Prodigals: The Prodigal Father

Big Idea

Tension: How does the Father reveal himself in the parable of the prodigal Son?

Resolution: He reveals him in his extreme contrast to the citizen of the foreign country.

Exegetical Idea: The Father reveals himself by his extreme contrast to the citizen of the foreign country.

Theological Idea: The Father shows that he is the source and the highest possible conception of every good thing but through Christ we can know him.

Homiletical Idea: Even though the Father is greater than we could possibly imagine, he still invites us in through Christ.

Intro:

The Cit

The Citizen in the Far Country: Meant to be a contrast to the person of the Father. We often attach ourselves to something that we are looking for to fill our souls. Maybe a job, or a person, a romantic relationship, a child, a parent, a toy, and much like the citizen in the far country, it is initially promising. And all the while, the Father is offering his hands to us in love.

Whereas this son pursues a relationship with the citizen, the father goes out and seeks the son.

God seeks us before we knew that we were lost. Parable of the lost sheep.

“Joined” or “hired” in vs. 15

“while he was still a long way off” (vs. 20)

The Father is Foolish

Whereas the citizen condones the son’s actions, the father requires repentance.

No terms, no change is asked of

allows his confession, but not his solution (21)

Whereas the citizen gives the son what he has earned, the father gives his sons grace.

Whereas the citizen is withholding, the father is generous with all that he has.

Whereas the citizen gives the son what he has earned, the father gives his sons grace.

The citizen treats the younger son how he deserved

The Father gives both what they do not

Whereas the citizen sends the son out into the field, the father brings his sons home.

Whereas the citizen sends the son out into the field, the father brings his sons home.

“who sent him out”

Whereas the citizen gives the son what he has earned, the father gives his sons grace.

the father goes to both his sons outside

Whereas the citizen forces the son to slave in the field, the father will not allow the son to slave for him.

2. Whereas the citizen sends the son out into the field, the father runs to the field to bring the son home.

The “citizen in the far country” is meant to contrast with the father. Whereas this son pursues a relationship wiht hte citizen, the father goes out and seeks the son. Whereas the citizen sends the son out into the field, the father runs to the field to bring the son home. Whereas the citizen condones the son’s actions, the father requires repentance. Whereas the citizen forces the son to slave in the field, the father will nto allow the son to slave for him. Whereas the citizen forces the son into starvation, teh father filsl the son’s stomach. Whereas the citizen humiliates the son by forcing him to work among pigs, the father honors the son by putting his robe on him. Whereas the citizen could care less that the son has gone away, the father is waiting and watching for the son to come home.

No rights

The Father is Knowing

The Father will not allow his sons to work for him

Whereas the citizen shows contempt for the the son, the Father loves his sons.

The citizen will not keep the son in his presence

The father feels affection, he kisses his son, he entreats with his son

Whereas the citizen condones the son’s actions, the father requires repentance.

Whereas the citizen humiliates the son by forcing him to work among pigs, the father honors the son by putting his robe on him.

3. Whereas the citizen condones the son’s actions, the father requires repentance. Whereas the citizen forces the son to slave in the field, the father will nto allow the son to slave for him. Whereas the citizen forces the son into starvation, teh father filsl the son’s stomach. Whereas the citizen humiliates the son by forcing him to work among pigs, the father honors the son by putting his robe on him. Whereas the citizen could care less that the son has gone away, the father is waiting and watching for the son to come home.

the citizen forces the younger son to feed an unclean animal

Whereas the citizen forces the son to slave in the field, the father will not allow the son to slave for him.

The father puts a robe on his back, a ring on his finger, and feet on his shoes

The Father is Holy

Whereas the citizen forces the son into starvation, the father fills the son’s stomach.

“longing to be fed”

the father kills the fatted calf

Whereas the citizen is withholding, the father is generous with all that he has.

“No one gave him anything”

Whereas the citizen humiliates the son by forcing him to work among pigs, the father honors the son by putting his robe on him.

“All that I have is yours”

Whereas the citizen could care less that the son has gone away, the father is waiting and watching for the son to come home.

We never hear any noise from the citizen when the son has gone

The father, by contrast, has been waiting for the son to come home

Whereas the citizen is silent, the Father is joyful.

The citizen shows little emotion for the son when he comes or when he leaves

The father is overwhelmingly joyful

All of this is Christ for you in the gospel.

Will you come home?

The Father is Loving

The Father is Affectionate

The Father is Forgiving

The Father is Forgiving

The Father is Joyful

The Father is Joyful

The Father is Generous

The Father is a Savior

The Father is Seeking

The Father is Fulfilling