Lessons from the Lost

Luke 15:20-32 ““So he set out and came to his father. But when 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 finger and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s 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. “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’ ”

Introduction

Today’s message brings us to a very familiar parable of Jesus, known as “The Prodigal Son”. It is the last in a trilogy dealing with loss: the lost sheep, the lost coin and now a lost son. I want to revisit the text, and hopefully shed some new light on it. So let’s go over a few features of this parable:

The parable’s opening line sets up two parts, one for each son (vv. 12–24, 25–32).The story begins with the younger son demanding his inheritance- which could be given by the father at anytime, but was traditionally givenafter or near the father’s passing.

Although the younger son made the “request”, both sons were given their inheritance. This is important to note, because Jesus’ listeners would know that the older son would have received a double portion amounting to two-thirds of what belonged to his father (see Deut 21:17), leaving one third to the younger son.

You know the rest of the story. The younger son converted his newfound wealth into cash, left his father’s house and ventured out into the world- living his best life with the father’s wealth but without the father’s guidance and covering. and once everything that he received from his father had been wasted on people, placed & things, he soon found himself empty of the father’s gifts, and alone. And if this wasn’t bad enough, in the absence of the father’s wealth he is left with no choice but to try & sustain himself. Jesus suggests that the younger son became a swine-herding slave to a Gentile (non-Jewish person)—a threefold dishonor, since pigs were unclean animals according to the law (Lev 11:7; Deut 14:8). The scribes & Pharisees, to whom Jesus was now speaking, would have known this by implication. The story concludes with the young son’s return to and acceptance by the Father, with an interesting response from the older son. He’s angry about the father’s mercy- he sees himself as loyal, and as such is worthy of the honor he sees being given to his brother. He also probably had his eye on that robe and the ring that the father gave to his brother! “Hey- that’s my stuff…I earned it by being ‘good’! and why am I not the one being celebrated? How is this fair?” I think that’s a fair question, worth our consideration. And I’m sure, as my message title suggests, that we can learn some important lessons from the lost. But who in this story is really lost- who is being “wasteful & reckless”- which is what the word “prodigal” means? This story has never been about a man with ONE son but TWO sons. Let’s see what we can learn from them both.

In what way was the younger son lost?

He tried to live with the father’s wealth but without the father’s guidance and covering. He chose to live life disconnected from the Father & the covering in his Father’s House”. He quickly discovered tthe first lesson we have for the Church today: that a life that is not truly connected to your Heavenly Father is like an appliance that’s not plugged into it’s power source. The enemy’s intention has been the same from the very begining: to promote our “independence”, to convince us to use the gift of free will to pursue live without God. But as the father of nothing but lies, he withholds this simple and undeniable truth: there is no life outside of God. Like the younger son, once we;ve tried it our way we end up empty, and alone. Understand that the Church is our Father’s House (or household, if you’d prefer that term for clarity). The Church is part of God’s intended resouce for His people- we are meant to live in community, to provoke one another to love and good works (ref), restore one another when we fall, considering ourselves (ref). The enemy wants you to remain isolated; the wolf always attacks the lone sheep.

This is the aspect of this parable that is rarely considered: What about the unrighteousness of the son who remeained? In what way was the elder son lost?

The Elder Son thought he deserved what was freely given from the Father. The son did absolutely nother to earn what rightfully belonged to his father. The father had the right to give them everything, or nothing at all. All that he was given was unmerited favor- which is the very definition of grace. It is a dangerous thing when we forget that it is by grace we were saved (Eph 2:8-9), and that our righteousness is as filthy rags (Is 64:6). When we feel as if we’ve earned God’s grace, we can only be certain that we have earned nothing at all and it is WE who are truly lost.

Considering this, it is my conclusion that this story should be called “The Prodigal Sons” plural, or “The Gracious father and His Lost Sons”

Both sons were lost. One was lost away from home; trying to live outside of God’s provision, and the fellowship of His household; one som was lost AT home- believing Himself to be more worthy than his brother. Yes…it is possble to be lost in God’s house- to get caught up in ritual and tradition, over true relationship with God Himself and His people.

Both sons misunderstood their true inheritance: the Father Himself. The son who left took 1/3 of what the father had stored up until that moment; the the son who stayed took 2/3- twice as much as his brother. But they both settled for a portion, when their Fsther wanted to give them everythnig- 100%, not just what He possesses, but of wh He is!

The Lord placed it upon my heart to challenge you to examine yourselves. He’s not impressed with your church attendance alone; Your skills, your talents, your “wealth” all came from Him- He already has them in abundance. What He wants is your heart.

I have a favorite bible text. Well…truthfully I probably have a thousand favorites! But this one, which i will paraphase for the sake of time, is special to me. Matt 9:36

Jesus is looking on a multitute of people, in different stages. I describe them as the “Hater”, the “Spectator” and the “Participator”. The Haters only came to cause trouble and, well, to hate! The spectators just want to be where the action is- thay have no real allegiance; when the excitement ends, they’re gone like smoke in the wind! And then there’s the participators- they cam because they really want to hear from Jesus- they want to be changed. But here’s the reality: we have all been, at one time or another, a hater, a spectator, or a participator! And they all needed Jesus.Before relationship with Christ, we lived as his enemy; some of us became rooted ina fellowship where you can grow…others just pop in when you need something or when something exiting is happening. You may attend church, but you have yet to recogize that you ARE the church- not the building or the service!

The Lord is calling all of us closer; he’s the Father in this parable saying to BOTH sons, “come home”. Some of us have been islated fromthe fellowship for too long- you feel alone and don’t know how to reconnect. You don’t feel worthy to be in Father’s house anymore. But the Father is waiting at the gate; He’s always been waiting. Don’t settle for just visiting- your are sons and daughters- you belong here! This is your home, we love you. And for those who have been here- doing your best to be faithful- don’t forget that you are here because of God’s free gift. And you are responsible for the other members of your family- express your love, check in on them.

Amen- let us pray.