A Son On The Run
Luke 15:11-32
July 4, 2004
Luke 15:11-12 (NLT)
To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: "A man had two sons. [12] The younger son told his father, ’I want my share of your estate now, instead of waiting until you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.
Selfish Behavior
Interested in only the here and now
Does not consider the well being of others
Everything we have…we have been given
– Psalm 127:1
– 1 Chronicles 29:14
Psalm 127:1 (NLT)
A song for the ascent to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon.
Unless the Lord builds a house,
the work of the builders is useless.
Unless the Lord protects a city,
guarding it with sentries will do no good.
1 Chronicles 29:14 (NLT)
But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you have already given us!
Luke 15:13-16 (NLT)
"A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money on wild living. [14] About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. [15] He persuaded a local farmer to hire him to feed his pigs. [16] The boy became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.
Bottoming Out
Security in temporal things – Ecclessiastes 5:10; Matthew 6:19
– Money
– Relationships
– Career
Ecclessiastes 5:10 (NLT)
Those who love money will never have enough. How absurd to think that wealth brings true happiness!
Matthew 6:19 (NLT)
"Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal.
Luke 15:17-19 (NLT)
"When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ’At home even the hired men have food enough to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger! [18] I will go home to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, [19] and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired man." ’
A Gut Check
Taking an objective assessment of your circumstances
– Laying aside your pride
Realization of your need
Repentance – Lamentations 3:40
– 180° turn
Lamentations 3:40 (NLT)
Instead, let us test and examine our ways. Let us turn again in repentance to the Lord.
Luke 15:20-21 (NLT)
"So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. [21] 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.’
A Father’s Love
God watches for us
– He never writes us off
God comes to us
– The father ran
God created you to love you – Psalm 63:3; Zephaniah 3:17
Psalm 63:3 (NLT)
Your unfailing love is better to me than life itself; how I praise you!
Zephaniah 3:17
For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song."
Luke 15:22-24 (NLT)
"But his father said to the servants, ’Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger, and sandals for his feet. [23] And kill the calf we have been fattening in the pen. We must celebrate with a feast, [24] for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.
Celebration of Restoration
Once forgiven, God does not continue to punish for the past
– Forgiveness is eternal
God seeks to restore us all to our rightful place as his children – 2 Corinthians 5:17
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)
What this means is that those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!
Luke 15:31-32 (NLT)
"His father said to him, ’Look, dear son, you and I are very close, and everything I have is yours. [32] 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!’ "
Heaven Rejoices
God loves people more than anything – 2 Peter 3:9; Luke 15:7
2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.
Luke 15:7 (NLT)
In the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
**Powerpoint available on request
