The Prodigal Son

Part 1Part 1Luke 15:11-24Luke 15:11-24

Review• 2 distinct groups in Jesus’ audience2 distinct groups in Jesus’ audience

• Tax collectors and sinnersTax collectors and sinners• PhariseesPharisees

– Pharisees could not understand why Jesus Pharisees could not understand why Jesus received sinners and ate with themreceived sinners and ate with them

– Jesus used two parables to speak of the value Jesus used two parables to speak of the value of the lost to Godof the lost to God

• Even if 1 in 100 or 1 in 10Even if 1 in 100 or 1 in 10• But, of course, there are more lost than thatBut, of course, there are more lost than that

• So now Jesus tells a parable that begins with So now Jesus tells a parable that begins with the same point, but adds more points about the same point, but adds more points about those who feel they are righteousthose who feel they are righteous

Driving the point home• Now a parable with only the father and Now a parable with only the father and

two sonstwo sons– ½ of the sons are going to be lost½ of the sons are going to be lost– More realistic assessment of how often More realistic assessment of how often

people fail to obeypeople fail to obey• The older son will be the PhariseesThe older son will be the Pharisees• The younger son will be the sinnersThe younger son will be the sinners• The father will be the Father of allThe father will be the Father of all

The Younger Son• Lk 15:11-13Lk 15:11-13

– The younger asks for his share (1/3)The younger asks for his share (1/3)• Without legal right to itWithout legal right to it• Father grants itFather grants it• Younger son leavesYounger son leaves

• ApplicationApplication– Many people want religion their own way Many people want religion their own way

(including no religion and atheism)(including no religion and atheism)• No right to it, but God lets us goNo right to it, but God lets us go• Some lessons have to be learned the hard waySome lessons have to be learned the hard way

The inheritance• Lk 15:13Lk 15:13

– Takes the gifts of his Father with himTakes the gifts of his Father with him• ApplicationApplication

– What do those who sin take from God?What do those who sin take from God?• Their lifeTheir life• Their intellectTheir intellect• Their emotionsTheir emotions• Their abilitiesTheir abilities

Life away from the Father• Lk 15:13-14Lk 15:13-14

– Moves to a far countryMoves to a far country– Wastes his inheritanceWastes his inheritance

• ApplicationApplication– Many who turn away to “try the waters” Many who turn away to “try the waters”

elsewhere end up far awayelsewhere end up far away– Turns out they aren’t “free”, but waste Turns out they aren’t “free”, but waste

their gifts on self and others for no real their gifts on self and others for no real gain (Rom 6:16)gain (Rom 6:16)

A famine in the land• Lk 15:15-16Lk 15:15-16

– A famine and no resources leftA famine and no resources left– Hires himself to do menial laborHires himself to do menial labor

• ApplicationApplication– Hardship, tragedy, stress, etc.Hardship, tragedy, stress, etc.– The world can offer no comfort, no The world can offer no comfort, no

answers, no hope, etc.answers, no hope, etc.– All one can do is sell self to self-delusions: All one can do is sell self to self-delusions:

money, fame, power, etc.money, fame, power, etc.

A change of heart• Lk 15:17-19Lk 15:17-19

– Realized the futility of his positionRealized the futility of his position– Resolved to go home (repentance)Resolved to go home (repentance)– Resolved to confess sin and humble selfResolved to confess sin and humble self

• ApplicationApplication– Sinners need to realize their lost stateSinners need to realize their lost state– Sinners need to resolve to return to GodSinners need to resolve to return to God– Sinners need to confess sins and humble Sinners need to confess sins and humble

self before Godself before God

Homecoming• Lk 15:20Lk 15:20

– Resolve becomes action (he goes home)Resolve becomes action (he goes home)– Father is still anxiously looking for himFather is still anxiously looking for him

• ApplicationApplication– Sinners must come to GodSinners must come to God– But God is, and has been, looking for themBut God is, and has been, looking for them– And God is anxious to see the sinner And God is anxious to see the sinner

trying to come hometrying to come home

Celebration• Lk 15:21-23Lk 15:21-23

– The son felt poor, miserable, guiltyThe son felt poor, miserable, guilty– The father saw only a son in needThe father saw only a son in need

• ApplicationApplication– Sinners will be weighed down in sinSinners will be weighed down in sin– But God sees His child returned to HimBut God sees His child returned to Him

The cause for celebration• Lk 15:24Lk 15:24

– He was dead and is alive againHe was dead and is alive again• The sinner had lost his spiritual life and now The sinner had lost his spiritual life and now

has found it againhas found it again– He was lost and is foundHe was lost and is found

• The Father had lost His child and now His child The Father had lost His child and now His child has been foundhas been found

Conclusion• Remember the Pharisees' question? (v2)Remember the Pharisees' question? (v2)

– Why did Jesus receive sinners?Why did Jesus receive sinners?• They were dead, and could now live againThey were dead, and could now live again• They were lost, and now they had been foundThey were lost, and now they had been found

• Are you lost?Are you lost?– Your Father is looking for your returnYour Father is looking for your return– Won't you come to Him now?Won't you come to Him now?