The Prodigal Son - Part 1 Series

Sermon Brief

Date Written: November 5, 2008

Date Preached: October 29, 2008

Where Preached: OPBC (Wed PM)

Sermon Details:

Sermon Series: A Study of the Parables

Sermon Title: The Parable of the Prodigal Son (Part 1)

Sermon Text: Luke 15:11-24 (NKJV)

11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’ 20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

Introduction:

v. 11-12 – Human nature is sinful and selfish!

11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.

In our sinful nature our desire is all about what WE want and WHEN we want it!

Adam and Eve desired the fruit forbidden them by God, instead of listening to God or waiting on Him to teach them or use them… they desired and sought out the forbidden… they took of the fruit… they gave into what they wanted and when they wanted it!

Annanias and Sapphira desired to ‘fit into the community of faith, but also desired the financial gain… they wanted WHAT they wanted and WHEN they wanted it… and they wanted it on THEIR terms!

Since Eden, human nature is cursed, humans are sinful by their very nature, we sin because that is who we are! We are selfish, self centered and for the most part we want what WE want, WHEN we want it!

If you don’t believe me, look at a baby… without the guidance of parents, they NEVER grow out of their selfish, ME, ME stage! And even with the parent’s guidance, the desire for selfishness is always there!

v. 13 – Sin Nature takes us AWAY from God!

13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.

The sinful nature of our hearts desires to get AWAY from God! Get away from God, religion and all those rules and do’s and don’ts. Again this stems from our innate desire to do what WE want…when we want it!

You have heard the term just ‘follow your heart’ haven’t you? What happens when we follow our heart? Well when we follow the desires of our heart we tend to get into trouble!

There may be a season of happiness and contentment, but the fun and good times come to an end. Our selfish desires lead us to squander what God has blessed us with… selfish desire and behavior on our part leads to bad stewardship!

v. 14-16 – We believe we can FIX things…we think we don’t need God!

14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.