TITLE: Parable of a Father's Love
TEXT: Luke 15:11-32
INTRO: The Bible is full of wonderful stories. There are stories of Adventure, Romance, Tragedy and Triumph. Today, we look at one of the best known stories in the entire Bible. It has been called "The Parable of the Prodigal Son," but it is really about Two Sons and their Father.
I. THE YOUNGER SON [vs.11-19]
A. Typical of Many in Their Youth
1. Grew restless and wanted to see the world
2. Demanded his share of inheritance
3. Left home and squandered his blessings (13)
B. The Results (14)
1. Alone - fair weather friends had left him
2. Starving (16)
3. Living in squalor
C. One Day, He Woke Up
1. Realized home was a better place (17)
2. Repented and returned (18-19)
D. The Father's Response
1. Was waiting and watching (20)
2. The son confessed his sin (21)
3. Asked for Mercy but received Grace (22)
4. There was rejoicing at home (23-24)
II. THE ELDER SON [vs.25-30]
A. He Was Angry and Resentful
1. Smug and self-righteous (29)
2. Felt he deserved everything
B. Lacking in Love & Compassion
1. Unloving
2. Unforgiving
C. The Father's Response [vs.31-32]
1. Reassured his elder son of his love
2. Chided him for his lack of love and forgiveness
III. THE FATHER
A. Our Behavior
1. We give in to the temptations of the world
2. We wander away from the Father's house
#Hymn - Come Thy Fount of Every Blessing
Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it,
Prone to leave the God I love;
B. How God the Father Responds
1. Our sin breaks His heart
2. But, He is willing to receive us when we repent
(2Pet.3:9) The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
3. There is rejoicing when a straying child returns
(Luk.15:10) Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
CONCL: The Father's love follows us wherever we go.
He's waiting and watching for us to return
He forgives
He forgets
He restores
All Heaven rejoices
Amen
