In the latest episode of Real Life Radio, Pastor Jack Hibbs continues his series on the parables of Jesus, focusing on the complex dynamics within the story of the prodigal son. This episode examines the reactions of the older brother, the extravagant love of the father, and the challenges that self-righteousness presents in accepting pure grace. By contrasting the parable’s characters, Pastor Hibbs invites us to reflect on our responses to God’s overwhelming love and forgiveness.
Didn’t Jesus say in John chapter 10, verses 28 and 29, you who believe in me, you’re in my Father’s hands, and you’re in my hands, and no one is able to snatch you out of our hands. Hallelujah.
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This is Real Life. Welcome to Real Life Radio with Pastor Jack Hibbs. I’m David Jay, thanking you for joining us today as we listen, learn, and are challenged by God’s Word, the Bible. Are you looking for some solid biblical teaching that speaks to the world today? At JackHibbs.com, you have access to Pastor Jack’s entire library of sermons on demand, anytime, anywhere. Whether you’re commuting, you’re at the gym, or you need a moment of encouragement, you can dive right into some powerful verse-by-verse teachings that make God’s Word really come alive. From deep dives into scripture to practical messages on everyday issues, Pastor Jack’s teachings help you understand the Bible in a way that’s clear, it’s relevant, and it’s easy to apply. You’re going to find sermons that address today’s toughest questions with biblical insight and hope in the midst of life’s challenges. Now, whether you’re new to the faith or you’ve been around for a long time, these messages are designed to meet you right where you’re at and inspire you to grow deeper in your walk with God. So don’t miss out. Visit jackhibbs.com. Why don’t you start exploring the sermon library today? You’re going to like it. That’s jackhibbs.com, where powerful teaching is always just a click away. On today’s edition of Real Life Radio, Pastor Jack continues now with his series called The Parables of Jesus and a message titled Parable of the Prodigal, and this is part three. Now, whenever Jesus spoke to crowds, he often spoke using some very relatable stories with common everyday themes. The Bible calls them parables. So in this parable, Jesus is teaching about radical love, restoration, and forgiveness. You see, as we learned in parts one and two, this parable is not only about the son, but about the brother, the father, and about God as well. The rejection of authority and wrong decisions that lead to an outcome we never want. But when we repent, God is there to love us and restore us. So today, Pastor Jack teaches that the older son in this parable was angry that his younger brother was restored, refusing to defend his father’s love and mercy towards his youngest. Now, with his message called Parable of the Prodigal, Part 3, here’s pastor and Bible teacher Jack Hibbs.
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Culturally, I told you before, it’s against all the rules. You cannot be an old man in the Middle East and run. It’s against the rules. A man’s glory was his robe. Still is today, by the way. His robe. You’re not to see anything, only the sandals that hold his feet. You can see his feet because his dignity is in his robe. You can’t run in a robe. The old man pulls up his robe. Kenneth Bailey, a Middle East scholar, lived in the Middle East for many years. He said you’d have to bring it up, you tie it in this certain kind of a knot that’s just above your knee. And then you could run. The old man is running. And look, he’s running what’s implied. By the way, it’s kind of cool. It’s not in my notes, but it’s in the memory. The old man, listen, to save his son’s life. Because according to custom, this son dishonored the family. in the culture. If he comes to the city limits, the villagers kill him for the father. You’ve heard of honor killings? So what does the father do? He’s scanning. Now do you see a little bit? He’s scanning, scanning, scanning, scanning. When’s that boy coming? When’s that boy coming? If I don’t run and get to him first. Those in the village with righteous indignation, it’s true, they’re justified, will kill my boy. I got to get there first. And he runs. Can you imagine this old man running? I should have brought a robe out tonight. He’s running. He’s running. An old man, undignified. Scandalous in a way. We’ll come to that in a moment. But he’s moving. Oh no, the old man’s flipped. What? He’s gone crazy. What’s happened? Someone’s hit him in the head. What’s going on? Did you see? What’s his face? He’s running. It’s unbelievable. What’s Jesus telling you tonight? God has been running after you your whole life. What’s wrong with you? He runs. This is extreme. His actions… are extreme. Remember, church, the Pharisees are listening to this. They’ve got to, I would give anything to see them as they are just standing there. Okay, we didn’t like you to start with. And now, Jesus, you’re nuts. Because these guys were legalistic maniacs. And they’re tracking kind of so far now. But when they hear of the Father, these guys are not dumb. They’re realizing Jesus is talking about God the Father. And he was running to this pig person. Jesus is flipped. The Pharisees have got to be boiling. By the way, don’t think that’s too far-fetched. Legalists hate God. The simple gospel. Legalists, religionists can’t stand what you believe in. They’ll say things like this. It’s just too simple. Oh, what would you have me to do? Well, jump through some hoops at least. It’s just too simple. Listen, it has to be simple. Why? Because what God has purchased cost everything. What do you add to everything? Look, I’m not gonna get in