January 3, 2016
Morning Service

Luke 15:11-24

 

I mentioned last week we are given two examples, or parables to explain the importance of seeking the lost.  Here in chapter 15 we see the examples of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and today’s study of the lost son. 

This was the Scripture that was preached the morning I was converted.  Easter Sunday, 1969, in Louisville, Ky.  Fern Valley Road, Evangel Tabernacle, Bro. Jimmy Swaggart preaching, and the Holy Ghost drawing. 

I’m trusting the Holy Ghost, to draw people to Himself, from this story again today, and that the lives of the listener’s will be changed.         Let’s pray.                      Let’s begin. 

 

Luk 15:11-32  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.  (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. 

·         This picture is not uncommon in life today.  An individual to young to make decisions on his own, but the parent letting him have his way.  Parents have got to parent.  Most of you have gone through some of the things, or have seen these things, of the world (riotous living)  that will destroy your life.  It’s because of this you should protect your children.  Don’t give in to every whim that they have, do what’s best for the child.

·         Left on his own, this young man went partying, and paid the price. (Wrong friends)

·         We will notice, from this parable, that all children are not alike.  Some are satisfied with the quieter life, and some have a more adventuresome spirit.

·         Sadly to say, there are many today, in the same shoes, that this young man has chosen to walk in.    RIOTOUS LIVING.  Entails many hurting life styles.  Drugs, alcohol, all manners of fornication.  This type of living will destroy your life, and break the heart of your Father.

·         And when we say this, it is in comparison with a life dedicated to pleasing the Father.  To being faithful, obedient, hard working, doing all the things that brings honor to your Father.

 

And now we get a picture of how the world will treat you, when you are down trodden, because of wrong decisions.

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

·         So finally this young man wakes up from his careless life style, and the results, and look what happens.  He begins to reason with himself.

(17)  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 

·         And now, there is a decision to make.  Knowing this about my Father’s house, do I continue to live my life in rebellion, and perish, or do I arise, and go to my Father’s house?

(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. 

·         He makes the right decision.  He wants something better than what he has, and he knows he can find it in his Father’s house.  Peace, love, joy, security, a life.

·         There are many young people out there today wishing they had made different decisions in life, they are caught up in a lifestyle that is destroying their lives.

·         They feel apart from others.  That they have no hope.  That they are all alone, no where to turn.

·         Satan, the spirit of this world, tells them, “hang in there, things will get better.”  Until they recognize his deception, and turn back to their Father’s ways, they will not get better. 

·         It’s like the advertisement of buzz drinking.  Just a little of the world won’t hurt you, a lie from satan.  You want change, you got to sell out totally to God.  Then you will have change. 

·         You must do what this young man is going to do, repent, and confess, then act.  What do I mean act?

1.       After you turn to God, read your Bible daily, listen to God, and do your best to obey Him.

2.      He will guide you into a closer relationship with your family, and Him.

3.      Surround yourself with Godly people.  It takes new friends to help you change.

4.      Get involved with the things of God.  Church activities, make yourself available to the leadership of the church, so they can use you according to your talents.

5.      Put away from yourself the things of the world that would drag you down, and put on the things of God, that will lift you up.

This young man starts making good decisions.

(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.  (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. 

·         Confession from a repentant heart.  Makes for a happy Father.

·         Notice the reaction of the Father, and this is what you can expect from God Almighty, when you are willing to repent, and confess from a sincere heart.

·         Jesus had said earlier in this chapter, “the angels in heaven rejoice when one sinner repents.”

(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. 

·         This truly is the attitude of heaven when one sinner is brought back to the fold of God.

·         Now, he is on the right track for a happy, and joyful life.  You can bet his life will now be a life of servitude, and thankfulness.  Willing to help others that might be in the same situation he found himself.  That’s the way it works.  ONCE DELIVERED, POINTING PEOPLE BACK TO THEIR FATHER’S HOUSE, WHERE THERE IS LOVE, PEACE, AND HAPPINESS.

 

Isn’t this the life we want for everyone?  I think so.  A life filled with love, joy, peace, happiness, and security.  The only way you can possess this life is to accept the offer from God Almighty, of His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is a free gift, and life changing experience, but it takes a repentant heart, and a total surrendering of ourselves to the will of God.

Is it worth it?  I have never talked to anyone that has been delivered from the grasp of the world, that didn’t say, “I wished I had done it sooner.”

 

ALMIGHTY GOD, REMOVE THE CHAINS OF DOUBT, THE DECEPTION, THAT SATAN HAS ON PEOPLE THAT ARE BOUND BY HIS TRICKERY, AND SET THEM FREE.   AMEN.