Introduction

Good morning, family. Today's sermon is about something so profound, so powerful, that it has the ability to change our lives completely: God's unconditional love, the repentance of the Prodigal Son, and the Father's Forgiveness. As Max Lucado, a renowned Christian author, once said, "God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus."

Let's read Luke 15:31-32: "‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."

Before we dive deeper into this beautiful message, let's take a moment to pray:

Father God, we thank You for Your unconditional love and mercy towards us. We ask that You open our hearts and minds as we delve into Your Word today. Help us to understand and apply it to our daily lives. In Jesus' name, Amen.

God's Unconditional Love

In this parable, the younger son demands his inheritance from his father, essentially wishing his father dead, and then squanders it all in a far-off land. When he has nothing left, he returns home, hoping to be accepted as a servant. But his father, seeing him from afar, runs to him, embraces him, and restores him as his son. This is a picture of God's unconditional love for us. Even when we reject Him, squander His blessings, and return to Him in shame and defeat, He welcomes us back with open arms, not as servants, but as His beloved children.

God's unconditional love is also a love that is sacrificial. In the parable, the father sacrifices his dignity by running to his son, a culturally inappropriate action for an elder in that time. He also sacrifices his wealth by giving his son his inheritance early and then throwing a lavish feast upon his return. This is a reflection of God's sacrificial love for us, a love that led Him to send His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. It is a love that cost Him everything, a love that He willingly gave because of His great love for us.

Furthermore, God's unconditional love is a love that is forgiving. In the parable, the father forgives his son even before his son has a chance to apologize. He doesn't hold his son's past against him, but instead, he forgives him completely and restores him fully. This mirrors God's forgiving love for us. Even when we sin and fall short, He is ready and willing to forgive us if we come to Him in repentance. His love for us is not based on our ability to be perfect, but on His perfect character.

Lastly, God's unconditional love is a love that is rejoicing. In the parable, the father throws a feast to celebrate his son's return. He doesn't dwell on his son's past mistakes, but instead, he rejoices in his son's return. This reflects God's rejoicing love for us. The Bible tells us that there is rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents. God doesn't just tolerate us or put up with us. He delights in us and rejoices over us with singing.

The Prodigal Son's Repentance

The Prodigal Son, after squandering his inheritance on a life of sin, finds himself in dire straits ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO