Confidence in the Gospel // Gospel X - Multiplying the MessageSample

For the last two days, we have looked at the younger son. Today, we look at the older son.

Maybe you grew up in a Christian family and never really went astray. Maybe you cannot tell any conversion story about how your life was before you met Jesus. Maybe you feel you cannot share the gospel very well because you never experienced the difference.

Let’s look at the older son. He always stayed in the house of his father and worked dutifully. When his younger brother returns after having received his heritage, his father welcomes him back and even throws a party for him. The older son is hurt. He is jealous and feels being treated badly. But the father explains to him that there is no need for that. He owns everything the father owns and is allowed to use and enjoy everything. So, the gospel is also for him, the older son. The Good News for him is that he can experience the blessings of being with his father, in his fathers' house. He does not even have to ask for it, but he can take it. He is a co-owner.

What does this mean for those of you who grew up being Christian? Have you experienced your life with God, your Heavenly Father, as being a worker? Have you focused on the rules and commandments to live a good life? What are your priorities? Or are you already living in the reality that everything that belongs to God, your Heavenly Father, also belongs to you and is available to you? Are you enjoying the blessings of being a part of God's family? Are you claiming the gifts that are available to you in the Father's house?

Have you realized that it is a gift if you grew up in a Christian family?
There might not be an extraordinary conversion story, but there is also a gift and blessing if you start to learn about Jesus and your Heavenly Father from a young age onward. You might not have experienced a lot of the challenges other people have. Embrace your story and find the Good News in it. Make it personal and you will naturally want to share it with others.