Then He (Jesus) said: “A certain man had two sons.” And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So, he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered altogether, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.” But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want.” But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. So, he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore, his father came out and pleaded with him. So, he answered and said to
his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’
Notes taken at Surfside Presbyterian Church sermon of Pastor Brian Peterson January 15, 20231. The younger son wanted the father’s riches but not the father love. He wanted the things of the world not the things of the Father.
2. Sin always offers things that seem beautiful. Riches can buy cars, women, and other things. This is what the younger son saw.
3. The younger son could have rejected these things, but he allowed these thoughts to linger in his mind. They lead him the wrong way.
4. Letting sinful thoughts linger will lead us in the wrong path. Letting the desire of worldly things linger in our hearts and minds will take our thoughts and hearts from Jesus to the world. Sin always rules where it is not resisted.
5. All God ask is that we confess our sins to Jesus, and He will take them. Remember our Father is always waiting with open arms. He will always recieve us back. He loves us so much that He will forgive anything if we are willing to repent.
6. The older son wanted the Father’s grace and goodness but did not have the Father’s love for others. Not even his own brother.
7. It wasn’t the older brother’s bad ways that kept him away from the Father but his self-righteousness. Both sons fell short of their Father’s love, but the Father continued to love them both dearly. He had compassion on both sons. God sought to help both His sons in their steps in their lives, as He does ours.
Lets talk about life and why we are alive! 