1. We need to be reminded about what really is God’s Work n This chapter begins with a snapshot of an ugly attitude. (Luke 15:1-2)

2. We need to be reminded about what really is God’s Work n (Luke 15:1-2 NKJV) Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. {2} And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3. We need to be reminded about what really is God’s Work n Somehow the Pharisees in all of their study and religious experience had missed the true nature and work of the Lord.

4. We need to be reminded about what really is God’s Work n Somehow the Pharisees in all of their study and religious experience had missed the true nature and work of the Lord. n Jesus now tells three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.

5. We need to be reminded about what really is God’s Work n Somehow the Pharisees in all of their study and religious experience had missed the true nature and work of the Lord. n Jesus now tells three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. n Here we see a moving, vivid picture of the human and divine side of conversion.

6. We need to be reminded about what really is God’s Work n On the one hand we see the foolish “reasoning” of one in sin and the terrible consequences. (Isa 48:22)

7. We need to be reminded about what really is God’s Work n (Isa 48:22 NKJV) “There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.”

8. We need to be reminded about what really is God’s Work n On the other hand we see how people come back to the Lord in an acceptable way. They do not just slip back in.

9. We need to be reminded about what really is God’s Work n Above all we see the deep concern and the warm welcome of God to the sinner who returned.

10. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (Luke 15:10-13 NKJV) “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” {11} Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. {12} “And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.

11. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n {13} “And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.

12. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n The demand for independence.

13. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n The demand for independence. n The son got tired of restraint, even though it leads to security and plenty.

14. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n The demand for independence. n The son got tired of restraint, even though it leads to security and plenty. n God’s commands are always for our good. (Deut 10:13)

15. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (Deut 10:13 NKJV) “and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for your good?

16. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n Why love our enemies? (Matt 5:46)

17. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (Mat 5:46 NKJV) “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?

18. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n Why give? (2 Cor 8:9)

19. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (2 Cor 8:9 NKJV) For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

20. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n Discontent.

21. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n Discontent. n Satan likes to promote the idea that you are being left out.

22. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n Ex. “All my life I have been doing what others wanted”. “It’s my right!”, I deserve it!.” This is the spirit described here.

23. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n Worldly joy.

24. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n Ex. “All my life I have been doing what others wanted”. “It’s my right!”, I deserve it!.” This is the spirit described here. n Worldly joy. n The Bible admits that sin has it’s pleasures. (Heb 11:25; 2 Pet 2:13)

25. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (Heb 11:25 NKJV) choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,

26. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (2 Pet 2:13 NKJV) and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you,

27. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n Several have told me, especially when depressed, that going out and getting drunk give you a high and a relief. The same it true of fornication.

28. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n Several have told me, especially when depressed, that going out and getting drunk give you a high and a relief. The same it true of fornication. n The peer pressure on our young is great. They will think you are crazy not to. The young cannot see death, plus “everyone else is doing it”. (1 Pt 4:4)

29. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (1 Pet 4:4 NKJV) In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.

30. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n The wasting of one’s substance.

31. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n The wasting of one’s substance. n When you lose your sense of responsibility to God everything else will soon follow.

32. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n This son was not aware or seemed to care that he was throwing it all away. (Ex. I have seen both men and women throw away their family, job and eventually their lives.)

33. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n This son was not aware or seemed to care that he was throwing it all away. (Ex. I have seen both men and women throw away their family, job and eventually their lives.) n God has made us to do His will and be busy in it. (Ecc 12:13; Jas 1:17)

34. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (Eccl 12:13 NKJV) Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.

35. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (James 1:17 NKJV) Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

36. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n What are true riches? Do not throw this away. (Luke 12:21)

37. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (Luke 12:21 NKJV) “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

38. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n The hypnotic effect of sin.

39. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n The hypnotic effect of sin. n Sin gives you a power of control that does not exist! “I can quit anytime.” They are underestimating several things.

40. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n The power of habit - When you are doing anything long enough, you feel compelled to continue. “An act often repeated hardens into a habit, and a habit long continued petrifies into character.”

41. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n Ex. “I still have to fight because it is so much a part of me.”

42. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n Ex. “I still have to fight because it is so much a part of me.” n The demands of sin. (Luke 15:14-16)

43. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (Luke 15:14-16 NKJV) “But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. {15} “Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. {16} “And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

44. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n You will find yourself doing things you never dreamed of. (John 8:34)

45. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (John 8:34 NKJV) Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. (Ex. Drugs, fornication …. High becomes hard to keep.)

46. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (Ex. Drugs, fornication …. High becomes hard to keep.)

47. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (Ex. Drugs, fornication …. High becomes hard to keep.) n Soon you cannot have the same high, then comes the famine. There is no more fulfillment and satisfaction but cold hard reality. What then?

48. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n “No man would give to him.” - There are no rewards for Satan, he does not care.

49. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n “No man would give to him.” - There are no rewards for Satan, he does not care. n Judas found this out. (Matt 27:1-5)

50. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (Mat 27:1-5 NKJV) When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. {2} And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor.

51. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n {3} Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, {4} saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” {5} Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.

52. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n This is all headed to a point where one becomes unable to escape. (Eph 4:19; 2 Pt 2:14; 1 Tim 4:2)

53. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (Eph 4:19 NKJV) who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

54. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (1 Tim 4:2 NKJV) speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,

55. The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13) n (2 Pet 2:14 NKJV) having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.

56. The Process and Fruits of Repentance (Luke 15:17-19) n (Luke 15:17-19 NKJV) “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! {18} ‘I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, {19} “and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’

57. The Process and Fruits of Repentance (Luke 15:17-19) n An honest reflection upon one’s life.

58. The Process and Fruits of Repentance (Luke 15:17-19) n An honest reflection upon one’s life. n This is very hard to do. Many rationalize, blame others, and loose their conscience.

59. The Process and Fruits of Repentance (Luke 15:17-19) n An honest reflection upon one’s life. n This is very hard to do. Many rationalize, blame others, and loose their conscience. n Can you see your own sin?

60. The Process and Fruits of Repentance (Luke 15:17-19) n An honest reflection upon one’s life. n This is very hard to do. Many rationalize, blame others, and loose their conscience. n Can you see your own sin? n A refection upon the goodness of the Father. (Rom 2:4)

61. The Process and Fruits of Repentance (Luke 15:17-19) n (Rom 2:4 NKJV) Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?

62. The Process and Fruits of Repentance (Luke 15:17-19) n Look at your own sins and ingratitude and know God will take you back.

63. The Process and Fruits of Repentance (Luke 15:17-19) n Look at your own sins and ingratitude and know God will take you back. n This Godly sorrow will lead to repentance. (2 Cor 7:10)

64. The Process and Fruits of Repentance (Luke 15:17-19) n (2 Cor 7:10 NKJV) For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

65. The Process and Fruits of Repentance (Luke 15:17-19) n This repentance is not a comparison to others nor a selective repentance.

66. The Forgiveness of the Father (Luke 15:20-24) n (Luke 15:20-24 NKJV) “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. {21} “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

67. The Forgiveness of the Father (Luke 15:20-24) n {22} “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. {23} ‘And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; {24} ‘for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

68. The Forgiveness of the Father (Luke 15:20-24) n The father saw him a “great way off”. He then ran to him.

69. The Forgiveness of the Father (Luke 15:20-24) n The Lord is waiting and seeking you. (Jonah 4:10-11; Acts 17:27; Rev 3:20)

70. The Forgiveness of the Father (Luke 15:20-24) n (Jonah 4:10-11 NKJV) But the LORD said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. {11} “And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left; and much livestock?”

71. The Forgiveness of the Father (Luke 15:20-24) n (Acts 17:27 NKJV) “so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;

72. The Forgiveness of the Father (Luke 15:20-24) n (Rev 3:20 NKJV) “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

73. The Forgiveness of the Father (Luke 15:20-24) n What if your own children left the Lord?

74. The Forgiveness of the Father (Luke 15:20-24) n The love of God exceeds anything we would have for our own child. Why did Jesus not come down from the cross? (Rom 5:6-8)

75. The Forgiveness of the Father (Luke 15:20-24) n (Rom 5:6-8 NKJV) For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. {7} For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. {8} But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

76. The Forgiveness of the Father (Luke 15:20-24) n Remember what Jesus said the angels do? (Luke 15:10)

77. The Forgiveness of the Father (Luke 15:20-24) n (Luke 15:10 NKJV) “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

78. The Forgiveness of the Father (Luke 15:20-24) n God will forgive and receive you completely back into His fellowship. (Rom 4:7-8)

79. The Forgiveness of the Father (Luke 15:20-24) n (Rom 4:7-8 NKJV) “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; {8} Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.”

80. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n (Luke 15:25-32 NKJV) “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. {26} “So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. {27} “And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

81. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n {28} “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. {29} “So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.

82. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n {30} ‘But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ {31} “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. {32} ‘It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”

83. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n Who does the elder son represent? (Luke 18:9)

84. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n (Luke 18:9 NKJV) Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

85. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n Some of the hardest hearts I have seen has come from those: “raised in the church”.

86. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n The spirit of the Pharisee is to make one’s own “political end” the focus of their “righteousness”. (John 5:44)

87. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n (John 5:44 NKJV) “How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?

88. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n This son fought the work of the father.

89. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n Everyone has an influence, where do you stand? (Matt 23:13, 15)

90. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n (Mat 23:13 NKJV) “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

91. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n (Mat 23:15 NKJV) “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.

92. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n Even in this he thought of himself as serving the father!

93. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n Even in this he thought of himself as serving the father! n This son did not have the heart of the father.

94. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n Even in this he thought of himself as serving the father! n This son did not have the heart of the father. n Does those who are lost cause you concern?

95. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n Do you rejoice when one is forgiven? (Ex. Church struggles)

96. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32) n Do you rejoice when one is forgiven? (Ex. Church struggles) n Conclusion: Everyone is in this parable. Where are you?