The Lost Son Luke 15:11-32 I. Introduction. A. A certain man had two sons: Luke 15:11. 1. Not all children are alike(are any 2 alike?). 2. Some are ambitious and long for greener fields. 3. Others are content to stay near their early home. B. The two sons of this man grow up. 1. One may desire to keep under wing the flock: not possible. 2. At a point: children need to be on their own. 3. While you have them--love them, cherish them, and train them--then let them be men and women. 4. When children mature, it is their responsibility to make choices. a. Some make excellent decisions; others do not. b. Whatever choices are made, must accept and deal with them or change. II. Body. FIRST SON- A. Restless: v. 12-13a 1. Ambitious to see other places, do other things, etc. 2. Have you not also felt that urge sometime in your life? 3. His father divided the substance: met his request. 4. Eager: not many days hence(can be admirable). 5. Gathered his goods and went to see the other world. 6. This young man was not prepared for what he would face. 7. Over the next hill, across the next river, to the next city--can be very attractive. B. Riotous: v. 13b-14. 1. Defined: Disorderly(ungodly) behavior. 2. Sin is wasteful(goods, body, life and soul). 3. Should have remembered: Proverbs 28:7. 4. The inheritance is now gone: no place to restore or find help. 5. Have you ever been so hungry you thought you might die? 6. Or suffered from lack of necessities? 7. From the pleasant confines of his father to the streets of a foreign country! C. Reaction: v. 15-16. 1. He sought help(outcast): explain "joined." 2. A Hebrew feeding swine! a. The pangs of hunger drive men to lose(forget) convictions. b. Other pressures can force one to go against principles. 3. No one cared: he had only husks! 4. How far had he gone from his father's house! D. Realization: v. 17. 1. Servants were better off than him. 2. Note: "He came to himself." a. Took a look at his conditions and his surroundings--how miserable. b. One will never seek help until that one realizes help is needed. 3. It sometimes takes a disaster to make folks realize the situations in which they find themselves. E. Resource: v. 18:20. 1. When all else fails--go home. a. To someone who cares, who loves, and who will help. b. Determined: "I will..." 2. Will confess his sins and accept the consequences.(how fitting) 3. "I have sinned" is not easy to say. a. Against God(heaven) and his father. b. I John 1:9. 4. Do you wonder if the father had been looking for him?...while afar off... 5. Discuss the compassion of a parent. F. Repentance: v. 21. 1. Do you think this was easy? 2. He realized his mistake in leaving his father's house--did not feel worthy of being his son. G. Reception: v. 22-24. 1. The gladness of that father melted all of the doubts of that son! 2. Clean him up, dress him up, feed him, and make merry--receive him back! 3. For this son: death to life. 4. Note: Luke 15:7. SECOND SON- A. Surprised: v. 25-27. 1. Was not looking for the return of the prodigal. 2. Remembered how his brother had left--leaving him to do the work(came from field). 3. Why not be like the father(son safe and sound)? B. Angry: v. 28. 1. How foolish! 2. Keeping him from welcoming his brother and sharing the joy of his return. C. Jealousy: v. 29-30. 1. Bragged on himself(suppose he never did anything out of order?). 2. Covetous: I never got a fatted lamb and made merry with my friends. 3. You killed the fatted calf for this companion of harlots. 4. How jealousy and covetousness can consume the human heart. D. Corrected: v. 31-32. 1. His father deals with him gently--assuring him he lost nothing in the return of his brother. 2. Encouraged to rejoice at the return of one who was dead and lost but now alive and found. III. Conclusion. A. Do you, like the prodigal, need to come to your Father? B. There is rest, spiritual food, and an everlasting home in heaven for you.-James L. Yopp