As we conclude the DNOW weekend with our students, our Sunday message focuses on the theme of the weekend: The Prodigal.

Scripture Reference

Luke 15: 11-32

Sermon Audio

Sermon Notes

  •  
  • Introduction of Parable/Theme
    • Jesus is engaging with two groups of people: Tax Collectors & Sinners and Pharisees & Scribes Luke 15: 1-2. Right from the start of Luke 15 we see these two groups acting different towards Jesus, which is highlighted in Luke 15: 11-32
    • Luke 15: 3-7: Jesus receiving sinners is like a shepherd who finds a lost sheep and celebrates with his friends
    • Luke 15: 8-10: Jesus receiving sinners is like a woman who finds a lost coin and celebrates with his friends
    • Luke 15: 24: Jesus is receiving sinners like a father receives his lost son and celebrates with his friends
      • We see the theme of being lost and found followed by great joy in heaven
    • The Prodigal Son can be divided into two parts: Loving Sinners/outcast and loving the grumbling
  • Loving Sinners
    • the Bible is clear that Sin separates us from God and the younger Son shows us how miserable  that his lostness feels and how it is to be separated from God
    • When we run from God we are actually running from something else, replacing God with another god.
    • We are created to communion with God, cling to God.
    • However, we see Repentance occurs with the Younger  Son. “He came to himself”
    • The Son returns: What will you find when you turn home to God through Jesus Christ?
      • The Father runs, embraces you, gives clothes you in righteousness, and calls you a Son
  • Loving the Grumbling
    • Second part of the parable are for long-term church goers. Those who condemn people from running from God
    • We see the older son’s heart is not right: He thinks he is a slave, working for a master. His obedience is a give and take relationship
    • He believes his works save him, and he should rightly be paid because of them
    • Jesus did not come to hang out a help-wanted sign. He came and hung out a help-available sign.
      • Acts 17: 25
      • Mark 10:45
    • In the interaction with the Older Son we see the father loves him in multiple ways