The Parable of the Restoring Father

1. Good morning. Thanks for joining us this morning. You had several options on how to invest your time this morning and you chose us. Thanks for allowing us to be a part of your journey and a start of your week. My name is Doug Mingus, one of the pastors on staff here at Northland. It is an honor to be able to share with you today as we step into week 2 of our teaching series, Parables: Stories told by Jesus.

2. Stories. Is there anything better than a great story? Whether in written form, audio form or on the big screen, great stories are a big part of life. We love to invest our time and our resources on stories. We need stories. They encourage. They teach. They excite. They inspire. They keep us up late at night. They’re powerful. They change us. They change the way we see life. So, when we open up that cover, or press play on the remote, or hear that voice, everything else can seemingly disappear.

3. “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” (Dickens – Tale of Two Cities)

4. “In a hole in the ground, there lived a hobbit.” (Tolkien – The Hobbit)

5. “A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…” (Star Wars)

6. Just like that, we are whisked off into adventure. The story becomes our story. It’s a story that is written by an author that just “gets it”. An author that “gets life”. There’s no author more “author-ish” than the Author of all life. The Author of the greatest story… that of human life, human failing and falling, human struggle and the restoration and repairing of humanity. The Great Author, Jesus begins his story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me…”

7. Grab your Bible or Bible App and turn with me to the New Testament book of Luke chapter 15. In verse 1 we find out that Jesus is telling this story to a crowd that is mostly filled with the religious leaders of the day. The Pharisees and the scribes. The law-keepers. The religious elite. Those that preferred rules, regulations and raised noses rather than grace, compassion and human beings. So, to teach them, and to teach us, Jesus tells a story, a parable, that puts them, and us squarely in the center of the plot.

8. The beauty of the parables of Jesus is that they are stories utilizing the normal things of life to illuminate and teach about Kingdom things. Each character or significant object in a parable is there to teach us about ourselves or about life as God defines it. In our story today, The younger son represents the “tax collectors and sinners”, the “lost that need found”; the ones that bothered the religious elite. The older son in this story, which we will talk a bit more about later, represents the main audience to which Jesus is telling this story to – the Pharisees and scribes.[JM1] The grumblers and complainers. The law-lovers. Those who don’t like that Jesus is being nice to the lost ones. Then there’s the father of the two sons, representing…. Our Heavenly Father. God. This story of Jesus, it teaches us that God can restore the reckless runaway.

9. “(He also) Jesus said: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them.” (CSB)

10. As Jesus was teaching this, the crowd would have been utterly shocked by the second sentence of this story. In a time period where honor, respect and tradition reigned, to have a son (not to mention the youngest son) ask such a question would have been mind-blowingly insulting and inappropriate.

11. Basically, the younger son is coming to his father and saying, I would rather have your stuff than be your son. You’re not dying quick enough… so can you just give me what is lawfully mine (at least, if you were already dead). Give it to me now so that I can just get out of here and get on with my life. Give me what’s mine! I don’t care about you.

12. I don’t care about a relationship with you. I just want your money. I don’t like the way you run things. I don’t like the way you are in my way. I don’t trust what you have planned for my future. I want to make my own way… with your money of course.

13. What an amazingly brutal thing to hear from your son! Can you imagine the heart of the father at this point? Can you feel the shock? Pain? Confusion? Sadness? Broken-heartedness?

14. Can you imagine if your brother or sister went to your living parents and asked such a question?" You would rightfully be pretty upset. Even today that is a shocking thing to do. This begs a question:

15. How do you get to this point in a relationship? How can you become this cold? This stone-hearted? This insulting? The only way I know of that you get to this point is by believing lies and being focused on self. You get there by having the wrong beliefs. The wrong system of thinking. The wrong idea of what will help, satisfy, and fulfill.

16. You see, it’s clear, that somehow, the younger son believes that pleasure, money, materials, adventure, excitement and what he doesn’t have is what is missing from his life. He has the wrong focus in life. He has become so self-absorbed, so selfish, so self-driven, that he cannot see the truth of life. The younger son is disconnected from reality; disconnected from truth and disconnected from an authentic relationship with the father. He somehow truly believed that what was missing from his life, was what others had. He truly believed that leaving town was what was going to help him. He painfully believed that the grass was greener on the other side of the street. He will find out just how wrong he is.

