Sermons on Lucas 15:23:

How To Return To God Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 4, 2003

Prodigals still exist. These individuals rebel, stepping away from God’s blessings, indulging in reckless living and ruining their lives. But God runs to meet those who are at the point of total desperation and who are willing to repent and return home.

How to Return to God Luke 15:11–24 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION The parable in this passage focuses on the character and nature of the God of the Bible. It’s usually called the parable of the Prodigal Son but I prefer to call it the parable of the Loving Father. Jesus uses this story to teach ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

What Is God Really Like? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 4, 2003

Like the father in the parable of the Prodigal Son, God regrets your rebellion but loves you so much he will let you walk out of fellowship with him. But He is also a God who runs to you when you return and restores you when you repent.

What is God Really Like? Luke 15:11-24 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION What is God really like? Some people think the most important question of life is “Do you believe in God?” But a more important question is “What kind of God do you believe in?” There is something worse than being an atheist - ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Scope Of Grace Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Apr 29, 2003

Many people consider it the greatest short story ever written because it speaks so truthfully to the human condition. It’s really the story of a father with two sons. One sinned when he left ­ the other sinned while staying home. We’re going to look at

The Scope of Grace Since most of you are familiar with the story of the Prodigal Son, I thought I would read a different version of it ­ it’s called the “Prodigal Son in the Key of F.” Feeling footloose and frisky, a feather-brained fellow forced his father to fork over his farthings. Fast he ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

It's Time To Come Home

Contributed by Tommy Strickland on May 2, 2003

A story of Rebellion, Reality, and Repentance

IT’S TIME TO COME HOME Luke 15:11-24 1) HE CAME TO THE POINT OF REBELLION A) Change In Attitude: (12-16) The phrase “give me” or like reference is used some 13 times. When we become rebellious, our attitude becomes self-centered. “Do your own thing” hurts more than just yourself! B) Change In ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Baptist

Road Maps For A Far Country

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 24, 2003

For Father’s Day: Fathers who say "yes" to everything provide a road map to disaster; who keep their children at arm’s length point to alienation; but who may also go home themselves to lead their children home. (Maps were displayed)

I have always liked maps. Any kind of map fascinates me. You can learn so much from a map. If it is a road map, you can find out how to get from here to there and back again. When I was in elementary school and the classroom got boring, like most kids, I would doodle. But while some kids ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, Galatians 4:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Homecoming

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Sep 1, 2002

It is interesting to try and identify with the three characters in the story: 1. The prodigal. 2. The older son. 3. The father.

I realize that I have recently preached on this passage of scripture, but I feel compelled to speak on it again. The reason is that while on vacation I picked up Henri Nouwen’s excellent book entitled: The Return of the Prodigal Son: A Story of Homecoming. It is one of those books that pulls you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Methodist

A Parent's Answered Prayer

Contributed by Carolyn Malaika Foster-Brooks on Sep 10, 2002

There are many "hurting" parents in the Christian community who have rebellious children. This is a message of agape love!

Evangelist Carolyn Malaika Foster-Brooks THE MINISTRY OF S.A.R.A.H. in Lyons, GA. PRAYER: God, my Father above, I thank you right now for your undying love. Lord I am before You as a humble servant, yet bold enough to not be afraid of the Gospel of Your Son and my brother, Jesus Christ. God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:18-23, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist

Christ Receiveth Sinners

Contributed by Howard Parnell on Sep 26, 2002

We owe the promise of eternal life to the fact that Christ receiveth sinners.

CHRIST RECEIVETH SINNERS Luke 15:1-2 INTRO. (Describe the hypocrisy of the Pharisees.) They wished to monopolize religion for their own set group. They were the most religious people of their day, devoted keepers of the Mosaic Law and yet they were the worst of the enemies of Jesus. Instead ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Celebrate Good Times

Contributed by Kevin Taylor on Oct 2, 2002

Clearly, there are times in life that call for a celebration!

I. The Prodigal’s Party A. Text: Luke 15:10-32 B. Clearly, there are times in life that call for a celebration! C. In this particular parable, we are going to consider that it was the Father’s idea to celebrate! D. Verse 10 actually goes with the previous parable Jesus told. However, I read it ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:10-32

Does God Love Lost People? Series

Contributed by William Fix on Jan 1, 2002

When we encounter people on the street that obviously live there are we turned off by them? Are we turned off socially? Is our compassion turned off? Do we love these people? Or more importantly, does God love them?

Does God Really Love These Things? Part 2 Does God Love Lost People? Sr. Pastor Taylor Free Methodist Church Let’s begin by answering the question, “Does God love lost people?” For God so loved the world that he gave one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-24

Denomination: Methodist

Pride And Prejudice Series

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Jan 26, 2002

Two attitudes displayed in two sons, that kept each of them from receiving the joy God intended for them.

In 1884 a young man died, and after the funeral his grieving parents decided to establish a memorial to him. With that in mind they met with Charles Eliot, president of Harvard University. Eliot received the unpretentious couple into his office and asked what he could do. After they expressed their ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, Luke 15:11-15

Denomination: Other

When God Ran

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Feb 20, 2002

Many Christians need to remember to keep their focus on Christ and not forget the day when God ran to us and embraced us.

"When God Ran" Have ushers pass out envelopes! Play song” When God Ran” during communion. Text: Luke 15:11-32 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 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Abba

Contributed by Ronald Crandall on Jan 15, 2003

He is our Father and Father means provider. This message takes a look at Romans 8:15 and the story of the Prodigal Son.

ABBA! By: Ron Crandall Rom 8:15 15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (KJV) AB (father), an element in the composition of many proper names, of which Abba is a Chaldaic form, having the sense of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, Romans 8:15

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Father's Love

Contributed by Sean Smuts on Jan 15, 2003

A Look at the story of the Prodigal Son through the eys of the Father

A Father’s Love: The Story of the Prodigal Son Many of us still remember our fathers even if they are no longer among us. We remember the look he gave us when he would discipline us knowing the pain it caused him, as he would carry out whatever punishment would be coming. I often remember the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Mennonite

What The Prodigal Had Left

Contributed by Howard Mcglamery on Jan 17, 2003

We never get so far from God that we cannot come home. A message of grace and restoration.

What The Prodigal Had Left Luke 15:11-24 Introduction In these fourteen verses we find one of the greatest short stories ever written. We have the story about a rebellious, wasteful son and a father who loved him. But this is more than just a story about an earthly father and son, it has a deeper ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24

Denomination: Baptist