a debate about this. Just hear me out. Don’t email me about this. If you buy an IBM computer, you gotta block out a week to read the manual. I owned a Sony one time, VAIO, for about three months. I almost had a heart attack trying to get the thing to work. Look, I’m not picking a computer fight with you. I’m just telling you, There was a price. It was cheap. Affordable. Spent a week reading the manual. I had it for three weeks and I had to ship it back because it broke. All my life I’ve had Macs. Never once have I ever unwrapped a manual. You turn it on and the thing starts like, it’s like… Hi, what do you want to do? Press me right here. Yeah, okay, there you go. You want breakfast? What’s up? It’s like, wow! This thing’s crazy! It does everything! And you don’t even open the manual. Why? It’s very expensive. Very expensive. But it’s all done. Salvation. It’s very expensive. But it’s all done. But what do I do? Do I press this and then alt, command? What? What? Believe in him. Trust him. Watch what happens. It’s amazing. His shame. The father’s shame is limitless. The fourth action is that he falls on his son’s neck. This is actually out of control. To fall on his neck. Don’t you think that’s an odd term? He fell on his neck. Did the kids survive? That’s not what it means. He grabbed him. Death squeeze of love. He’s got him by the neck. What does this mean? I love it. You, son, are not going anywhere ever again from me. Didn’t Jesus say in John chapter 10, verses 28 and 29, you who believe in me, you’re in my Father’s hands, and you’re in my hands, and no one is able to snatch you out of our hands. Hallelujah. The man falls on his son’s neck. Next, his union with his son is scandalous. Why? See the word kissed? And he kissed him. This is his fifth action. He kisses his son. You say, well, that’s nice. Middle Easterns, they kiss like that. Yes, they do. They sure do. This is not the word for that kind of kiss. This father, the word means he kissed his son’s neck. Ears, nose, eyes, mouth, chin, head, forehead, back of his head, behind his ears. He just his boy. What does that do to you? What do you think about that? Is this almost, is this kind of hard for you to handle? That Jesus is telling the world this is how the Father loves a sinner. And the only people bent out of shape are the legalistic guys. I mean, they’re over in the corner. They’re taking Prozac or whatever you’re supposed to take. They’re sucking their thumb. They’ve got aromatic lotions on their lips. They’re trying to cope with this moment. And Jesus is saying, isn’t the Father amazing? And every sinner in the house is going, this is fantastic. And every self-righteous individual’s saying, this is very undignified, or we don’t like it. This is blowing our minds. The next thing is, is sacrifice is extravagant. Verse 22, and the son said to him, father, I’ve sinned against you, or sinned against heaven, and in your sight, I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Verse 22 says, but the father said, don’t you love that? Father, I gotta tell you, hey, hey. Snaps his finger, gets attention of his servants. I mean, the kid’s talking. Don’t you think that maybe the father should just wait and hear the confession and make sure it’s for real? Listen, notice, the word repentance is not even in this parable, is it? It doesn’t have to be. Because the boy’s actions are, are repentful. The father already knows it. Hey, let’s get some burgers going here. Get the coals, get the fire, get, hey. But dad, don’t you want to hear this? I already know, I already know in your hearts. Does not the Bible tell us that God knows our thoughts before we think them? The sacrifice is extravagant. The dedicated calf is offered up. The trophy calf. This is not just calf, calf. This is not like your recreational calf. This is a calf dedicated. This was something special. And the father says, that’s the one we’re going to sacrifice. We’re going to have a barbecue. And then we’re going to end right here. The third thing is this. It’s verses 25 to 32, and it’ll be quick. It’s the prodigal son, number two. Now the older verse 25, the older son. was in the field. And as he came, he drew near. And we read it a moment ago. He heard the music. He saw the dancing. He said, what in the world is going on? What’s happening? And he’s told what’s going on. This is remarkable. The prodigal son, listen, this is very serious. You might love to hear about the prodigal father’s extravagant love for you. You might love to hear the prodigal son coming back home from the pigsty, repentful. But for us who are already believers, this is a dangerous moment right now. It’s the prodigal son number two. He’s the oldest one. Why? We first indicted the first son, some studies ago, that he wouldn’t submit to his father. Remember that? Well, guess what? Prodigal son number two is unwilling to submit to his father also. He doesn’t listen to a word his father’s saying. What’s going on here? He looks at his father’s face and instead of rejoicing with his dad over the son coming back, his brother, he’s indignant, he’s disgusted. What a shameful act. My bonehead brother goes off and squanders stuff and you look like you’re condoning it. You’ve just forgiven like that? They can’t, listen, the legalist can’t see. The father was glad and happy. He should have been. He wasn’t. Look, he was unwilling to make the right decision. He should have decided under his father’s roof, I will adhere to what blesses my dad. Do you live under someone’s roof? You abide by their rules, as long as they’re godly rules. It’s a sad day in America when a Nine-month-old grows up to be a nine-year-old that grows up to a 19-year-old and then tells mom and dad to get out. My dear friends, that is the definition of a lost culture.
