Neto GregórioNeto Gregório

The loving father

Sermon Outlines
A dirt road to a farmhouse, with a father running in the distance
And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. Luke 15:20

Context:

  • Jesus was with sinners and tax collectors, but He told the parables to the Pharisees and teachers of religious law (Luke 15:1-3).
  • Four lost things. The sheep was lost outside and knew it was lost. The coin was lost inside the house and didn't know.
  • The younger son was lost outside and knew it. The older son was lost inside the house and didn't know.

Introduction:

  • This is not just the parable of the prodigal son. It is the parable of the loving father.
  • You can be lost far from home. And you can be lost inside the house.

1. The younger son: lost outside the house (Luke 15:12-16).

  • He asked for his inheritance while his father was alive: "I want my share of your estate now before you die" (Luke 15:12). And the father divided his wealth between his sons.
  • "there he wasted all his money in wild living" (Luke 15:13).
  • He ended up feeding pigs, so hungry that even the pods he fed them looked good to him (Luke 15:15-16).

2. The way back begins when you come to your senses (Luke 15:17).

  • "When he finally came to his senses" (Luke 15:17), he remembered his father's goodness: "At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare" (Luke 15:17).
  • He wanted to come back as a worker, not as a son: "Please take me on as a hired servant" (Luke 15:19).
  • He came back barefoot, in rags and without a ring.

3. The loving father: God is waiting for you (Luke 15:20).

  • The father saw him from far away because he was waiting: "And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming" (Luke 15:20).
  • He ran, humbled himself, embraced him and kissed him (Luke 15:20).
  • He didn't let his son finish the confession. The part about the servant was never said (Luke 15:21-22).
  • "Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet" (Luke 15:22). The fattened calf was waiting for a party (Luke 15:23).

4. The older son: lost inside the house (Luke 15:28).

  • The same father who loved the younger son loved the older one. He left the party to win him over: "His father came out and begged him" (Luke 15:28).
  • He put forward his own good works and pointed to his brother's sin: "never once refused to do a single thing you told me to" (Luke 15:29).
  • "The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in" (Luke 15:28). He was at home, but outside the party.

Conclusion:

We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found! Luke 15:32
  • Far from home or inside the house, the father goes out to meet his son.
  • God is inviting you to the party. Will you go in?