Luke 15:1-3, 11
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near Jesus to listen to Him. 2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes began to complain, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 And so He told them this parable, saying, 11 And He said, “A man had two sons.
Big Question: Which one of the 2 sons am I more like?
Big Idea: Loving fathers seek their children.
1. God’s Goodness for the Prodigal (v.14-17)
Luke 15:14-17 NASB
14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he longed to have his fill of the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything. 17 But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired laborers have more than enough bread, but I am dying here from hunger!
A. Bad Decisions lead to Desperate Situations (v.14)
Hebrews 12:6-11
“For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.” It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline? But if you are without discipline, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Furthermore, we had earthly fathers to discipline us, and we respected them; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of spirits, and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, so that we may share His holiness. All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness.”
B. Failing to Save Yourself helps you to Come to Your Senses (v.15-17)
2. God’s Goodness for the Prideful (v.25-31)
Luke 15:25-31 NASB
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. 29 But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have
never neglected a command of yours; and yet you never gave me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.
A. Your Response doesn’t change someone else’s Reality (v.28, v.32)
Romans 12:15-16 NAB
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation.”
B. Your work can never out earn relational favor (v.29-31)
3. God’s Goodness through the Parent
A. Good fathers love their children more than they love their stuff (v.12,
22-24, 31)
Luke 15:12 NASB
“ 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that is coming to me.’ And so he divided his wealth between them.”
Luke 15:22-24 NASB
“ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it onmhim, and put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let’s eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.”
Luke 15:31 NASB
“ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.”
B. Good fathers are moved by compassion when their children fail (v.20)
Luke 15:20 NASB
“ 20 So he set out and came to his father. But when he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.”
C. Good fathers keep open hearts with high standards (v.31-32)
Luke 15:31-32 NASB
“ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.’”
“You told hell he’s Mine now, He’s back where he belongs… You threw me a party… Heaven rejoices… they said welcome back home. You gave me a robe and a ring. You saved a seat just for me.”
–Jealous w/ Maverick City Music & Kirk Franklin
