The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

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by

Robert Piña
in

Introduction: A parable is an earthly story with a heavenly truth. A prodigal is someone who wastes what he has and throws it away. 

1. The Departure of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-13) This is how it all begins. 

  • “give me”- vs12 This young man was selfish and self-centered. Not even please. I Timothy 6:9-10 
  • “far country”- vs 13 you could be here now but in your heart be in the far country. This person wants to live his own life without his/her parents telling him what to do. Home is too demanding, requires much, no freedom, not fun, not fair, not understood, controlled, and disciplined. Proverbs 29:1 “he, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy”. 
  • “riotous living”- vs 13 loose, reckless, extravagant living, selfishness, sin, shame, greed, immorality. Careless spending, immoral behavior, irreverent speech, immodest dress. II Timothy 3:1-2 “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves….lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God”. 

2. The Misery of the Far Country (Luke 15:14-16) It’s not fun being in this place.This person squandered and wasted his money, his talents, his purpose, his opportunities, his thoughts, his body, his soul. 

  • “when he had spent all”- vs 14 Your money will be gone when your living the fast life and when your money is gone so are your “friends”. 
  • “began to be in want”- vs 14 he was empty, unsatisfied, unfulfilled, displeased. Only the person that is hungering and thirsting for righteousness will be filled- Matthew 5:6 “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled”. 
  • “sent him into his fields to feed swine”- vs 15 from being a fine rich young man to cleaning hog pens. John 8:34 “Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin”. 
  • “the husks that swine did eat”- vs 16 a husk is the covering of a fruit or seed (Hymn 446)

3. The Repentance (Luke 15:17-19) Every person must come to himself and repent before its too late. 

  • “came to himself”- vs 17 This means he was besides himself- out of his mind and came to his senses and right mind. 
  • “I will arise and go”- vs 18 genuine repentance is a change of mind and direction toward God. Here is just the thinking, below is the actual action. 
  • “no more worthy”- vs 19 this is true humility “make me as one of thy hired servants”. This is a good picture of a backsliding Christian. 

4. The Return and the Father (Luke 15:20-21) The love of God the father welcomes the repentant with open arms. “For God so loved the world”. 

  • “And he arose and came to his father”- vs 20 he repented, he did get up and turn from his sinful life and went to his father. No longer thinking about it, but doing it. 
  • “father saw him, and had compassion, and ran”- vs 20 Our heavenly father will do the same if you repent and return to God. God wants to restore us to fellowship- I John 1:9. 
  • He was accepted even before he confessed- God know if we are sincere. 

5. The Rejoicing– Luke 15:22-24 When one person turns to God for salvation there is rejoicing. 

  • “Bring forth the best robe..”- vs 23 this shows a great picture of salvation.
  • “let us eat, and be merry”- vs 23 The father fed the son and celebrated his son’s return. Don’t worry about what others say, come back to God. 
  • “he was lost; and is found”- vs 24 Luke 19:10 “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost”.
  • Luke 15:7 “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance”. 

6. The Older Brother’s Reaction (Luke 15:25-30) this the reaction of a pharisee- a person who pretends holiness and considers himself more righteous than others. 

  • vs 29-31 this is the reaction of a pharisee, a person that is prideful and entitled. We are all saved by grace through faith, be happy when a person turn from devil to God. 
  • Be happy when a backslidden Christian turns from the world back to God. Instead of being judgmental and rejecting the person. 

7. The Father’s Heart for All (Luke 15:31-32) God desires reconciliation with all His children.

  • God’s heart is for both the lost to be found and the faithful to rejoice in His grace.
  • “He was dead and is alive again”- vs 32 (Ephesians 2:1 “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins”. 
  • “was lost, and is found”- vs 32 (Isaiah 53:6 “All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all”.) 

Conclusion: If you’re in the far country, get back. If your thinking about leaving unto the far country, STOP. If you’ve come back from the far country, rejoice!.