The Prodigal Son Luke 15:1-14 – Bible study
THE PRODIGAL SON
LUKE 15:1-14
by Cooper Abrams
Introduction:
1. Few passages in the Bible are as well known and few have done more good to the souls of men.
2. These verses deal with a sinner or prodigal with theemphasis on restoration.
That is where God’s emphasis is. Some mistakenly maythink that addressing sin and the sinner is an act of condemnation. However, nothing could be further from the truth!
No one should ever be offended when they understand that God’s condemnation of Sin is a called to repentance andrestoration.
You do not have to keep passing judgment on acondemned man. Once is all it takes. It is God that hascondemned the sinner.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he thatbelieveth not is condemned already, because he hath notbelieved in the name of the only begotten Son of God. JOHN3:18
I. THE FIRST TRUTH THAT STANDS OUT IS THEAMAZING LOVE OF GOD FOR THE SINNER.
A. Let’s put things in proper perceptive:
1. Jesus said He came not to being the righteous torepentance, but sinners. Matt. 9:13
2. All are sinners! In the matter of sin all are guilty! You, me – everyone.
B. However, to admit that is to be in the very bestplace you can be.
C. Note that the self-righteous, Pharisees and scribes (those who claimed to know God – but didn’t) weregreatly offended at Jesus.
1. They murmured: He receives sinners and eats withthem!!
2. To that this sinner cries, Hallelujah!!!!!
D. Jesus then used a parable: A story used to illustrate a truth, to explain why he did so.
1. Parable of the lost sheep: The emphasis of theshepherds actions indicate the great love and concern forevery single sheep!
2. He had 99, why worry over one who strayed???
3. Why? God sees each of us as valuable.
4. Note that He seeks the Lost Sheep
5. Note the rejoicing V6, 9-10 when the sheep isfound.
E. What Jesus was saying to these religious but lost leaders was….He cares for all alike. With God there is no showing of partiality. At the heart of what was upsetting the Scribes and Pharisee was Christ’s preaching of the sins of men.
1. Beginning in Chapter 13 He addressed theproblem.
13:1-9 – need of repentance -He said “unless yourepent you will all likewise perish.
13:10-17 – He addressed hypocrisy.
13:18-35 – Preached of the coming Kingdom of God. V24..Strive to enter the narrow gate, for many I SAY, willseek to enter and will not be able. Warned of the tragedy ofthose who would be lost because the refused to believe andreceive Him. He said, V28 “there would be weeping andgnashing of teeth”, when the lost see the saved in the kingdomthemselves thrust out.
14:1-6 – Note the Pharisees & lawyers watchedeverything He did. Inflexible people who insisted that the lawbe kept to the letter.
14:7-11 – He addressed the proud and puffed up. “He whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he whohumbles himself will be exalted”
14:12-14 – He encouraged the faithful. He said no notgive a dinner or supper and invite your friends and relativesand the rich….invite the poor!
Why? The poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind cannot repay you. V14, says you will be rewarded at theresurrection of the just (saved).
14:15-24 – He addressed those that were indifferentto serving the Lord. The master gave a great supper,(marriage supper of the lamb). He ask many people but theywere too busy to come. One said he had to go see a piece ofland that he brought, another had to tend to his cattle, anotherhad married.
Note who the Lord then invited to the great supper. Those in the highways, hedges and compel them to come in,the poor, the maimed, the lame and the blind.
All these are poor people who readily accepted the Master’sinvitation because they knew and accepted that they wereneedy.
14:25:34 – He addressed the indulgent and selfish people. V33, “So like wise, who so ever of you does not forsake ALLthat he has cannot be My disciple.” He further, said that thosewho would not give their all like salt that has lost it flavor andit was not fit for the land or the dung hill, but was thrown out.
Dear friends this was the context of Chapter 15. Jesusclearly was warning man that he was a sinner….BUT he as justa pointed and just as clear in offering salvation to all whowould repent and come to God.
II. THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON. V11-24
A. Here was a man like us all. He desired the world and what it offered.
1. He thought it would bring pleasure and good.
2. So he took all he had and went after it.
3. For the man, woman boy or girl who seeks afterthe world…it cost you everything.
4. It was clearly a mistake, his father knew it, but hedid not interfere. God gives a will and will not violate yours.
B. He paid a great price for his pleasure.
1. Cost him his home and family.
2. Cost him any of his true friends.
3. Cost him all his pride.
4. Cost him all his material possessions. (what aparadox that is)
5. Cost him his inheritance.
6. Cost him all his grand plans for his life.
Yes, it was very expensive. He thought he was doingright, he thought he was all right….but he was blind to thereality of what the course of life he had taken would bring.
C. His good times were short lived. Sure they were fun while they lasted….but the problem was they neverlast.
D. He still tried to help himself….went to the hog pen. That’s where it always winds up. Eating with the hogs.
1. We think money solves problems…no it makesthem worst. The money people are a proud lot, and most areself seeking. You need not but turn on the TV to see the lifestyle the rich and famous live. Most die early, of AIDS anddiseases brought on by a live or abuse of their bodies. Thathad a ball killing themselves. Url Brinner, died of lungcancer, but before he died he recorded and aired on TV anappeal to folks not to smoke.
2. He did all he could, yet he was still hungry!!
3. Have you ever been truly hungry? He wasstarving to death.
Spiritually, the world is starving for satisfaction,peace and for fulfillment. Yet, most take the road that leadsto the garbage pile, and the hog pen. Most can not see thatfar…but God does and warns in his Word.
Yet, God seeks to tell men everywhere of His loveand mercy. There is peace in knowing and being a child ofGod. That is the only place it is found.
III. PRODIGAL SON — HE REMEMBERED HOME!
A. Sure he had failed. Sure he was ashamed.
1. But his failure..made reality clear.
2. He was no longer under the delusion that theworld gave peace and satisfaction.
3. His mind was swept clear of the deception thatSatan places there…
4. He realized how precious is home and abiding inhis fathers house.
B. With his thinking now cleared…he arose from the hog pen…came home to his father.
VI. CONCLUSION.
1. What did his father do? Scold him? Rebuke Him?
2. No He with open arms rushed to him, hugging him andkissing him. How happy was the father!!!
3. The son confessed…Father he said, I’ve sinned againstheaven and you. I’m not worthy to be called a son.
4. What was the father’s second reaction? Bring the bestrobe, put it on him, put on his finger a ring and sandals on hisfeet, kill the fatted calf and let us rejoice and be happy.
“for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lostand is found”
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