Inside the Whitewashed Tomb

We live in an age in which people increasingly insist they are owed something, presuming to deserve God’s common graces in everyday living. Churches are not exempt from such attitudes: some professing Christians behave as if God’s favor is their payback for service, church attendance, or an outwardly “good” life. Quid pro quo. Their painstaking attention to appearances and churchy activity hides a heart motivated by duty and self-image, not honor and gratitude toward God. Such hypocritical hearts are the primary audience for Jesus’ parable of the lost sons. The older brother’s bitter, self-centered response to his father’s joyful restoration of his younger brother reveals what is really going on in his proud mind. Despite all appearances, the older brother had no more love for his father than his prodigal sibling had when he coldly cashed out and left town! In this message, we’ll continue our study of Luke 15 with, “Inside the whitewashed tomb”.