Tim Keller on the Prodigal Son

I've just finished working my way through Tim Keller's sermon series on the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32). It gave me fresh insights into this part of the Bible and especially challenged me in my thinking about repentance and forgiveness. I was convicted about my tendency to be like the older brother - which in itself gave me a bit to repent of! Here are the sermons, with some brief explanations:

He Welcomes Sinners - we're a community of sinners, saved by grace.

Give Me Mine - Looks at the implications of a Son demanding his inheritance in a New Testament context.

He Came to Himself - What true repentance looks like.

To Be Called Your Son - What Sonship meant in New Testament times in terms of inheritance and privileges - and what it means that Christians (men and women) are called 'sons' of God.

And Kissed Him - Looks at the example the father in this parable gives us of forgiveness - what forgiveness is, and how to forgive each other.

We Had to Celebrate - This focussed on the celebration at the end of the parable, and equated our longing for 'home' with our longings for heaven. I wasn't entirely sure I agree with Keller about everything in this talk, but its worth listening to still!

The True Older Brother - Asks whether we are like the older brother - characterised by joyless duty, rather than love for the Father.

Pic: Rembrandt's 'The Prodigal Son'