Prodigal = wasteful or extravagant
The Parable of the Prodigal Son, Luke 15:11-32
*Verses 11-12.* His father was as good as dead to him.
Luke 15:11-12
And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them.
Verses 13-14 Through wasteful and sinful living he ended up in poverty.
Luke 15:13-14
Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need.
Verses 15-16 Even taking a menial job he could barely stay alive.
Luke 15:15-16
So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
Verses 17-19; He came to his senses.
Luke 15:17-19
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’
Verses 20-24: The Father’s heart was revealed to him
Luke 15:20-24
And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
In the Father’s grace 3 things were restored to him and us
1. He was clothed in the Father’s garments- righteousness
2. He was given a ring of provision- Jehovah Jirah’s provision
3. He was shod with new shoes- our ability to walk in the Spirit
Verses 25-30; The religious spirit of the older brother
Luke 15:25-30
“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 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.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’
The older brother failed to understand the the Father. He related to him by his works, rather than the Father’s grace.
He failed to understand everything was his in the Father’s rich love!
Verses 31-32; Understanding the extravagant (prodigal) heart of the Father.
John 3.16 - God so loved….that He gave His very best, Jesus!
Understanding our times from a Kingdom perspective
- 1 Chronicles 12:32: ‘Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do’
- The 60’s was characterized by a universal search for truth (apart for Jesus, the truth, Himself)
- This season is characterized by a search for self-identity (apart from God, the Father of all)
- Just as nature abhors a vacuum, so does the Kingdom of God; a fresh move of the Spirit is coming!
When we consider the deceptions many prodigals are entrapped by, we must remember nothing is impossible with God.
1. Matthew 19:4 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
When we consider the deceptions many prodigals are entrapped by, we must bless the seeds of God already planted in their hearts!
2. Proverbs 22:6 ‘Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.’
Positioning ourselves to Call Home the prodigals
1. The power of persistent prayer
Luke 18:1-8 ‘And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”’
2. Pray with a forgiving heart
Matthew 6:9-15 Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, 15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
3. Pray for Forgiveness
John 20:23 “If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you withhold forgiveness from any, it is withheld.”
4. Reflect to your children the Father’s heart, not the legalism of the older brother.
- The Father’s pursues us
- The Father embraces us
- The Father often wants to throw a party for us!
“Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words” —St Francis Assisi
Foothills Text Line:
Text PRAYER to 619-375-0805
Text DECISION to 619-375-0805