"While He Was A Great Way Off...”

“WHILE HE WAS A GREAT WAY OFF...”

Luke 15:20-24

INTRODUCTION

A. HUMOR

1. There’s a story told of a husband and wife who were both doctors – one a doctor of theology and the other a doctor of medicine. When their doorbell was rung and the maid answered, the inquirer would often ask for “the doctor.”

2. The maid’s interesting reply was, “Do you want the one who preaches or the one who practices?” We know the theory of Christian living, but what we must do is to practice it.

B. TEXT

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.” 22 “‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ Lk. 15:20, 22-24.

C. THESIS

1. In this passage we see that God “sees us,” reaches out in “compassion” to us, and restores our rights as children of God when we repent.

2. The title of this message is “While he was a great way off...”.

I. EVEN FAR AWAY, THE FATHER “SAW HIM”

A. GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU

1. There wasn’t a day he didn’t know what his son was doing (whether he heard reports of him or not). He knew the nature of his son, the temptations surrounding him, and the outcome of such a sinful lifestyle.

2. Likewise, God has always been aware of us. He’s seen us in every condition and every circumstance of life. Yet, He looks upon us with love.

3. God constantly monitors us in our wanderings, looking for an opening to reach us. That father saw his son when he was acting like a fool, when he ran out of money, and He saw him when he despaired - when he gladly would have filled his belly with the husks which the swine ate.

B. GOD SEES OUR HEARTS

1. “People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7. Then came the magical moment when the prodigal’s heart began to change. The Father saw it. Oh, what a sight it was for a father to see! His reprobate son, so dishonored, so filthy, reduced to rags – he watched as within formed a heart of gold!!

2. Often it looks like God will never move, but when the conditions are right, God begins to alter things for your good. 2 Chron. 7:14 says, “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”

3. God sees you tonight; you’re constantly on the heart of God. There’s not a desire in your mind, unread by Him; there’s nor a tear in your eyes, He doesn’t see. He’s seen you at your worst, yet He loves you still and is determined to save you.

4. God’s not a mere casual observer, but watches us with pity and concern, like a parent would. Mothers are said to have ‘eyes in the back of their heads!’ Why? Because Moms can detect the slightest change of character.

5. Such is our Father. He notices our sadness, our remorse, our hunger to change. He sees us with Xray vision – not just our outside. He read the prodigal’s heart and understood his miserable plight.

6. It’s no good trying to hide anything from God; He already knows everything about you already. Why don’t we just come to Him tell Him our problems?

II. “HE HAD COMPASSION ON HIM”

“When he saw him he had compassion on him.” The word compassion means ‘suffering with’ or ‘fellow-suffering.’

A. WHEN WE REPENT, GOD LOOKS PAST OUR SINS

1. God sees your grief and suffers with you. To help us see God’s compassion, imagine for a moment, that the prodigal was YOUR son or daughter or grandchild.

2. Kids don’t realize how circumstances can domino and we can quickly end up broke and on the street. Many girls have run away to escape their parent’s authority and ended up in the cruel grasp of a pimp, or strung out on drugs. They weep in secret and see no way out.

3. But thank God, there’s a God in Heaven who hears our every prayer! And somehow, He makes a way of escape for us, where there is no way! Praise the Lord!

4. That is how God feels towards you, if you are His repentant child. “Like as a father pities his children, so the Lord pities them who fear Him.” Be of good courage, for the Bible says, “He had compassion on him.”