Parable of the Lost Son (15:11–32): A father has two sons.

The regrettable action,

Luke 15:11–16 ESV

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 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. 13 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. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

A. The rebellion of the younger son (15:11–16)

Luke 15:11–16 ESV

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 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. 13 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. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

:11 Two sons — one wasteful & one resentful. Both would need reconciliation with their father.

:11 Two sons — one wasteful & one resentful. Both would need reconciliation with their father.

:12 Request for inheritance was great offence

:13 Far country — probably gentile region

Are you a specialist at finding fault? Or have you learned the secret of winning the war by losing the battle?

5 Alternatives to GRUMBLING ( Practice gratitude; praise others; focus on success; let it go; pray — Scientific research shows that daily prayer reduces stress; boosts positive energy; and promotes health, vitality, and longevity. When you are faced with the urge to complain or you are feeling stressed to the max, stop, be still, plug-in to the ultimate power, and recharge.)

:13 Far country — probably gentile region

:14 Unforeseen — many homeless today because of this. Explain.

:15 Pigs — unclean. What work would your parents not want you to do?

:16 Desperate.

Application questions

The regrettable action,

If you asked your deeply faithful father for inheritance so that you can follow a guru in Pakistan, how would he feel?

What do we grumble about? (weather; school; parents; slow internet; friends; not having anything to wear)

Are you a specialist at finding fault? Or have you learned the secret of winning the war by losing the battle?

5 Alternatives to GRUMBLING ( Practice gratitude; praise others; focus on success; let it go; pray — Scientific research shows that daily prayer reduces stress; boosts positive energy; and promotes health, vitality, and longevity. When you are faced with the urge to complain or you are feeling stressed to the max, stop, be still, plug-in to the ultimate power, and recharge.)

“Far country” is distance of heart and mind from Jesus — explain.

Rank the order of rejection from highest to lowest: His dad; culture; faith; home; traditions; his upbringing; his entire community.

Do you think he realized that the dad would think the son was wishing him dead?

Do you think he thought of the pain he was causing his dad?

1st FORGIVENESS — Prodigal must forgive himself,

a. In seeking his inheritance (): The son demands his share of his father’s estate.

Luke 15:17–19 ESV

17 “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! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’

Prodigal means: wasteful and recklessly extravagant.

b. In squandering his inheritance (15:13) : Soon he has wasted all his money in wild living and finds himself penniless in a foreign country.

2. The famine he endures (15:14–16): Eventually he is forced to eat the food of the pigs he feeds.

Luke 15:17–19 ESV

17 “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! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’

B. The return of the younger son (15:17–32)

1. 1st FORGIVENESS — Prodigal must forgive himself (15:17)

2nd FORGIVENESS — The father must FORGIVE the prodigal,

a. To return (15:18a)

Luke 15:20–21 ESV

20 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. 21 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.’

b. To repent (15:18b–19)

Luke 15:20–21 ESV

20 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. 21 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.’

3. 2nd FORGIVENESS — The father must FORGIVE the prodigal (15:20–21)

3rd FORGIVENESS — the older brother must forgive the prodigal,

5. 3rd FORGIVENESS — the older brother must forgive the prodigal (15:25–30)

Luke 15:25–30 ESV

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 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.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 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. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’

Preach for a Year #1 The Sins of the Prodigal’s Brother

The Sin of an offended Spirit (vv. 29, 30)

1. The problem: “When this thy son was come”

2. How much of the work of God is hindered by this sin

3. What an offended spirit did to him:

a. Made him grumble when it was time to glory (vv. 28, 29)

b. Made him exaggerate his own righteousness (v. 29)

c. Made him feel sorry for himself (v. 29)

d. Made him forget all he had as a son of the father (v. 31)

4. No wonder things are not as they ought to be: you have something against another. Make it right!

The Sin of an offended Spirit (vv. 29, 30)

1. The problem: “When this thy son was come”

2. How much of the work of God is hindered by this sin

3. What an offended spirit did to him:

a. Made him grumble when it was time to glory (vv. 28, 29)

b. Made him exaggerate his own righteousness (v. 29)

c. Made him feel sorry for himself (v. 29)

d. Made him forget all he had as a son of the father (v. 31)

4. No wonder things are not as they ought to be: you have something against another. Make it right!

The Sin of a Compassionless Heart (v. 30)

1. Why was the prodigal’s brother unmoved by his return?

2. Because he had been unmoved at his being away

3. He had worked hard on the family farm but was unlike his father. He didn’t care about his missing brother

4. The Father cares. Do you?

Application

A. The Elder Brother Neglected because our Sins are Revealed Through Studying him

B. Do you see yourself in this Wayward Son?

C. Confess those “Respectable Sins” and know the Joy of the Lord again