06/23/2026
NOTES FROM SUNDAY’S MESSAGE: REAL LOVE (Luke 15:11-24)
https://www.youtube.com/live/s2FXbEDOWRI?si=XzNHSNNcN8OCNx1H
This story of the Prodigal Son is one of the most recognizable teachings of Jesus. The vast majority of the sermons deal with the repentance of this younger son, but today, on Father’s Day, though we will look at him, I want us to look at the wonderful picture of our God that is represented by the father who never gave up on his son.
I. REBELLION vs.11-16
A. Chosen Path vs. 11-13
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.
This son had no right to anything his father owned. Inheritance occurs after the father's death; until then, the sons owned nothing. The father was well within his rights to deny such a request, but he did not reject the request… though he did not deserve it, the son’s portion was given.
** The father knew what would happen, but like our God, He gives us free will to make decisions, even when He knows they will not work out for good. Not long after getting the money, he leaves… the son had it all planned. He gathered all his possessions… he had a plan to live life to the fullest. Trying to escape the father’s eyes, he traveled to a “far country… the farther away from Dad, the better. But it didn’t take long for all his possessions to be gone. You can’t buy friends or happiness. Regardless of how much money a person has, it will all come to an end, quicker than you planned.
B. Consequences vs. 14-16
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.
Everything is gone, no hope, no promise, only emptiness. Then a famine adds to his problems. No friends to bail him out, no family near (far country); no longer an owner… now a servant. For a Jewish young man, there could be no greater insult than to have to feed pigs. Not only feeding the pigs, but he is so hungry that he is tempted to join them in their food. Starving without help or hope.
**"Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay"**
C. Concerned Father
Though it is not stated here, verse 20 tells us the father was waiting, praying, looking for his son to come home. The son had rejected the father, but the father had not rejected the son. Even so it is with God: “ If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” (2 Tim 2:13) His blood flowed through that boy regardless of where and how far away he was.
**This father was a picture of our Father… once we share in the blood of Christ, it is impossible to stop that blood from flowing through us.
II. REPENTANCE vs.17-21
A. Decision Made
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! 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."'
Coming to himself, leaving behind the foolishness that led to his terrible situation, causes him to accept his failure (came to himself), understanding the goodness of his father. He acknowledged his sin, which was against God, not against his father. His sin was “before” his father.
**We do not sin against others; sin is only against God, but the sin hurts those we have wronged.
True repentance doesn’t make excuses; it acknowledges its fault (Not worthy to be a son… only a servant). The next step had to be taken… going home; he began the journey home. It is a necessary step for reconciliation.
B. Dad Waiting vs.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.
The father is waiting (still a great way off). What love! Though rejected, forsaken, and ignored (no thought of dad during his revelries), the father is not only willing but longing to receive his son. Can you picture him - waiting on the porch, looking each day - hoping, praying, longing for his boy - his son who was lost. Finally, after days and days of separation, he sees his son and has compassion on him. Jesus has said, "He that comes to Me I will not cast out “(John 6:37 ). Look at God’s love! He ran to him! Not walked, not waited for him; not ignoring him – He RAN and fell on his neck and kissed him. Remember, this young son has been living with the pigs… he is filthy, but the father didn't care; his son was home. He was sin-stained - father didn't care; destitute - father didn't care; his son was home; broken spirit - father didn't care; his son was home.
**We are never too filthy, sin-stained, destitute, and broken to be loved by our Father.
C. Declaration of The Son! Vs 21
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.'
Hear the son…. I have sinned against Heaven and in your sight - just as he said he would do! True repentance… no longer worthy to be your son. (Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord and He will lift you up.(James 4:10)
III. RESTORATION vs 22-24
"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;
A. Decision of The Father
The father addresses the servants… silence concerning the confessed sin. His joy is complete when his son is before him. No interest in the confession… It reminds me of the song, “What sins are you talking about?” Speaking through Jeremiah, God tells us: “For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more." (Jer 31:34 Our sins are forgiven before we finish our sentence! He forgives and remembers them no more!
Sonship restored…. Bring out the best robe! He came in rags - now clothed with the best robe.
**We become clothed with the righteousness of Jesus when we come to God. We cannot change our sinful nature for the same reason he could not change his filthy garment - we can't pay the price! Place the ring on his finger ( the mark of favor bestowed on someone). Probably a family ring showing wealth and dignity; again, he could not buy it, he didn't have the price, nor can we purchase forgiveness. Placing shoes on his feet, again a sign of being a son, servants generally were barefoot. Kill the fatted calf - eat and be merry, a feast in honor of a willful God-rejecting, disobedient, but penitent son.
B. Declaration of Life vs. 24
24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' And they began to be merry.
Sin brings separation… Sin brings death! The Father’s forgiveness brings life (And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins… (Eph. 2:1-2)
The son who was lost… is found… It’s time to rejoice! Jesus describes what happens in heaven when one returns home (“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."(Luke 15:10)
