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2. The Parable Of The Prodigal Son
Luke 15:11-32

3. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 Setting
In The Perean Ministry Jn 10:40-42
In His 3rd year of preaching
A little more than 3 months to crucifixion
Again, Jesus is criticized for eating with “sinners” vv cp. Mt 9:10-13

4. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 Setting
Jesus tells 3 parables to emphasize the value of “lost things”
Parable Of The Lost Sheep vv. 3-7
Parable Of The Lost Coin vv. 8-10
Parable Of The Lost Son vv
“Prodigal” = wasteful 1 Pet 1:17-19

5. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable
Notes
The Prodigal Son
Lk 15:11-32
His resolve to go home indicates genuine repentance Cor 7:8-11
- Enough godly sorrow
to change
- Diligence to do better
- Desire to clear one’s
name
The Parable
He realizes his father’s servants at home were doing better than he was v. 17b
He knows what he must do vv
Confess his sin, failures
Accept he has forfeited his “family rights”
Beg for mercy

6. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable
Notes
The Prodigal Son
Lk 15:11-32
His resolve to go home indicates genuine repentance Cor 7:8-11
- Indignation at the
sin committed
- The longing to be
vindicated
The Parable
He realizes his father’s servants at home were doing better than he was v. 17b
He knows what he must do vv
Confess his sin, failures
Accept he has forfeited his “family rights”
Beg for mercy

7. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable
Notes
The Prodigal Son
Lk 15:11-32
His heart was now totally changed
Before, he demanded “Give me…” v. 12
Now, he will beg “Make me…” v. 19
The Parable
He realizes his father’s servants at home were doing better than he was v. 17b
He knows what he must do vv
Confess his sin, failures
Accept he has forfeited his “family rights”
Beg for mercy

8. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable
The words he plans to say are TRUE
They need to be said
They confess his failures and his unwise decision to leave home
They admit he has caused pain to the one person who loved him most… his father

9. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable He started back home v. 20a
Unbeknownst to him, his father had been hoping for his return v. 20b
He was watching for the first glimpse down the road that had taken his son away

10. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable
Notes
The Prodigal Son
Lk 15:11-32
This represents the heart of God
He is longing for our return 2 Pet 3:9
The Parable
This is what parents of a prodigal do
They hope and pray…even agonize for the safe return of their loved one

11. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable An emotional scene!! v. 20c
The father’s hopes are realized…he sees his son coming back home
He initiates the “homecoming”…rushing to his son, he embraces him & kisses him

12. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable An emotional scene!! v. 20c
Do we imagine the son looked anything like he did when he left home?
Tattered, torn, smelly…none of that matters
He has come back home !!

13. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable What the father didn’t do…
Make the son come crawling back
Not view the son with indignant cynicism (Well, look who’s back !!)
No lectures on his appearance, what he had done to the family, etc.

14. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable What the father didn’t do…
No “I told you so…”
None of that is necessary
The son has repented…he has learned the hard way what the father always knew

15. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable
The son’s motivation = repentance v. 17
The father’s motivation = compassion v. 20
What else needs to happen?

16. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable
The son begins his “rehearsed” speech v. 21
The father interrupts vv
It wasn’t time to rebuke the sinful son
It wasn’t time to re-live the grief of the remorseful son

17. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable
The son begins his “rehearsed” speech v. 21
The father interrupts vv
It was time to celebrate the return of the penitent son

18. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable
Notes
The Prodigal Son
Lk 15:11-32
This represents the heart of God
Complete forgiveness Rom 4:5-8 Heb 8:12
Total joy Lk 15:7, 10
The Parable
Coming home, the son must have been expecting the worst
Amazingly, he received the best
Complete restoration as a son!!
He was dead…he is alive again!!
He was lost…he has been found!!

19. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable
The rest of the story will focus on the older son who stayed home vv
He comes home to the party…does not know the its reason…inquires vv
After learning it is in honor of his brother, he refuses to participate v. 28a

20. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable
The rest of the story will focus on the older son who stayed home vv
The father entreated him to join in v. 28b
He refused vv
“I’ve been faithful all these years…I have never had a party for my efforts”
DEEDS

21. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable
Notes
The Prodigal Son
Lk 15:11-32
Was he right…was the younger son wasteful?
Yes…he admitted it
But the older brother was guilty of hypocrisy Mt 7: Gal 6:1
Remember Lesson 2 Lk 7: [pp. 5-6]
The Parable
The rest of the story will focus on the older son who stayed home vv
He refused vv
“This son of yours wastes your wealth on harlots…he gets a celebration”
[He couldn’t even say “My brother”]

22. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable
The rest of the story will focus on the older son who stayed home vv
The father’s final appeal vv
He agreed with his older son on one thing
He admits their special relationship “…all these years” (he was the 1st born)

23. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable
The rest of the story will focus on the older son who stayed home vv
The father’s final appeal vv
But he still pleads with him to celebrate
“It is right…” to rejoice re: “your brother”
[Not “My son”]

24. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Parable
Notes
The Prodigal Son
Lk 15:11-32
Proof that anyone can come home…consider the first converts Acts 2:22-23, 36-38
No matter how “far” we go Eph 2:13
God is merciful to the penitent Rom 5:6-8 Eph 2:1-9
The Parable
The rest of the story will focus on the older son who stayed home vv
The father’s final appeal vv
When one comes home who shouldn’t have gone astray, it is time to rejoice
MERCY

25. The Prodigal Son Lk 15:11-32 The Lesson Am I the “prodigal who left?”
Have I smelled enough of the filth?
Have I gone back to a loving Father?
Am I the “prodigal who stayed home?”
Do I rejoice when sinners come home?
Do I realize my own need for mercy?

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