Let’s Celebrate

Luke 15:17–31 NIV84

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.

1. The Prodigal Son's Return

Sub Point 1.1. The Son's Humble Realization

Luke 15:17–18 “17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.”

Sub Point 1.2. The Father's Unconditional Love

Luke 15:20 “20 So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”

Sub Point 1.3. How you end something determines how you start the next chapter of life

The prodigal son, humbled himself and admitted he was wrong

2. Celebrate the Return in a big way

Sub Point 2.1. The Father's Lavish Provision

Luke 15:22–23 “22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate.”

Sub Point 2.2. The Father's Joyful Heart

Luke 15:32 “32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ””

Sub Point 2.3. We are family

We must rejoice when others rejoice

3. A lesson on family position

Sub Point 3.1 The Older Brother's Jealousy

Luke 15:28–30 “28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’”

Sub Point 3.2. The Father's Compassionate Correction

Luke 15:31 “31 “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.”

Sub Point 3.3. You are part of the family

You always have access. Don’t let your misconceptions keep you from the joy in your position

4. Our Invitation to Celebrate

Sub Point 4.1. God's Unending Love and Grace

Romans 5:8 “8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Sub Point 4.2. God's Promises of Hope and Future

Jeremiah 29:11 “11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Sub Point 4.3. God's Call to Rejoice Always

Philippians 4:4 “4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

As we enter into a new year, let us remember the joyous message of celebration found in the parable of the prodigal son.

Let’s embrace the Father's unwavering love, experience the extravagant celebration He offers, learn from the older brother's lesson, and respond to His invitation to celebrate with hearts full of gratitude and joy.

Rejoice in the Lord always, for He is faithful and worthy of our praise!

May God bless you abundantly in this coming year. Happy New Year!