Parable of the Prodigal Son

Minister:
Date: PM
Text: Luke 15:25-32
Psalters: 406, 377, 255, 77
  1. The father?s open arms.
    1. Two brothers raised in the church, given the outward privileges of the proclamation of the truth concerning God.
      1. The younger son wasted all the privileges he had in his father?s house (13b, 14a).
      2. The elder son was apparently faithful to his father, but he wanted that known (29).
    2. The father displayed unchanging and unconditional love.
      1. The father is pictured as waiting watchfully for his foolish son to come back home.
      2. God?s love is unchangeable because it is eternal, rooted in God?s own being.
    3. Those who receive such grace do not become proud nor carnally secure, but humble (Canons V-12).
      1. They make no excuses, no self-justification, no cover-up, but simply confess: I have sinned against my Father!
      2. And such have a real sense of unworthiness (19) that he forfeited every right to be a son or even a servant.
    4. The Father?s love restores us to the full rights of His children: robe, ring, shoes (22,23) (slaves go without sandals).
  2. This should be the cause of great joy (5,6, 9,10), but the elder brother is angry (28).
    1. He had been with his father always receiving the privileges of the sphere of the covenant (Rom. 9:4,5).
      1. His attitude was that of every old man which wants acceptance on the basis of works.
      2. In his anger he refused to attend the banquet.
    2. His sin.
      1. He was not moved by God?s love for Him.
      2. He was angry at his father?s love for his brother and his repentance.
    3. Jesus rejoices when sinners are brought to repentance, for He sees the fruit of His terrible suffering.
    4. But the whole household was rejoicing at the lost being found, a joy also in heaven (7,10).
      1. The servants (ministers of the gospel) rejoice as well to see what God accomplishes.
      2. And the whole church is called to participate in this joy as well (6,9).
        1. While the rejoicing is unselfish and generous, the resentment is very self-centered.
        2. The joy is because we see God?s purpose in Christ fulfilled, so we are rejoicing in God and His gracious work.
        3. We also rejoice because is an assurance for ourselves of our salvation, for we are all saved in the same way.
      3. The joy of the church is expressed in giving thanks to God alone for the depths of His mercy.