2. GREETS YOU!

3. Bible Reading this Evening:
Luke 15:11-32

6. The Parables of Jesus: The Introduction. September 10, 2017
The Parable fo the Sower. September 17, 2017
The Wheat & the Tares. October 1, 2017
The Growing Seed. October 8, 2017
The Mustard Seed. October 15, 2017
The Leaven. October 21, 2017
The Dragnet. November 5, 2017
The Hidden Treasure. November 12, 2017
The Pearl of Great Price. November 19, 2017
The Workers in the Vineyard. December 3, 2017
The Unmerciful Servant. December 10, 2017
The Mustard Seed. December 17, 2017
The Barren Fig Tree. December 24, 2017
The Persistent Widow. February 11, 2018
The Rich Fool. February 18, 2018
The Empty House. March 18, 2015
The Parable of the Lost Coin. July 1, 2018
The Prodigal Son. July 29, 2018
The Two Sons. August 12, 2018
The Great Banquet. November
The Wedding Feat November
The Friend at Midnight. November 18, 2018
Simon the Pharisee. December
Children At The Market Place. December
The Pharisee and The Tax Collector December 23
The wicked servants. January 6, 2019
The Talents. January
The house Holder January
The Good Samaritan February 3, 2019

7. Luke 15:11-32
The Prodigal Son

8. The Context: Luke 15:1-32
The charge against Jesus by the Pharisees and scribes... "This man receives sinners and eats with them."- Luke 15:2
Jesus responds with a parabolic triptych ...
1) "The Lost Sheep" - Lk 15:3-7
2) "The Lost Coin" - Lk 15:8-10
3) "The Prodigal Son" - Lk 15:11-32
INTRODUCTION
1. With the parable of "The Prodigal Son", Jesus reaches the apex in
His response to the charge against Him by the Pharisees and scribes...
a. Their accusation? "This man receives sinners and eats with
them." - Lk 15:2
b. His response? A triptych (pronounced "trip-tick," from the Greek tri- "three" + ptychē "fold“ Three parables in which He illustrates "The Father's Yearning Love For The Lost" (Hendriksen)...
1) "The Lost Sheep" - Lk 15:3-7
2) "The Lost Coin" - Lk 15:8-10
3) "The Prodigal Son" - Lk 15:11-32
2. The parable of "The Prodigal Son" has been called...
a. "The pearl and crown of all the parables" (Trench)
b. Evangelium in Evangelio (i.e., The Gospel within the Gospel)
3. While it is commonly called "The Prodigal Son" (prodigal meaning
"wasteful")...
a. It can rightfully be called the parable of "The Loving Father"
(Wiersbe)
b. For it reveals more about the love of the father than of the
sinfulness of the younger son
4. The parable also reveals much about the heart of the unforgiving
elder son, whose purpose in this parable is to rebuke those
unwilling to reach out and receive the lost who repent

9. God’s Love For Sinful Man & His Desire To Save Us –
The Central Theme
INTRODUCTION
1. With the parable of "The Prodigal Son", Jesus reaches the apex in
His response to the charge against Him by the Pharisees and scribes...
a. Their accusation? "This man receives sinners and eats with
them." - Lk 15:2
b. His response? A triptych (pronounced "trip-tick," from the Greek tri- "three" + ptychē "fold“ Three parables in which He illustrates "The Father's Yearning Love For The Lost" (Hendriksen)...
1) "The Lost Sheep" - Lk 15:3-7
2) "The Lost Coin" - Lk 15:8-10
3) "The Prodigal Son" - Lk 15:11-32
2. The parable of "The Prodigal Son" has been called...
a. "The pearl and crown of all the parables" (Trench)
b. Evangelium in Evangelio (i.e., The Gospel within the Gospel)
3. While it is commonly called "The Prodigal Son" (prodigal meaning
"wasteful")...
a. It can rightfully be called the parable of "The Loving Father"
(Wiersbe)
b. For it reveals more about the love of the father than of the
sinfulness of the younger son
4. The parable also reveals much about the heart of the unforgiving
elder son, whose purpose in this parable is to rebuke those
unwilling to reach out and receive the lost who repent
God’s Love For Sinful Man & His Desire To Save Us –
God Seeks Our Safety . . .
We Are Valuable To God. . .
The Desire of Our Heavenly Father That The Erring Sinner Repent!! (cf. 2 Peter 3:9)

