Luke 15:11-24 “‘…A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a far journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.’ So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to

called your son.’ But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”

He Left

Satan’s Power 1 Peter 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Never say, “It will not happen to me!” Matt. 26:33 “…..‘Even though all may fall away because of You, I will never fall away.”

“He Wasted”

What Is A Man Profited? Matt. 16:26

“But when he came to his senses” Luke 15:17

What brought him to his senses?

Not his associates Been there a long time “He remembered…”

The Power of God’s Word

Rom. 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active and shaper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”

If God’s Word Is So Powerful Why Did You Leave?

Lu. 9:44-46 “’Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.’ But they did not understand this statement, it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.”

“An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest.”

Matt. 14:13-21 Jesus feeds 5000+ Matt. 14:22-33 Jesus walks on water & Peter sinks (“little faith”) Mk. 6:51-52 “Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened.”

Study to show yourself approved to God 2 Tim. 2:15 Study to show yourself approved to God

Handling accurately the word of truth.

2 Pet. 3:18 “…..grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”

Psa. 119:11, 105 “Thy word have I treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against Thee.” “Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.”

But while he was still a long way off

Joy in heaven Lu 15:6 – the lost sheep “rejoice with me” Lu. 15:9 – the lost coin “rejoice with me” Lu. 15:23 – the lost son “let us eat and celebrate”