Okay, wow! Just wow! Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New York, was simply riveting in his interpretation and application of the familiar story of the Prodigal Son. He pointed out that it was the bad boy who got saved at the end, while the good boy did not. Keller asked the question: what can we do about the dead older brothers filling our churches? He shared both diagnosis and prescription.Diagnosis – How do you know if you’re an older brother? Because an elder brother's salvation is in what he does not what Jesus did…
• Elder brothers get angry when things go wrong (it means God doesn't appreciate all their hard work.)
• Elder brothers can’t take criticism (their work is their salvation)
• Elder brothers pray petitionary prayers, not intimate prayers (they need to get things done, not enjoy God)
• Elder brothers loathe other people, especially lazy, sinful and doctrinally sloppy people (why isn't everyone a hard-working Martha like me?)
• Elder brothers can’t forgive (because they aren't experiencing/familiar with grace)
Prescription – A new level of repentance and a new level of renewal. A theology professor once shared, “The main thing separating you from God is not your sins, but your damnable good works.” Our works can get in the way of our experience of Gospel and grace.
Five Ways To Kill Deadness In Our Churches
• Work this grace into your own life. Why am I working so hard? For my worth or God’s glory?
• Move beyond biblical principles to Gospel grace in every preaching and teaching moment
• Teach these elder brother and grace principles to your elders
• Teach these things to your church
• Pray, pray, and pray!
Keller has caused me, once again, to realize how "elder brotherish" I often am. A strong challenge to repentance and renewal I must not ignore!
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