The Prodigal Son: Luke 15: 12-24 # 1
by Walton Marsh
Intro: This is a story about love. A father's love for his son. It is a story about rebellion. A son's rebellion from his father. It is a story about life's hard lessons and about life's greatest event.
Jesus told this story so you and I would understand God's motives.
I. A Fathers Love
A. Notice how much the father loved his son: One day this son he loved came to his father and asked for his portion of the estate. The father loved him so much that he went ahead and divided up his wealth and gave his younger son what would be his. This wasn't an obligation that the father had to do. It was an act of love.
1. God has given you a rich inheritance too: think about all you have today. Think about your abilities. Can you sing? Do you enjoy sports? Count them. How many blessings and gifts has God given you? Why did he give them to you? Because he loves you.
II. A Son's Rebellion
A. Prodigal = recklessly wasteful. The Bible describes this young man's lifestyle as riotous. In other words he was living as if there were no tomorrow. Spending his father's inheritance as if his father didn't exist.
1. Most here have been prodigal in our use of God's precious gift of life. Living as if there was no God. Spending the time God has given us in ways that could also be called riotous.
III. A Hard Lesson to Learn
A. Found himself in want. One thing I know for sure about sin. It will take you places you never thought you would go. This young man never dreamed he would end up a servant feeding the hogs.
B. He was about to die
1. "The wages of sin is death"
C. No man gave unto him
1. Things haven't chanced much in the last 2000 years. When you have money and are living high on the hog there are plenty of people who say they are your friends. As long as you are spending, partying and living like a prodigal the worldly crowd will help you spend it. But where are they when you're down and out? I'll tell you where they are they are not friends with some other sucker. Hey! There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother Jesus.
2. Couldn't' save himself: Just like every other lost sinner this young man thinks that if he works hard enough he will be able to save himself.
1. a. Hard work won't save you: He gets the only job he could find in hopes of making a success of his wasted life. Just like many Americans he thinks that if he could just get enough money he will be happy.
D. Came to his senses vs. 17: He realized he was out of his mind to seek a full meaningful life in the riotous lifestyle.
1. Coming to your senses involves being honest with yourself. This young man did something many of you have yet to do. He looked where he was without his father and compared it to where he could be with his father.
a. God wants you to have and abundant life. John 10:10 The thief cometh not.... but I have come that ye may have life.... have it more abundantly
2. It involves listening to God's convicting voice. When you hear God's word and it gets a grip on your heart the best thing is to surrender to his will.
A Great Gift Received (vs. 20)
E. Receiving began with his turning. Not so much his turning his face toward home as his turning his heart toward home. His plight began to change when he made up his mind to repent and ask his fathers forgiveness.
1. Repentance means to turn ones mind. (GK) Metanoia. When you repent of your sin to God you are turning your heart away from your way and toward His way. You are turning you heart away from sin and toward God.
His father was waiting. Imagine the scene. Each day his dad would look down the long road leading to their farm hoping that one day his son would return. Then one day he sees a figure limping toward the gate. Could it be him! YES.
He was overwhelmed with his fathers love. His father ran out to meet him, fell on his neck and kissed him. Ordered the feast to be prepared. WHY? Did this son deserve it? NO! Did he earn it? NO! I'll tell you why. BECAUSE HIS FATHER LOVED HIM!
GOD LOVES YOU! (John, 3:16)
Jesus didn't tell this parable so all children would better appreciate their parents. He told this parable so you would understand how God forgives and saves sinners. You can receive forgiveness today because God loves you and sent his son Jesus to die for your sins.
Invitation; Let your fathers love overwhelm you. PRAY!
