May 5, 2024

The Amazing Father

Preacher:
Passage: Luke 15:11-32
Service Type:

Apologies for the inconsistent audio – the preacher was moving around/away from the microphone at times
Introduction

How many times have we read this story?
Is the focus in the right place?

It is a story of 2 sons

What is the shock in the story?

Not just the younger son’s behaviour
It is the behaviour of the Father

The Amazing Father

Quote from AW Tozer
Jesus told this story to the authorities – to explain the heart and the character of the Father

Five things about the Father

The generosity of the father (v11-12)

The son wanted his inheritance early

A deeply offensive request

Yet He goes further and gives both sons their inheritance

God’s generosity – He has created our world

The father lets his son go (v13)

For a relationship to be genuine – there must be choice

The character of the father (v17-20)

Why did he go home and not to other places?

He knew his father’s character
He now remembers his father’s character

What is the impact of our lives?

What is our character?
Example
This should encourage us

The love of the father (v20)

The father was waiting and looking for his son

He was filled with compassion
He ran to his son – a disgrace

This parable was primarily aimed at tax collectors and sinners, but secondarily to the pharisees and scribes

He is straight back in as not a servant but a son

The joy of the father (v22-24)

v7, 10, rejoice and celebrate the son was dead but is now alive

God welcomes sinners home
In God’s presence is fullness of joy

The best party is back at home

This is where the real joy and celebration is found

The heart of the father (v25-32)

The pharisees are the older brother
The father had already given the older brother half the inheritance

Yet there was no compassion from the older brother
The attitude of his heart and the words of his mouth were a disgrace

The father twice pleads with the older son
There is righteous anger – judgment for the pharisees

There is an invitation to true relationship

Closing Remarks

Are there ‘brothers’ on our heart?
We know the heart of the Father
This in an encouragement to us – God longs for them to come home