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The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley

Andrew Farley - Flipped (Part 1)

August 2, 2025 | 28:46

Andrew Farley - Flipped (Part 1)
Pastor Andrew Farley brings Biblical clarity and illuminates God’s grace.
#Christianity #Convert/Conversion #NewBeliever #RelationshipwithGod #WalkwithGod #Salvation #Redemption #inActive

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The Grace Message with Dr. Andrew Farley | Andrew Farley - Flipped (Part 1) | August 2, 2025
  • ...
  • 00:00:00.633 --> 00:00:01.264
  • Dr. andrew farley: have you ever had a speech ready for god,
  • 00:00:01.697 --> 00:00:03.399
  • You know, groveling about all the bad stuff you've done and
  • 00:00:03.533 --> 00:00:07.203
  • How sorry you are, begging him for forgiveness?
  • 00:00:07.336 --> 00:00:08.171
  • Well, that's exactly what the prodigal son had prepped, and
  • 00:00:11.040 --> 00:00:14.410
  • His father wouldn't let him deliver the speech.
  • 00:00:14.410 --> 00:00:17.513
  • Let's talk about it today on "the grace message."
  • 00:00:17.513 --> 00:00:20.950
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:00:20.950 --> 00:00:32.662
  • Dr. farley: well, as i said, we're starting our series.
  • 00:00:22.652 --> 00:00:35.164
  • It's called "flipped."
  • 00:00:35.164 --> 00:00:36.499
  • It's gonna be a short series on some of the parables of jesus
  • 00:00:36.499 --> 00:00:40.136
  • And how those parables wreck lifeless religiosity, you know
  • 00:00:40.136 --> 00:00:45.208
  • What i'm saying?
  • 00:00:45.208 --> 00:00:46.542
  • That sense of fairness that the jews had that the disciples
  • 00:00:46.542 --> 00:00:51.114
  • Thought was god's way, that sense of justice and fairness.
  • 00:00:51.114 --> 00:00:54.750
  • You know what i'm talking about.
  • 00:00:54.750 --> 00:00:56.285
  • You score straight a's, and it shows up on your report card,
  • 00:00:56.285 --> 00:00:59.989
  • And they hand you a scholarship for college.
  • 00:00:59.989 --> 00:01:02.925
  • You work hard, and they give you the promotion, and they pat you
  • 00:01:02.925 --> 00:01:06.028
  • On the back and give you a little bonus.
  • 00:01:06.028 --> 00:01:08.664
  • That's the way the world works with a system of fairness, and
  • 00:01:08.664 --> 00:01:14.470
  • Yet the issue is that, in our justice, there's jesus.
  • 00:01:14.470 --> 00:01:19.809
  • Right down in the middle of our sense of justice comes jesus,
  • 00:01:19.809 --> 00:01:23.846
  • And he turns everything upside down.
  • 00:01:23.846 --> 00:01:26.048
  • And so these parables--get this, these parables are about
  • 00:01:26.048 --> 00:01:29.385
  • An upside-down kingdom.
  • 00:01:29.385 --> 00:01:32.155
  • They're about a kingdom that doesn't make sense to the world.
  • 00:01:32.155 --> 00:01:35.525
  • The legalist doesn't get it.
  • 00:01:35.525 --> 00:01:37.326
  • The legalist tries to make it compute, and the math doesn't
  • 00:01:37.326 --> 00:01:40.930
  • Add up.
  • 00:01:40.930 --> 00:01:42.598
  • But today, we're gonna see that jesus talks in parables and
  • 00:01:42.598 --> 00:01:47.370
  • Stories so that we can get the simplicity of god's love
  • 00:01:47.370 --> 00:01:51.674
  • And grace.
  • 00:01:51.674 --> 00:01:53.042
  • And today, we start off this short series with luke 15, the
  • 00:01:53.042 --> 00:01:57.013
  • Prodigal son.
  • 00:01:57.013 --> 00:01:58.347
  • Now, this is one that you already know, and some of you
  • 00:01:58.347 --> 00:02:02.084
  • Thought, "well, you know, i already got this.
  • 00:02:02.084 --> 00:02:04.921
  • I already know this story."
  • 00:02:04.921 --> 00:02:06.355
  • Well, i promise you, we're gonna dive deep, and we're gonna see
  • 00:02:06.355 --> 00:02:10.126
  • Some stuff that we've never seen before.
  • 00:02:10.126 --> 00:02:12.795
  • Are you ready for this?
  • 00:02:12.795 --> 00:02:14.130
  • Because god's word does that every single time.
  • 00:02:14.130 --> 00:02:17.700
  • Luke 15, verse 11, we start.
  • 00:02:17.700 --> 00:02:20.970
  • "and he said," jesus said, "a man had two sons.
  • 00:02:20.970 --> 00:02:24.607
  • The younger of them said to his father, 'father, give me the
  • 00:02:24.607 --> 00:02:27.710
  • Share of the estate that falls to me.'
  • 00:02:27.710 --> 00:02:30.913
  • So he divided his wealth between them."
  • 00:02:30.913 --> 00:02:34.417
  • All right, so what are we seeing?
  • 00:02:34.417 --> 00:02:36.752
  • Well, verse 13, he says, "and not many days later," it didn't
  • 00:02:36.752 --> 00:02:40.523
  • Take him long, "the younger son gathered everything together,"
  • 00:02:40.523 --> 00:02:46.195
  • And what did he do?
  • 00:02:46.195 --> 00:02:47.730
  • "he went out on a journey into a distant country, and there,"
  • 00:02:47.730 --> 00:02:52.335
  • Didn't take long, "he squandered his estate with loose living."
  • 00:02:52.335 --> 00:02:57.840
  • He put it all in bitcoin, all right?
  • 00:02:57.840 --> 00:03:00.943
  • And it went up for a while, right, and maybe it'll go up
  • 00:03:00.943 --> 00:03:04.880
  • Again, he thinks.
  • 00:03:04.880 --> 00:03:06.215
  • But...he lost a whole lot.
  • 00:03:06.215 --> 00:03:09.218
  • Now, that's not my commentary on bitcoin, okay?
