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The Loving Father PDF Print E-mail
Written by David Charlton   

Scripture

Luke 15:11-32

And he said, "There was a man who had two sons; 12 and the younger of them said to his father, `Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. 15 So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, `Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; 23 and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; 24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry. 25 "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. 27 And he said to him, `Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, `Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' 31 And he said to him, `Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"

Summary and Function


Summary: Luke 15:11-32 is often referred to as ‘The story of the Prodigal Son’. A more accurate title would be ‘The Loving Father’. The story is really about the father and how he reacts to the younger son’s return. It illustrates how God the Father reacts when we return to him. You see, it’s all about God and having a relationship with Him.

The story also illustrates the lifestyle choices we make. The younger son represents the rebel who does his own thing. This person only cares about himself and does whatever feels good to him. The older son represents the conformist. This person does what is expected of him but still does not have an intimate personal relationship with God. When the younger son returns, he repents and goes into a personal relationship with the Father. The older son, however, becomes angry and we don’t know if he comes into a personal relationship with the Father. So, we have 3 choices: 1) to be the rebel, 2) to be the conformist or 3) to have an intimate personal relationship with the Father. Which do you choose?

Purpose: To help the congregation choose to have an intimate and personal love relationship with God.

The Sermon

I. Introduction: The inaccurate name ‘Prodigal son’

1. Story not really about the younger or older brother.
2. It’s about the father and his reaction to the returning son and his explanation to the
older son.
3. The father represents God the Father and demonstrates God’s reaction when we
return to Him in repentance.
4. Synopsis of the story

II. This story illustrates the 3 lifestyle choices we have

1. The rebel as represented by the younger son

  • Wants what he wants now
  • Wants whatever feels good at the time
  • Rejects his parents values, societal values and believes whatever serve his wants

2. The conformist as represented by the older son

  • Does what’s expected
  • Stays out of trouble
  • Still, however, relying on self and not developing a close relationship with God the Father.
  • Most people fall in this category

3. Having an intimate love relationship with God

  • The rebel younger son chose this when he repented and returned home
  • We are not sure if the conformist older brother chose this. Scripture doesn’t tell us how he reacted to his father’s explanation for the welcome back party.
  • Will you choose this?

III. Conclusion

1. Choosing the 3rd lifestyle option begins with repentance and faith in Jesus.

  • Repentance: Deciding you no longer want to live a sinful lifestyle but want to live a holy lifestyle characterized by love
  • Faith: Trusting in Jesus as Savior and Lord
2. If you already chose the 3rd option, then work to maintain the relationship with God
through constant prayer, Bible study and worship. Seek to know God so you can
become more like Jesus.
 
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