Feeling Unworthy? Find Value in Jesus!
Luke 15:11-32
Pastor Bill Young (bill@trc.life)
How to find value when you feel unworthy.
I. The younger brother’s
Luke 15:11-16 (NIV84) Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13”Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
A. The younger brother
B. The younger brother
Luke 15:17-20a (NIV84) When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’” 20 So he got up and went to his father.
II. The father’s
A. The father was compassionately
Luke 15:20-21 (NIV84) So he got up and went to his father. “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. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
B. The father extended
Luke 15:22-24 (NIV84) But the father said to his servants, ‘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.’ So they began to celebrate.
PRODIGAL = “Spending money or resources freely and recklessly; wastefully extravagant.”
III. The older brother’s
Luke 15:25-27 (NIV84) Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’
Luke 15:28-30 (NIV84) 28 The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’
A. The older brother
B. The older brother did NOT
Luke 15:31-32 (NIV84) ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.32 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.
Which
are you?
IV. CONCLUSION: How do you get
A. First: Some good news &
1 . Bad news: We are
sinners that need to repent. (Romans 3:23) 2 . Good news: Christ died for
sinners. (1 Peter 3:18)
B. Three steps to a
1 .
you are lost. (Titus 3:5a, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 6:29)
You can only find
2 .
yourself. (1 Peter 5:6) 3 .
to God.
Revelation 3:20 (NIV84) Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Discussion Questions:
1 . In the story of the “Prodigal Son”, which brother do you relate to most? Why?
2 . Do you ever feel “unworthy” of God’s love and acceptance? Explain why you think so.
3 . Discuss this quote by Timothy Keller: “Neither son loved the father for himself. They both were using the father for their own self-centered ends rather than loving, enjoying, and serving him for his own sake.” Do you agree or disagree?
4 . What do you love the most about the Father’s response? Why do you think that is?
5 . Have you “returned” to your heavenly Father? Have you admitted you are sinful and in need of being restored by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone? Tell your salvation story to the group.