The Father's Embrace

Introduction

Text

Ephesians 2:4–5 ESV

4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Transition

Sometimes we have to loose everything in order to remember God’s love.

The son in Jesus’ parable lost everything.

Luke 15:13–16 ESV

13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

Warren W. Wiersbe put it this way:

But life in the far country was not what he expected.

His resources ran out, his friends left him, a famine came, and the boy was forced to do for a stranger what he would not do for his own father—go to work!

This scene in the drama is our Lord’s way of emphasizing what sin really does in the lives of those who reject the Father’s will.

Sin promises freedom, but it only brings slavery (John 8:34); it promises success, but brings failure; it promises life, but “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23).

The boy thought he would “find himself,” but he only lost himself!

When God is left out of our lives, enjoyment becomes enslavement.

Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, vol. 1 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1996), 235.

But when life reached the bottom, the young man looked up!

Luke 15:17 ESV

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!

Hardship has a wonderful way of bringing people to face facts.

The prodigal reflected on the contrast between the starvation he was experiencing and the full and plenty enjoyed not by his father and brother alone but by his father’s hired servants.

Even for them there was bread enough and to spare.

Repentance is a deliberate decision and act to change direction and follow Christ.

The young man resolved to go home. If his initial motive was not particularly lofty (the desire to be better fed, 17), the confession he planned to make is a classic.

Luke 15:18–19 ESV

18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’

He expressed sorrow not for what he had lost but for what he had done: he had sinned. He recognized that his sin was first against God,

Sin is always sin against God before anyone else

Psalm 51:4 ESV

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.

Admission and ownership of sin is essential to recognize the need to go in a new direction.

Transition

Luke 15:20 ESV

20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.

God loves you and longs for you to come back to Him.

Luke 15:21–24 ESV

21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

No holding grudges in heaven! God throws a party for all who repent!

What happens with the sinner meets up with God?  Compassion, love, and grace.  Don't let the shame of sin keep you from receiving the Father's embrace.