God is …
What Did Jesus Say About the Father?
January 23, 2022
Luke 15:11-13 NIV
“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.
Asking for his inheritance early was basically telling his dad “I wish you were dead!”
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.
Loneliness happens when we believe we have nothing in common with others.
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.
We have all made foolish choices.
We’ve all had to “return to our senses”
Most of us have had ‘pig pen moments”
I have good news!
The Father’s always glad to see us.
V. 20b "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.'
The son had given up on ever being accepted back into the family.
He was willing to settle for slavery. He had simply messed up too badly.
We’re worth more than we think.
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.
Robe – We can come home barren
Ring – We can come home broke
Sandals – We can come home bruised
There is another son in this story – the good son who stayed home. But he was just as lost as his brother.
Luke 15:25-32 NIV
"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.'"
It’s possible to live in a house, without it ever feeling like home.
The son was obedient, doing all the right things, but never knew his father as dad.
“this son of yours”, not “my brother”
Where are you in this story?
Are you the prodigal who just wants to come home?
Are we the older brother who has done all the right things but does not really know dad?