  • 00:03:09.218 --> 00:03:12.555
  • But you get the gist.
  • 00:03:12.555 --> 00:03:14.390
  • I mean, he went for it, he went after it, he left home full, and
  • 00:03:14.390 --> 00:03:20.630
  • He ended up empty, right?
  • 00:03:20.630 --> 00:03:24.200
  • So look at what sin promises.
  • 00:03:24.200 --> 00:03:27.103
  • I mean, he thinks, "i'm gonna go out and live the dream," right?
  • 00:03:27.103 --> 00:03:34.377
  • And then he ends up isolated and desperate and miserable.
  • 00:03:34.377 --> 00:03:39.815
  • So it's just like way back in that garden, oh ho ho ho.
  • 00:03:39.815 --> 00:03:43.319
  • "in the day you eat of this-- oh, come on.
  • 00:03:43.319 --> 00:03:45.821
  • This is juicy.
  • 00:03:45.821 --> 00:03:47.490
  • In the day you eat of this, you're gonna see, and you're
  • 00:03:47.490 --> 00:03:51.260
  • Gonna experience, and you'll be enlightened, and you'll know
  • 00:03:51.260 --> 00:03:55.031
  • Good from evil, and you'll be able to have an
  • 00:03:55.031 --> 00:03:57.366
  • Enhanced experience."
  • 00:03:57.366 --> 00:03:58.768
  • A lie, a lie from the enemy.
  • 00:03:58.768 --> 00:04:02.638
  • And in the same way, this too was shattered dreams.
  • 00:04:02.638 --> 00:04:07.410
  • And so we see in verse 14, "now when he had spent everything," i
  • 00:04:07.410 --> 00:04:12.348
  • Mean every last dime, "a severe famine occurred in that country,
  • 00:04:12.348 --> 00:04:18.521
  • And he began to be impoverished."
  • 00:04:18.521 --> 00:04:21.557
  • And i love those two words, "famine" and "impoverished,"
  • 00:04:21.557 --> 00:04:25.461
  • Because that's what sin is.
  • 00:04:25.461 --> 00:04:26.796
  • Now, growing up, i was not told that.
  • 00:04:26.796 --> 00:04:28.898
  • I mean, i was at least given the impression, "sin, whew, sin can
  • 00:04:28.898 --> 00:04:33.903
  • Be awesome.
  • 00:04:33.903 --> 00:04:35.304
  • Oh, sin, let me tell you about sin.
  • 00:04:35.304 --> 00:04:38.074
  • Ooh, but you better not because you're a christian.
  • 00:04:38.074 --> 00:04:41.644
  • Oh, but it is great.
  • 00:04:41.644 --> 00:04:43.379
  • Oh, but you better not."
  • 00:04:43.379 --> 00:04:45.581
  • You see, that's the impression i had of sin.
  • 00:04:45.581 --> 00:04:48.017
  • I'm just being candid with you.
  • 00:04:48.017 --> 00:04:49.852
  • The world's having all the fun, and we're christians, so we need
  • 00:04:49.852 --> 00:04:54.457
  • To stay back.
  • 00:04:54.457 --> 00:04:56.859
  • Is that reality?
  • 00:04:56.859 --> 00:04:59.228
  • See, that assumes that god is not good.
  • 00:04:59.228 --> 00:05:02.932
  • And that assumes that god doesn't have the market cornered
  • 00:05:02.932 --> 00:05:05.835
  • On fulfillment.
  • 00:05:05.835 --> 00:05:07.169
  • That assumes god's not your designer, god doesn't know what
  • 00:05:07.169 --> 00:05:09.839
  • Makes you tick, god doesn't know how to fulfill you, that you
  • 00:05:09.839 --> 00:05:13.509
  • Gotta stay back in stodgy religion and miss out on all
  • 00:05:13.509 --> 00:05:18.180
  • The fun.
  • 00:05:18.180 --> 00:05:19.548
  • Well, this parable opens the door to the possible idea that
  • 00:05:19.548 --> 00:05:23.319
  • Maybe god actually has the market cornered on fun, like
  • 00:05:23.319 --> 00:05:27.723
  • Genuine, heartfelt fun that has no drag on it, that has no
  • 00:05:27.723 --> 00:05:33.129
  • Surprise ending that kills, no plot twist that causes you to
  • 00:05:33.129 --> 00:05:38.634
  • Suddenly experience disappointment in him.
  • 00:05:38.634 --> 00:05:41.871
  • The scripture says if we put our trust in jesus, we will not
  • 00:05:41.871 --> 00:05:46.075
  • Be disappointed.
  • 00:05:46.075 --> 00:05:47.643
  • That's a pretty big promise.
  • 00:05:47.643 --> 00:05:49.578
  • That doesn't mean that you're getting the promotion.
  • 00:05:49.578 --> 00:05:52.181
  • That doesn't mean you'll have perfect health and
  • 00:05:52.181 --> 00:05:54.483
  • Perfect wealth.
  • 00:05:54.483 --> 00:05:55.818
  • It means that jesus doesn't disappoint because he's your
  • 00:05:55.818 --> 00:06:00.589
  • Designer, and by his very nature, by who he is, he won't
  • 00:06:00.589 --> 00:06:05.561
  • Disappoint because he is god.
  • 00:06:05.561 --> 00:06:08.898
  • So we see in verse 15 what--the story continues.
  • 00:06:08.898 --> 00:06:12.268
  • "he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that
  • 00:06:12.268 --> 00:06:17.006
  • Country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine."
  • 00:06:17.006 --> 00:06:21.811
  • Okay, so that's the best he can do.
  • 00:06:21.811 --> 00:06:24.180
  • Apparently, it's a pig gig, right?
  • 00:06:24.180 --> 00:06:28.584
  • A pig gig is sin's version of living the dream.
  • 00:06:28.584 --> 00:06:33.422
  • That's the best sin can come up with: you feeding pigs.
  • 00:06:33.422 --> 00:06:38.794
  • And so we see it says in verse 16, "and he would have gladly
  • 00:06:38.794 --> 00:06:43.933
  • Filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and
  • 00:06:43.933 --> 00:06:50.105
  • No one was giving anything to him."
