The Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11-32

v11 And He said, "A man had two sons.
v12The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.' So he divided his wealth between them.
v13And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.
v14Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.
v15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
v 16 And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.
v17 But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!
v18 'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight;
v19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."'
v20 So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
v21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
v22 But the father said to his slaves, 'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;
v23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate;
v24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.
v25 Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing.
v26 And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be.
v27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.'
v28 But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him.
v29 But he answered and said to his father, 'Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends;
v30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.'
v31 And he said to him, 'Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.
v32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.

We are as people without God subject to the effects of the fall

[man's rebellion to God]

Four Downward Steps: Pride, Rebellion, Deception, Perversion.

a] Pride - the desire to do it our way without God

b] - Rebellion - The act of doing it our way

c] Deception - we think we can get away with doing things our own way

e] The result of doing things our way

As we look at these four steps we can see how they affect us and how this applies in this story and probably in our own lives

Verse 12: The younger son has a strong desire to go it alone [pride]. So strong is this independent streak that he chooses to leave his place of love and security, but wanting to have a good lifestyle he demands his share of the inheritance. In fact he will cut and run with the third share just to have instant success and popularity, rather than combining skills and talents with the rest of the family. He goes into the subtle trap of isolationism.

Verse 13: He leaves and goes to a distant country. This is typical. The truth is when we are in [rebellion] the further we can distance ourselves from reality the better. The words for loose living literally mean riotous living. When godly restraints are removed we revert to fleshly lifestyles. In Verse 30 the elder brother points to the facts. God says whatever is hidden will be brought out into the light.

Verse 14: [Deception] has done it’s job well, spend, spend, spend. But as we leave the security of the family so our source of income and nurture dries up - we are left with poverty: desperation, hopelessness and barrenness set in.

Verse 15: Humiliation & Degradation. Having to mix [Lit: be joined to] a Gentile and look after his pigs [an unclean animal]. Where is pride now? The start of [perversion] - see how swift we can fall down this road.

Verse 16: Even the pigs had plenty. If only he could eat as well as these pigs. But no one gave him any - he was without value compared to the livestock he looked after, so the food went to them.

Verse 17: A time of reflection. when he was at home wasn’t his father just and fair to the hirelings. They had food, but the destroyer Apollyon has done his job well. Guilt and bondage have set in with self pity. Dying here : Apollumi - The destroying one, from which we get Apollyon.
This results in a destruction of the qaulity of life

Verse 18: Strong soul ties have established and God never forgets His children. His Spirit is always calling, always drawing. He comes to his senses "I will throw myself on my Father’s mercy. I have sinned [Lit: missed the mark] against heaven and it’s righteousness and also against you".

Verse 19: He is prepared to deny his son-ship [his birthright] to become a lesser being in his own home. No idea of God’s Mercy - How can I possibly be forgiven? No hope of restoration.

Verse 20: He motivated himself - he applied his will and returned to his Father - having to push through the fear of rejection, shame and guilt. While he was still a long way off his Father responded and was running to meet him.

Truth is - if we think we will get to the place where we deserve Mercy, we have missed it. It was while we were lost and lonely He saved us. Felt compassion and embraced him [fell on his neck] kissed him intimately again and again.

Verse 21: An emotional scene of repentance. No point in blaming God. It is always our fault when our relationship is broken. I am not worthy. This is denial and is not Godly. Jesus made us worthy. He made us His Sons without our help. It is by Grace we have been saved. We cannot stop being Sons just because we fail. We need to break down this lie of worthlessness.

Verse 22: The Father’s heart is only one of restoration.

see also the story of Joshua in Zechariah 3:1-7
Robe - Clothes of Distinction
Ring - Seal of Authority
Sandals - Sign of son-ship - slaves went barefoot.

Verse 23: Feast and Rejoicing. All of heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents. Even when we have slipped away. God delights in restoration, reconciliation. Not division.
God hates divorce [Malachi 2:16] Lit: sending away.

Verse 24: Ephesians 2:1-6. "This son of mine was dead and has come to life again. Was lost and has been found." We do not glory in the destruction of family, but in restoration and the healing that brings. That great gap in the Church has been filled - the sheep is returned to the fold.

Verse 25-27: The motives of the elder son were not Godly. He had the sole attention of his Father. While the other child was gone he had all the blessings. His brother anyway was in sin. He has blown it - why should we concern ourselves with him. We are certainly not going to entertain him when he returns.

Verse 28-29: He pleads with his Father. He reminds his Father of his righteousness. I have always been obedient, you did not throw such a party for me.

Verse 30: He points out the depths of despair and depravity his brother had gotten into. Does he really deserve your mercy. Self righteousness and Pride. Beware elder brother - your starting on that downward slope - Jealousy, Bitterness, Hatred.

Verse 31-32: God’s heart for Restoration - HALLELUJAH.
Grace and Mercy is God’s way!

Maybe you have realised that you need to be forgiven and restored. Do not worry, The Lord Jesus is ready to receive you as soon as you ask to know Him as Lord. Jesus Christ has paid for your sin, my sin and every ones sin by living a life free from sin and dying in our place so that we might know forgiveness of sin, and freedom eternally from the power of death.

Remember you can only deal with your own sin. Everyone has to answer to God for what they have done, but God is merciful and will forgive them too, when they are ready to come to Him. He will always accept you, and makes you the offer now of real, genuine love and resurrection life.

You need to say sorry to God for having offended Him by your sinful actions, and choose to walk in His ways instead. Ask Him to forgive you for your sins, repent of your sins and tell God you need His help to stop living in a way that pleases you, and tell him you want to live to please Him.

Invite Jesus Christ to come and be Lord of your life. Thank Him that He has bought you back from the road of darkness and destruction by giving His life for you, and releasing you from the burdens of rejection, guilt and shame. Bringing you fully into His wonderful light. Thank Jesus for this, and acknowledge His death and resurrection and ask His Holy Spirit to come into you right now and give you the power to change and you will find real acceptance in Him and He himself will show you the way forward.

Next step is to tell someone you have received Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and find a church that really loves Jesus and lives for Him.

It will not be easy but will be the greatest and most joyful decision you have ever made.

If you have made this decision today E.Mail us and we will send you a Gospel of John and some helps to get you started in your new and exciting walk with Jesus.