2. The Prodigal Son
Part 1
Luke 15:11-24

3. Review 2 distinct groups in Jesus’ audience
Tax collectors and sinners
Pharisees
Pharisees could not understand why Jesus received sinners and ate with them
Jesus used two parables to speak of the value of the lost to God
Even if 1 in 100 or 1 in 10
But, of course, there are more lost than that
So now Jesus tells a parable that begins with the same point, but adds more points about those who feel they are righteous

4. Driving the point home Now a parable with only the father and two sons
½ of the sons are going to be lost
More realistic assessment of how often people fail to obey
The older son will be the Pharisees
The younger son will be the sinners
The father will be the Father of all

5. The Younger Son Lk 15:11-13 Application
The younger asks for his share (1/3)
Without legal right to it
Father grants it
Younger son leaves
Application
Many people want religion their own way (including no religion and atheism)
No right to it, but God lets us go
Some lessons have to be learned the hard way

6. The inheritance Lk 15:13 Application
Takes the gifts of his Father with him
Application
What do those who sin take from God?
Their life
Their intellect
Their emotions
Their abilities

7. Life away from the Father
Lk 15:13-14
Moves to a far country
Wastes his inheritance
Application
Many who turn away to “try the waters” elsewhere end up far away
Turns out they aren’t “free”, but waste their gifts on self and others for no real gain (Rom 6:16)

8. A famine in the land Lk 15:15-16 Application
A famine and no resources left
Hires himself to do menial labor
Application
Hardship, tragedy, stress, etc.
The world can offer no comfort, no answers, no hope, etc.
All one can do is sell self to self-delusions: money, fame, power, etc.

9. A change of heart Lk 15:17-19 Application
Realized the futility of his position
Resolved to go home (repentance)
Resolved to confess sin and humble self
Application
Sinners need to realize their lost state
Sinners need to resolve to return to God
Sinners need to confess sins and humble self before God

10. Homecoming Lk 15:20 Application Resolve becomes action (he goes home)
Father is still anxiously looking for him
Application
Sinners must come to God
But God is, and has been, looking for them
And God is anxious to see the sinner trying to come home

11. Celebration Lk 15:21-23 Application
The son felt poor, miserable, guilty
The father saw only a son in need
Application
Sinners will be weighed down in sin
But God sees His child returned to Him

12. The cause for celebration
Lk 15:24
He was dead and is alive again
The sinner had lost his spiritual life and now has found it again
He was lost and is found
The Father had lost His child and now His child has been found

13. Conclusion Are you lost? Remember the Pharisees' question? (v2)
Why did Jesus receive sinners?
They were dead, and could now live again
They were lost, and now they had been found
Are you lost?
Your Father is looking for your return
Won't you come to Him now?