Lost Sons Series

Lost Sons

Luke 15

February 22nd, 2009

INTRODUCTION

Haleigh Cummings

An Amber Alert was issued for five-year-old Haleigh Ann-Marie Cummings of Satsuma, Florida, on February 10, 2009, hours after the little girl vanished from the bedroom of her home in the pre-dawn hours.

On February 11, 2009, Florida authorities said they believed Cummings had been kidnapped from her home. The search continued for the child on February 12, 2009, and family members made emotional pleas for Cummings’ return. Cummings father, Ronald Cummings, told NBC’s Today show "I know somebody took her. I know for a fact she didn’t wander off--she’s afraid of the dark."

The story of Haleigh’s disappearance has mobilized her Florida Community and the surrounding areas. People have voluntarily joined the search for this little girl. Most of us can understand the sympathy being expressed the empathetic motivation to help search for her.

But would our hearts be as stirred in it wasn’t a five year old little girl that was missing. How would we respond if it was . . .

„X a crack addict,

„X a partying college students,

„X a hooker,

„X an old woman,

„X a tattooed man, a pierced alternative lifestyled individual?

How would we respond? How would the Father’s heart respond?

T.S. Luke 15 provides insight for that question. Turn there with me.

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!’

31 "’My son,’ the father said, ’you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’"

P.S. YOU CAN ONLY UNDERSTAND GOD’S HEART FOR THE LOST FROM THE POSITION OF A SON

I. The Dilemma of the Lost Son.

A. The portrayal of the son is ugly.

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.