  • 00:06:50.105 --> 00:06:52.241
  • Are we having fun yet?
  • 00:06:52.241 --> 00:06:55.311
  • Sin eats your lunch and leaves you the bill, right?
  • 00:06:55.311 --> 00:07:01.917
  • And so at first it sounds good.
  • 00:07:01.917 --> 00:07:04.487
  • Oh, it sounds like you--let me come over here for a sidenote.
  • 00:07:04.487 --> 00:07:08.624
  • It sounds like you, it smells like you, it quacks like a duck,
  • 00:07:08.624 --> 00:07:14.330
  • But it ain't the duck.
  • 00:07:14.330 --> 00:07:16.198
  • You're the duck.
  • 00:07:16.198 --> 00:07:17.800
  • You're the child of god.
  • 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:19.535
  • You're alive in him.
  • 00:07:19.535 --> 00:07:21.036
  • And the power of sin sounds like you, and it feels like you, and
  • 00:07:21.036 --> 00:07:25.841
  • It seems to be you, but then the moment that you take that step
  • 00:07:25.841 --> 00:07:31.413
  • Toward saying yes to the power of sin, what happens?
  • 00:07:31.413 --> 00:07:35.651
  • What happens?
  • 00:07:35.651 --> 00:07:36.986
  • Well, you decide, "miserable man that i am, who will rescue me?
  • 00:07:36.986 --> 00:07:42.925
  • I am miserable because this is not what i wanna do."
  • 00:07:42.925 --> 00:07:48.297
  • I thought that was you.
  • 00:07:48.297 --> 00:07:51.000
  • No, it's not you.
  • 00:07:51.000 --> 00:07:52.334
  • It never was you.
  • 00:07:52.334 --> 00:07:54.203
  • Verse 17, "but when he came to his senses, he said, 'how many
  • 00:07:54.203 --> 00:07:59.341
  • Of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but look
  • 00:07:59.341 --> 00:08:04.313
  • At me, i'm dying here with hunger!'"
  • 00:08:04.313 --> 00:08:08.417
  • So he's hit rock bottom.
  • 00:08:08.417 --> 00:08:10.619
  • I mean, he's at his lowest, but i want you to notice grace
  • 00:08:10.619 --> 00:08:14.657
  • Is calling.
  • 00:08:14.657 --> 00:08:16.091
  • And so verse 18, it says, "i will get up and i will go to my
  • 00:08:16.091 --> 00:08:20.462
  • Father, and i will say to him--" oh, this is glorious.
  • 00:08:20.462 --> 00:08:23.332
  • Look at this: "father, i have sinned against heaven," oh, my
  • 00:08:23.332 --> 00:08:29.038
  • Gosh, heavy, "and in your sight.
  • 00:08:29.038 --> 00:08:32.741
  • Father, i didn't just take the inheritance and waste it.
  • 00:08:32.741 --> 00:08:36.078
  • I've like almost ruined like all of heaven and stuff.
  • 00:08:36.078 --> 00:08:40.516
  • Like this is huge.
  • 00:08:40.516 --> 00:08:42.384
  • Like all of heaven was watching me do this, and now everything
  • 00:08:42.384 --> 00:08:47.056
  • Is ruined because of me.
  • 00:08:47.056 --> 00:08:50.759
  • My sins are big."
  • 00:08:50.759 --> 00:08:54.597
  • And apparently your god is small because you've ruined
  • 00:08:54.597 --> 00:08:57.366
  • Everything, and he just didn't see this coming.
  • 00:08:57.366 --> 00:09:00.369
  • He thought you would be fiscally responsible, and look at
  • 00:09:00.369 --> 00:09:04.173
  • You now.
  • 00:09:04.173 --> 00:09:05.507
  • You shocked him.
  • 00:09:05.507 --> 00:09:06.875
  • You see, this is what's in this man's head.
  • 00:09:06.875 --> 00:09:08.744
  • His sins are big, and his god is small, and this is a problem.
  • 00:09:08.744 --> 00:09:13.015
  • "and father, i beg and i plead and i hope and i--"
  • 00:09:13.015 --> 00:09:16.485
  • Sound familiar?
  • 00:09:16.485 --> 00:09:17.987
  • Are there people today-- christians, dare i say, children
  • 00:09:17.987 --> 00:09:22.191
  • Of god, yes, like us.
  • 00:09:22.191 --> 00:09:24.960
  • We all struggle sometimes with begging and groveling and
  • 00:09:24.960 --> 00:09:28.797
  • Thinking that we better have a speech ready, or else.
  • 00:09:28.797 --> 00:09:33.002
  • "well, i know i'm forgiven eternally, but in order to stay
  • 00:09:33.002 --> 00:09:37.072
  • In fellowship, i must have my speech, my confession speech,
  • 00:09:37.072 --> 00:09:41.977
  • Where i name everything," and don't you miss a single one.
  • 00:09:41.977 --> 00:09:47.916
  • "and i name it--i know, here's what i'll do.
  • 00:09:47.916 --> 00:09:51.553
  • It's a formula, acts.
  • 00:09:51.553 --> 00:09:53.589
  • When i pray, first, i'll adore him.
  • 00:09:53.589 --> 00:09:55.524
  • That butters him up."
  • 00:09:55.524 --> 00:09:58.227
  • Oh, i'm getting too close to home now, right?
  • 00:09:58.227 --> 00:10:00.829
  • "woo-hoo, farley, don't go there."
  • 00:10:00.829 --> 00:10:02.865
  • No, wouldn't it help if we see how we really are victims of
  • 00:10:02.865 --> 00:10:06.935
  • This system?
  • 00:10:06.935 --> 00:10:08.671
  • Adoration, butter him up first.
  • 00:10:08.671 --> 00:10:10.839
  • Confession, get clean.
  • 00:10:10.839 --> 00:10:13.776
  • Thank him for everything you do have.
  • 00:10:13.776 --> 00:10:16.478
  • That'd be proper.
