October 23, 2011
Morning Service

8.                  The parable of the Prodigal son.  Welcome home son.

 

In chapter 15 of the Gospel of Luke Jesus gives us three parables on how much God loves mankind. 

1. The first was concerning the lost sheep.  A man has a hundred sheep, and one goes astray, and he searches high, and low, until he finds that one sheep.
2. The second is of the woman who has lost 1 piece of the ten pieces of silver that she has, and does everything she can to find that one piece.
3. The third is that of a man having two sons, and one of them goes astray, and finally comes back home.

Jesus was actually speaking to the Publicans, and sinners, and the Scribes, and Pharisees marveled that he would eat, and speak with sinners.  However, this is what these three parables are all about, God receiving people that some might not think worthy of the Kingdom of God, or one of His children gone astray, and wakes up, and comes back home.

 

Let’s look at one of these this morning:  THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON.

 

Luk 15:11-24 KJVR  And he said, A certain man had two sons:  (12)  And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. 

• Hopefully we can see that things haven’t changed all that much.  Young people making foolish decisions.
• This is one of my great concerns, and has been for some time, young people getting in touch with God, so that He can guide them into a better life.
• Jesus told His disciples one time;  Luk 10:2 KJVR  Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth laborers into his harvest.
• And again:  Joh 4:35 KJVR  Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.
• The mission fields of Africa, and other foreign countries are very much needed, but we live among some of the richest fields of the world, within in throwing distance from where we are right now.  What do we have to do to get people to see that Jesus is the answer to a better life?

 

Well, the young man got his inheritance.

(13)  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 

• Don’t look so harshly at this young man, this is what everything today is pointing too, Hollywood, TV, video games, everything is leading our young people to a life of luxury, and excitement.
• It’s a lie from satan, and it never happens, all they get is a destroyed life.

 

NOTICE:

(14)  And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. 

• After the Casinos, the promiscuous women, or men, falling into bad habits, and satan has tricked you into wasting your wealth, then there is the time of waking up, and looking at reality.  The world does not care about you, but God does. 

(15)  And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.  (16)  And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 

• THE WORLD DOES NOT CARE FOR YOU, IT IS FULL OF GREED, HATRED, AND LOOKING OUT FOR THEMSELVES.

(17)  And when he came to himself,

• There comes a time in many lives that we recognize we are at a crossroads.  We have made decisions that have taken us down the wrong path in life.  We searched for happiness in all the wrong places, when it was right at home with family, and friends all the time.

NOTICE:

he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!  (18)  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,  (19)  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 

• Sometimes when we are at our lowest in life, we think the straightest, and make the wisest decisions.
• The servants in my Father’s house have ample food to eat, and enough to spare.
• I will go to my Father ( God ), and tell Him that I have made foolish decisions, and that I am sorrow, and I will ask forgiveness for my wrong life style. 

(20)  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. 

• Jesus wants all us sinners, and Publicans to know that God is standing with open arms to receive us home as His children.  Jesus wants you to know that He has missed your fellowship, and the close relationship that He desires with each of His children.  COME HOME, COME HOME, I WILL RECEIVE YOU UNTO MYSELF.

(21)  And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 

• True repentance is all that is required.  “Father, I have sinned against God Almighty, and you, and I am not worthy to be called thy son.”   Repentance from the heart brings wonderful results.

(22)  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:  (23)  And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:  (24)  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

• If you ever wondered what God thinks about you coming to Him for forgiveness, this is it.  He will change your life.  He wants only the best for you, and He has the power to provide it.

 

IT DOESN’T SAY HOW THIS BOY LIVED THE REST OF HIS LIFE, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT HE LIVED IT FAITHFULLY TO THE END, AND ALSO USED THIS EXPERIENCE TO HELP OTHER YOUNG PEOPLE MAKE WISE DECISIONS WHILE THEY WERE GROWING UP.

 

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, HELP US NOT ONLY TO SEE THESE TRUTHS IN YOUR WORD, BUT TO PUT THEM INTO ACTION.  AMEN.