Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Dealing with Straying Sons & Daughters Luke 15:11-31 The despised of Jewish society are coming to hear Jesus teach The Pharisees grumble about Jesus being a friend of sinners because they did not know God’s character

Dealing with Straying Sons & Daughters Luke 15:11-31 The point of the parable of finding the lost sheep is about the joy in heaven when a sinner repents The point of parable about finding the lost coin is the joy before the angels when a sinner repents

Dealing with Straying Sons & Daughters Luke 15:11-31 Though not stated as in the previous parables, the point of the parable of the two sons is the same

The Parable of Two Sons Luke 15:11-31 This parable expresses the same truth as the previous two in a story of human familial relationships. The second section is a pointed rebuke challenging the self-righteousness of the Pharisees

The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-24 vs. 12. The selfish younger son audaciously demands his father give him his future inheritance now He would receive one third of the estate at his father’s death, but he wants complete control of it now

The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-24 His generous father divides his wealth between his two sons vs. 13. The son foolishly liquidates all of his assets, travels to a distant country and squanders it all

The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-24 vs. 14-16. He quickly become destitute made worse by a local famine and he is reduced to feeding pigs Carob pods can be eaten, but they are not appetizing being dry, tough, fibrous and smelly

The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-24 vs. 17-19. He finally came to his senses and recognizes his sin and foolishness Experience is the teacher of those who are too stubborn to learn wisdom from instruction Recognizing the truth and changing your mind to match it is the first step of repentance

The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-24 vs. 20a. He got up and went to his father - the second step of repentance is acting upon the change of mind vs. 20b. The father had been watching and saw him coming in the distance and ran to meet him

The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-24 vs. 21. He confessed his sins and took responsibility for his actions - the third step of repentance vs. 22-24. The father forgave him and restored him to the household and called for a joyous celebration

The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-24 We squander what God generously give us, but upon repentance there is forgiveness and restoration Repentance of a sinner is a cause of joy in heaven and celebration on earth

The Self-Righteous Son Luke 15:25-32 The older son was unaware of what had happened and angry when he found out his brother had returned vs. 28-30. His resentment against his father and brother spills out when the dad comes out to plead with him

The Self-Righteous Son Luke 15:25-32 The claim to have never neglected / disobeyed his father commands is self-righteous and false His word choices reveal he views himself as a slave obeying a master. He resents his father

The Self-Righteous Son Luke 15:25-32 He accuses his father of being stingy and unfair using an non-equivalent comparison He resents his father’s generosity to his younger brother while forgetting what he has received

The Self-Righteous Son Luke 15:25-32 His accusation of his brother of being immoral was to highlight his father’s unfairness to him, the good son

The Father’s Response Luke 15:31-32 vs. 31-32. His father is patient, merciful and gracious in reassuring his son and reasoning with him The parable ends on the theme of celebrating repentance but leaves unsaid the older brother’s response

The Father’s Response Luke 15:31-32 The godly will in reflection of God’s character desire to see sinners repent and joy restored The self-righteous will miss Jesus’ point and maintain their false understanding of God’s character

Straying Sons & Daughters Sons and daughters that stray from the faith cause grief whether prodigal or self-righteous The father puts his son in the Lord’s hands and will trust Him for the outcome

Straying Sons & Daughters The father places the responsibility the consequences of the decisions of his sons on their shoulders The father loves his sons, but he will not interfere with the reproofs of the Lord that come upon them

Straying Sons & Daughters Parents are responsible to raise their children to be responsible adults and that begins when very young It is crucial to keep freedom and responsibility tied together as your children progress to adulthood

Straying Sons & Daughters Too much freedom results in brats and delinquents and people with controlling fears of failure Too many restrictions results in either dependence or going wild when adulthood & freedom is reached

Straying Sons & Daughters Learn to trust God while he teaches them the needed lessons through the academy of experience Joy will come when there is repentance, but until then patiently pray for God’s mercy and conviction

Straying Sons & Daughters Be patient with the self-righteous who will exclude themselves from joy until they repent of their selfishness

Conclusions Prevention: Love God yourself and teach your children His commandments - Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Raise your children in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4) Trust God yourself while holding your children responsible for the consequences of their own decisions

Conclusions Be loving and kind, but firm and resolved Do not block the reproofs of God while patiently waiting for their repentance and return Pray for God’s mercy to preserve their life and convict them of sin so that they might repent

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