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    Week of December 8, 2024
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Westside Church
Return to the Father!
Archived – December 8, 2024
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Main Scripture Reference(s)
 Luke 15:11-31

Return to the Father!

December 8, 2024 / Chris Swarbrick / Luke 15:11-31

12-8-2024

Return to the Father!

The Prodigal Son.

Within this Parable there are different points of character throughout the example. 

  • The Prodigal Son. -Defiant, selfish, desiring “the world.”
  • The Loving Father. Gracefully forgiving, compassionate, loving.
  • The older Brother. -Jealous, angry, unforgiving, prideful.

The differences of “Lost” in the previous parables.

  • The lost Coin- does not know it is lost___________
  • The Lost sheep- knows it is lost but does not know why or how.
  • The Prodigal (Lost Son.)- Chose to get lost and knows how he got there. Aware, knowing,

Luke 15:11-12 ESV

  • Reference to the “two sons” has an allegorical contrast between two groups of people: the Jews (Pharisees) and the Gentiles. 
    • The younger brother could be representing the Gentiles.
    • The older brother representing the Pharisees or Teachers of the Law.
  • “Father, give me the share of my property that is coming to me.”
  • “He Divided his property.”

Think Eternity!

  • This means the fatherof his property to both of his sons before his time had come.

Romans 5:6-8 ESV

Luke 15:13-16

  • Almost immediately after the young son gathers all his new possessions and leaves. He cannot stand to stay any longer with his new wealth (Possessions)
  • A “far country.” 
    • Somewhere away from home where the father and brother could not interfere with his choices.
  • This allegory should cause us great consternation. 

We must take notice of what is NOT said in this passage: nowhere do we find any indication that the father chased after the son. 

  • Make no mistake that the father knew the son’s
  • The father did notthe son to stay.
  • The father did notthe son and beg him not to leave. 
    • But hold on! He will cause circumstance for him to come back! If we listen.
  • In this parable, the shepherd does not “leave the ninety-nine” to go look for “the one.”

Let’s not confuse the parables. If we are believers in Christ and walk away purposefully and knowingly, we are not the “Lost Sheep,” we are the “prodigal.”

  • Am I the prodigal?
  • Do I have of the prodigal?
  • Am I continuing in sin?

Romans 6:1-4

  • The inheritance was quickly squandered by the younger brother.
    • “Wild living.” Or “riotous living.” Referred to by the brother as prostitutes in verse 30.
  • This statement looks back to Proverbs 29:3

“He who loves wisdom makes his father glad, but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.”

  • This is really in reference wholly to sexual immorality which would be the pinnacle example of idolatry. 

Now the Lord is circumstances that will (hopefully) lead to repentance.

Rock Bottom!

“Rock bottom is a place we must come to where we can no longer look in the mirror and see any resemblance of our previous selves.”

The way back

Luke 15:17-19 NIV

  • He now what a wonderful father he has.
  • Even the servants have food to spare. Nobody is hungry in the father’s house.

John 6:35 

  • He prepares his__________ of repentance.

Luke 15:20 NIV

  • This passage shows that while the father had not chased after the son, he was waiting for him to return and watching in anticipation of a beloved son returning home! 
    • Filled with
      • Overwhelmed with joy at the return.
    • As soon as his son began to return home, this signaled repentance, and the father runs to him.
  • Threw his arms around him and

Ezekiel 16:59

What a wonderful example of a loving father awaiting the return of his son!

Luke 15:21-24 NIV

  • The son initiates the repentance.
    • The father allows the son to speak the repentance and does not offer excuse, but it is poignant and not drawn out. 
  • At the very moment of repentance, his place as the son is restored.
  • Bring fattened calf.
  • My son was , he is now !

Ezekiel 18:30-32 ESV

What father (or mother) would not rejoice and celebrate the return of a child that was lost?

Who would not celebrate the return of a lost sibling?

  • The older brother

Luke 15:25-30 NIV

  • The older brother is angry that his younger brother has returned to a celebration.
  • Who does the older brother remind us of?
  • This passage reads as though the younger brother has sinned against the older brother.

Jonah 3:7-4:3

Luke 15:31 NIV

Malachi 3:16-17

What can we take away from the 3 different character types in the passage?

  • The Prodigal Son. –
    • Don’t be a
    • Repent, come back, be restored to the father.

2 Chronicles 7:14

  • The Loving Father. Gracefully forgiving, loving.
    • We were created for relationship with the father. It is his desire.
    • He has given us life that we do not deserve and cannot earn.
    • He has done the work on the cross for us. 

John 3:16

The older Brother. –

    • Intimately familiar with the law
    • Yet, unable to be gracious. Unable to appreciate redemption.

Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV

 

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