Prodigals: The Younger Son

Exegetical Idea: The younger son finds salvation after leaving his father by his father coming to him, embracing him, forgiving him, and celebrating him.

Theological Idea: The Father makes sinners into sons through Christ.

Homiletical Idea: The Father makes sinners into sons through Christ.

Story

Exposition: A father has two sons (vs. 11)

Rising Action:

Younger son requests his inheritance, essentially believing the father was dead (wants the father’s possessions without the father) (vs. 12)

He divided his “life”

The younger son wandered away

reckless living/prostitution

famine

was joined to

pigs

“came to himself”

Younger son’s plan

The son recognizes his condition: in need and a sinner

The son proposes a solution: he will rise and pay his father back

“Father I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son”

Treat me as one of your hired servants

Climactic Scene: The Father’s Response

The Father sees

The Father sees us while we were lost

The Father “felt compassion”

The Father runs to the son (rather than waiting for the son to get to him

The Father embraces him

The Father accepts the son’s confession, but rejects his solution

The Father’s solution

The Father accepts the son’s confession, but rejects his solution

Receives him as a son without allowing him to pay him back

The Father celebrates the return of the sinner

The Father makes the sinner new

No longer dead, but alive

No longer lost, but found

No longer rejected, but received

No longer sick, but whole

Who is God? God is a good and generous Father.

What is sin? Sin is more than anything desiring the gift more than the Giver.

What is salvation? Reception into the family of God, being able to have God as father. No longer dead, but alive. No longer hated but loved. No longer lost but found. No longer

How can God save us? Through Christ alone. There is only one way to make someone who is unworthy, if a worthy person takes the unworthy person’s punishment, and gives him his reward.

How can we receive salvation? Not through restitution, not through paying God back, not through finding God. But through confession. Through faith alone. Turning to Christ.