Clearbranch UMC
ClearBranch is a United Methodist Church serving the Trussville/Argo area of northeast Jefferson County, Alabama.
Our Mission is
to ENGAGE people through relational ministry,
to EQUIP disciples for Christ, and
to EMPLOY their gifts through missions.
The Vision of Clearbranch UMC is Transformed Lives offering the Transforming Love of Christ
Series: Becoming Fully Human
Sermon Title: Envy-tations Everywhere
Key Verse: Luke 15:32 (CEB)
32 But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found.’”
Main Scripture: Luke 15:25-32 (CEB)
25 “Now his older son was in the field. Coming in from the field, he approached the house and heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. 27 The servant replied, ‘Your brother has arrived, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he received his son back safe and sound.’ 28 Then the older son was furious and didn’t want to enter in, but his father came out and begged him. 29 He answered his father, ‘Look, I’ve served you all these years, and I never disobeyed your instruction. Yet you’ve never given me as much as a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours returned, after gobbling up your estate on prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ 31 Then his father said, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found.’”
The Key: Trading microscopes for telescopes
Invitation verses ENVY-TATION
Luke 15:27-28 (CEB)
Luke 15:27-28 (CEB)
27 The servant replied, ‘Your brother has arrived, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he received his son back safe and sound.’ 28 Then the older son was furious and didn’t want to enter in, but his father came out and begged him.
You gave him the fattened calf -
You've never given me a young goat.
"The younger son returned home" -
The older son "refused to enter"
Unrighteousness verses SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS
Luke 15:29-30 (CEB)
Luke 15:29-30 (CEB)
29 He answered his father, ‘Look, I’ve served you all these years, and I never disobeyed your instruction. Yet you’ve never given me as much as a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours returned, after gobbling up your estate on prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’
He left -
I've served.
He Gobbled up your estate on prostitutes -
I've never disobeyed.
Self-righteousness is just as much a sin
as unrighteousness and may be more dangerous.
Focus on the FATHER’S PRESENCE over the FATHER’S BUSINESS
Luke 15:25-26 (CEB)
Luke 15:31-32 (CEB)
Luke 15:25-26 (CEB)
25 “Now his older son was in the field. Coming in from the field, he approached the house and heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what was going on.
Luke 15:31-32 (CEB)
31 Then his father said, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found.’”
Are you using a microscope or telescope?
Challenge questions:
How will you celebrate the blessings of others this week?
How will you show gratitude to God this week?
How will you focus on the Father's presence this week?
Worship Set:
Songs for Sunday;
May the People Praise You - Keith & Kristyn Getty;
Blessed Assurance (My King is Coming) - Matthew West;
Great I Am - New Life Worship;
I Want to Know You - City Alight;
O Come to the Altar - Elevation Worship