brothers. Both the parents and the kids must be accountable for their actions. God is there for us but a change in heart must come or we will never really mature.

If your kids have wandered off, I believe that as we spend time interceding and crying out to God for them, they will come back. Let’s just be sure we are walking our talk.

I believe the last verse clinches it — the older brother did not know the father’s heart at all. He had no idea of the true resources that were available to him. It was all there for him, but he had never really had a heart change.

I believe it is extremely important that we share the whole gospel. If not, we will just produce more ‘older bothers’; more that will hinder the process of bringing in the harvest.

Luke 15:29-31

       29   And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

       30   But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

Friends, I think the scariest part of the whole story of the prodigal is verse 29. I submit to you this is the same type of relationship that far too many Christians have with God. None!

Sure, many people call themselves Christians but by their actions we see that they are probably the most miserable people of all. Yes, they hang around the fringes of God; they even proclaim that His Word is true. They claim all of the things that are available for the believer. They say all the Christian cliches; they go to church. In fact, some ‘older brothers’ pastor churches, some are on church boards, some lead worship, some teach in Sunday schools but they have no idea what makes God’s heart tick.

They have no idea how God views people.

Many churches across the land, while urging the prodigals to come home, in reality never show love to the prodigal who so desperately needs it. There are believers in our churches that are just as bad.

They grumble and complain that no one cares for them, that they are not loved. They complain if they are asked to tithe or help out.

Sometimes they are the ones that do a lot of work around the church all the time grumbling and complaining. They are no different than the Pharisees of old. They are driven by the letter of the law instead of God’s heart. Their motives are wrong.

Deep down inside, many so called ‘Christians’, even in churches that are considered to be ‘alive’, are a bitter, angry and rebellious lot. They talk the talk but do not walk it out.

They are quick to say they love, and just as quick to lay down the law in ways that cut and destroy the one they claim to love. For the most part, their lives are void of the victory, the power and the freedom that God has for them. Nor will they allow others to walk in their God-given victory, power or freedom.

I submit to you that where we are today is the result of our choice — not necessarily God’s. His plan for us is an exciting, overcoming, victorious life but we must choose to walk in it or refuse to. There is no middle ground.

In no way do I want to put anyone under condemnation, but please be honest with yourself. How many of the traits the older brother exhibited are operating in you?

It is important for us all to realize that if we have wandered away, God is far more concerned that we return than He is about how or why we left.

Yes, we must repent of our actions and then move on into all that was meant to be in the first place — before we bought into the lie from the enemy to wander off.

To many of us God is saying, “Come home!”

Don’t allow anyone to hinder your return.

I believe that God is wooing the prodigals today; calling you to come home before it is too late. God understands the pain you have been through.

He knows why you left. He longs to have fellowship with you, but you must come to God on His terms.

Testing the Spirit

Here are a few questions. If any of these concepts seem to fit, then I submit to you that the same spirit that was at work in the older brother is operating in you today.

•     Are you happy when someone gets promoted ahead of you? Or do you outwardly say one thing while deep within you say something different?

•     Are you plagued with certain types of habits or problems that you never seem to get rid of?

•     Are you secure in God’s love for you?

•     Are you growing? Is your life reflecting more of God’s personality as you mature or have you grown stagnant?

•     Are you getting to a place where your total identity revolves around who God is rather than based on what you do?

•     Who controls your wallet, God or yourself?

•     Will you put yourself out for others without expecting a reward?

•     What drives you? Is it the flesh with all its insecurities or are you getting to a place where God is directing your life more and more?

The enemy will do whatever he can to prevent people from coming into a right relationship with God. He will tell them they do not need anyone, that they can do it on their own. He will say that if they throw more of themselves into their careers or even try some religion they will live a fulfilled life. The truth is, only a personal walk with Jesus can fulfill the longing of your heart.

Towards Rejoicing

Many Christians buy into the lie that they only need to go so far in their walk with God. They really never operate or walk in all the resources that God has provided for them. As we wrap up this portion, I would like to challenge a number of different people about things in their lives. There are many points in the story of the prodigal that we can and should apply to our lives today.

First, the prodigal had a choice to make. He could continue down the path of destruction or he could return and walk into the fulness of the fellowship of his father. The same choice is ours today.

Next, the prodigal could choose to return into the fellowship of the father or allow the treatment that he must have received from the older brother to keep him away from the fellowship of others. Many Christians continue to allow past hurts or the wounds they have received from other Christians to keep them from walking in the fullness of God.

It’s sad to say but there are Christians that have become content to wear the badge of hurt on their sleeves using it to try to justify why they do not go into all God has for them. “After all,” they ask, “with all the pain I am carrying, how could I continue?” So the cycle continues to repeat in their lives.

Yet, even this group, can go on in freedom if they return to God.

The choice is theirs!

       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.

Finally, what about the older brother? He, too, can repent of his ways and begin to walk in the fullness of the Father. He can stop complaining about the way others live or how they don’t do things right. He can turn from his ways and start helping others instead of causing pain to those around him.

Today, God is calling out to both groups — to the prodigals and to the older brothers. He invites both to repent, to return, and to walk in true fellowship both with Him and with each other.

Oh, that many sons would hear the Father’s voice today and respond to His call.