  • 00:10:16.478 --> 00:10:17.980
  • And then supplication.
  • 00:10:17.980 --> 00:10:19.348
  • You finally get to say, "here's what i need.
  • 00:10:19.348 --> 00:10:23.285
  • Please give me what i need because i buttered you up."
  • 00:10:23.285 --> 00:10:27.823
  • Mmm, ouch.
  • 00:10:27.823 --> 00:10:30.492
  • Oh, but that's the way to pray.
  • 00:10:30.492 --> 00:10:33.228
  • Watch what the father does with the way to pray.
  • 00:10:33.228 --> 00:10:38.033
  • So, verse 19, he continues the sob story.
  • 00:10:38.033 --> 00:10:42.838
  • "i am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one
  • 00:10:42.838 --> 00:10:50.512
  • Of your hired men."
  • 00:10:50.512 --> 00:10:52.614
  • Now, i'm not sure the son believes this.
  • 00:10:52.614 --> 00:10:56.452
  • You know, he might be even trying to play the father a
  • 00:10:56.452 --> 00:10:59.455
  • Little bit.
  • 00:10:59.455 --> 00:11:00.823
  • Does the son really believe the father's gonna go, "well, you
  • 00:11:00.823 --> 00:11:04.226
  • Did blow everything, so, yeah, get over there with the
  • 00:11:04.226 --> 00:11:07.763
  • Servants, and i'll never refer to you as son"?
  • 00:11:07.763 --> 00:11:10.466
  • You think the prodigal son really believes that deep down?
  • 00:11:10.466 --> 00:11:13.936
  • Maybe, maybe he does.
  • 00:11:13.936 --> 00:11:15.404
  • Maybe he's wallowing in so much shame that he believes that.
  • 00:11:15.404 --> 00:11:19.942
  • But also there may be a little glimmer of hope, a little
  • 00:11:19.942 --> 00:11:23.412
  • Twinkle in his eyes right at the back, whereas he gives this
  • 00:11:23.412 --> 00:11:27.783
  • Speech, he kinda knows, you know?
  • 00:11:27.783 --> 00:11:30.919
  • You know, when you tell somebody you're sorry and you know
  • 00:11:30.919 --> 00:11:34.456
  • What's coming.
  • 00:11:34.456 --> 00:11:35.791
  • "oh, no, no, don't worry about it."
  • 00:11:35.791 --> 00:11:37.159
  • You expect it almost, right?
  • 00:11:37.159 --> 00:11:39.595
  • So doesn't your heart expect the grace of god?
  • 00:11:39.595 --> 00:11:44.166
  • Doesn't your heart anticipate the mercy and grace and
  • 00:11:44.166 --> 00:11:48.237
  • Forgiveness of the father?
  • 00:11:48.237 --> 00:11:49.605
  • You know it's there.
  • 00:11:49.605 --> 00:11:51.306
  • But our head tells us one thing, and our heart tells us another.
  • 00:11:51.306 --> 00:11:56.478
  • And so he's got this speech, the son, he's prepared a speech, but
  • 00:11:56.478 --> 00:12:01.850
  • The father, what does he do?
  • 00:12:01.850 --> 00:12:03.252
  • He flips the script.
  • 00:12:03.252 --> 00:12:05.721
  • In fact, he doesn't even let him get a word out almost.
  • 00:12:05.721 --> 00:12:09.391
  • I mean, watch this.
  • 00:12:09.391 --> 00:12:10.759
  • It's pretty awesome.
  • 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:12.261
  • "he got up and came to his father.
  • 00:12:12.261 --> 00:12:14.463
  • But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and
  • 00:12:14.463 --> 00:12:19.101
  • Felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and
  • 00:12:19.101 --> 00:12:23.038
  • Kissed him."
  • 00:12:23.038 --> 00:12:24.406
  • You know what the son was trying to do?
  • 00:12:24.406 --> 00:12:27.342
  • Everything that he had rehearsed.
  • 00:12:27.342 --> 00:12:31.446
  • "father, oh, father."
  • 00:12:31.446 --> 00:12:36.118
  • He probably got the "oh" out, and next thing you know, he's
  • 00:12:36.118 --> 00:12:39.154
  • Being kissed.
  • 00:12:39.154 --> 00:12:41.857
  • And so what do we see here in this beautiful portrayal of god,
  • 00:12:41.857 --> 00:12:46.728
  • The father?
  • 00:12:46.728 --> 00:12:48.063
  • The father ran.
  • 00:12:48.063 --> 00:12:49.431
  • Grace always beats guilt to the door.
  • 00:12:49.431 --> 00:12:53.735
  • Grace in your face.
  • 00:12:53.735 --> 00:12:55.571
  • Grace at mock speed.
  • 00:12:55.571 --> 00:12:57.706
  • Grace in your direction.
  • 00:12:57.706 --> 00:12:59.808
  • Grace--the face of the father.
  • 00:12:59.808 --> 00:13:04.279
  • Legalism will not bring this.
  • 00:13:04.279 --> 00:13:07.382
  • The father hangs back.
  • 00:13:07.382 --> 00:13:10.485
  • The father wants to hear the story first.
  • 00:13:10.485 --> 00:13:13.589
  • "oh, how bad was it?
  • 00:13:13.589 --> 00:13:15.958
  • How deep did you get into sin?
  • 00:13:15.958 --> 00:13:18.961
  • Let me take some notes and see what you deserve."
  • 00:13:18.961 --> 00:13:23.232
  • That's legalism.
  • 00:13:23.232 --> 00:13:25.734
  • Grace bolts in his direction, fully aware of what has happened
  • 00:13:25.734 --> 00:13:33.275
  • But wanting to clothe him in the finest robes.
  • 00:13:33.275 --> 00:13:37.946
  • Do you see this?
  • 00:13:37.946 --> 00:13:39.281
  • We memorize our grovels and rehearse them and prepare them
  • 00:13:39.281 --> 00:13:46.021
  • And almost are ready to give them before we sin.
  • 00:13:46.021 --> 00:13:49.024
  • "lord, i'm gonna sin, and then i'm gonna grovel.
