1. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-24
vs 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

9. The Prodigal Son Luke 15:11-24
vs 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

10. 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

11. 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 The father forgave him and restored him to the household and called for a joyous celebration

12. 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

13. 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 His resentment against his father and brother spills out when the dad comes out to plead with him

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

17. The Father’s Response Luke 15:31-32
vs 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

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

25. 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

26. 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

27. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ

28. Grace Bible Church Glorifying God by Making Disciples of Jesus Christ