From Addiction to Victory

From Addiction to Victory

The Journey of the Prodigal Son

Based on a Story of Jesus in Luke15:11-28

Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. (Luke 15:11-13 NKJV)

1.    Rebellion

A.   Sin/Addiction causes a person to;

1.     Become self centered.

2.     Have a sense of entitlement.

3.     Remain in denial.

4.     Head straight for destruction.

B.   Any attempt to control their behavior is;

1.     A temporary fix.

2.     Behavior modification rather than inner transformation.

But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. (Luke 15:14-16 NKJV)

2.    Reaping

A.    Consequences are:

1.     Necessary for change.

2.     Sure to escalate.

3.     Progressively harder to avoid.

B.   God’s Discipline is:

1.     Governed by His Sovereignty.

2.      Painful for the moment.

3.   Beneficial for yielding good fruit.

"But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants." (Luke 15:17-19 NKJV)

        3. Repentance

            A. He came to his senses means a:

                    1. Change of heart.

                    2. Change of direction.

               B. Godly Sorrow is

                    1. Understanding that your sin is against God.

                    2. Not merely regret over consequences.

"And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry. (Luke 15:20-24 NKJV)

4.    Restoration

A.   The sinner is obligated to make restoration to those that he offended.

B.   God’s perspective of restoration is:

1.     Beneficial.

2.     Extravagant.

3.    Dependent on obedience.

"Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.' "But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. (Luke 15:25-28 NKJV)

5. Relationships

A. Some people will forgive you.

                          B. Some people will require time and encouragement to do so.

                          C. Healthy relationships are necessary because you are:

                              1. Not a Lone Ranger Christian.

                              2. Instructed to become part of the Body of Christ.