  • 00:13:49.024 --> 00:13:52.394
  • Don't worry, i'll 1 john 1:9 after this one.
  • 00:13:52.394 --> 00:13:55.464
  • Don't worry, i'm going to confession on sunday.
  • 00:13:55.464 --> 00:13:58.533
  • It'll all work out once i do it and then grovel."
  • 00:13:58.533 --> 00:14:01.336
  • Look, the truth is it's about grace, not groveling.
  • 00:14:01.336 --> 00:14:05.908
  • "and the son said to him, 'father, i have sinned
  • 00:14:05.908 --> 00:14:09.011
  • Against heaven.'"
  • 00:14:09.011 --> 00:14:10.379
  • He's trying again.
  • 00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:11.713
  • You know, he couldn't get it out at first.
  • 00:14:11.713 --> 00:14:13.148
  • He's trying again.
  • 00:14:13.148 --> 00:14:14.483
  • "i have sinned against heaven and in your sight; i am no
  • 00:14:14.483 --> 00:14:17.452
  • Longer worthy to be called your son."
  • 00:14:17.452 --> 00:14:20.022
  • So he tries his speech, and what happens?
  • 00:14:20.022 --> 00:14:23.025
  • Grace cuts him off.
  • 00:14:23.025 --> 00:14:26.161
  • What does the father do?
  • 00:14:26.161 --> 00:14:27.529
  • You see it right away.
  • 00:14:27.529 --> 00:14:28.864
  • He got two sentences out, and what does the father do?
  • 00:14:28.864 --> 00:14:32.935
  • "the father said to his slaves, 'quickly bring out the best robe
  • 00:14:32.935 --> 00:14:38.807
  • And put it on him.'"
  • 00:14:38.807 --> 00:14:41.076
  • He didn't say, "how sorry are you?
  • 00:14:41.076 --> 00:14:43.011
  • Let me count your tears.
  • 00:14:43.011 --> 00:14:45.213
  • Are you feeling bad enough?"
  • 00:14:45.213 --> 00:14:48.183
  • Well, we get this question on the radio program all the time.
  • 00:14:48.183 --> 00:14:52.321
  • People call in, "i'm not sure i was sorry enough.
  • 00:14:52.321 --> 00:14:57.693
  • At the time, i mean, i did bring it up, but i'm not sure i felt
  • 00:14:57.693 --> 00:15:03.966
  • Enough remorse over it.
  • 00:15:03.966 --> 00:15:06.702
  • I mean, i talked to god about it.
  • 00:15:06.702 --> 00:15:08.236
  • I know i did.
  • 00:15:08.236 --> 00:15:09.571
  • I remember.
  • 00:15:09.571 --> 00:15:10.906
  • And, you know, in some case, maybe i even came forward in
  • 00:15:10.906 --> 00:15:12.708
  • That church service.
  • 00:15:12.708 --> 00:15:14.142
  • But, you know, i just--every night, i lay my head on the
  • 00:15:14.142 --> 00:15:17.879
  • Pillow, and i think, 'did i really mean it?
  • 00:15:17.879 --> 00:15:20.549
  • Did i really mean to repent?
  • 00:15:20.549 --> 00:15:22.250
  • Was i really sorry?
  • 00:15:22.250 --> 00:15:24.219
  • Was i sorry enough?
  • 00:15:24.219 --> 00:15:26.755
  • Were there enough tears?
  • 00:15:26.755 --> 00:15:28.357
  • Was there enough guilt?
  • 00:15:28.357 --> 00:15:30.125
  • Was there enough remorse?'"
  • 00:15:30.125 --> 00:15:32.728
  • Look at the father's perspective on that.
  • 00:15:32.728 --> 00:15:36.098
  • "quickly, i've heard your two sentences.
  • 00:15:36.098 --> 00:15:39.835
  • I tried to stop you from those.
  • 00:15:39.835 --> 00:15:42.537
  • Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a
  • 00:15:42.537 --> 00:15:48.076
  • Ring on his hand and sandals on his feet."
  • 00:15:48.076 --> 00:15:51.747
  • So what are we seeing from the father?
  • 00:15:51.747 --> 00:15:54.082
  • Look, no lecture, just hugs, robes, rings, and steak.
  • 00:15:54.082 --> 00:16:03.358
  • What?
  • 00:16:03.358 --> 00:16:05.460
  • This is flipping the script.
  • 00:16:05.460 --> 00:16:08.597
  • This is the kingdom upside down.
  • 00:16:08.597 --> 00:16:11.433
  • This is justice misunderstood.
  • 00:16:11.433 --> 00:16:14.236
  • This is jesus in the justice.
  • 00:16:14.236 --> 00:16:17.539
  • Wow.
  • 00:16:17.539 --> 00:16:19.541
  • And so he goes on, "bring the fattened calf," that's the
  • 00:16:19.541 --> 00:16:22.744
  • Steak, "kill it, and let us eat and celebrate."
  • 00:16:22.744 --> 00:16:25.814
  • Why?
  • 00:16:25.814 --> 00:16:27.149
  • "for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again."
  • 00:16:27.149 --> 00:16:30.452
  • Now, was he really dead?
  • 00:16:30.452 --> 00:16:32.020
  • We'll talk about that.
  • 00:16:32.020 --> 00:16:33.355
  • "'he was lost and has been found.'
  • 00:16:33.355 --> 00:16:35.123
  • And they began to celebrate."
  • 00:16:35.123 --> 00:16:36.925
  • So i began to look at this phrase "dead and come to
  • 00:16:36.925 --> 00:16:39.594
  • Life again."
  • 00:16:39.594 --> 00:16:40.962
  • I thought, "oh no, you know what legalists are gonna do with
  • 00:16:40.962 --> 00:16:42.898
  • This one.
  • 00:16:42.898 --> 00:16:44.232
  • They're gonna take it and say, 'we lost our salvation.'"
  • 00:16:44.232 --> 00:16:46.435
  • But sure enough, you do just five minutes of googling--you
  • 00:16:46.435 --> 00:16:50.405
  • Can google--and you'll find that "dead and come back to
  • 00:16:50.405 --> 00:16:54.042
  • Life" is a jewish expression.
