1 The Loving Father Lk. 15:11-32

2 2 Introduction We often call this text “The Parable of The Prodigal Son”We often call this text “The Parable of The Prodigal Son” We often refer to the elder brotherWe often refer to the elder brother One writer said it should be called the Parable of the Loving FatherOne writer said it should be called the Parable of the Loving Father Indeed we do see the great love of the Father in this beautiful parableIndeed we do see the great love of the Father in this beautiful parable We often call this text “The Parable of The Prodigal Son”We often call this text “The Parable of The Prodigal Son” We often refer to the elder brotherWe often refer to the elder brother One writer said it should be called the Parable of the Loving FatherOne writer said it should be called the Parable of the Loving Father Indeed we do see the great love of the Father in this beautiful parableIndeed we do see the great love of the Father in this beautiful parable

3 3 A Dividing Love- vs The younger son demanded his part of his father’s estate---the father loving gave it to himThe younger son demanded his part of his father’s estate---the father loving gave it to him The Lord treats us as sons, not as slaves—Rom. 8:16-17The Lord treats us as sons, not as slaves—Rom. 8:16-17 He shares with us the vastness of this universeHe shares with us the vastness of this universe Js. 1:17Js. 1:17 The younger son demanded his part of his father’s estate---the father loving gave it to himThe younger son demanded his part of his father’s estate---the father loving gave it to him The Lord treats us as sons, not as slaves—Rom. 8:16-17The Lord treats us as sons, not as slaves—Rom. 8:16-17 He shares with us the vastness of this universeHe shares with us the vastness of this universe Js. 1:17Js. 1:17

4 4 A Grieving Love- v. 13, 20 The father allowed his son to departThe father allowed his son to depart He could not have done otherwise and treated him as a sonHe could not have done otherwise and treated him as a son He then grieved the departureHe then grieved the departure The father allowed his son to departThe father allowed his son to depart He could not have done otherwise and treated him as a sonHe could not have done otherwise and treated him as a son He then grieved the departureHe then grieved the departure

5 5 A Grieving Love- v. 13, 20 If God is our Father, how can he but grieve when we forsake him?If God is our Father, how can he but grieve when we forsake him? Gen. 6:6Gen. 6:6 If God is our Father, how can he but grieve when we forsake him?If God is our Father, how can he but grieve when we forsake him? Gen. 6:6Gen. 6:6

6 6 A Longing Love- v. 20 He prepared for the son’s returnHe prepared for the son’s return “The fatted calf”“The fatted calf” He looked for the return--- “While he was yet afar off, the father saw him”He looked for the return--- “While he was yet afar off, the father saw him” He prepared for the son’s returnHe prepared for the son’s return “The fatted calf”“The fatted calf” He looked for the return--- “While he was yet afar off, the father saw him”He looked for the return--- “While he was yet afar off, the father saw him”

7 7 A Longing Love- v. 20 “Had compassion” = the Father loves us when we return, even if we smell like a pig!“Had compassion” = the Father loves us when we return, even if we smell like a pig! The eye of love is forever turned toward the wayward---longing to see a sign of repentanceThe eye of love is forever turned toward the wayward---longing to see a sign of repentance “Had compassion” = the Father loves us when we return, even if we smell like a pig!“Had compassion” = the Father loves us when we return, even if we smell like a pig! The eye of love is forever turned toward the wayward---longing to see a sign of repentanceThe eye of love is forever turned toward the wayward---longing to see a sign of repentance

8 8 A Longing Love- v. 20 He recognized him upon his return--- even though his son was half starved, ragged, etc.He recognized him upon his return--- even though his son was half starved, ragged, etc. Heaven is quick to recognize the faces that are turned Godward and to mark the first homeward stepHeaven is quick to recognize the faces that are turned Godward and to mark the first homeward step Jn. 14:1-3Jn. 14:1-3 He recognized him upon his return--- even though his son was half starved, ragged, etc.He recognized him upon his return--- even though his son was half starved, ragged, etc. Heaven is quick to recognize the faces that are turned Godward and to mark the first homeward stepHeaven is quick to recognize the faces that are turned Godward and to mark the first homeward step Jn. 14:1-3Jn. 14:1-3

