Sermons

A Prodigal Father’s Prodigal Love!

Posted by Alex on
Sermon on July 31 by Pastor Roland Eskinazi

Scripture:  Luke 15 : 11-31

We all know what a disobedient son should get from his father. If God’s love is like this father’s, then it is a prodigal love.
God’s love is so great that:

1. THE FURTHER YOU RUN, THE GREATER THE LOSS!

  • Sin is not just natural, but willful
    We are not just lost naturally (the lost sheep), or helplessly (the lost coin) but wilfully as well.

‘Father, give me my share of the estate … ’ (v12)

  • Running from God ends in mud, not magic   

‘He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating … ’(v17)

God often brings us to our senses in the pig-sty. Only when he is dissatisfied and miserable does the prodigal want to return.

‘That God does not exist I cannot doubt, but that my whole being cries out for God I cannot deny.’
(Jean-Paul Sartre, French philosopher)

2. THE FASTER YOU RETURN, THE GREATER THE JOY! (v18 – 24)

  • A father who is passionate, not resentful
    The father’s welcome is great but the gospel is better. God sent His own Son into a far country to die for you and to receive the punishment sinners deserve.
  • A father who is prodigal, not reluctant

‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him … bring the fattened calf and kill it.’ (v22-23)

Nothing but the best is good enough for the returning son. God gives the best of all He is to those who can never earn it.

‘Lord, if you kept a record of sins, who could stand. But with you there is forgiveness – so that we can with reverence serve you.’
(Ps. 130:3)

3. THE FIRMER YOUR PRIDE, THE GREATER THE FALL! (v 25 – 31)

  • Watch out – If you think you are good enough, you aren’t. 

It’s possible to be in the Father’s house yet as far away as the younger son was. When you think God owes you, you will think that He is stingy in His love. When you know you deserve condemnation, nothing is as generous as His mercy given in Jesus.

  • Look in – If you can’t forgive, are you forgiven?
    Why would the elder son not want to forgive his brother? Only if he felt there was nothing in his own life to be forgiven!

Remember! If you have not repented, why settle for the pigsty of sin when there is a heaven of love? If you are in the Father’s home – tell others in the way you love and forgive.

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