Shepherding the Flock - The Way Back to the Father - Luke 15:17-24

Pastor Scott Markle · November 7, 2016

Weekly Sermon

Introduction:

     A. Departing from the Father

           1. To pursue the way of self

Luke 15:11-12 – “And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.”

           2. To pursue the way of the world

Luke 15:13 – “And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.”

           3. To pursue the way of sin

Luke 15:13 – “And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.”

     B. Reaping What Is Sown

Hebrews 11:25 – “Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.”

Galatians 6:7-8 – “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

James 1:15 – “Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”

           1. No pleasure

Luke 15:14 – “And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.”

           2. No provision

Luke 15:15-16 – “And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”

           3. No help

Luke 15:15-16 – “And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”

I.     He Came to Himself – Realizing that it was better to be WITH the father.

Luke 15:17 – “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!”

II.   He Recognized His Sin.

       A. I have sinned.

Luke 15:18 – “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee.”

       B. I am not worthy.

Luke 15:19 – “And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.”

       C. I will serve.

Luke 15:19 – “And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.”

III. He Returned to the Father. – Draw night to God with a broken heart, and He will draw night to you.

Luke 15;20 – “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”

James 4:8-9 – “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.”

IV. He Confessed His Sin.

       A. No excusing himself

Luke 15:21 – “And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.”

       B. No trivializing his sin

Luke 15:21 – “And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.”

       C. No shifting of blame

V.   He Was Restored by the Father.

       A. Restored to peace

Luke 15:22 – “But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.”

       B. Restored to blessing

Luke 15:23 – “And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry.”

       C. Restored to fellowship

Luke 15:24 – “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”

Posted in Weekly Sermon, Luke, Repentance of Sin, Forgiveness of Sin, Spiritual Revival

Please share this post with others:

View the full article