Scripture Reference

Luke 15: 11-32

Sermon Audio

Sermon Notes

We are back in dangerous territory as we discuss the most famous and beloved of all Jesus’ parables, the Parable of the Loving and Gracious Father, or as it’s more commonly referred, the Parable of the Prodigal Son. We’ll look closely at each of the three major characters in this parable –  the younger son, the elder son, and the father. This parable resonates so powerfully because we can see ourselves in at least one of the sons. Truth be told, however, most of us should be able to see ourselves reflected at different points in our past in each of the sons.

1. Consider the Younger Brother – We’ve All Been Him
   1. The younger brother gets as far from the father as he possibly can
   2. The younger brother repents and returns to the father
   3. We’ve all been the younger brother, whether we realize it or not – sinking to the lowest depths, trying to negotiate our way back to some reasonable position relative to God, when God has far more for us than merely reasonable.
2. Consider the Older Brother – Most of Us Have Been Him
   1. The older brother resents the salvation, forgiveness, and celebration over His lost brother
   2. Most of us have been the older brother – once the sense of grace we received fades, we often find it hard to show grace toward others, and this is also a sin that needs the grace of God to forgive.
3. Consider the Loving and  Gracious Father
   1. The father permitted the younger son to sin and he patiently endured it
   2. The father eagerly ran and embraced the younger son and fully restored him as a son
   3. The father also went out, in love, to the angry and resentful older brother to try and restore him

Which brother are you today?