Blessed Assurance

The Parable of the Pursuing Father “The Prodigal Son”

Sometimes we can make sincere decisions, but because we are blind to the implications, disastrous results may follow!

One view of how God treats the disobedient Christian If you do not fight lust you are going to hell. We are saved by means of fighting the fight of faith -- persistent faith-obedience. John Piper The idea that faith gets you to heaven and holiness gets you rewards is an error.

Knowing for sure is not possible Dr. John MacArthur

Luke 15 in Context Call to Discipleship Luke 14: : The Lost Sheep The Lost Coin The Lost Son The Compassion of the Father “But.. if salt becomes tasteless”

Sinners and Tax Collectors Amharets = the “people of the land” These are repentant Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus, who have become saltless. They have either turned from their backsliding or are considering doing so. They have come to a meal with Jesus.

Resources Kenneth Bailey, Poet and Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes: A Literary-Cultural Approach to the Parables in Luke. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, Kenneth Bailey, Poet and Peasant and Through Peasant Eyes: A Literary-Cultural Approach to the Parables in Luke. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1983.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son The Request – Lk. 15:11-12 The Request – Lk. 15:11-12 The Father's Gift – Luke 15:12 The Hurried Sale – 15:13 The Qetsatsah Ceremony The Hurried Sale – 15:13 The Qetsatsah Ceremony Expensive Living – 15:13 Expensive Living – 15:13 The Pig Herder – 15:14-15 The Pig Herder – 15:14-15 The Prodigal Repents – 15:17-19 The Prodigal Repents – 15:17-19 The Father’s Grace – 15:20 The Father’s Grace – 15:20 The Son’s Confession – 15:21 The Son’s Confession – 15:21 The Banquet – 15:22-30 The Banquet – 15:22-30

The Father Departs from ME Norms The father grants the inheritance and the right to sell, knowing that this right will shame the family before the community. He does not explode in anger, but grants freedom to be rejected. Traditional Middle Easterners, wearing long robes, do not run in public. To do so is deeply humiliating. This father runs He demonstrates love to a son who has publically insulted him

Three Reasons for The Banquet 1.Father’s reason – “because my son was dead and is alive again” – Father’s reason – “because my son was dead and is alive again” – Little boy’s reason – 2.Little boy’s reason – “because he has received him back safe and sound” shalom - v The Older Brother’s reason “that I might make merry” – v The Older Brother’s reason “that I might make merry” – v. 29

The Parable of the Prodigal Son The Older Son’s Anger – 15:28-30 The Older Son’s Anger – 15:28-30 The Father’s Response – 15:31-32 The Father’s Response – 15:31-32

Remember the Father’s Compassion For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; 12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. 13 As a father has compassion on his children, so the L ORD has compassion on those who fear him; 14 for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. (Psalm 103:11- 14)

James referred to a faith like that of the prodigal, a faith not energized by works, a dead faith. The writer to the Hebrews spoke of the possibility of falling away. The prodigal did not fall away from being a son, he was a son before and after he fell away. He fell away from fellowship with his father The prodigal had not entered into a kingdom way of living. Instead of entering into an abundant life, he was lost. Had he continued in the far country and not returned to fellowship with His Father, he would have entered the future kingdom in the sense of salvation, but not possession the surpassing righteousness he would not have entered into greatness there. He would be called least.

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing Come, Thou Fount of ev’ry blessing, Tune my heart to sing Thy grace; Streams of mercy, never ceasing, Call for songs of loudest praise. Teach me some melodious sonnet, Sung by flaming tongues above; Praise the mount—I’m fixed upon it— Mount of Thy redeeming love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer; Hither by Thy help I’m come; And I hope, by Thy good pleasure, Safely to arrive at home. Jesus sought me when a stranger, Wand’ring from the fold of God; He, to rescue me from danger, Interposed His precious blood.

O to grace how great a debtor Daily I’m constrained to be! Let that grace now, like a fetter, Bind my wand’ring heart to Thee: Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, Prone to leave the God I love; Here’s my heart, O take and seal it; Seal it for Thy courts above.