Sunday, September 4th, 2022 • Mission Baptist Cincinnati
We started this Sundays' Service with congregational hymns followed by our Adult Choir singing. We enjoyed hearing a duet followed by a Special Lady singing a song to conclude the Special Music program. Pastor Rains then came to the pulpit to preach a sermon entitled “Lessons To Learn From An Elder Brother” from Luke 15:25-32. This is a last of a series of 3 parables that Jesus preached that emphasized his mission in coming down from heaven into this world, seeking and saving lost sinners. After his opening remarks pastor reads the text verses. He then thanks God in prayer for our church and for the things the Holy Spirit is doing within our church. Pastor prays that God will continue helping our church to grow and also prays for everyone who attends or watches MBC online. He prays for those who are considering trusting Christ will decide to commit to being saved soon. He prayed also for the elderly in our church who are ill. Pastor then reviews the last few Sunday messages, now he picks up today's message about the Prodigal Son's older brother to conclude the series from Luke 15 spoken of by Christ.
• ACTIVITY In The Field
Pastor begins with an important message that applies to faithful church members who work hard to further the outreach of church. Pastor explains how the elder brother, first of all, shows that he is loyal to his Father, working without question in the "field" as he should. Pastor points out this field represents the world that we are called to work in. This is a good thing BUT there is a problem that is quickly discovered. Although the older brother is ACTIVELY participating in doing the work assigned He has an...
• ATTITUDE In The Flesh
As we discovered last week, the younger son rebelled against his Father and demanded his inheritance and after receiving it, left the farm to the dismay of his loving Father. After finding out what the "far off country" was truly about, he realized he had made the worst mistake of his life. He had spent all the money and was left without food or a friend or anyone to help him. He rightfully decided to return to the family as a mere worker, imagining he had lost the right to be called a "son". When he returned, he was startled at the reception he experienced from his joyful Father who hugged and kissed him, put a robe of honor around him, put a ring on his finger and shoes for his swollen feet. All of this was happening while the elder son was busy working faithfully in the field. When the elder brother returned to the farm house, he saw and heard the celebration that was taking place. When he found out the why, his response was anger! His ATTITUDE was not pleasing to God. Instead of being glad to see his seemingly long, lost brother, he showed jealousy at the treatment his younger sibling was now experiencing. This is a clarion call to christians who are busy working for Christ but have issues with people who have strayed from the church and are amazed at family members, pastors and church members who welcome them back home. Pastor points out that this attitude was the same as the pharisees who took great pride in their positions of power and distain for regular folks who were somehow blessed for reasons they didn't approve of. They hated the people who loved and worshipped Jesus because of the kind mercy and grace he gave to them!
• FOCUS Must Be Adjusted
When we lose FOCUS from loving people who are not saved or those who are saved but have strayed to focusing only on the physical work of church building, we need a spiritual adjustment that can only come from Holy Spirit conviction! People who come back to church after even a long time away must be welcomed home without rebuke! Who are we to judge them when God has already dealt with their hearts and brought them back home? The Elder son should be forgiven as well, after all, this kind of believer did stay faithful to their calling. They just need God to refocus their true mission from God, loving sinners, knowing we have all gone astray and need God's mercy to bring us back to the "farm".