June 17, 2012
The Prodigal’s Father
Luke 15:11–32
I. Introduction
A. My Favorite Father in the Bible
1. Chosen by Jesus to illustrate the Heavenly Father
2. He must then be the ideal earthly father to study
B. He was a Father of Two Sons Who were Prodigal for a Time
1. The younger was prodigal in choosing the pleasures of sin
2. The older was prodigal in choosing pride of self
C. Because the Father was what he was, the prodigal became what he should be
1. The younger son returning and the older in decision
2. What king of a father was he?
II. Body
A. He was an Approachable Father (vv. 12–18)
1. The text would seem to give some family history
a. Seems that the mother of the boys had died
b. Perhaps at the birth of the youngest son
c. Perhaps this man had stood at a grave with his two boys
d. Text also indicates wealth (servants)
2. The young son’s dreams: The far country: what was it like?
a. Some might have slipped off in the night and ran away
b. Some might have asked another to intercede
c. This one feels free to come right to his Father: “Father”
3. Our HEAVENLY FATHER IS APPROACHABLE. “Come to Him as you are”
4. The far country … Riotous Living
a. Dreamed of great task, but found great temptation
b. Dreamed of adventure, but instead found agony
c. Dreamed of prestige, but instead found poverty
d. Dreamed of romance, but instead found rags
e. Dreamed of happiness, but instead found himself feeding the hogs
5. This Father was approachable even from the pigpen: “I will arise and go to my father”
B. A Father who in his Son’s Mind was Associated with Heaven (v. 18)
1. “I have sinned against heaven and before thee”
2. When he thought of heaven, he thought of his father
3. When he thought of his father, he thought of heaven
4. He could not be reminded of God without remembering his father
a. His father surely was a man who walked with God
b. What an impression! His son couldn’t escape it
c. The father at prayer, in devotions, in reverent walk
d. His father was godly. How about you?
C. A Father Who was Affectionate (v. 20)
1. “Ran and fell on his neck and kissed him”
2. It’s nonsense that manhood calls for coldness
3. The look of love
a. The father had been watching for him
b. He ran to meet him. Spurgeon: “out of breath but not out of love”
4. His son was returning
a. The time away made no difference
b. The smell of the swine made no difference
c. The rags made no difference … NOR DID THE EMPTY POCKETS
5. His son is home, that’s all that matters
D. A Father Who was Assuring to Both (vv. 21, 31)
1. “Bring forth the best robe”
2. Father should take the problems as God the Father takes them
3. Your failures have not moved you away from His love. Return!
III. Conclusion
A. Come Now to the Heavenly Father
B. Are You Like Him?
Roger F. Campbell, Preach for a Year (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 1988-). 97-98.
Comments