The Prodigal Son - Prt 1

Hello Church, I hope the Lord has blessed you this week and you have found rest and peace. I am glad you are with the family today. If you would go ahead and turn over to , this will be where we are at this morning as we continue our study on the parables of Jesus. There is such an amazing passage here in Luke that I just want to share with you before we get started this morning and it says in : Ready

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What are you looking for? For the prodigal son, he was looking for a great many things, to do things himself and his own way. He was looking for the answers and understanding. What he really longed for in the end was a way home. Have you ever felt that way, like I got this all figured out and then one day it all falls apart and you just want to know how to come home again? I have definitely been there, especially with God. I have tried it all on my own before and let me tell you it never works out well. But instead of me telling the story, lets let Jesus tell the story of the prodigal son, one which many of us can and do identify with. It starts in

I. Do we Know it better? – Vs 11-12

A. Caused by

1. Not knowing better

2. From Stagnation

3. Pride

B. Why do we think

1. We heard something

3. We feel something

So, when we know it better, we head out in search of what it is on our own.

II. Heading out

A. What do you gather for a journey – vs 13 - 14

1. Possessions

a. Loading up our camper

b. Thankfully we have a sink

2. Knowledge

a. The how to

b. The ability to handle

c. Think I have it

3. Wisdom

a. Where we are going

b. That we can make it

4. Don’t understand where it comes from

c. We have planned d.

B. And then it all falls apart – vs 15-16

1. Not what He thought

a. Went in search of the wrong thing

i. Thought fulfilling self would work

ii. Realized it leads to discontentment

b. Realizes that it wasn’t what he thought

i. Kids

ii. Realities

iii. Can’t wait till I am on my own.

2. Realizes the lack of what he brought

a. Didn’t bring enough

b. Wasn’t prepared

c. Didn’t understand

And in the middle of the falling apart, the son realizes the truth, the truth about the father; the truth that he already had it all, but now must change.

III. The Truth becomes evident

A. He confesses

1. Am I ready to confess

2. Do I believe my confession

B. Humility

1. Realized I didn’t know everything

a. Think this when we are kids

b. Age many times brings wisdom

c. Man my Dad had it right

i. Nickle for every time

2. There is a better way

3. The grass isn’t greener

a. Not about over there

b. About right here

C. Repentance

1. Final step

2. Essential step

a. Stop what I am doing

b. Do what God is leading me to do

IV. The answer – vs 20 - 24

A. The father is waiting

1. He is patient

2. He is understanding

3. He is gracious

B. The celebration is waiting

1. Just wants us to see the truth

2. Know we are heading back

3. Sometimes it takes the trial

a. To see the celebration

b. To fully understand

C. It had always been there

1. God never goes anywhere

a. Can’t put him in a shoe box

b. He is always present

2. Continues to call out for us

a. Just wants us to come home

b. Want us to be one with Him again

Conclusion:

What are you looking for? Jesus is the way home. Do you want peace, do you want to be loved and do you want to belong, then Jesus is the way. We can search and search and never find what we want. All we will find in the world is heartache, shame, guilt and pain. But Christ is the answer to every question. So when we are lost and have gone astray, when we have looked and looked and cannot find the answer. Then we know, we can humble ourselves and always come home. For Christ is always waiting for the prodigal, He is waiting with the robe and the sandals. And let me tell you, when He sees you, He comes a runnin, just running for you because He will always love you and bless you when you come home.

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