Luke 15:11-32, The Prodigal's Father

The Prodigal’s Father, Luke 15:11-32

I.

A. He Was an Approachable Father

1. The young son’s dreams: The far country--what was it like?

a. But the young son feels free to come right to the father: (v. 12), “Father give me.”

b. “And he divided unto them his living.”

c. Notice “them”--he gave to older also.

d. This father’s willingness to accommodate his younger son’s request shows that he was gracious and generous.

2. The far country . . . Riotous Living . . . The world

a. That is what sin does to a person.

b. That's what happens when you run away from God the Father.

c. Sin promises freedom but brings slavery (John 8:34), Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.

d. Sin promises success but brings failure.

e. Promises life but death (Romans 6:23), For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

3. This father was approachable even from the pigpen: “I will arise and go to my father”--repentance.

a. True repentance involves the will as well as the mind and the emotions--"I will arise . . . I will go . . . I will say . . .”

b. Just not words but action.

B. A Father Who Is in His Son’s Mind Was Associated With Heaven (v. 18)

1. “I have sinned against heaven and before thee.”

a. It was the goodness of his father that brought the boy home (Romans 2:4).

b. The decision to do something is vain unless it leads to action.

C. A Father Who Was Affectionate (v. 20)

1. “Ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”

a. Why did the Father run?

b. One obvious reason was his love for him and his desire to show that love.

c. But there is something else involved.

d. This wayward son had brought disgrace to his family and village and, according to Deuteronomy 21:18-21, he should have been stoned to death.

2. Jesus said, "Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37 KJV) And again the Bible says, "Whosoever will may come."

D. A Father Who Was Assuring to Both (vv. 21, 31)

1. When this boy came home, he had everything he threw away restored by the good grace of the Father, v. 22.

a. The Robe--His Purity--the son in the rags of his sins. But the father orders the best of his robes to be brought and to be put on the son. (Philippians 3:9).

b. The Ring--His Privileges--The ring was a symbol of son ship and authority. (1 John 3:1-2).

c. The Shoes--His Position--The father calls for shoes to be brought for the feet of his son. Only the slaves went barefoot; sons wore shoes!

E. A Father Who Rejoiced (vv. 23-24)

1. The fatted calf was kept for special occasions. The fatted calf was the Father's way of sharing His joy with all around.

2. When a sinner returns home to God the Father, there is rejoicing in Heaven!