The Prodigal Son Series

Tell Me a Story

The Prodigal Son

Slide

Happy Father’s Day to all the Dad’s here this morning.

To all of you wives and kids, honor your husbands and Dad’s today for the difficult job they have been given. They may not be perfect but give them the honor they are due for the role they have been given by our heavenly father.

This morning we are finishing up our Tell me a story Series in which we have been looking at some of the stories, parables, that Jesus used to teach those with ears to hear. I hope that we have had ears to hear the messages that God has had for us over these past 5 weeks. I know He has been working in my own life through these messages.

This morning, we are going to look at the story about a Father with 2 sons that is commonly known as the Prodigal Son.

Now even if you are not a churchgoer, I am sure you have heard the term prodigal son and that you may even know the premise of the story as a story about a son who leaves his father and then later returns in repentance.

Well this morning we are going to look a bit closer at this story and see if we can gain a better understanding of ourselves, from looking at the characteristics of each son of this Father and gain a better understanding of our Heavenly Father’s heart so we might enjoy the close relationship He desires.

Turn with me to Luke 15:11 (p. 740).

Slide

As you turn there let me give you a bit of the context.

We see in Luke 15:1 that Jesus had been eating with “sinners” and the Pharisees were there complaining about this.

Luke 15:1 reads

1 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."

So Jesus has got sinners as well as the Pharisees who were righteous in their own sight listening to what he has to say.

This story is meant to teach both groups.

But what is he trying to teach?

Let’s read and see what it is that Jesus was seeking to teach those who were listening.

Luke 15:11-32

11 Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ’Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

17 "When he came to his senses, he said, ’How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.

"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

21 "The son said to him, ’Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 "But the father said to his servants, ’Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

25 "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ’Your brother has come,’ he replied, ’and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’

28 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ’Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’