17. How did the father respond to the son’s desire for him to be dead and out of the way? How did he respond to being asked to liquidate his assets and give the son a pile of cash? He… does what is asked! Now, if the audience wasn’t already shocked by the request of the son, they would be astounded by the response of the father. They would be stunned by the generosity and grace of the father. It says: “So he distributed the assets to them.”

18. The father has somehow managed to get past the insult; get past the pain and has given the son what he requested. He has gone ahead and divided his estate between them. Yep his 2 sons (notice it says he divided it between “them”) Hebrew law/tradition lined out that the oldest son would get the bigger portion first and the younger son would get a smaller portion. Remember this for later on in the passage. The Father loves his son enough to let him choose his own path.

19. Just like the father in the story loves his adult sons enough to let them make their own decisions, to have the free will to determine their steps in life; God loves us enough to let us choose. Even when that choice can include rejecting Him and recklessly running away.

20. “Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. 14 After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. 15 Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to eat his fill from the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything.” (CSB)

21. The son gets his cash and heads out of town to a distant country. He follows after his passions. He follows after his heart. He follows after his dreams and feelings. He is going to live life the way he sees fit. He is finally going to get what he deserves. He’s going to live it up. No more rules to hold him back. No more captivity to dad’s expectations and regulations. He’s going to live in freedom and fun. Finally. Yet the younger son needs to know what the book of Proverbs tells us.

22. and again repeated in 16:25

23. “There is a way that seems right to a person, but its end is the way to death.” (CSB)

24. When we’re driven by our natural desires; disaster, division and destruction will soon follow.[JM2] When we pursue pleasure, emotion and excitement instead of wisdom and godliness, then our future will be filled with emptiness, pain, struggle and loneliness. When we run away from God, we will find out that the lies of the flesh and pleasure cannot truly satisfy, fulfill or last. The younger son discovered this as well. He thought he was going to finally experience what life was really all about, but instead he finds out just how far someone can fall. He gets to live it up for a while. Yet, living it up, living foolishly by following after pleasure leads to a squandering of all he has.

25. He went from the son of a wealthy and loving father to taking care of pigs. He’s in the pigpen. Remember, for Jews pigs were considered unclean. They weren’t to be touched, or kept, or eaten. They were to be avoided. Yet, as sin often does to us, it drives him to do something he never would have done before. He ends up in a place he never thought he would find himself in. He not only is with the pigs daily, but he is so hungry, destitute and desperate that he wishes he could eat what they were eating. From a blessed, loved son, to an empty, broken man desiring slop fit only for pigs. He’s hit the bottom of the barrel. As a matter of fact, he is likely below the bottom of the barrel trying to claw through the bottom just to get to the topside of the bottom of the barrel.

26. But it all starts to turn in “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!” (CSB)

27. Before this point, he thought the problem in his life was everyone else around him. He thought his problem was the father and the situation he was in. He thought the problem was that he didn’t have what he wanted to have. He thought the problem was the un-experienced; the fun he was missing out on. But “he came to his senses” and what he learns is that the real problem… was himself. Our real problem; it’s us. Selfishness is the problem. Self-focus is the problem. Now, he’s seeing clearly.

28. What does he see, his father. He sees the goodness, generosity and greatness of his father. He finally realizes that he is dying without the presence and provision of the father. He realizes he never should have run away from the father. He says:

29. “I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.”’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.” (CSB)

30. Oh friends, when we finally see our bad choices and see the Father clearly, things can finally move in the right direction. Pain can be traded in for hope and help[DR3] . The younger son moves from an attitude of entitlement in verse 12 (Give me mine!) to an attitude of surrender and submission in verse 19 (Father, Make me what you want). He has made a complete 180 in attitude and thought process. He has turned from himself to the father. He is going to return home. He is going back to where he belongs. “He got up and went to his father.”

