Prodigal Son/Daughter

“Prodigal Son/daughter”

June 19, Burlington, VT North Alliance Church

Luke 15:11-32 The Parable of the Prodigal Son

            The story of the Prodigal Son appears in Luke 15:11-32. Jesus shares it with his disciples, the Pharisees and others. In the story, a father has two sons.   Here’s the gist:

1-younger son asks the father to divide the inheritance

2-younger son decides to leave

3-younger son takes his inheritance and squanders it all away

4- ends up working with pigs like a servants

5-decides to return home

6- father greets the son

7-son asks forgiveness and confesses his sin against the father and heaven

8-the father gives a big party for the return of his son

9-older son doesn’t like the reception the younger son receives

10-father says, “MY son,”  “you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.”

            Some things to think:

a-      Have you been the younger son? Eager to do what you want to do? Be your own boss instead of following what the Lord is telling you to do?

b-      Have you been the older son? Jealous of others and their spiritual successes?

c-      Have you been the father?  Prayed for a son or daughter out in the world and they finally came home?

We call all relate to some part of the story. The gist is this: the Father is waiting in Heaven for us to return if we are the younger son. The Father in heaven is waiting for us to confess our jealousy and ask forgiveness. He will be willing to forgive us our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. God, in heaven, is the Father. He is waiting for us!