The sermon explores Luke 15:25–32, focusing on the often-overlooked part of Jesus’ parable: the story of the older brother. Doug contrasts the rebellious younger son with the obedient but resentful older son, showing that both are lost in different ways. Through humor, honesty, and heartfelt teaching, we look at how easy it is for faithful believers to slip into “older brother syndrome” — doing the right things outwardly while harboring bitterness, comparison, or a sense of unfairness toward God and others.

The message dives deep into resentment as a joy thief, illustrating how holding grudges slowly drains life and grace from our hearts. It then moves into comparison, calling it a “foolproof recipe for misery,” and offers gratitude as the antidote; a way to step back into joy and celebrate God’s goodness. We are reminded that, like the older son, we can think we are following the rules and 'doing the right thing' in a way that causes us to still miss the Father's heart. 

The sermon closes with the Father’s loving invitation: to let go of resentment, embrace gratitude, and come home to joy. Jesus leaves the story unfinished — a “choose-your-own-ending” moment — because each of us must decide how our story will end. Will we stay outside the celebration, or will we enter the house, let grace soften our hearts, and join the party that is still going on?