“The Prodigal”

Luke 15:11-32

A parable about a repentant sinner (15:1), a self-righteous religionist (Pharisee 15:2), and a loving Father.  “Prodigal” means reckless, wastefulness, to Rebel…

Psalms 107:17 Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.

I.  The Deception of Rebellion

Luke 15:11-13 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. 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.

·         Attitude of Self-Centeredness

o   “Give me my”… proud, demanding, wanted his way… every choice brings consequences.

·         Alienation from Positive Influence

o   He got his money and split the scene… He probably felt too controlled and restrictive – now he’s running away to a new freedom… away from any constraints… FREE???

o   When Christ is not first place...  we begin to allow sin in our lives... turn from truth/good

o   We begin distancing ourselves from others who care about us, the church, and God.

·         Attraction for Worldly Pursuits

o   The young man squandered his wealth in wild living (his brother says with prostitutes v30)

o   As long as his money held out, he had lots of so called “friends”.  Big parties... Fast times…

o   Lots of booze, loud music, loose women... fun and frolic.  Spiraling into worldly pursuits.

o   Caught up in the thrill of the moment… eat, drink and be merry… grab all the gusto you can

II. The Devastation of Rebellion

Luke 15:14-16 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.

o   Pigs were unclean animals. Jews were not even allowed to touch pigs. When the prodigal took a job feeding pigs, even longing for their food to fill his belly, it reveals that he had fallen as low as he could possibly go. The prodigal represents a person living in rebellion to God. Sometimes we have to hit rock-bottom before we come to our senses and recognize our sin.

·         Hopes and Dreams Shattered

o   Short time before he packed up all he had and set out on his grand adventure… money ran out

o   Doing things his way was tougher than he could ever imagine… His world collapsing around him

·         Growing Sense of Emptiness and Fear

o   The prodigal partied hard, now Flat out broke… away from home…

o   Empty inside, empty physically, but even worst empty spiritually… feelings of being lost…

o   Estranged from His Father, empty… now a famine strikes the land, brutal, harsh, severe famine

o   It’s scary being all alone in a faraway place… no means of support… no family… FEAR grips him

o   Is this God’s judgment he wonders… what does it feel like to die??  In great need… HELP!

·         Overwhelming Feelings of Desperation

o   Desperate, he finds employment at a pig farm… can you imagine a Jewish boy feeding pigs

o   No longer trying to impress others, Tired of trying to control the situation… Wallowing in guilt and denial which was sapping his energy… depression begins to overwhelm him

o   The pigs are eating better than me… the prodigal finally hit bottom

III.  The Outcome

A.  The Prodigal’s Response – Brokenness, Repentance, Faith

Luke 15:17-21 ¹⁷ "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men 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 men.'  ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father… 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.'

·         Look at these words… “When he came to his senses…”  “I am starving to death…” “I have sinned…” “I am no longer worthy…” The Prodigal hit rock bottom, now humbled he looks up…

·         Wallowing in the stench of the pig pen, He lost it all… his family, his inheritance, his self-respect, his wild living, his so called friends… all his crutches were removed, he had nothing…

·         V20 tells us he did something about his situation – “he got up and went to his father” - ADMIT

·         Genuine repentance is usually preceded by a deep brokenness over sin… he exercise faith

·         This is a picture of an unbeliever… God says “all our righteousness are as filthy rags” (Isa 64:6)

·         If you are not yet a believer, this story may describe your life… but you just don’t realize it yet

B.  The Father’s Response – Waiting, Love, Forgiveness

Luke 15:20-24 ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father. "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. 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.' 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.

·         The prodigal went to his father who represents God… but notice the father saw the Prodigal from a long distance away… the father was patiently waiting and watching…  “Father saw him”

·         Overflowing with deep everlasting love… the father ran to greet the wayward prodigal / rebel

·         The father hugged him & kissed him… unconditional love and acceptance right now…

·         He didn’t say, I told you so… You should have known better…  Why didn’t you listen to me?

·         God sees you wherever you are… He looks at you with loving kindness... God is madly in love with you.  So much that He demonstrated it on cross.

·         We see no anger with the son, no punishment but we do see love and forgiveness…

·         Our Heavenly Father is waiting for you… just as the prodigal sought forgiveness... 

·         God’s mercy and grace cannot be fully comprehended...  The Father ran to the son... God is more eager for a relationship than we are... he’s eagerly waiting to run to you.

The Father…

·         “Hugged & kissed the son” - He desires an intimate personal relationship with each of us.

·         “Put the best robe on him” – Speaks of the righteousness of Christ being imputed to the son.

·         “Placed a ring on his finger” – A symbol of authority and honor.

·         “Put sandals on his feet” - Elevated above servant hood – Son sets us Free – freedom in Christ.

·         “Threw a celebration banquet” – Speaks of full reconciliation and acceptance, coming Kingdom.

·         He offers us everything in his kingdom, restoring full relationship with joyful celebration. He doesn't even dwell on our past rebellion and sinfulness.

 Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

C.  The Brother’s Response – Anger, Works-based, Emptiness

Luke 15:25-32 ²⁵ "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ²⁷ 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' ²⁸ "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!' ³¹ "'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.'"

·         The older son got mad and whined – a picture of the religious Jews in a privileged position as God’s chosen people… We see in 15:2 the religious class of Pharisee’s & Teachers of the Law muttered and ripped Jesus for associating with sinners.

·         The prodigal represented the “sinners and tax collectors” – the outcast, the wayward, the Gentiles.

·         I recently read about a Christian music artist, Michael English who made a CD entitled “The Prodigal Comes Home”… He sank to the depths of an extramarital affair with his backup singer and spiraled further downward into severe drug addiction… Michael's recovery was marked by a few set backs and relapses until he finally said to himself that God had given him this opportunity to get clean and if he did not follow through with the recovery it would be “like spitting in the face of God.” He surrendered to the Lord and his life totally turned around…

·         If you would pause to think about your life… probably most here could say I’m a prodigal…

·         Attitude of self-centeredness, a drift away from solid Biblical core values, fascination for the world

Daniel 9:9 The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him;

·         God gives us these examples in scripture so that we realize that our children may turn against God. He also gives us instruction on how to dig in spiritually for our prodigal children: Be in constant prayer, always lead by example, and follow through with love and grace, no matter how despairing things get, remember God's promises, live by faith

D.  My Personal Response

·         Who are you in this story? Are you the prodigal, a Pharisee or a servant? Are you the rebellious son, lost and far from God? Are you the self-righteous Pharisee, legalistic, no longer capable of rejoicing when a sinner returns to God?

Romans 10:9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Who can I invite to Friend Day Oct 11^th?

·         You might be a prodigal sitting here this morning... looking for freedom but finding only bondage.

·         Looking for love but only finding emptiness.  Looking for a party but only finding problems. 

·         Your heavenly Father loves you, He’s waiting to forgive you and welcome you back to Himself.

·         If you hear the Lord calling you back home – come to your senses and say YES Lord, I’m coming home

If you never accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:

 

Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God.