  • 00:16:54.042 --> 00:16:56.044
  • It's in jewish literature, and it refers to this idea of
  • 00:16:56.044 --> 00:16:59.214
  • "he's out there.
  • 00:16:59.214 --> 00:17:00.549
  • He's gone. he's dead to me.
  • 00:17:00.549 --> 00:17:01.950
  • He's out there, doing his own thing, and now he's returned.
  • 00:17:01.950 --> 00:17:04.686
  • Oh, he's come back to life." do i really believe he was dead?
  • 00:17:04.686 --> 00:17:07.089
  • No, he was in the pigsty, alive just fine, but miserable
  • 00:17:07.089 --> 00:17:10.892
  • And gone.
  • 00:17:10.892 --> 00:17:12.928
  • And now he's back. and so this is about rescue.
  • 00:17:12.928 --> 00:17:18.166
  • Not loss of salvation, rescue.
  • 00:17:18.166 --> 00:17:23.004
  • From rock bottom to full-blown party mode.
  • 00:17:23.004 --> 00:17:28.944
  • Now let's finish this up.
  • 00:17:28.944 --> 00:17:30.278
  • "now his older brother was in the field, and when he came and
  • 00:17:30.278 --> 00:17:33.148
  • Approached the house, he heard music and dancing."
  • 00:17:33.148 --> 00:17:36.384
  • How do you think he's gonna react?
  • 00:17:36.384 --> 00:17:38.687
  • "music and dancing in father's house?
  • 00:17:38.687 --> 00:17:41.356
  • We can't have that!"
  • 00:17:41.356 --> 00:17:44.259
  • And so we see that party music bothers religious ears.
  • 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:50.699
  • "and he summoned one of the servants," this is the
  • 00:17:50.699 --> 00:17:52.901
  • Older brother.
  • 00:17:52.901 --> 00:17:54.236
  • "he summoned one of the--'psst, hey, come over here.
  • 00:17:54.236 --> 00:17:56.138
  • Tell me, what's going on?'"
  • 00:17:56.138 --> 00:17:57.506
  • He inquired, "what are these things?
  • 00:17:57.506 --> 00:17:59.374
  • What could this be?"
  • 00:17:59.374 --> 00:18:01.209
  • And the servant explains--he says to the older brother, "hey,
  • 00:18:01.209 --> 00:18:05.213
  • You know your younger brother?
  • 00:18:05.213 --> 00:18:06.548
  • Well, he's come home, and your father has killed the best calf,
  • 00:18:06.548 --> 00:18:11.520
  • The fattened calf, because he's received him back safe
  • 00:18:11.520 --> 00:18:15.924
  • And sound."
  • 00:18:15.924 --> 00:18:17.492
  • Now, you can imagine how this goes.
  • 00:18:17.492 --> 00:18:19.628
  • "but the older brother became angry and was not willing
  • 00:18:19.628 --> 00:18:23.965
  • To party.
  • 00:18:23.965 --> 00:18:25.367
  • He was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began
  • 00:18:25.367 --> 00:18:29.838
  • Pleading with him."
  • 00:18:29.838 --> 00:18:32.007
  • Legalism hates it when grace throws a party.
  • 00:18:32.007 --> 00:18:37.712
  • It doesn't compute.
  • 00:18:37.712 --> 00:18:39.381
  • The math doesn't add up.
  • 00:18:39.381 --> 00:18:41.216
  • And in a minute, you'll see a man giving his resume to dad.
  • 00:18:41.216 --> 00:18:44.953
  • "oh, dad, no, no, i've been behaving the whole time.
  • 00:18:44.953 --> 00:18:48.857
  • Look at my history.
  • 00:18:48.857 --> 00:18:50.225
  • Look at my track--where's my party?
  • 00:18:50.225 --> 00:18:56.131
  • That's my party, and i'll cry if i want to."
  • 00:18:56.131 --> 00:19:00.468
  • That was free.
  • 00:19:00.468 --> 00:19:02.904
  • Do you see the jealousy, the envy?
  • 00:19:02.904 --> 00:19:08.343
  • "but he answered and said to him--said to his father, 'look!
  • 00:19:08.343 --> 00:19:11.813
  • For so many years--look at my resume.
  • 00:19:11.813 --> 00:19:14.349
  • I've been serving you and i have never neglected a command of
  • 00:19:14.349 --> 00:19:17.986
  • Yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat.
  • 00:19:17.986 --> 00:19:22.657
  • Here you are with a cow, and you haven't even given me a goat.
  • 00:19:22.657 --> 00:19:26.394
  • Now, am i so baaad so that i might celebrate
  • 00:19:26.394 --> 00:19:31.566
  • With my friends?'"
  • 00:19:31.566 --> 00:19:33.501
  • You see that?
  • 00:19:33.501 --> 00:19:34.936
  • Jealousy, envy, legalism, scorekeeping.
  • 00:19:34.936 --> 00:19:39.307
  • The older brother--so i got a question for you, friends.
  • 00:19:39.307 --> 00:19:43.545
  • Here's my question: do you suffer from obs, older
  • 00:19:43.545 --> 00:19:49.050
  • Brother syndrome?
  • 00:19:49.050 --> 00:19:50.952
  • You know, where the resume's in hand and the bitterness is in
  • 00:19:50.952 --> 00:19:56.691
  • Your head.
  • 00:19:56.691 --> 00:19:58.193
  • That it's about fairness, it's about justice.
  • 00:19:58.193 --> 00:20:03.632
  • Or is it about god's grace, where everything is free, off
  • 00:20:03.632 --> 00:20:07.836
  • The charts?
  • 00:20:07.836 --> 00:20:09.170
  • How will he not freely give us all things?
  • 00:20:09.170 --> 00:20:13.475
  • The fellowship is free.
  • 00:20:13.475 --> 00:20:15.210
  • The righteousness is free.
  • 00:20:15.210 --> 00:20:17.746
  • Everything is free because you're a child of god, not
  • 00:20:17.746 --> 00:20:22.050
  • Because you're a performer.
