A. The Prodigal Son
Prodigal, adj. (1) wasteful, reckless, or extravagant, (2) giving into desires or weaknesses, (3) spend resources unnecessarily, i.e., spend thrift ~Webster
B. Picture of the Younger Son
To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, “At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son’” (Luke 15:11-21, NLT).
Cultural Background
1. The older brother should receive inheritance first.
2. To ask for inheritance (before death) was grossly insulting to the father.
3. To ask was akin to wishing (or treating) his father dead.
4. The tradition in the Middle East was to slap son for asking, but the father gave him a banquet. This is mercy.
5. The young son “packed up” and left, a picture of putting a distance between you and God. Distance in relationship, influence, respect, and obligation.
6. The younger son:
a. Asked for inheritance before elder brother received his.
b. Did not stay to work with family or fellowship with family.
c. Lifestyle contradicts family expectation.
d. Acted out his desires (sinful nature).
7. Circumstances (poverty) forced younger son to change thinking and life direction.
8. The young son returned prepared to “grovel” before father.
9. The young son expected punishment and loss of everything.
10. Father astonished all by running to meet his son.
Other religions and the world do not expect this treatment at the hand of God.
C. A Picture of the Older Son
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’ “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’” (Luke 15:25-32, NLT).
1. The elder son did not want any part of the celebration.
This is the reaction of legalist and other religions to a loving father.
2. The older son had done everything right (in actions and attitudes) but excluded himself from God’s celebration.
a. He didn’t go searching for his brother.
b. He didn’t ask for money early.
c. Rejected “playboy” attitude of younger brother.
d. Refused to acknowledge him, “your son, not “my brother.”
e. Shamed his father by boycotting the celebration.
f. Refused to forgive his brother.
g. Refused the father’s plea to be loving and accepting.
h. Didn’t participate in the loving restoration atmosphere.
3. Father leaves banquet he is hosting to plead with the older son (legalist) who rejected younger son. The near Eastern mind would reject this picture of inhospitality.
4. The elder brother said, “For years I have slaved for you.” A picture of “slavery” is a picture of legalism. Those who “serve” God without joy or fellowship with God. Also a picture of self-righteousness.
5. The father went out to correct him and invite him into fellowship.
6. The actions of the older brother were wrong, the father wanted the older brother to have the younger brother’s attitude.
7. The wrong attitude of the older brother:
a. The older son worked for the father with bitterness and unfulfillment. “I’ve slaved for you, and never once refused to do a single thing you asked” (v. 29).
b. The older son kept records. “You never gave me” (v. 29).
c. The older son was judgmental. “Squandered your money” (v. 30).
8. The elder brother believed when someone lives a good life, it deserves a reward in its self.
9. God is glorified not just by being recognized as the Father, but He wants you to rejoice with Him in His benefits.
a. Legalist never enjoys the benefits of life with the Father.
b. The elder brother never enjoyed his work, or felt completion from his work, but was a slave to his work.
c. The legalist feels his work is more important than anything else. He didn’t rejoice with His father at the banquet nor in his brother’s return.
d. Legalists are slaves to their assignment and their task to do it.
D. Conclusion
1. Heavenly Father is patient, forgiving, but above all He loves both sons and wants to enjoy a meal with them.
2. If you are a prodigal, come back to the Father, He will receive you with open arms.
3. Don’t be a legalist who condemns repentant sinners but worships the Father in freedom and joy. Learn to enjoy what God gives.
If you have never really accepted Jesus as your personal Savior, would you do it right now? Do not delay or put it off. If you would like to receive Christ by faith, pray this simple prayer in your heart:
Dear Lord, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died for my sins on the cross, and rose again the third day. I repent of my sins. By faith I receive the Lord Jesus as my Savior. You promised to save me, and I believe You, because You are God and cannot lie. I believe right now that the Lord Jesus is my personal Savior, and that all my sins are forgiven through His precious blood. I thank You, dear Lord, for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If you prayed that prayer, God heard you and saved you. I personally want to welcome you to the family of God and rejoice with you.
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