The Prodigal's Father

THE PRODIGAL’S FATHER

TEXT: Luke 15 Pastor W. Max Alderman

INTRODUCTION: It is such a fertile field that we plow today. So much fruit can be given to us as we glean from this “Pearl of the Parables”. Years ago someone said that Isaiah 53 is the “Pearl of the Prophecies” and that Psalm 23 is the “Pearl of the Psalms” while Luke 15 is the “Pearl of the Parables”. I tend to agree with whomever that it was that said this… In this study our remarks will mostly concern the father.

REMARKS ABOUT THIS CHAPTER: This chapter is given to us in three stages. The first setting looks at the Good Shepherd who loses one sheep and leaves the ninety and nine and goes after the one lost sheep. The sheep was totally helpless to bringing about his own recovery. He was at the mercy of the Wonderful Shepherd. The second setting shows what must have been a Weeping Wife who had lost something that was precious to her. The lost piece of silver also could only be recovered, that is, if someone cared enough to invest time in that recovery. She did… Thus, the lost piece was found and there was much rejoicing. The third setting shows us what very well could be a Worried Father. I say this, because he surely was a father who cared. Unlike the other two objects that were lost someone had to go after that which was lost. That is not the case with the lost son. The father simply had to wait and hope and pray that the boy would return. The son had a will of his own. The father wisely knew this. With this brief introduction, we will now learn about the father.

I. HE MUST HAVE BEEN A WORRIED FATHER. (Vv. 11-13)

A. He Could Have Worried As the Son Was Leaving.

1. The father may have questioned his son’s TIMING. (Vv. 11,12).

2. The father may have questioned his son’s TRIP or journey.

B. He May Have Worried After the Son Had Left.

1. His LOVE may have caused him to worry.

2. His LONELINESS may have caused him to worry.

II. HE MUST HAVE BEEN A WISE FATHER (Vv. 14-19)

A. He Was Wise in PRAYING for His Son’s Return.

B. He Was in PREPARING for His Son’s Return.

(Prepared a fatted Calf)

C. He Was Wise in PREDICTING His Son’s Return.

(Watching for him to return)

III. HE SURELY WAS A WELCOMING FATHER (Vv. 20-24)

A. He Offered Him FORGIVENESS. (Vv. 20-22)

B. He Offered Him Fellowship. (Vv. 23, 24)

CONCLUSION: We also have a Heavenly Father who cares for us and loves us. Perhaps there is someone that has willfully left the presence of God and also the will of God. Why don’t you come home to the loving father?