THE PARABLE OF THE FATHER

THE GREATEST STORIES EVER TOLD

THE PARABLE OF THE FATHER

Luke 15:11-32

Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12  And the younger of them said to his father,

‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood.

13  And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and

there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14  But when he had spent all, there arose a

severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15  Then he went and joined himself to a

citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16  And he would gladly have

filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

17  “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread

enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18  I will arise and go to my father, and will say to

him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19  and I am no longer worthy to be

called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’

20  “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him

and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21  And the son said to him,

‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called

your son.’

22  “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on

his hand and sandals on his feet. 23  And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be

merry; 24  for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began

to be merry.

25  “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard

music and dancing. 26  So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27  And

he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your

father has killed the fatted calf.’

28  “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.

29  So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never

transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I

might make merry with my friends. 30  But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured

your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

31  “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32  It was right

that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was

lost and is found.’ 

I. The Giving Father -  So he divided to them his livelihood

 You have not because you ask not

 Ask and it shall be given

 If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much

more will your heavelny Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. Lk

11:13

 It is the Fathers good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Lk 12:32

 He gives us all things richly to enjoy. 1 Tim 6:17

 Ex. David

2 Sam 12:7-8

Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord God of Israel:

‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8  I

gave you your master’s house and your master’s wives into your keeping, and

gave you the house of Israel and Judah. And if that had been too little, I also

would have given you much more!

 He gives wisdom.James 1:5

 He gives the Desire of your Heart Psalm 37:4 -

Ps 84:11

For the Lord God is a sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good

thing will He withhold From those who walk uprightly.

II. The Idealism of Youth

13 the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted

his possessions with prodigal living

wealth without hard work

Good relationships without commitment

Life without restraint

 Because of advances in knowledge and technology I believe this can be the

generation that learns from the next

III. The Folly of Sin

14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to

be in want. 15  Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent

him into his fields to feed swine. 16  And he would gladly have filled his stomach with

the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him.

Sin takes you further than you want to go makes you stay longer than you planned

and causes you to spend more than you have.

Spent all - It’s insatiable. Keeps driving you to more

Always leads to Famine -

Eventually Results in Personal Lack - He began to be in want

Leads to Shameful levels of Degradation - Swine

IV. Real help not possible until You come to Yourself

17  “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have

bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18  I will arise and go to my father

You have to arise… no one can for you

V. The Power of Sonship

You can walk away and loose your status but when you come back You come back as

a Son.

When you come to him of back to him never come in Shame

Heb 4:16

It’s ok if you do he will lift your head up.

CURRENT STATUS AND RETURN STATUS

When you come back and before you leave

Robe - Clothed / Covered

Ring - Authority

Sandals -Firm Foundation

Fatted Calf - Supply and Joy

VI. The Misunderstanding

yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.

VII. The Paradox of the Saved

Complacency and Jealousy

Personal Initiative Required