A Father's Love

Text: Luke 15:11–32 Occasion: Father’s Day

[Opening Greeting] Good morning, church family—and a very special Happy Father’s Day to all the dads, grandfathers, father-figures, and spiritual fathers in the room today.

Today, we honor you. We thank God for your strength, your sacrifice, your presence, and your prayers. But no matter how great or imperfect your earthly father experience has been, I want us to look at the greatest Father of all—our Heavenly Father.

Jesus tells a powerful story in Luke 15—a story many of us know as The Parable of the Prodigal Son. But if you look closely, it’s not just about a lost son… It’s about a Father’s love—a love that is patient, powerful, forgiving, and forever.

Let’s walk through this story together and discover what it reveals—not only about the heart of God—but also about the calling and character of a godly father.

Luke 15:11–32 NIV

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants 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 servants.’ 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. 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.’ ”

Luke 15 is a chapter in the New Testament that focuses on the joy of finding the lost. Jesus tells three parables to illustrate God’s love for sinners and the celebration that occurs when one repents and returns to Him. Here's a summary of each part:

1. Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:1–7)

A shepherd leaves 99 sheep to search for one that is lost.

When he finds it, he rejoices and invites others to celebrate.

Jesus explains that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance.

2. Parable of the Lost Coin (Luke 15:8–10)

A woman loses one silver coin out of ten.

She lights a lamp, sweeps the house, and searches carefully until she finds it.

When she does, she rejoices with her friends.

Jesus again emphasizes that there is joy in the presence of the angels over one sinner who repents.

3. Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11–32)

A younger son demands his inheritance, leaves home, and squanders it in wild living.

When he hits rock bottom, he returns home, repentant.

His father runs to meet him, forgives him, and throws a feast.

The older brother, who stayed and obeyed, feels resentful.

The father explains that they must rejoice because “this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

Main Theme:

God seeks out the lost with love and rejoices when they are found. These parables highlight God’s mercy, the value of every individual, and the joy that comes from repentance and restoration.

Let me know if you want a devotional or sermon outline based on Luke 15.

I. A Father’s Love Gives Freedom (Luke 15:11–16)

Jesus says, “There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.”

Now, in that culture, asking for your inheritance early was like saying, “I wish you were dead.” It was deeply disrespectful.

But what does the father do? He lets him go.

He doesn’t yell. He doesn’t chase. He doesn’t manipulate. He releases him.

Why? Because love doesn’t control. True love gives freedom—even when it hurts. Good fathers know: sometimes you have to let go and trust God with the outcome.

To the fathers today: You’ve had moments where you had to watch your children make choices you wouldn’t have made. You’ve had to bite your tongue, bend your knees, and trust the Lord. And that’s love.

To the sons and daughters: Thank God for a father who gave you room to grow—even when it wasn’t easy.

II. A Father’s Love Waits and Watches (Luke 15:17–20a)

The son ends up broke and broken—feeding pigs and starving for scraps. Then the Bible says: “He came to himself.” He remembers the goodness of his father and decides to go home.

But here’s the beautiful part: “While he was still a long way off, his father saw him.”

You know what that means? It means the father was watching the road. Day after day, hoping, praying, looking.

To the fathers here: You’ve waited patiently. You’ve kept the door open. You’ve stood in faith when others gave up.

And to those who feel far from God today: He’s still watching the road. No matter how long it’s been, no matter how far you’ve gone—the Father sees you coming.

III. A Father’s Love Runs and Restores (Luke 15:20b–24)

When the father sees his son from afar, he doesn’t wait. He runs.

In ancient Jewish culture, men didn’t run. It was undignified. But this father doesn’t care what it looks like. His child is coming home—and love makes him run.

He doesn’t ask questions. He doesn’t give a lecture. He doesn’t rehearse the mistakes.

He embraces him. He kisses him. He puts a robe on his back, a ring on his finger, and sandals on his feet. Then he throws a party.

This is what the Father does for us. When we come home, He doesn’t shame us—He restores us.

To the fathers today: There is great strength in forgiveness. There is power in grace. Be the father who runs—not from your children—but toward them, with mercy.

IV. A Father’s Love Corrects with Grace (Luke 15:25–32)

Now we meet the older son. He’s angry. He stayed home. He followed the rules. And now he refuses to celebrate.

But the father doesn’t ignore him. He goes out and pleads with him.

He says, “You are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate—your brother was dead and is alive again.”

To the fathers: Sometimes you have to navigate complex emotions. You have to correct with grace. You have to call your children back into unity—reminding them of the bigger picture.

To all of us: Don’t let pride keep you out of the celebration. Don’t let jealousy blind you to the beauty of grace.

Conclusion: A Father Like No Other

Church, this story shows us the kind of Father we have in heaven:

A Father who lets go, but never lets up.

A Father who waits with hope and runs with compassion.

A Father who restores the broken and reasons with the bitter.

A Father whose love is unmatched, unearned, and unending.

No matter who you are today—come home. Whether you’re the prodigal or the elder brother—there’s a seat at the table for you.

[Closing Blessing for Fathers]

To every father, grandfather, stepfather, mentor, and spiritual father—would you stand?

Church, let’s stretch our hands toward these men as we speak this blessing over them.

Father God, We thank You for the gift of fathers. Bless these men with wisdom, courage, and strength. May they lead with love, listen with grace, and live with purpose. Help them reflect Your heart to their families and the world around them. When they are tired—renew them. When they feel unseen—remind them You are watching. When they wonder if they’re doing enough—remind them You are more than enough. Fill them with joy, peace, and legacy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.