Never Too Late To Turn Back

Text

Luke 15:11–24 NASB95

And He said, “A man had two sons. “The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. “And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. “Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. “So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. “And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! ‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.” ’ “So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.

Introduction

Considering the occasion of these three parables [vs. 1-2] : This is a timely reminder to us that no one is out of God’s reach. They’re one decision away from God erupting into celebration.

The Pharisees and scribes [religious elites] and serious complaints about Jesus “receiving” sinners and eating with them. They were too holy. . .and they wanted nothing to with anyone not keeping the law or the traditions

Jesus was one that reached out to those that were cast out and “touched the untouchable, loved the unlovely”

This is an encouragement for that person who thinks they’re too bad, I’ve sinned too much, I’ve fallen too many times or spurned too many opportunities. . .You are one decision away from turning back to God because. . .,

It’s Never Too Late, to Turn Back to God

The parable of the “Lost Son” teaches about God but it also teaches us about ourselves and how we ought to respond when we find oursleves at a distance from God.

#1. The Reality of Being Lost

To be “lost” is to be unaware of a location when you are trying to get somewhere.

It indicates that somewhere along the line you left the path and you are now in a strange location. Lit. you lose your way

The word also describes one to be in a state of perishing. Lit. dying

But the Good News is Jesus came to seek and save those that are lost! [Luke 19:10]

This son moved from a son to slave

From being fed to hunger

From love to disdain

He was lost!

This concept of becoming lost is real

Gal 1:6 “I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel;”

Luke 8:13-14 ““Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away. “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.”

Heb 3:12-13 “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” [This thing gives a flase impression]

Being lost does not always relate to being absent!

Even though I am lost or I get lost. . .It’s Never Too Late to turn Back to God

#2. The Reality of Sin’s Pleasure

He spent his inheritance on “loose/riotous living” - Things were going good.

Those things were a pull. Though it may be nice, enjoyable, exhilerating, It is deceptive.

A life away from the Father left him:

He had bread, he was welcomed, he was a son NOW,

He was Hungry, Downtrodden, as a ‘hired slave’

Gen 4:7 ““If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.””

Sin does not care WHAT you do together, as long as you are together

Lying, Pride, Covetousness, Slander/evil speaking, Fornication, Homose

Sin gives you empty promises. Quick fixes that will leave worse than before. BUT, It’s never too late to turn back to God

#3. The Reality of Father’s Grace

The father didn’t want him to go [evident in his response when he came back], but he let him go. . .he did face the consequences of that choice.

Jesus never begged people to follow Him Jn 6:66 “As a result of this many of His disciples withdrew and were not walking with Him anymore.” He turned to His disciples and said “do you want to go also?”

Where do we see the grace?

Luke 15:20 ““So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”

[I’m told by the historians that it was a shameful thing for an old man to run] - Yet. . . the Father bore the shame for him.

[I’m also told that what this son had done made it possible for Him to be rejected by the community when he returned (having lived aand spent his money with Gentiles)] - Yet. . . the father welcomed Him back with open arms.

The son says I am worth the least. . . but the father says bring out the best! Luke 15:21-22 ““And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight;

I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;”

He went back home thinking he’ll get the same treatment “make me as one of your hired men” (vs. 19).

Notice when he said “I have sinned against you and heaven” the father turned to his slaves Luke 15:22-23 “Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate;” - This is the only son whose condition is addressed!

#4. The Reality of Your Choice

He remembered what he had Luke 15:17 ““But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!”

He made a decision Luke 15:18 “‘I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight;”

Is there someone that needs to come to the Father?

Is there someone who is struggling? You really didn’t want to come but you came.

Is there someone who has not been living right with God, It’s not too late to turn Back.

Is there a Father, mother, son, daughter, member, deacon, elder, teacher. . .is there someone that needs to come back

We have become so attached to the idea that it’s only when I stop coming is when I’m lost. [Notice the coin never had to leave the house to be lost].