The Prodigal Father

One time a little boy was asked to define Father’s Day and he said, “Its just like Mother’s Day, only you don’t spend as much on the present.”

Erma Bombeck in her usual humorous way wrote the following about fathers, “When I was a kid a father was like a light in the refrigerator. Everybody’s house had one but no one really knew what either did when the door was shut.”

The father says, "You better get ready the bus will be here in a minute to pick you up to take you to Sunday School." The Boy asked,"Did you go to Sunday School when you were a boy?" The father replied, "Yes I did." The boy said as he was getting dressed, "It probably won’t do me any good either!"

THE PRODIGAL’S FATHER

I. HE HAD TWO SONS

Notice: They both grew up in the same environment, yet they were very different.

A. The Elder Son

1. Content to continue under the authority of his father.

2. Probably dependable and hardworking.

3. Was willing to wait on the father’s time for his inheritance.

B. The Younger Son

1. Resented authority considering himself to be his own man.

a. He was conceited in his knowledge, having never truly learned.

b. He wanted his freedom---to sin.

2. Probably undependable, shifty and rambling.

3. Wanted all that was due him in one lump sum.

C. God is the Father of us all

1. Some are content to follow Him patiently.

2. Some must learn the hard way that their position under God is the best.

II. FATHER GIVE ME

A. The Elder son was content to receive his blessing daily. Give us this day our

daily bread.

B. The Younger Son wanted instant and complete gratification. Give me the portion.

C. God has an inheritance for us all based on our life toward him.

1. Repentance will result in the blessings in this life and Heaven in the next.

2. Rebellion will result in a pig’s life here and then torment with the Devil

and his angels.

III. THE FATHER’S LOVE

A. He loved his children equally.

1. He loved his older son who had chosen to stay with him.

2. He loved his younger son who had chosen to leave.

Regardless of whether our children choose right or wrong they still need to

know dad loves them.

B. He treated them equally. Did not show favoritism between the two sons.

Although the elder son did not make the request, the father gave him his portion

as well. He divided unto them his living.

C. God loved us while we were yet in our sins.

IV. THE FATHER’S RESPONSE WHEN HIS SON LEFT

A. Recognized his son’s right to choose his own path.

1. Tough love allows children to fail when necessary.

2. The hardest thing to do is let our children make their own decisions.

B. If we choose the wrong path we must pay the price.

There is hope that will bring us to our senses.

C. God allows us to choose our own path.

V. THE FATHER’S ATTITUDE WHEN HIS SON RETURNED

A. Dad’s attitude was not

1. You brought it on yourself son - tough

2. Don’t come crying back to me

B. He had compassion on his son

C. He was thankful his son had come home

D. Honored his return with a celebration

E. He restored him back to the family as a son rather than a servant

F. Our Heavenly Father loves us even when we do wrong and when we repent

His arms are open to restore us without grudge or hesitation.