“The greatest short story in the world” Lk.15:1-2, the attitude of the Pharisees and scribes toward lost people –3-7, lost sheep –8-10, lost coin –11-24, lost son First two: the seeking love of God Third: the human side (e.g., repentance) In each: the owner’s self-sacrificing care

Lk.15: 12, Dt.21:17 13, Ep.2:17 –The gathering quickly became a scattering –Prodigal: one who does not save –Aristotle: A mixture of intemperance and prodigality 14, coincidences reveal the working of providence

Lk.15: 15-16, fair-weather friends –Freedom from righteousness is slavery to sin –The whole heathen world at this time asked, “Who will show us any good?” –Weariness, despair, and suicide were universal 17-20a –Any change would be a relief

Lk.15: 20b, Ac.20:37 –A true penitent grieves not for what he lost, but for what he did 21-22, actions speak louder than words 23, a special occasion 24, explains and justifies the Lord’s kindness to outcasts and sinners

I How The Younger Brother Talked For 1. For himself, 12: “give me…” –The “profit” became a poison (Ro.1:24-28) –Thinking only about himself, he fails to see the grief he causes his father In God’s house; far from GodIn God’s house; far from God –The selfish person eventually brings the worst grief on himself Some must learn the hard waySome must learn the hard way

To 2. To himself, 17-18a: “I perish…” –Came to himself = took stock of life He didn’t do this while partying He realized his spiritual condition: “I perish” –Ro.6:23. Ep.2:1; 5:14; 1 Pt.2:25 He realized the benefits of his father’s house. Am.8:11 –Self-examination is taking spiritual inventory. 2 Co.13:5

Against 3. Against himself, 18b-21: “I have sinned…am not worthy…” –With realization came determination –Note what he did not say: “If I have sinned” “Maybe I have sinned” “Some think I have done wrong” “I made a mistake, but nobody’s perfect”

II How The Older Brother Talked Against 1. Against his father –26: with suspicion. 1 Tim.6:4 –28: with anger Instead of going to his father to discuss it, he pouts Vv. 20, 28 (Lk.13:34) –29b: with complaining

For 2. For himself, 29a: with self- righteousness –He imagines the best about himself –Vv. 1-2; Ro.10:1-2 –The younger son confesses w/o excuse; the older boasts w/o confession –His relation to his father is more like a slave than a son

Against 3. Against his brother –30: with contempt: “This son of yours” –30: with slander It is easier to confess to God than to many a man 2 Sm.24:14

III How The Father Talked grace –With grace, 22: marks of sonship Only after the son talked against himself did someone talk for himOnly after the son talked against himself did someone talk for him (16, 22-23) joy –With joy, 23; (cf. v.10) The issue is joy restoration –With restoration, 24 The father gained a son; the older son, a brother

IV Lessons 1. There is no sin that the blood cannot save if we are willing to repent –The younger brother seemed to have strayed too far to return –Our Father supplies the grace The parable of the Loving Father –We supply the repentance. The order: –SinMisery RepentanceForgiveness –Sin (12-13), Misery (14-16), Repentance (17-20), Forgiveness (20-24)

2. The far country… –teaches us more than we want to know –takes us farther than we want to go PovertyPoverty DiseaseDisease ShameShame AddictionAddiction GuiltGuilt CondemnationCondemnation

The Easy Road At first, the world served his pleasures; at last, he became its slave “I’ve found the things of God are often very hard to do at the beginning, but they are very easy and peaceful in the end. While the wrong choices are so easy to make at the beginning, they end up so complicated and full of difficulties and regrets later”“I’ve found the things of God are often very hard to do at the beginning, but they are very easy and peaceful in the end. While the wrong choices are so easy to make at the beginning, they end up so complicated and full of difficulties and regrets later”

3. Our spiritual condition depends on our attitude… –Self –Others –God “The first sign of going wrong is yearning for spurious liberty”“The first sign of going wrong is yearning for spurious liberty” “He who would not be ruled by God is compelled to serve the devil”“He who would not be ruled by God is compelled to serve the devil”

4. It is easier to see the faults of others – and more fun too! –Self-righteousness is sin as well as un righteousness –Mt.21:…31-32 –The one who apparently did not stray, ended up being the one far from the Father

5. It is easier to forgive ourselves than to forgive others –Mt.20:…14 –The Jews were not impoverished when God extended His love to Gentiles The Conclusion:The Conclusion: –The Pharisees and Scribes would have to write it