Luke 15:11-32
Experiencing Freedom Over Darkness (Series)
Luke 15:11-16 (11-12) “Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.”
Rebellion: The son broke off relationship with his family and went far away.
When the younger son asked for his share of the estate, he was saying to his father, “I wish you were dead!”
We are always heading for trouble when we value things more than people, pleasure more than loyalty.
Luke 15:17-20a “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.”
Repentance: He came to his senses. It’s God’s goodness that leads us to repentance. (Romans 2:4) “He acted on his repentance”
Luke 15:20–24(21) “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Rejoicing: He came home to a joyful, not a bitter father. Here Jesus answered the accusations of the scribes and Pharisees.
Luke 15:1-2 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
The joyful father ran to welcome his son home.
Luke 15:25–32 (31-32) “‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”
Restoration: Look at the hearts of both sons. At this point in the parable, the Scribes and Pharisees felt confident about their pride. But Jesus introduced the older brother, who is a clear picture of the scribes and Pharisees.
Their outward actions may have been blameless, but their inward attitudes were offensive. Notice the older brothers disregard for his missing brother.
The father reaches out with grace to the oldest son, but the oldest son never joins the party. (Ephesians 4:32)
Unforgiveness ends in broken relationships. Forgiveness heals the soul of the one who forgives.
