Prodigal Son Distorted by FB Pastor

[canam]

Originally Posted by Socialite

The story of the Lost Son, which many have long regarded as a story about the father's prodigal love, was told as a subtle rebuke to Pharisees who listened. But recently one pastor on FB decided it was more about "rules" than anything else.




I'm not sure where said pastor got this from, and it completely disregards the entire context of the Story. The rule-abiding Pharisees were being rebuked (they were the rule-abiding elder brothers in the story), but somehow the parable is about how valuable rules are? Really?

The Story of the lost son is about a God who loves recklessly and even shamefully. I wrote about this recently (http://apostolicfriendsforum.com/sho...56&postcount=6).

It's amazing to me that such a beautiful story can be twisted in such a way as to make people believe it was about 'rules.' The fact is, we are all that prodigal who rebelled against God. What our exact motivations were are no mystery: selfishness, trusting our way better than God's way. The prodigal didn't come back to make right with God. He came back because it was economically feasible for him. However, before he could get out his scheming, the father was running for Him, throwing himself on him, and ordering up a party. This is Grace.

Saw that on FB,i didnt take it as preaching just a good thought ,PS i dont think he has a lot of rules,so called, his people look like apostolics IMO,kind of a moderate, i like him.

[pelathais]

Originally Posted by CC1

The amazing thing to me is when preachers take biblical texts out of context or twist them into "saying" things they clearly do not see but still get tons of amens and high fives from the congregations listening to the travesty.

It's really more about "feeling" than thinking. Do you "feel" like the pastor? Can he scowl and make you angry? Can he laugh and make you laugh? Just ride the roller coaster and don't ask about the condition of the equipment!

I was often reminded of that annoying Peter Frampton song from the 1970s - "Do ... You ... Feel Like I Do?"

And then the really annoying part, "Do you feeeel...?!? Do you feeeeeeel... ?!?" It was almost a relief when it went back to the "Do ... You ... Feel Like I Do?"

All too many OP sermons end up the same way.

[canam]

Originally Posted by Cindy

Was it a blog or on his wall?

Just a quote type post on wall

[Pastor Keith]

The pastor referenced in this thread is good guy, who is thriving in the UPCI culture. So go easy on him, I got to see him at Landmark, when I was a Youth Pastor back in the early 90's he stayed with me. He has paid his dues and has planted and grown a church.

[Baron1710]

Originally Posted by Pastor Keith

The pastor referenced in this thread is good guy, who is thriving in the UPCI culture. So go easy on him, I got to see him at Landmark, when I was a Youth Pastor back in the early 90's he stayed with me. He has paid his dues and has planted and grown a church.

PK,

Seriously? He gets a pass on distorting the Gospel because he is a good guy?

I guess if Ahmadinejad stays at my house and I declare him a good guy we will just overlook his desires to wipe Israel off the map.

[coadie]

Originally Posted by Socialite

The story of the Lost Son, which many have long regarded as a story about the father's prodigal love, was told as a subtle rebuke to Pharisees who listened. But recently one pastor on FB decided it was more about "rules" than anything else.




I'm not sure where said pastor got this from, and it completely disregards the entire context of the Story. The rule-abiding Pharisees were being rebuked (they were the rule-abiding elder brothers in the story), but somehow the parable is about how valuable rules are? Really?

The Story of the lost son is about a God who loves recklessly and even shamefully. I wrote about this recently (http://apostolicfriendsforum.com/sho...56&postcount=6).

It's amazing to me that such a beautiful story can be twisted in such a way as to make people believe it was about 'rules.' The fact is, we are all that prodigal who rebelled against God. What our exact motivations were are no mystery: selfishness, trusting our way better than God's way. The prodigal didn't come back to make right with God. He came back because it was economically feasible for him. However, before he could get out his scheming, the father was running for Him, throwing himself on him, and ordering up a party. This is Grace.

It is interesting that some people can't see the story has many points in it. Not just one. I have heard a lot of different sermons on that passage.
I don't think God blesses threads which attack his called servants.

Yes a clear mind sees the story does indeed begin with rebellion. With any good sermon, it would be easy to find 10 Pentecostals to play fruit inspector and try to shred it.

[coadie]

Originally Posted by Pastor Keith

The pastor referenced in this thread is good guy, who is thriving in the UPCI culture. So go easy on him, I got to see him at Landmark, when I was a Youth Pastor back in the early 90's he stayed with me. He has paid his dues and has planted and grown a church.

I wonder how many critics all loaded with drama have planted and grown a church? It looks like Pentecostals have folks acting like football fans and are critics from the sidelines.

[coadie]

Originally Posted by canam

Saw that on FB,i didnt take it as preaching just a good thought ,PS i dont think he has a lot of rules,so called, his people look like apostolics IMO,kind of a moderate, i like him.

If i applied carnal intro spection questions and asked a pastor after a sermon to rate his sermon from best to worst, it could be one of his worst sermons that actually impacts a certain person to action.

Dance with the stars and Preach with the stars audience rating schemes

My unpopular comment tells me I see the heavy duty critics on this board remind me of the critical superior brother that never rebelled.

[crakjak]

Ultimately, the story establishes the fact that man will turn to God when his circumstances take him to the very bottom. Notwithstanding, that he acted in self-interest, he submitted to his Father.

And his brother was upset that his father had mercy on him, and still loved him, so it is also a message to all of us that are safe in the Father's house.

[Cindy]

So according to some he distorted scripture. Are we the thought police? We did not write the scripture, neither are we God. Who are we to say someone else's thoughts are wrong?