9 9 A Forgiving Love- vs The first sight of the son stirred the father’s emotionsThe first sight of the son stirred the father’s emotions He ran to meet himHe ran to meet him He forgave himHe forgave him The first sight of the son stirred the father’s emotionsThe first sight of the son stirred the father’s emotions He ran to meet himHe ran to meet him He forgave himHe forgave him

10 A Forgiving Love- vs tokens of forgiveness were given:4 tokens of forgiveness were given: Robe of honorRobe of honor Ring of authorityRing of authority Shoes of freedomShoes of freedom Feast of joyFeast of joy 4 tokens of forgiveness were given:4 tokens of forgiveness were given: Robe of honorRobe of honor Ring of authorityRing of authority Shoes of freedomShoes of freedom Feast of joyFeast of joy

11 A Forgiving Love- vs “fell on his neck and kissed him” = seal of pardon (verse 20)“fell on his neck and kissed him” = seal of pardon (verse 20) The son did complete his confessionThe son did complete his confession Not once did the father rebuke him or mention the son’s sinsNot once did the father rebuke him or mention the son’s sins The grief of the past was lost in the joy of the presentThe grief of the past was lost in the joy of the present “fell on his neck and kissed him” = seal of pardon (verse 20)“fell on his neck and kissed him” = seal of pardon (verse 20) The son did complete his confessionThe son did complete his confession Not once did the father rebuke him or mention the son’s sinsNot once did the father rebuke him or mention the son’s sins The grief of the past was lost in the joy of the presentThe grief of the past was lost in the joy of the present

12 A Forgiving Love- vs All former privileges restoredAll former privileges restored Every time we repent-God forgives usEvery time we repent-God forgives us 2 Pet. 3:92 Pet. 3:9 Ps 86:5Ps 86:5 1 Jn. 1:71 Jn. 1:7 All former privileges restoredAll former privileges restored Every time we repent-God forgives usEvery time we repent-God forgives us 2 Pet. 3:92 Pet. 3:9 Ps 86:5Ps 86:5 1 Jn. 1:71 Jn. 1:7

13 An Appealing Love- vs After running out to meet the younger son—the father “went out” to entreat the older son to come into the houseAfter running out to meet the younger son—the father “went out” to entreat the older son to come into the house He promised him great things— fellowship and richesHe promised him great things— fellowship and riches After running out to meet the younger son—the father “went out” to entreat the older son to come into the houseAfter running out to meet the younger son—the father “went out” to entreat the older son to come into the house He promised him great things— fellowship and richesHe promised him great things— fellowship and riches

14 An Appealing Love- vs He appealed to his sympathyHe appealed to his sympathy The elder son did not want rejoicing in the home—but the father showed him this was the right thing to doThe elder son did not want rejoicing in the home—but the father showed him this was the right thing to do He appealed to his sympathyHe appealed to his sympathy The elder son did not want rejoicing in the home—but the father showed him this was the right thing to doThe elder son did not want rejoicing in the home—but the father showed him this was the right thing to do

15 Conclusion This story offers encouragement to every prodigal—though he may have drifted into the “far country” of sin---pardon and privileges await him upon returnThis story offers encouragement to every prodigal—though he may have drifted into the “far country” of sin---pardon and privileges await him upon return

16 Conclusion We also find an example for those who stay home—if the Father forgives we must forgiveWe also find an example for those who stay home—if the Father forgives we must forgive In every way the son must follow the pattern of the FatherIn every way the son must follow the pattern of the Father For the alien sinner this is a beautiful story of hope and forgivenessFor the alien sinner this is a beautiful story of hope and forgiveness We also find an example for those who stay home—if the Father forgives we must forgiveWe also find an example for those who stay home—if the Father forgives we must forgive In every way the son must follow the pattern of the FatherIn every way the son must follow the pattern of the Father For the alien sinner this is a beautiful story of hope and forgivenessFor the alien sinner this is a beautiful story of hope and forgiveness