Luke 15:30

The fifteenth chapter of Luke begins with a story about a lost sheep. It continues with the story of a lost coin and concludes with the story of the lost son. The purpose of each story is to help the lost find their way.

THE PRODIGAL SON REFLECTED ON WHAT MADE HIM HAPPY: Luke 15:13-17

“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!’”

1. He reflected on his poor judgement .

2. He reflected on his personal immaturity .

“Tomorrow’s history has already been written. At the name of Jesus every knee must bow.” -E. Kauffman

THE PRODIGAL SON THOUGHT ABOUT HIS IMMEDIATE FUTURE: Luke 15:18-19

“I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.”

1. He humbly confessed his sin.

2. He declared his unworthiness .

3. He took a step of faith .

“To do so no more is the truest repentance.” -Martin Luther

THE PRODIGAL’S FATHER RESPONDED WITH GRACE: Luke 15:20-24

“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.”

The Five Responses of Grace:

1. His father saw him. v. 20

2. His father had compassion for him. v.20

3. His father ran to meet him.

4. His father hugged him.

5. His father kissed him.

“Without forgiveness, there’s no future.” -Desmond Tutu

LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE PRODIGAL SON ABOUT MAKING A BRAND NEW START: Luke 15:30

“But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!”

1. Get real about your failures . Proverbs 28:13

2. Accept responsibility for your sins. Proverbs 27:12

3. Take a step of faith . Proverbs 16:9

4. Trust God to help you succeed . Zechariah 4:6

5. Don’t repeat the same mistakes . 2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” -2 Corinthians 5:17