2. Luke 15:11-24

3. IN MY MEMORY.

4. 1 Corinthians 16:1-2 [1] Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, so you must do also: [2] On the first day of the week let each one of you lay something aside, storing up as he may prosper, that there be no collections when I come.

6. The Prodigal Son

7. Our third parable from Luke 15
The Lost Sheep
The Lost Coin
The reason this parable was taught was because some were not glad to see some sinners come home. Luke 15:1-2.
We need to have the same type of attitude toward the lost as God does.
As God longs for, looks for, searches for, and puts forth effort for the lost – so must we.

8. God’s Attitude Toward the Lost.
To any student of the Bible the parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most familiar.
Its sentiment, its scope, its message of a son’s rebellion, a wasted life, and a father’s love has been the source of inspiration for many lessons through the centuries.
The Main Lesson:
God’s Attitude Toward the Lost.

9. God has provided man a way back (Mark 16:16).
THE LOST SOUL.
Luke 11:11-13
[11] Then He said: "A certain man had two sons. [12] And the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.' So he divided to them his livelihood. [13] And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.
The loss here is twofold:
God loses man.
This grieves God.
John 3:16.
Man loses God.
Isaiah 59:1-2b.
God has provided man a way back (Mark 16:16).

10. THE LOST SOUL. The son was lost through self-will. James 1:13-16.
Because of self-will, the son desired to go into a “far country.”
He wanted to see the world – he wanted to eat, drink, and be merry.
Self-will causes many today to waste their lives on the things of this world – they focus on the fleshly instead of the spiritual.
Because of self-will, the son made demands of his father. Deuteronomy 21:17 states that the oldest son should receive a double portion.
In this situation that means the oldest son would have received 2/3 of his father’s property and the youngest son 1/3.
The younger son made demands of his father – being disrespectful, and his father gave his son what he desired.
We must be careful what we ask for – God may give it to us.
This son is a sober reminder that self-will separates one from the Father.

11. THE GRIEF OF SIN
Luke 11:14-16
[14] But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. [15] Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. [16] And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.
There are horrible consequences to sin.
A famine always follows a life of sin!
This son had given in to his lust and had jumped full blown into sin, and now he was reaping the consequences!

12. This son is a vivid reminder of the consequences of sins.
THE GRIEF OF SIN
This is one of the most difficult lessons to get the souls of this world to see.
Galatians. 6:7.
Sin had robbed this son of his:
Dignity
Self-respect.
Good named.
Purity.
Good conscience.
Happy home
Notice that he at this time was seeking help in “a far country” instead of seeking help from his father.
Today too many are seeking help from the wrong sources.
The divine is our only true source of help.
2 Peter 1:3. 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
This son is a vivid reminder of the consequences of sins.

13. THE JOURNEY BACK No one will ever repent until he comes to himself.
Luke
[17] "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! [18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, [19] and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."' [20] "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
No one will ever repent until he comes to himself.
Reflection is needed on our part. 2 Cor 13:5.
We must look honestly at ourselves. James 1:22-25.
He Remembered home and what he had left.
He admitted that he had sinned.
The three hardest words for man to say is “I have sinned.”
We can’t help ourselves until we admit we have a need.

14. THE JOURNEY BACK He realized his unworthiness.
Luke
[17] "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! [18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, [19] and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."' [20] "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
He realized his unworthiness.
This helped him realize the need for his father.
This will help us realize the need for our heavenly Father.
Matthew 5:3
He took action.
Simply thinking about it will not get the job done.
Matthew 3:8
This sin is a wonderful reminder that we can come back to God.

15. THE JOY OF RESTITUTION God will meet us halfway.
Luke 15:20-24 NKJV
[20] "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. [21] And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' [22] "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. [23] And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; [24] for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.
God will meet us halfway.
Notice that the son’s father “ran” to meet him.
In restitution there is God’s part (grace) and our part (obedience/repentance)
We can be assured that our heavenly Father will do the same.
God is a God of compassion.
God continually looks for His children to come home.
He is hurt by the separation.
Romans 5:8-9

16. THE JOY OF RESTITUTION God forgives when we repent.
Luke 15:20-24 NKJV
[20] "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. [21] And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' [22] "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. [23] And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; [24] for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.
God forgives when we repent.
The slate is wiped clean.
We are not on probation.
We are placed where we were when we left.
This son is a beautiful reminder that God forgives the penitent.

17. THE JOY OF RESTITUTION
[17] "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! [18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you,
He returned willingly (vv.17, 18).
The father was more than willing for him to come home (v. 20; cf. Rev. 3:20)
The son had to come to himself and decide to return.
We can and should rebuke, encourage and even beg — but prodigals must decide to do right.

18. THE JOY OF RESTITUTION He returned humbly. (vv.18-21) Psalms 34:18.
Luke 15:18-21 NKJV [18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, [19] and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants."' [20] "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. [21] And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
He returned humbly. (vv.18-21)
Psalms 34:18.
He was in no position to demand anything.
He did not try to boldly re-enter the family circle without apology.
He humbly and freely confessed his sin
“I have sinned...”
Reformation is not repentance not merely quit wickedness, but repent (Acts 8:22)
Returning is not confession not merely quit sinning, but confess (1 John 2:1; Jas. 5:16)
Not, “I have sinned, but ...”

19. There are many valuable lessons to be learned from this parable:
God seeks and receives sinners.
Man is responsible for his lost condition.
A lost man can come to God if he so desires.
Separation from God brings suffering.
Life apart from God is a waste.
We must be poor in spirit to return to God.
A good family can have children that go astray.
Material things can blind us.
Foolish decisions while we are young can cause sorrows and trouble.
The allurement of the world will cause many to be lost.
There are many “hog-pens” in this life we need to avoid.

20. The Prodigal Son God is waiting for you, will you come?
Whatever your problems, he can take care of them… just Let Him know.
Don’t hide from Him, something that He already knows… come please.
The Prodigal Son