31. Friends, if we want situations to change, we have to take the step to move, in faith, to the Father. To God. We can’t wish things were different. We need to be moved to turn away from the old beliefs and old patterns and turn to the Father and believe in His ability. This is a picture of what the bible calls repentance. To turn from self-reliance, to God-reliance. From trusting yourself to trusting God. From living for self, to living for and with God. We have to choose Jesus over self; choose Jesus over everything else.

32. Oh, I love this part. When we do this; when we start to take steps toward God; even when we are still a long way off; when we are far away; when we are so very lost; so very wounded; so very messed up; when we smell like pigs and look like a pigpen; when we have nothing of value to bring to the Father… He comes running to us!

33. “So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.” (CSB)

34. The Father will run to meet you. He’s been looking for you all along. He’s desired for you to come home. He will run to[JM4] meet you! No matter how dirty, smelly and “pigpen-like” you are. God is filled with compassion for you. Let me ask you, since God is the creator of everything, since He is big enough to sustain all of our lives and the entire universe; the 2 trillion+ galaxies. If He’s filled with compassion for us: how much compassion is that?!! Is there enough for your choices? For your problems? For your challenges? For your rebellion, rejection? There is more than enough. God Himself will run overflowing grace and love right to you.

35. The father runs to his son and embraces and kisses him. This may just seem like a nice dramatic and tender picture of affection to raise the emotions of the story – but it’s so much more. Most theologians would say that the typical Jewish response to the younger son’s request in verse 12 could, or would have been, to strike the son; to drive him out of the home; out of the family; to disown him and see his as dead. However, here the father embraces him, kisses him and accepts him. What amazing love. What grace! Oh, and it keeps on overflowing:

36. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.” (CSB)

37. The son tries to tell the father his speech about how unworthy he is and how he shouldn’t be considered a son, but a servant. Just a hired worker. The son thought he would have to earn his way back into his father’s good graces. He thought he would have to work for years to get back to a recognized place. To be restored. Yet, he can’t even get the statement out of his mouth! The father cuts him off and shouts to the servants: quick, put the best robe on him, put a ring on his finger, put shoes on his feet. All these actions symbolize acceptance, and restoration. His reinstatement as a son. Instead of the father requiring punishment, penance or making the son prove himself, he gives the son full recognition; forgiveness; affection; restoration; …and a party.

38. This is the gospel. The Good news for all runaways. Being a servant doesn’t save or restore. Working for salvation isn’t possible. Just like the younger son, you can’t work your way back. Being a good person can’t do it. Working for the Lord doesn’t do it. Working doesn’t save. Being declared as a purchased son saves. Being declared by God that you are saved because of Jesus’ payment on the cross is what saves. It’s not about what we do or can do. Nope, it’s placing our trust and faith in Jesus that brings salvation. It’s about what Jesus has done. He is the one that restores and saves. “Jesus died on the cross for you, because of you and instead of you.” (Mark Clark) To bring salvation and restoration. What grace! What love and mercy!

39. But Jesus doesn’t stop teaching here. There is more to learn.

40. “Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he summoned one of the servants, questioning what these things meant. 27 ‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ 31 “‘Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’” (CSB)

41. As we find out through the older son, not all runaways physically run away. Some run away mentally, emotionally and relationally. Some can be living in the same place, be in the same house and yet be far, far away.

42. We’ve all been the younger son. Even if only in our minds. Even if only in our attitudes. We’ve all rejected the Father at times. We’ve all rejected God before. We’ve all pursued pleasure instead of relationship and trust in God. We’ve all chosen things over God. We’ve all been the wandering, reckless, runaway child.

43. Many of us have even been the older son at times too. We thought we could just work for blessing. We could be the “good child” and earn special considerations. We thought that we could live by the rules, or clean up our life, or not be like those sinners and God would love us. This too is running away. It’s running away from the gospel. From the good news. It’s running away from relationship based on love, trust and faith. It puts us in the spotlight. It puts us in the place of honor. We’re doing this. That’s not the gospel. That’s not where life is found. That’s not where freedom is. That’s not what God desires. That’s not honoring the Father. That is rejecting Him. God doesn’t want us completing tasks to get “atta-boys”. He wants us. He wants our hearts. He wants our trust. He wants our faith. He wants us to believe in Him. To not believe and trust Him, means we are just as far away as the wandering son squandering his blessings. If that’s you, He pleads with you, just as he pleaded with his older son that wouldn’t come in to the party: “Son (there it is again – love, acceptance, patience and kindness) you are always with me, and everything I have is yours… we had to celebrate…”

