Dear Friends and Supporters,
Luke 15:24 – “For this son of mine was dead (spiritually lost) and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” So they began to celebrate.
The prodigal son and the lesson for us about the older brother
From the Seed May Programs 328 & 329 – Luke 15:11-32
In these programs from Luke Chapter 15, special emphasis was put on the responsibility of the older brother. The younger son had taken his inheritance, gone away, and wasted it on sinful living. In a prior program, I told that his inheritance would have been one-third of the family wealth. The older son would have one-third for himself and an additional one-third to hold for the good of the family, as a buffer for future needs.
When the younger brother finally came to himself, he came back and the father welcomed him home. Meanwhile, the older son was working in their field. As he walked toward home, outside the door, he heard music and dancing. A servant told him that his brother had come home. The older brother became angry. He told the father, “I have been ‘slaving’ for you for years. You have not even given me a young goat or a fatted calf for a party.” The father graciously and kindly tells the oldest son that they were always together. Everything the father had was for the older son. The “heart of the father” was rejoicing in the return of the prodigal son. The father wanted the oldest son to also be happy and rejoice.
Middle Eastern Christians welcoming new believers and welcoming back prodigals
As I recorded these lessons (Luke 15:11-32), I was very aware of the difficulties facing many of the Christians in the Middle East when “new believers” come to their congregations. This causes these Christians to be on alert and suspicious for fear of persecution and betrayal.
Another problem that often occurs in Christian congregations is welcoming back prodigal sons and daughters, who want to return after repenting from their sins. Pray God will touch the hearts of Christians so they will “joyfully” welcome these brothers and sisters into the Family of God.
On the air, I prayed:
“Heavenly Father, we thank You for what Jesus gave. We thank You for the compassion of the Father. Thank You for those in the church who have served You all these years. We welcome the new people into the church. You are building your kingdom. You welcome back sinners. You are full of compassion. Thank You.”
That is an example of an oblique teaching, telling the listener something he needs to know, but without forcing him into a corner with the testimony.
Several years ago, I had to occasionally talk with a man who used bad labels for people of every different race and people group, other than his own, of course! It was very disgusting to hear. I told him that I did not like to hear those words because “I have a brother who is… (of that race or ethnicity).”
Eventually, after this happened on two different occasions, he said to me, “You must come from a very different family. Your parents must have adopted children from many different countries.”
I answered, “Well, I am in the family of God and I have brothers and sisters in all those different nations and groups. So that is why I do not like to hear them called by such names.”
He meekly said he was sorry to have offended me and stopped using such derogatory terms around me and my colleagues.
I have used this example of “oblique teaching” when witnessing to Jews and Muslims of God’s love for different people and the broadness of His family. Often Jesus used this type of teaching in His parables, and they remain one of the richest ways to reach the hearts of people of all ethnic and religious backgrounds.
I’m thankful that God has opened the way for me to teach these parables on the radio because our listeners, many who are Muslim or Jewish, can better understand God’s teaching.
Always remember:
All of us on the Seed of Abraham Board give thanks for each of you for your faithful prayers and donations. May all believers rejoice in knowing they are preparing the way for the coming of the Lord (Isaiah 40)!
May the Lord abundantly bless you!
The Seed Board and Pat
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