Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

The self-righteous complaint of the Pharisees and the scribes occasioned the parable of the text as well as the two immediately preceding parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin.

The younger son (v12) demanded property that normally would not have come into his possession until the death of his father. But he wanted to cast off restraints, assert himself, do his own thing, and do it now. He could not keep on doing it forever (v16); everything went stale. His attitude toward sin and toward his father changed (vs17-19). The impelling motive in the return was the remembrance of a benevolent father. If there had been any thought of redeeming himself in the father's eyes by offering to be a hired servant, the unexpected outpouring of love by the father so overwhelmed him that he offered no solution to the estrangement. He could only put himself completely at the father's mercy (vs 20-21).

The elder son is a picture of the Pharisees who refused to rejoice over a sinner's return to God and who expected rewards for their labor. Yet the father loved both sons indiscriminately (v. 28) He does not reject the elder son (v31) but takes the trouble to defend the joy that accompanies love (v32). The central thought of the text is that God loves every sinner, no matter who he is or what his sin. The goal of the sermon is that the hearers would be certain of God's love for them. The problem is that we often set up conditions for the love of God toward us and toward others.

Introductory thought: Human love tends to be conditional. Do this and I will love you. Be like that, and you can count on my love. I can see why God might find it easier to love certain others but not me, or me but not certain others.

The text emphasizes that God's love is unconditional. It points up

THE INCREDIBLE LOVE OF THE HEAVENLY FATHER.

He receives us as sons.

Even though we have rebelled against him (v 12a).

We have not always appreciated being His son or daughter and have wanted to be independent from Him.

We have pandered to our sinful nature by using money and other gifts God has given us solely for personal pleasure (v 17).

God takes the initiative in taking us back.

In Christ, God came down to meet us and humiliated Himself to reconcile us to Himself (2 Cor. 5:19).

God's action moves us to confess our sins and to cast ourselves on His mercy (v 21). Not disgust with ourselves but remembrance of the Father's love moves to repentance.

He treats us as sons.

Even when we act self-righteously.

When we insist on a penalty before the restoration of a relationship (v 28).

When we regard God as a master whom we are to obey for a reward (v29).

When we refuse to share in the salvation joy of another (v 30).

God continues to pour out love.

Addresses us affectionately ("Son," v 31a).

Regards us as possessors of all His treasures (v 31b).

Shows us how unnatural is the complaint of the self-righteous (vs 32, 1).

Concluding thought: What is incredible love! The Father alone is able to restore us, and that through grace alone. He not only accepts us but welcomes us with open arms. And He never stops pouring out love upon us as sons.