The Parable of the Lost Son Part 1

Introduction

Introduce myself

Ask a question: Raise your hand if this is your first mission trip.

Tell a story: Sydney and I

Context

Turn to Luke 15. If you don’t have your Bibkles you can just whip out your phones…

The New International Version Chapter 15

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

The passage I am going to read to you is the third parable that Jesus uses to respond to the Pharisees statement.

Parable?

Pharisee?

Their Question: Why does Jesus welcome sinners and eat with them?

In America, you are what you eat.

Grad party Joke

Back then, you are who you eat with

Seperation

The New International Version Chapter 15

11 Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

Explain “inheritance”

Explain what he is asking

This request is unusual and disrespectful for two reasons

The inheritance is usually given to the older son first

The inheritance is usually given after the father passes

The younger son is essentially saying to the father, “Father, I cannot wait for you to die. My life would be better if you were dead. Your money is more valuable than your life.”

He essentially spat in the face of his brother and his father

Interestingly, the father allows it. The father did not fight him, he let him go.

Sometimes God will give us what we think we want so that we realize it’s not what God intended for us at that time.

Sometimes you have to let people go completely in order to have them back fully

Sin

The New International Version Chapter 15

13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

The son WASTED his time and money

The son was EMPTY

He was so hungry, he wanted to eat pig slop but couldn’t even have that.

When we only live for ourselves, we are left empty.

Things can fill you but they cannot fulfill you.

Realization

The New International Version Chapter 15

17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

Explain

"It seems that the prodigal had to lose everything to come into touch with the ground of his being. When he found himself desiring to be treated as one of the pigs, he realized that he was not a pig but a human being, a son of his father.”

He rehearses what he will say to his father when he comes home. He is prepared to repent

Run

The New International Version Chapter 15

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Emphasize “Long way off”

Some of you feel like you are a long way off. You’ve made a step but you don’t feel like it could ever be enough. I want you to know that God sees your heart. God knows your pain. God knows you better than you know yourself. The father sees you even when you are a long way off and he is running to you.

Confession

The New International Version Chapter 15

21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

The son repents but the father doesn’t even let him finish.

Grace

The New International Version Chapter 15

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Robe: The robe is a symbol of honor

The younger son is not given his old robe.

He is given the best and most beautiful robe.

Ring: The ring is a symbol of authority

Sandals: The sandals are a symbol of luxury, freedom, and status.

Servants did not wear sandals.

Additionally, guests often had to take off their sandals while in the house. Only the master could wear them in the house

Sandals marked him as a free man

Fattened Calf: The fattened calf was saved for special occasions.

Conclusion

Summarize

Apply

Activity

Prayer