10. Lessons: What Sin Is - The Destructive Nature of Sin –
The Power To Change
God will forgive the penitent sinner who returns to Him –
Our Need To Forgive The Sinner Who Returns Home!!
INTRODUCTION
1. With the parable of "The Prodigal Son", Jesus reaches the apex in
His response to the charge against Him by the Pharisees and scribes...
a. Their accusation? "This man receives sinners and eats with
them." - Lk 15:2
b. His response? A triptych (pronounced "trip-tick," from the Greek tri- "three" + ptychē "fold“ Three parables in which He illustrates "The Father's Yearning Love For The Lost" (Hendriksen)...
1) "The Lost Sheep" - Lk 15:3-7
2) "The Lost Coin" - Lk 15:8-10
3) "The Prodigal Son" - Lk 15:11-32
2. The parable of "The Prodigal Son" has been called...
a. "The pearl and crown of all the parables" (Trench)
b. Evangelium in Evangelio (i.e., The Gospel within the Gospel)
3. While it is commonly called "The Prodigal Son" (prodigal meaning
"wasteful")...
a. It can rightfully be called the parable of "The Loving Father"
(Wiersbe)
b. For it reveals more about the love of the father than of the
sinfulness of the younger son
4. The parable also reveals much about the heart of the unforgiving
elder son, whose purpose in this parable is to rebuke those
unwilling to reach out and receive the lost who repent

11. He Left Home: Lk 15:11-13a He Asked For His Inheritance – 12
Took his things and went to the “Far Country” – 13a

12. His Life Abroad Lk 15:13b-16
Wasted His Inheritance (i.e. – he was a prodigal) – 13b
Fell on REAL Hard Times - 14
Joined Himself to a Citizen of the “Far Country” and fed swine – 15
Was Hungry, and no one helped him – 16

13. His Return Home Lk 15:17-20a He Came To Himself – 17
He Resolves To Return Home - 18a
He Acknowledged His Sin And Humbled Himself – 18b, 19
He Followed Through With His Decision to return Home – 20a

14. His Reception Lk 15:20b-32
His Father Was Extremely GLAD to See Him! – 20b
After The Young Man Confessed His Sins – The Father Sent For Him The Best Robe, a Ring, Sandals, & The Fatted Calf – 21-23
They “Began To Be Merry” – For His Son “Was Dead And Is Alive Again, He was Lost And Is Found” - 24

15. His Reception Lk 15:20b-32 The Anger of The Older Brother! – 25-30
The Father Acknowledged The Older Son’s Faithfulness and Assured Him of His Inheritance - 31
The Father Defends His Actions - “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.' " – 31,32

16. Applying The Parable Of "The Prodigal Son"
The Main Elements
The father symbolizes our heavenly Father
The prodigal son in coming home represents the penitent sinner
The elder brother reflected the attitude of the self-righteous Pharisees and scribes - cf. Lk 15:2
Applying The Parable Of "The Prodigal Son"

17. Applying The Parable Of "The Prodigal Son"
The Key Lessons
Our heavenly Father loves His children and LONGS for their salvation.
There is "joy in heaven" when the sinner returns with a penitent attitude - Lk 15:7,10,32; 2 Pet 3:9; John 3:16; Acts 17:30; Acts 22:16
Applying The Parable Of "The Prodigal Son"

18. Applying The Parable Of "The Prodigal Son"
The Key Lessons
We need to understand the proper way to receive the erring child who returns to God
Not with jealousy, but with joyous celebration!
With a strong reaffirmation of love - 2 Co 2:6-8
Applying The Parable Of "The Prodigal Son"

19. Applying The Parable Of "The Prodigal Son"
Are You Like Someone In This Parable?
The Prodigal Son?
The Unforgiving Son?
The Loving Father?

20. 2 Cor. 5:20
Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God.
Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ / September 9, 2007

21. Don McClain
W. 65th St church of Christ / September 9, 2007