The Gospel of Luke: Luke 15: 11-32 | Parable | Prodigal - Video

Sermon Notes: 7/20/25 Luke 15: 11-32 A parable - a story with a redemptive purpose. Because of this, parables have an ability to sneak up into our own heart and make us ask “was that about me?” God reveals the reality of the kingdom of God in His parables. Jesus was a walking parable Himself. . The text today is a parable. And its context is pretty important. Jesus is sitting with tax collectors and sinners at a table. Jesus was communicating that these sinners and tax collectors were His equal. So, the Pharisees didn’t like that. So, Jesus tells a series of parables to show wrong the Pharisees are. . Jesus explains through these parables that repentance is paramount to the life of a Christian. In the story of the prodigal son, we have three points of view. The older brother, the younger brother (the prodigal) and the Father. The older brother’s refusal to join the celebration is a major sign of disrespect to the father and to the community. But the father loves his son - both of them! Jesus shares the gifts of His kingdom with all of His family. Even the bitter brother. . The younger brother has a ton of audacity. Asking for the contents of the father’s will before he died is the same as saying - “you’re no good to me, and I wish you dead.” And the vices that the younger brother could have gotten into - that’s probably what he got up to! And when the famine comes, he winds up living terrible - hitting the rock bottom. And once he gets there, he comes to his senses and goes home. But he feels so unworthy, he doesn’t even want to be treated as a son. But rather be treated as a hired servant. But upon reaching out to the father, he is raised up to his original station. That’s what the father does for us! . The father saw the younger brother - saw him with compassion. It would have been undignified for a man to run, yet he does. It would have been undignified to interrupt, yet he does with compassion. The ring and the sandals given to him are symbols of authority. And that is what the father does for YOU. Apart from Christ, you are naked. But in Christ, you’ve clothed yourself with Christ. . The heart of the father, is prodigal. The father is reckless. But the father says that it’s worth it for my sons to repent. . Won’t you find yourself life and inheritance in the Father? Come home, to Him.