44. Just like the older son, He is inviting us back into the party. Back into helping restore reckless runaways. Have we left that behind? Are we on the sidelines judging others? Are we moving farther and farther away from the Father by not being a part of His mission to reconcile, restore and save the wandering ones? Have we rejected His plans for our lives? Are we rejecting Him with our choices to not be a part of the mission?

45. Yet, if so, just like the younger son, if we come to Him, we will not be rejected. No matter how far we’ve run away from God and ruined and wrecked our relationships, God’s love and grace can restore and rebuild.

46. That’s what I want you to remember today: This is our Bottom Line: God can restore the reckless runaway.

47. God can restore the reckless runaway. Regardless of the wreckage and ruin they’ve encountered or created. God can restore. God can restore the wreckage and ruin. God can restore the decisions of our past for the betterment of our future. God can restore all the things we have fractured and broken with our choices. God can and wants to do it; but He only restores the reckless runaways through His Son. Only through Jesus. We see this truth in the NT book of Titus. Paul, inspired by God, writes:

48. "Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. 4 But--"When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life."" (NLT)

49. What great news and hope for all us runaways! Through Jesus, and by faith, God restores and reconciles and saves.

50. So, what do we do with this? Some of you need to take that first step towards him today. You need to step out and turn towards him. You need to declare that you are at the end of yourself and know that you need him. That He is your only hope for restoration. He is your only hope for true life. That you surrender self and choose Jesus.

51. Some of you need to take a step back towards him. You used to walk with God and towards God. You used to follow Him. You used to love him and talk with Him every day. You used to open your bibles every day to be with him and learn about him. You used to talk about him in your home; at your job; in your neighborhood; in a small group… but now… well… you may not have said it out loud, but your life, your actions, your habits, your schedule, your wallet, your decisions, they show more rejection and running away than love and restoration. Today’s your day to come back and set that straight. To step towards Him so He can run to you and restore your life & relationship.

52. Lastly, some need to get connected to others in biblical community. To choose authentic relationships. This is value #4 [DR5] for us at Northland. We are going to Engage in authentic relationships. Sundays are not enough. We are not enough on our own. We are going to get in a small group so that when we are tempted to run away from the father and from the family; we have people there to help keep us from finding disaster. We are going to be there for others when they have the same challenges and problems. We are going to get together regularly to talk about Jesus. To share Jesus. To read God’s word together. To pray together. To serve together. To serve one another. To share together. To be there when life gets hard. To be there when life is confusing. And to be there when life is worth celebrating. Remember, when the lost child comes back, what does the father do? He throws a party. He celebrates. He rejoices. We need to do the same. We need to celebrate the greatness of God together. We need to see the greatness of God together. We need to celebrate the family and the life-change.

53. How? We connect. That’s why we are starting Rooted in January. That’s why we are inviting all who are not connected to a group; those who are not connected to this kind of life-changing community to get connected. That’s what Rooted is all about. It’s an 11-week group experience that will help us connect to God, to the church (one another) and to our purpose. We have some pilot groups that are walking through Rooted right now and let me tell you: You need this! We all need this. We must all connect in authentic community.

54. So, in your bulletin you will find a Rooted registration form. Some of you, before you leave today, need to fill out the Rooted form and drop it off at the information desk, or you need to grab your smartphone and head to the Rooted page at www.northland.cc to register. You need to take that step towards the Father; you need to take a step towards community. This is the time. Remember, if you take that step towards Him, He will run and meet you there…overflowing with grace and ready to restore the runaway that comes to Him by faith.

55. Let’s pray.

They just don't know that that's who they are. [JM1]

This is a good line. Slow down here, and emphasize this. [JM2]

great line [DR3]

Jack is doing Reckless Love as the last song this week. [JM4]

Make a slide out of the value. [DR5]

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