THE PRODIGAL’S FATHER

Luke 15:11-32

I. He was disrespected beyond belief (v.12).

A. The younger son was not in a position which was

conducive to headship.

B. Usually one’s inheritance is divided upon his death, but

this son could not wait.

C. It seems like this prodigal son has a lot of followers

because disrespect for parents is rampant (Rom. 1:29-32).

II. He was discarded without thought (v. 13-19).

A. In the far country of sin, the prodigal tried to take on a new

way of riotous life.

B. The father might have thought that he would never see his

son again.

C. It is really difficult for a son to forget about his father.

1. Not even this son who could not leave home fast

enough was able to completely forget his father.

2. A son’s ability to remember his father reinforces the

great responsibility to be a godly father.

III. He was patient throughout trials (v. 20).

A. It is not hard to imagine the sleepless nights that this father

spent hoping for his son’s return.

B. Do you think he asked himself the question, “What did I do

wrong”?

C. Really consider Proverbs 22:6.

IV. He was forgiving beyond imagination (vv. 21-32).

A. The father could have said, “You wanted to be on your

own, so now you cannot come back.”

B. Verse 20 even suggests that this father was eagerly waiting

to forgive his son.

June 15, 2003 (a.m.)