Two Year Gospel Study Week 36

Luke 15:11-32; Exodus 34:6; Numbers 14:18; Psalm 86:5, 15; Psalm 103:8; Psalm 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Luke 15:10. This parable is called The Prodigal Son, but perhaps a better name for it is: "Prodigal Son - Prodigal Father." Why? The dictionary has 2 definitions for prodigal: 1. Wasteful - One who recklessly squanders what he has been given (This is the youngest son in this story) 2. Extravagant - One who abundantly gives and lavishly blesses (This is The Father) The parable is the story of a son who asks for his inheritance early, leaves with it, squanders his newly given wealth in wild living and ends up spending it all and having nothing left. The only job he's able to get is taking care of a farmer's pigs. That's when the regret settles in. As Pastor progresses through the story he uses these words to describe the steps the prodigal son went through: 1. Rebellion - against God's plan for his life 2. Recklessness - in our choices and behavior 3. Ruin - experienced as a result of rebellion and choices 4. Regret - wishing he could start over, a re-do to make different choices, but we can't rewind or redo what's already done; however, we can... 5. Return - to God. How will He receive us back? Will He be angry, accusatory, disgusted? No! The younger son returns, repentant, and the Father opens His arms, comes running towards the son and embraces him, welcoming him home with a heart full of love. This is the Father's heart for each one of us. He stretches out nail-pierced hands and says, "Welcome home!" That's the heart of God and that's the love of God. No matter what we've done, no matter where we've been, no matter how we've wandered - God is a good, good Father and welcomes us back to Himself with open arms of reception. John 3:16 - God loves and He wants us to come home - to come back to Him. We can know for certain - We have a Heavenly Father who is perfect- who loves us unconditionally and who wants only what is best for us. Even difficulties have the intent of drawing us back to Him. Even when we experience sorrows, loss and trials, God's desire is that we wake up and see His incredible love for us in Jesus our Savior and there - no matter what - we will find forgiveness, mercy, love and peace - because God is a good Father. But there's more to this story... So they're having a party celebrating the youngest son's return home - but the older son is jealous, indignant and angry that there is a party for this wayward brother and that the father hasn't ever thrown a party for him and he's been there working and helping the father and never left. The older son doesn't understand the Father's love.... The older son sees the relationship with his father as one of performance and what the son has done for the Father, and how badly his brother has failed. The Father pleads with the older jealous son saying, "You are always with me - everything I have is already yours, but we must celebrate your brother's return, for he was lost but now is found!" The older son doesn't understand the heart of the father. The father is merciful. The younger son is repentant. The older son is prideful. Why did Jesus end the story with the older son? There's a lesson for us all in this story for we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Not just the younger son, but the older son as well. All of us like sheep have gone astray - but God laid on Jesus the sins of all and by His stripes we are healed. We need to understand the mercy of the Father and like the younger son - we need to recognize our rebellion and recklessness, we need to repent and return to God through Jesus, our Deliverer and Savior. This story is a great summary of the greatest book ever written - the Bible - the Bible shares the story of a God who has loved us even though we rebelled against Him and when we turn around and return to Him there's a celebration party! Luke 15:10 "In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." https://www.awakeusnow.com The Parables of Jesus is part two of our Two Year Study of the Gospels. Jesus is known for telling some of the greatest stories ever told. In telling these stories He uses the form of a parable which is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. Jesus' parables resonate in every culture and in every generation around the world. This study is great for large group. small group or home group Bible study.