  • 00:20:22.050 --> 00:20:24.786
  • It's righteousness, not resume.
  • 00:20:24.786 --> 00:20:29.357
  • "but when this son of yours came."
  • 00:20:29.357 --> 00:20:32.560
  • Notice the phrase "this son of yours"?
  • 00:20:32.560 --> 00:20:35.130
  • The brother's speaking here.
  • 00:20:35.130 --> 00:20:36.898
  • He doesn't say, "when my dear brother."
  • 00:20:36.898 --> 00:20:39.801
  • He says, "when this son of yours, who has devoured your
  • 00:20:39.801 --> 00:20:44.306
  • Wealth with prostitutes," there it is, "you killed the fattened
  • 00:20:44.306 --> 00:20:49.444
  • Calf for him."
  • 00:20:49.444 --> 00:20:50.945
  • So now he's using strong language.
  • 00:20:50.945 --> 00:20:52.981
  • "this son of yours devoured all the money and was with
  • 00:20:52.981 --> 00:20:59.254
  • Prostitutes, and you're throwing him a welcome-home party?
  • 00:20:59.254 --> 00:21:04.259
  • What's with you?"
  • 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:06.594
  • Jealousy, envy, scorekeeping, legalism, justice,
  • 00:21:06.594 --> 00:21:10.765
  • Without jesus.
  • 00:21:10.765 --> 00:21:13.435
  • And so he hurls the insults, "this son of yours," and
  • 00:21:13.435 --> 00:21:18.106
  • Then "prostitution."
  • 00:21:18.106 --> 00:21:19.441
  • You saw it. it's in print.
  • 00:21:19.441 --> 00:21:20.775
  • It's right before you.
  • 00:21:20.775 --> 00:21:22.110
  • I hate to bring it up, but it's in there.
  • 00:21:22.110 --> 00:21:24.913
  • It's still not enough to exhaust god's grace.
  • 00:21:24.913 --> 00:21:29.751
  • It's not good.
  • 00:21:29.751 --> 00:21:31.319
  • It's not gonna work for you.
  • 00:21:31.319 --> 00:21:33.688
  • It's one of those thousands of things that's gonna bring
  • 00:21:33.688 --> 00:21:36.925
  • Discontent and anguish and all kinds of consequences--ripping
  • 00:21:36.925 --> 00:21:41.930
  • Apart your relationships, ruining your contentment--but
  • 00:21:41.930 --> 00:21:45.333
  • It's still not enough to exhaust god's grace.
  • 00:21:45.333 --> 00:21:49.137
  • And if you don't believe that, folks, what are we doing here?
  • 00:21:49.137 --> 00:21:53.441
  • What are we even doing here?
  • 00:21:53.441 --> 00:21:55.577
  • If it's all those sins over there except for this one,
  • 00:21:55.577 --> 00:22:00.582
  • Except for mine, except for yours, then what are we
  • 00:22:00.582 --> 00:22:03.818
  • Doing here?
  • 00:22:03.818 --> 00:22:05.186
  • Did the cross work, or did the cross work?
  • 00:22:05.186 --> 00:22:09.157
  • "and so he said to him, 'son, you have been with me always,
  • 00:22:09.157 --> 00:22:14.429
  • And all that i have is yours.
  • 00:22:14.429 --> 00:22:19.267
  • You've been with me this whole time.
  • 00:22:19.267 --> 00:22:21.536
  • You've always had me, you just missed it.'"
  • 00:22:21.536 --> 00:22:24.239
  • Sound familiar?
  • 00:22:24.239 --> 00:22:25.573
  • Isn't that what "the grace message" is, the finished work
  • 00:22:25.573 --> 00:22:28.343
  • Of christ, the thing that we wanna emphasize all the time?
  • 00:22:28.343 --> 00:22:31.946
  • You're blessed with every spiritual blessing.
  • 00:22:31.946 --> 00:22:34.315
  • You're complete in christ.
  • 00:22:34.315 --> 00:22:36.084
  • He loves you.
  • 00:22:36.084 --> 00:22:37.452
  • He's forgiven you.
  • 00:22:37.452 --> 00:22:38.787
  • You're clean and close.
  • 00:22:38.787 --> 00:22:40.155
  • You don't have to get what you've already got.
  • 00:22:40.155 --> 00:22:42.023
  • Have you just missed it?
  • 00:22:42.023 --> 00:22:44.092
  • Have you just missed it?
  • 00:22:44.159 --> 00:22:46.528
  • "but we had to celebrate and rejoice," the father says, "for
  • 00:22:46.528 --> 00:22:50.165
  • This brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, he was
  • 00:22:50.165 --> 00:22:53.735
  • Lost and has been found."
  • 00:22:53.735 --> 00:22:56.538
  • Heaven throws confetti when grace wins.
  • 00:22:56.538 --> 00:23:01.142
  • And grace wins every day.
  • 00:23:01.142 --> 00:23:03.845
  • Speaking of celebrating and winning, let's have the lord's
  • 00:23:03.845 --> 00:23:07.849
  • Supper together.
  • 00:23:07.849 --> 00:23:09.417
  • We're gonna take just three minutes for each and celebrate
  • 00:23:09.417 --> 00:23:13.621
  • What it means to us.
  • 00:23:13.621 --> 00:23:14.989
  • We're gonna give, of course, our campus in west texas a moment to
  • 00:23:14.989 --> 00:23:19.260
  • Pass out the bread.
  • 00:23:19.260 --> 00:23:21.129
  • And if you're at home, maybe you're in one of our home
  • 00:23:21.129 --> 00:23:23.498
  • Churches, you're starting to see maybe there's a little party
  • 00:23:23.498 --> 00:23:27.302
  • To celebrate.
  • 00:23:27.302 --> 00:23:28.636
  • You grab your wonderbread or your gluten-free bread.
  • 00:23:28.636 --> 00:23:31.940
  • Whatever bread you got, if you wanna be a part of it this
  • 00:23:31.940 --> 00:23:34.542
  • Morning, we welcome you, and you can celebrate the lord's supper
  • 00:23:34.542 --> 00:23:38.813
  • Anywhere on the planet.
