SUB: A SINNING SON, still a Son
TEXT: LUKE 15:11-24.
Intro: 1) A very stirring story depicting the Father's love for His children.
2) The state of s sinner as seen here; saved or unsaved.
3) The results of a sinning son
i) He grieves the Holy Spirit.
ii) He disgraces the name of Christ. We are called "christians".
iii) It can happen to anyone of us. 1 Cor 10:12.
1. THIS SINNER IS A SON. vs 11. Be clear that this is talking of a child of God.
A. Not everyone is a child of God. John 8:44.
B. We become children of God by Trusting Him as Savior. John 1:12,13.
C. As children of God, we are not free from the opportunities to sin. James 4:7.
11. WHAT LED HIM TO THIS STATE? VSS 12-16.
A. He rejected His Father authority over him. vs 12.
i) He accepted his relationship. He called his father, "father".
ii) He took it for granted that his father owed him an inheritance. He said, "...that falleth to me."
B. Rejecting the Father's authority, he went away from his Father. vs13.
i) His Father treated him right; the Father was not at fault.
ii) He willingly went away fro his Father.
iii) He wasted his inheritance.
C. His state after rejecting the father's authority.
i) The state he ended up in was to the lowest he could ever had gone. He was a Jew in a pig pen.
ii) Three things that generally brings one to this state are, drink, gambling, and vice.
a. Drink. It may start of socially but it has a way of sinking its claws into you. Consider Prov 23: 20,21. 29-32. 20:1. Hab 2:15.
b. Gambling. Raffles, lotteries, casinos.
c. Vice. Causes broken families, social diseases, spiritual separations.
D. In that state all the friends that he may have gathered in his abundance, forsook him in his needs.
E. Fellowship with the father was broken because of His sinning state. He still was a Son!
111. HIS RESTORATION. VS 17-24
A. His part. He came to himself.
i) a personal responsibility to return from his backsliding.
ii) His memories of his previous condition and position stirred his actions.
iii) His genuine remorse was seen in his determination to seek forgiveness.
iv) He acted upon his convictions.
B. His Father's part.
i) His Father constantly looked for his return with confidence. Psa 37:4. 23: 3.
ii) His Father forgave him his transgressions. 1 John 1: 9.
iii) He continued to supply for His son.
CONCL: 1) We all may have been this route.
2) What were the feelings then? hopelessness, insecurity, turmoil?
3) There is hope for the sinning son.
4) Rev 2:5.
