This Weekend

1973's biggest selling single was Tony Orlando and Dawn's Tie a Yellow Ribbon 'Round the Ol' Oak Tree. Reportedly based on a true story, it chronicled a husband's release from prison. He wrote to his wife telling her of his return, and ackowledging that he had no reason to expect her to wait on him. He simply asked that, if she wanted him to come home, she tie a yellow ribbon around the oak tree in the city square. When the bus drove into town, sure enough, there was that ribbon right where he hoped.

On Father's day we talked about how the lost son believed he would never again be a son; he saw himself as beyond redemption--disposable. The Father saw him differently. By calling for the family ring, the robe, the sandals and the celebration, the father illustrated the same truth about his son that God the Father had spoken about his Son at Christ's baptism: This is my son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.

This Sunday we take up the other half of the story--the older brother. We'll talk about having a heart for the lost. Anyone can say they have a heart for the lost, but what does that really mean? We'll also talk about our church's vision for the future, and about regrouping--about how messy and inconvenient evangelism can be--and about how lost we would be if someone else hadn't been willing to take that risk on our behalf.

When prodigals show up at our churches, will they find yellow ribbons or Keep Out signs?