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You’re listening to Real Life with Pastor Jack Hibbs. You know, to hear more episodes and maybe catch up in the series, just go to jackhibbs.com. That’s jackhibbs.com. And for now, let’s get back to our teaching. Once again, here’s Pastor Jack.
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This older son was unwilling to make the right decisions. He was unwilling to face the outcome. He was completely shocked by the results. Grace won the day, and this man’s about ready to vomit. And he was unwilling to repent. Here’s the amazing thing. The father lavishes love on both boys. The father pleads with both boys. The father’s example is… extravagant toward both. You know who’s the loser in the end of this parable? The son that never wandered away from home. His heart was never in it. He disdains his father. He even in a derogatory form says, this son of yours. He’s expecting things for himself. He’s based on works. He’s based on performance and self-righteousness. How come you didn’t give me a calf or a goat ever to party with my friends? You hear this? Do you hear this? A self-consumed life. Both these sons are prodigals. Only one got it and the other one didn’t. We end right here, verse 18. Just look back at verse 18. That younger boy, the younger son said, I will arise and go to my father and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, against God and you. And so he arose and came to his father. He arose and he came to his father. Do you hear the words of Jesus? Jesus, listen, is saying to us tonight, have you arisen and come to the father? We cannot do this message and end it without the opportunity for you to decide on Jesus tonight. It’d be remiss of me. Why would you not accept this offer of Jesus’s to arise and come to your Father? The only reason why you wouldn’t come is because you’re full of yourself. And don’t you see, don’t you know, you’ve become A kingdom unto yourself and you’re the tyrant. These Pharisees got it. In the parable, what became of the young son? Apparently he repented and he’s well with his father. What became of the second son, the legalist? If we follow Jesus’ parable all the way through, in the setting with the Pharisees present, what did the Pharisees wind up doing to the Father, to the Father who forgives and asks us to simply come to him? What did the Pharisees do? Listen, Peter tells us in the book of Acts that God the Father sent his Son, But you, by your wicked hands, beat and crucified to death the Son of Glory. If this parable was to be played out all the way, the second son would have beaten the father and the son to death in the name of religion, in the name of their belief. Father, tonight we pray, Lord, that in our lives we would make the right decision. And may that happen tonight as we are here now in closing. While heads are bowed and eyes are closed, I’m gonna ask you right now tonight, maybe the Holy Spirit has been plucking on the heartstrings of your soul tonight and you are have been spoken to, you’ve been convicted, maybe God has been reaching you tonight. Maybe God is saying to you tonight, I want you to make this decision. There may be a lot of people in here, I understand that. But some of you tonight are feeling as though you’re the only one in here tonight. And that’s by the work of God, and God is speaking to you tonight. While we play this song, I’m gonna ask you, if you would like to receive Jesus Christ tonight, We’re gonna have you just, you just come up right where you’re at and you come forward at the base of these stairs and I’ll lead you in a prayer tonight. But my dear friend, Jesus said you’re either for me or you’re against me. Jesus said that he has come into the world to save us. I’m asking you tonight to meet Jesus Christ. To have your sins forgiven and for you to be set free to live your life for him. Up until now, you’ve lived for you or for others. Tonight’s the night you begin living for Jesus. As we start this song tonight, you come forward. If your heart feels a little bit anxious and kind of in a blender right now, I rejoice. I thank God. That’s the Holy Spirit speaking to you. And I promise you this, three steps out of your chair and that feeling will leave. It’ll be gone. You’ll be free. Taste and see now that the Lord’s good. As we sing this song, as we worship the Lord, you come forward right now. Obviously tonight, it’s just us here. And what I’m about to do, I often think about because there’s a day coming when this is gonna happen. But I will not be the one doing this. It will be God himself. And in that moment, the Bible says in the book of Hebrews, there’ll be no decisions to be made. You cannot change your mind. You will have