What is a Son to do? 
Luke 15: 11ff

Who has not read the story of the prodigal son?  But when was the last time you continued reading about the elder son?  I recently preached on his life in a revival service. It hit me hard as I pondered some things about his life and our SBC churches.

First, HIS AWESOME PRIVILEGE TO BE A RECONCILER!
	This boy had the cultural responsibility to reconcile his brother to his father.  This was part of the culture of that day, and yet, this son did not take his responsibility serious.  Does this remind anyone of our privilege to be reconcilers between brothers and the Father? How reading 2 Corinthians 5: 16-21?

Second, HIS AWESOME PRIVILEGE TO BE A REVEALER!
	This son had the family privilege of revealing the things that the Father loved.  No question the father loved the prodigal son, even when he was in the far country.  In contrast, look at this second son. He stayed home with the father. It looked like he was the model, obedient son. Yet, his heart was as far away from the father’s heart as the other son.  There he was in the father’s house and in a physical nearness to the father. Yet, the father loved the wayward son.  What about this brother?  Can he be a true son to the father and not love what the father loves? Can he really be a son near to the father and not have his heart break for that which breaks the father’s heart?  Can he be so callous to say that “I am in the father’s field”, and yet, the father is more content to stand in the street and look for the prodigal son?  What about you?  Are you in the field, but not in the street?  Does your heart beat for what the Father’s heart beats? How can you say, “I love the Father,” and not love what the Father loves, the wayward son?  

Maybe we need to get out of the field and into the street with the Father?  Have you had a broken heart lately over the things that break our Father’s heart? How long has it been? I am afraid that’s too long!

“Father forgive us, we don’t know what we are doing! Give us a heart like yours. Give us a passion that matches yours for reconciling your children to You. Amen!”