A LESSON IN FORGIVENESS
INTRODUCTION: How many children do not feel like they are misunderstood,
maligned, and mistreated by his/her parents. Most outgrow these feelings
and come to understand that their parents are not as mean and unfeeling
But a few want to be independent so bad that they flee home and "spread
their wings" in high style. But it often happens that they misuse and abuse
their new found freedom and end up hitting the bottom. Such is the story
of the "prodigal son" in Luke 15. It is a lesson of sin, forgiveness, and
I. THE PRODIGAL SON AND HIS STORY (VERSES 11-19)
A. He felt chaffed by his Father's rules.
II. THE LOVING FATHER'S STORY (VERSES 20-24).
1. He asked for his inheritance. (Verses 11-12).
B. He went into a far country and wasted his inheritance
2. He thought that the independence he would gain from his inheritance
would give him true happiness.
a. He couldn't see happiness in his Father's house.
b. The same is often true of us. We feel confined by "unreasonable"
curbs on our freedom.
c. But Jesus is the only true source of freedom.
i. John 8:32, 36- ""And you shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free....36- Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall
be free indeed."
1. He learned the lesson that true happiness doesn't come from
material wealth. It is an illusion that slips away so easily.
C. Finally, "he came to himself" (verses 15-19).
2. He had to slip all the way to the bottom.
a. Many times a man has to "hit rock bottom" before he can
come to God.
1. He finally realized his condition.
2. He had godly sorrow.
a. 2 Corinthians 7:10- "For godly sorrow produces repentance
leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world
3. He resolved to go to his father and ask forgiveness. He would humble
4. He had a penitent heart.
a. Matthew 5:4- "Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall
b. James 4:9- "Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned
to mourning and your joy to gloom."
A. The Father had been watching for the prodigal (verses 20-24).
III. THE OLDER BROTHER'S STORY (VERSES 25-32).
1. The Father had seen him a great way off.
B. The Father's reaction (verses 21-24).
a. Perhaps he recognized his son's walk.
2. He had probably been watching for his return since he had left.
3. Was constantly desireous of his son's return.
4. This is the heavenly Father's attitude toward us as sinners.
a. 2 Peter 3:9- "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise,
as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that
any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
b. He loved us so much that he marked the way home. (John 3:16).
1. Came and fell at his Father's feet.
2. Joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents.
a. Luke 15:7- ""I say to you that likewise there will be more
joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons
who need no repentance."
3. Wasn't showing justice, he was showing mercy.
a. Treated with honor even though he didn't deserve it.
4. God is the Father of mercies.
a. 2 Corinthians 1:3- "Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,"
5. What would be the reaction of some fathers?
b. Psalms 33:22- "Let Your mercy, O LORD, be upon us, Just as we hope
6. Our Father wants to receive us.
A. He was envious of his brother.
CONCLUSION: The loving Father was waiting for His wayward son. He still
waits, eager to forgive His erring children.
1. He thought that his brother was receiving something that
he didn't receive.
B. He thought that the Father's love was earned by a record of service.
a. Galatians 5:21- "envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries,
and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in
time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom
b. Romans 13:13- "Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry
and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy."
1. Our record of service doesn't merit God's love.
C. The older brother was proud and haughty.
a. Ephesians 2:8- "For by grace you have been saved through
faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,"
2. This attitude is identical to the Pharisees who thought that their good
works bought salvation while publican and sinners weren't good enough for
b. Titus 3:5- "not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to His mercy He saved us, through the
washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,"
c. Matthew 20:1ff - parable of the laborers.
a. Luke 18:11ff
3. The Father doesn't love because the son merits love, but just because
he is his son.
1. Many of us are proud and haughty, thinking that we do God
a favor by serving Him.
2. Psalms 101:5- "Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will
destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not
3. Proverbs 16:18- "Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit
before a fall."
Copyright 2000 by Grady
Scott may be reproducted for non-commercial purposes at no cost to others.