been set for eternity. In a moment, we’re gonna pray with these two that have come forward. But think of this right now. And God is the witness. And someday Jesus will be. All of you tonight who know, and it’s evident in your life, you know it’s true, you have no doubt, that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior. I’m gonna ask you to stand to your feet. Stand. If tonight you cannot stand in honesty, think about this. I’m a mere human being, little man. And in this moment of division, Jesus said, I’m coming back and I will separate one from the other, the believer from the non-believer, as it were, the sheep from the goats. And if tonight you’re sitting here now, still sitting, and you’re angry, why would you be angry? It’s your decision. Think of it. I’ll never be back here again, Pastor. I can’t stand. I’m just a human being. You can do anything you want to do. Jesus will someday divide and there will be no recourse and there will be no change. Thank God. Father, for… These that have come forward, Lord, tonight to accept your grace and to receive Jesus, the very words you articulated, eternal truth, but declared 2,000 years ago on earth for us to read in the Bible as they’ve come to you tonight. We as a church, Lord, agree again with them. And so pray this prayer. Let it fall from your lips. Dear Jesus, forgive me. I ask you to wash away my sins. I confess I’m not perfect. I’m not even good. But you are. And I come tonight to receive your offer. I need a new life. Jesus, I accept you. Having died on the cross for me and having been risen from the dead, I declare you my Lord and Savior. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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pastor and Bible teacher, Jack Hibbs, here on Real Life Radio with his message called Parable of the Prodigal, Part 3. Thanks for joining us today. You know, this message is part of Pastor Jack’s series called The Parables of Jesus. It’s a series that highlights the teachings of Jesus while he was ministering right here on this earth. And we’ll continue on the next edition of Real Life Radio.
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So as you heard from our broadcast, Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. And if you’d like to know what a commitment to Christ can mean in your life personally, we would love to help you out with that. Go to jackhibbs.com slash know God. That’s K-N-O-W God. And there you’ll be guided through what a commitment to Christ can mean in your life and the freedom that you’ll find in knowing God. Don’t miss out. That’s the know God tab at jackhibbs.com.
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everybody we want to introduce you to what we’re calling our summer bundle it’s two great books and you’re going to want to get them for the little ones in your life the first book is called prayers and promises for kids it’s a great resource to not only teach your children about the promises of god but how do we take those promises and pray them into our lives you’re going to find this a great resource to develop a prayer life with your child and then the book the redcoats are coming written by our own nancy sanders who attends our church it is a great great book it is featured by adventures in odyssey and the wonderful people that focus on the family prayers and promises for kids and the redcoats are coming they’re two children’s books that are very powerful get a copy of both these books as we bundle them for the month of july
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That’s The Redcoats Are Coming and Prayers and Promises for Kids. A couple of great books. Available as a bundle for a gift of any amount at jackhibbs.com. That’s jackhibbs.com.
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You know, one of the great things that plagues our culture today is people not really knowing why they exist at all. In our land, there’s a great loss or there’s a great absence of the Bible. And that’s unfortunate because God has a plan for your life. Friends, listen, God has placed you exactly where you’re at right now for a purpose. He’s not done with you. So you need to remember this, what God has started, he will complete. So Father, in Jesus’ name, we look forward to what you’re going to do with us today as we determine now to walk with you no matter what.
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This program is made possible by the generous contributions of you, our listeners. Visit us at jackhibbs.com. That’s jackhibbs.com. Until next time, Pastor Jack Hibbs and all of us here at Real Life Radio wish for you solid and steady growth in Christ and in His Word. We’ll see you next time here on Real Life Radio.
