Luke 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Suggests Free Moral Agency

Luke 15:12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. “Father,” he says in making his demand; what a different tone and meaning in the same word in v. 21!

Luke 15:11-32 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

He Desires To Be Free of His Father’s

What A Warning To Youth!

Inexperience Dislike of Restraint Self-will Glamour of Independence

Luke 15:11-32 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world. 17 The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

Luke 15:13 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.

“his property in reckless living.”

The Far Country

How it glitters with all its pleasures

The World

It promises great things as it attracts

Luke 15:11-32 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.

Feeding Swine Feeding But Not Satisfied Alone!

In Darkness Became Destitute No Solace Spent Everything Famine Came

Luke 15:17a 17 “But when he came to himself…

Luke 15:17b-19 he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’

• • • •

He would no longer demand anything from his father.

He had wasted his inheritance; being restored to sonship was inconceivable.

It was sufficient for him to be a hired servant in his father’s house with bread a plenty, than to be in a foreign land with no one to help or comfort him in a time of need.

His Humility brought him to a state of confession and repentance

Luke 15:20a 20 And he arose and came to his father.

Jesus Illustrates Repentance In

Matthew 21:28-32 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?”

Jesus Illustrates Repentance In

Matthew 21:28-32 They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

Zacchaeus Demonstrated Genuine Repentance

Luke 19:8-9 “And Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham.”

Luke 15:20b-24 But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.

Luke 15:11-24 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.

1 John 4:7-12 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

1 John 4:7-12 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

Remember, The Picture Is Not Complete Without All The Pieces

The Father The Younger Brother The Older Brother