The Prodigal Son

Introduction:

- Luke 15 - The Lost Parables

- The Lost Sheep (vv. 3-7)

- The Lost Coin (vv. 8-10)

- The Lost Son (vv. 11-32)

- Three Characters

- The Older Brother

- The Younger Brother

- The Father

1. The Departure (v. 12)

A. He Was Dissatisfied

- He wanted something more than what he had at home.

- He desired freedom from restraints

- He thought he could find something better in another country.

- This describes a Christian who wants release from the restraints of the Christian life.

B. Request: “Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.” (v. 12)

C. Father: “He divided to them his livelihood.”

- Many have asked why the father gave him his inheritance.

- Because, it would mean the father is compelling the son to stay home. God does not do tha.

D. He departed a few days later and went to a far country.

- He Left Unhindered

~ The Father didn’t run out and plead with him to stay.

~ God doesn’t compel even his child to serve him

-He left alone

~ You can’t say, “Lord you left me” or “Lord you forsook me”

~ John 10:27-29

~ 2 Chron. 15:2

- He did reach his destination quickly

~ It was a journey

~ Sin is progressive - Heb. 2:1-2

~ Are You Drifting?

2. In The Far Country of Sin (vv. 13-16)

A. Wasted His Time, Money and Strength

- Service for the devil is wasted

~ No matter the appeal it is wasted

~ For the wages of sin is death – Rom. 6:23

- The Appeal of sin never keeps its promises

~ It promises laughter but brings tears

~ It promises happiness but brings heartaches

~ It promises ease but brings it binding fetters

- Regardless of the fleeting pleasure attached to it, it is wasted.

B. Mighty Famine in the Land

- Far country shows no concern for the real needs of man

- Far country offers no satisfaction

~ Nothing good (Spiritually)

~ Spiritual blessings are in Christ

~ You cannot find happiness in sin!

a. Matt. 5

b. Psa. 1:1

c. Jas. 1:25

- Contrast the condition in the far country – with the blessings in Christ!

~ Phil. 4:19

~ Col. 2:9-10

~ Col. 1:27

~ Eph. 2:6

~ 1 Tim. 4:8

~ Phil. 4:6

~ Matt. 6:33

C. Starvation: “Began to be in want.”

- When one distances themselves from God and God's people, their soul endures a state of spiritual starvation.

- There is no bread of life upon which to feed – Matt. 4:4

- The hard can become hardened and we need the word to build us up – Acts 20:32

D. Humiliation: “Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.”

- The one seeking liberty is “sent”

- The restraints of the father's house would be far better than the disgraceful occupation of the far country & being “sent”

- Swine feeding was a disgrace to a jew – a degrading occupation

- Sin aims to take you to the lowest possible depths

- “I never thought it would come to this”

~ The devil doesn’t aim for you to think that it will lead you very far

~ First social drink – doesn’t aim for you to think it will lead you to be drunk.

E. Abandonment

- Those who pose as “friends” in leading you into sin, will be first to forsake you in trouble

- Abandonment and loneliness eventually come to all who forsake you in trouble

- Sin promises laughter, joy, happiness, friends, prosperity, and satisfaction, but in the end, mocks the gullible fool who believed sin would pay.

3. The Return

A. He Came to Himself! (Shows he had been beside himself)

- He was not focused on his true condition.

- He lost sight of all the blessings he had at home.

- One is certainly beside himself - to abandon spiritual security in Christ.

- He recognized his lost condition.

B. He Reflected

- He recognized that the servants in his father's house had it better than he did

- Memory is a powerful motivation

~ Rev. 2:5

~ Heb. 10:32

~ The memory of brighter days of better times awakens & stirs the soul to repentance

- In judgment or hell will be too late to reflect – Luke 16

C. He Determined “I will arise…”

- Many people who are living in sin never decide to turn back.

- Heb. 6:4-6

- Many people make resolutions but fail to follow through with them.

D. He Planned His Confession

- Luke 15:18-19

- Swallowed his pride

- He never tried to blame somebody else.

~“I sinned, but….”

~ “I did wrong but…”

- His confession was as genuine as his determination to return.

- Examples of confession

~ Saul – “I Have Sinned”

~ David – “I Have Sinned

E. He Carried Out His Planned Return & Confession.

- “And he arose and came to his father.”

- This is proof that his repentance is genuine.

4. The Reception

A. The Father has been waiting for him - “But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him”

- He lost his wealth, living, maybe health, etc.. – but he still had a father's love.

- His father was waiting to welcome him back.

- The Lord will accept you back as well.

B. He accepted him back (Luke 15:20-24)

C. They began to be merry (Luke 15:22-23)

Conclusion:

- Are You A Prodigal?

- If You Are A Prodigal Would You Say, “Lord I’m Coming Home”