Two Sons, One Grace

2 Timothy 3:16–17 ESV

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Prayer

Luke 15:11–32 ESV

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 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. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “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! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 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. 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.’ 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. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”

Introduction:

Imagine two hikers lost in a vast forest. One wanders miles away, chasing a shimmering mirage, only to end up exhausted and alone. The other stays near the trailhead, refusing to admit he’s lost, too proud to call for help. Both are missing, but in different ways. A rescue team finds them—one deep in the woods, the other just off the path—and brings them back to camp with equal relief. Today, in Luke 15:11-32, we meet two sons, lost in their own ways, and a Father whose grace reaches them both.

Connection to Last Week:

While Luke 15:1-10 shows the joy of recovering what was lost, this parable reveals how grace extends to both the obviously wayward and the subtly rebellious.

1. The Younger’s Rebellion

The younger son’s outward sin is clear: wastefulness and defiance. Like the lost sheep or coin, he’s separated from where he belongs.

A: A Choice to Leave

He demands his inheritance, rejecting the father’s authority (v. 12).

Sin starts with a decision to prioritize self over God.

B: A Life Squandered

He wastes it all in “wild living” (v. 13), ending in the pigpen (v. 15).

Rebellion promises much but delivers misery.

Romans 6:23 ESV

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Think of a teenager who leaves home with his inheritance, dreaming of parties and freedom. He spends it all in Vegas, only to end up sleeping in a friend’s garage, broke and ashamed. His rebellion was loud, visible, and costly—just like the younger son’s.

Application:

Acknowledge the visible ways we’ve drifted from God. Where have we chased mirages instead of the Father’s love?

2. The Elder’s Resentment

The older son’s inward rebellion—pride and bitterness—keeps him distant despite his proximity. He’s “lost” in a different way, missing the joy of the Father’s heart (cf. the rejoicing in Luke 15:7, 10).

A: A Heart of Duty

He boasts of his years of service (v. 29), revealing a transactional view of the father’s love.

He’s near but not connected.

B: A Spirit of Comparison

He resents the celebration for his brother (v. 30), showing envy instead of joy.

His loss is self-inflicted.

Matthew 20:13–15 ESV

But he replied to one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius? Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’

Picture Sarah, a loyal employee who’s worked at the company for years. When a new hire gets the same bonus she does, she fumes: “I’ve slaved away, and they get the same?” Her bitterness blinds her to the joy of the team’s success—just as the elder son misses the celebration.

Application:

Examine the hidden attitudes that block us from God’s grace. Are we secretly keeping score with God or others?

3. The Father’s Response (vv. 20-24, 31-32)

The father’s love pursues both sons—one with a feast, the other with a plea. Grace is the same for the runaway and the rule-keeper—it’s unearned and unconditional.

A: Grace for the Returning

He runs, embraces, and restores the prodigal with no preconditions (v. 20-22).

Love doesn’t tally the past.

B: Grace for the Remaining

He pleads with the elder son, affirming his place (v. 31-32).

Love doesn’t exclude the “faithful.”

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Consider a single mom, with two kids. One runs off to live with friends, squandering her support; the other stays home but sulks, resenting her care. When the runaway returns, she throws a party. When the sulker complains, she gently says, “You’ve always had my love.” Her heart doesn’t play favorites—just like the Father’s.

Application:

Accept that God’s grace is for all who are lost, no matter how they’ve wandered. Can we receive it without comparing ourselves to others?

Key Point: God’s grace reaches us wherever we’re at and brings us back to Him.

Concluding Story: The Lost Dog

A few years ago, a family’s dogs, went missing. The kids searched the neighborhood—one had bolted out the gate, ending up muddy and tangled in a ditch miles away; the other had hidden under the porch, too stubborn to come out. When they were found—one by a neighbor, the other by coaxing with treats—the family didn’t care how they’d gotten lost. They just threw a big, messy, joyful party with bones and belly rubs. That’s our Father’s grace. Some of us are ditch-dwellers, some porch-sulkers, but He runs to us all, throws the feast, and says, “You’re mine.” So come in from the far country, step out from the shadows—there’s grace enough for every lost son and daughter here.