The Prodigal

Luke 15 is the Bible’s Lost and Found Department…

…A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.

And he divided unto them his living.

…He took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

He wasted his wealth with wild living.

And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

He had spent everything.

A terrible famine struck. He began to be in need. He had nothing to eat.

He wanted the bright lights. The big city.

He went bush - he went out in search of love and happiness - BUT he was going in the wrong direction.

He had lost God's presence.

He was scraping the bottom of the barrel.

He was facing starvation.

Sin does not satisfy.

He ended up tending to pigs.

He had empty pockets, an empty stomach, and an empty soul.

He came to his senses.

He had gone as low as he could go. Hungering even for the pig slops.

He had hit rock bottom.

Sin is temporary madness.

He came to himself!

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

It was while he was coming to his father - his father was filled with compassion. He ran and threw his arms around him -and kissed him...

He embraced him - ardently kissed him – covered him with kisses – fervently - tenderly – fondly - even though he was dirty and stunk like a pig!

God is alike to the loving father in this story - He welcomes us with open arms.

He “Repented”...
• I will arise and go to my father ...
• I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
• I am no more worthy to be called thy son ...

The father was looking for his son’s return.

The prodigal's search for love and happiness ended back at home.

…the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

The Robe - was a special honour – it wasworn by kings, priests, persons of rank, and the redeemed of the Lord.

The Ring – showed commitment and belonging to the family. Authority and distinction.

The Shoes – showed his sonship and acceptance into the family

God completely welcomes us into his family, even though we don’t deserve it.

• The kiss, the sign of forgiveness.
• The robe, the sign of honour.
• The ring, the sign of authority.
• The sandals, the sign of freedom.
• The feast, the sign of a joyful welcome.

And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

Let's have a feast.

This was the prized calf. The very best.

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

He was a dead man.
He has come to life again.

Sin leaves us hungry and hurting.

God gives us His total, fulfilling love.

How much does God love you?
• He loves you enough to let you go.
• He loves you enough to let you hit bottom.
• He loves you enough to let you come back.
• He loves you so much that he will run to meet you.

When a person receives salvation there is great joy in heaven; another soul is saved from hell! What joy! What blessing!

Verse 32 He “was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”

Salvation is a dramatic event of changing from death to life. From being lost to being found.

What a joy and thrill we have!
What a glad day!
What rejoicing!
And the angels in Heaven join in too!