  • 00:23:38.813 --> 00:23:41.916
  • And we're not gonna make it a long ordeal, but we are going to
  • 00:23:41.916 --> 00:23:45.587
  • Make it a beautiful celebration.
  • 00:23:45.587 --> 00:23:48.523
  • Jesus, the bread of life.
  • 00:23:48.523 --> 00:23:52.460
  • Jesus, his body broken for us.
  • 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:58.766
  • Jesus, the one who tore down the barrier wall and brought jews
  • 00:23:58.766 --> 00:24:05.006
  • And gentiles together.
  • 00:24:05.006 --> 00:24:06.875
  • Jesus, the bread, the bread.
  • 00:24:06.875 --> 00:24:11.279
  • The prodigal son, he was drawn to the bread, the fulfillment,
  • 00:24:11.279 --> 00:24:17.785
  • The joy, the life.
  • 00:24:17.785 --> 00:24:21.022
  • Not the guilt trip, the grace trip.
  • 00:24:21.022 --> 00:24:24.492
  • He was drawn to that.
  • 00:24:24.492 --> 00:24:26.961
  • So we celebrate jesus's body broken for us.
  • 00:24:26.961 --> 00:24:31.199
  • There is so much in this, not just forgiveness--we're getting
  • 00:24:31.199 --> 00:24:36.571
  • There--but life.
  • 00:24:36.571 --> 00:24:39.307
  • The gospel is forgiveness and life.
  • 00:24:39.307 --> 00:24:44.712
  • The gospel is like a coin with two sides to it, one side
  • 00:24:44.712 --> 00:24:49.951
  • Saying, "your sins are gone, remembered no more."
  • 00:24:49.951 --> 00:24:52.554
  • The other side saying, "you have eternal life, unbreakable,
  • 00:24:52.554 --> 00:24:56.758
  • Unshakeable life."
  • 00:24:56.758 --> 00:24:59.127
  • Wow.
  • 00:24:59.127 --> 00:25:01.296
  • So let's take together and let's eat this bread in honor of jesus
  • 00:25:01.296 --> 00:25:06.701
  • Christ, our life.
  • 00:25:06.701 --> 00:25:13.841
  • Second, i want to draw your attention to the color of this
  • 00:25:13.841 --> 00:25:20.114
  • Liquid in my hand: red, the fruit of the vine.
  • 00:25:20.114 --> 00:25:24.419
  • Red on purpose to remind us of blood.
  • 00:25:24.419 --> 00:25:27.522
  • Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness.
  • 00:25:27.522 --> 00:25:31.459
  • Forgiveness comes by blood, not apologies.
  • 00:25:31.459 --> 00:25:34.829
  • Forgiveness comes by grace, not groveling.
  • 00:25:34.829 --> 00:25:38.933
  • Forgiveness comes by the finished work of christ,
  • 00:25:38.933 --> 00:25:42.170
  • Not speeches.
  • 00:25:42.170 --> 00:25:45.039
  • Forgiveness comes through what jesus has already done, not what
  • 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:49.277
  • He's doing.
  • 00:25:49.277 --> 00:25:51.212
  • "if you are in christ, it is finished," he says.
  • 00:25:51.212 --> 00:25:54.582
  • If you are in christ, you are a totally forgiven person.
  • 00:25:54.582 --> 00:25:58.186
  • Nothing new is happening right now.
  • 00:25:58.186 --> 00:26:00.221
  • He died 2,000 years ago.
  • 00:26:00.221 --> 00:26:02.490
  • This is a celebration of what's already been done.
  • 00:26:02.490 --> 00:26:06.694
  • Bring the fatted calf.
  • 00:26:06.694 --> 00:26:09.597
  • Bring out the robes.
  • 00:26:09.597 --> 00:26:12.367
  • Let's celebrate the grace of god as we drink and toast to the
  • 00:26:12.367 --> 00:26:17.972
  • Greatest accomplishment in our human history: the finished work
  • 00:26:17.972 --> 00:26:22.243
  • Of the cross.
  • 00:26:22.243 --> 00:26:23.611
  • Dr. farley: i hope you enjoyed today's broadcast.
  • 00:26:24.979 --> 00:26:27.548
  • Does christianity ever feel like a prison to you, like you're
  • 00:26:27.548 --> 00:26:30.818
  • Bound up by all the rule-keeping and performance-based religion?
  • 00:26:30.818 --> 00:26:35.590
  • Jesus doesn't want that for you and me.
  • 00:26:35.590 --> 00:26:38.126
  • He died and rose from the dead to give us much more than a
  • 00:26:38.126 --> 00:26:41.596
  • Lifeless religion.
  • 00:26:41.596 --> 00:26:43.064
  • It's not about self-improvement or inching closer to god.
  • 00:26:43.064 --> 00:26:47.301
  • It's actually about celebrating what jesus already did.
  • 00:26:47.301 --> 00:26:51.472
  • Imagine if you were celebrating the finished work of christ
  • 00:26:51.472 --> 00:26:55.810
  • Every day, all day long.
  • 00:26:55.810 --> 00:26:57.812
  • That's god's goal with us.
  • 00:26:57.812 --> 00:26:59.847
  • That's why i'm excited about our new resource.
  • 00:26:59.847 --> 00:27:02.150
  • It's called "the grace escape."
  • 00:27:02.150 --> 00:27:03.918
  • It's about breaking out of the prison of performance
  • 00:27:03.918 --> 00:27:07.288
  • Christianity and discovering the genuine article, the real thing,
  • 00:27:07.288 --> 00:27:11.993
  • Where we're fixing our eyes on jesus and enjoying him.
  • 00:27:11.993 --> 00:27:15.830
  • Make sure to request your copy of "the grace escape" when you
  • 00:27:15.830 --> 00:27:19.534
  • Give your gift to "the grace message" this month.
  • 00:27:19.534 --> 00:27:22.203
  • And thank you so much for your support.
  • 00:27:22.203 --> 00:27:25.006
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:25.006 --> 00:27:25.006