Parable of the Prodigal Son

Introduction

Luke 15 is about God’s heart for sinners

Read Luke 15:11-32

Initial thoughts — good as dead, Father gives him free will, his sin leads to pain

A lesson from each person

Father — God is eager to pour out his grace, but he’s not going to force you to come home.

Fathers didn’t run out to sons…imagine him sitting on the front porch

God’s not looking for you to slip up so he can condemn you

The question was not if the Father would welcome him; it was whether he’d go home.

Many never come home because they’re too blind to realize they’re starving and sinful.

Younger Son — You’re never too far to turn to God.

The son couldn’t have imagined his incredible grace.

“God forgives sinners, but could he forgive this sinner?”

I thought I was the first to out-sin his grace; turns out I’m not that special.

The issue is not how far you are, but how much time you have.

Eventually the famine leads to starvation.

You only get this life to choose Jesus, and you don’t know how long you get.

DL Moody and the Chicago Fire

Older Son — You can be physically close to the Father and completely miss his heart.

“this son” (not “my brother”) “prostitutes” (how does he know?) “never done wrong” (clearly not)

The older son’s problem was that he thought his father loved him because of his track record instead of loving him because he was his son.

CSC volleyball court & Arabs

More subtly — not welcoming the outsider is like walking into the party but not acknowledging your brother that’s come home

Exhortation

Which brother are you?

Will you come to the party?