Gospel

We will be looking at a trilogy of three individuals, in the story of the Prodigal Son, that is found in the gospel of Luke 15:11 to 32. We see a picture of "The Prodigal", "A Father's Love" and "The Self righteous". In this message we will look at the Prodigal, with the other two following in a few days.

The prodigal, according to Dictionary.com, is a person who spends, or has spent, his or her money or substance with wasteful extravagance; spendthrift.” In this message, we will see how he spent all his money, lost everything and then finally returns to his father.

The prodigal, in this story, asks his father for his share of the inheritance. It is to be noted here, that the father is still alive. We would all call this son very disrespectful. However, we are all just like that. We want to have God bless us, with all the blessings that God has for us. At the same time our hearts are so far away, from God. We constantly ask God, for the things we have need of. God please give me this, or give us that. However, we don't spend time with God. When was the last time you went to church? When was the last time you prayed to him? When was the last time, you put on Christian music? Our hearts are so far from God, but we still want His blessings.

The prodigal spends all his money in immoral activity. According to the Amplified Bible, verse 13 reads “A few days later, the younger son gathered together everything [that he had] and traveled to a distant country, and there he wasted his fortune in reckless and immoral living.” The father did not give him the money to live foolishly. Are you just like the prodigal. Do you spend the money that God has provided, on drugs, drunkenness, or prostitution?

The prodigal spends his money on luxury. I understand that was not the problem, in this story. However, that was the problem with a rich man in Mathew chapter 19. Perhaps you do not have a drug or alcohol program. You may spend your money on good things, like a home, car, clothing. Perhaps your stuff is more important to you, then building a relationship with God. God does not want to have second place in your life. He needs to be everything. Stuff is not wrong, but where are your priorities. If God told you to sell everything and give to the poor, would you? That is what Jesus told the rich man to do in Matt. 19:21. “Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” However, in verse 22, the rich man was not willing to do that. “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” Is that keeping you, from having a vibrant relationship with God?

The prodigal loses everything. “Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to do without and be in need.” verse 14. That is the final outcome. There are so many homeless today, that at one time had everything. I understand, that some are homeless due to causes beyond their control, such as a fire. Even though it was not there fault, they lost their homes and belongings. However, after reaching out to drug addicts and alcoholics, I have met people that had everything. I even met a doctor, you lost his job and wife after his drug habit. That is what happens, when you rely on stuff or poor choices. It does not matter, if you spend your money on nice stuff or or things that are bad for you. There is only time, before they are gone. Only a relationship with God will last as long as you let it.

The prodigal comes to his senses. In verse 17 we read, “But when he [finally] came to his senses, he said, “How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough food, while I am dying here of hunger!” We need to come to our senses. We need to realize, that we are better off having a relationship with God. He owns everything. There is no shortness with him. He can provide, everything that we need. The greatest need we have, is needing Jesus. He finally comes to his father. In verses 18 and 19 (King James Version), we read “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.” At the beginning of the story we see the son saying give me. He wanted his father to give him his inheritance. However, here we see the son asking his father to make him. He realized, after what he done, he was not worth to be his son. The father does better, than making him a servant. He forgives him, and gives him so much more. We will take a look at that in the second part of this trilogy. At this moment, I want to leave you with a question. Have you been sorry for your sin. We have all sinned. We have all made mistakes. However, just like the son, we need to come to the father. We need to tell him, we are sorry and ask him to do whatever he wants to do with our lives. All we need to do is surrender everything.

If you know longer, want to be the prodigal, just pray this prayer. Dear Jesus, I am sorry for doing my own thing. I have forgotten you in my life. I was so caught up in pleasures and things. Forgive me. Come in to my life. I choose to serve you, for the rest of my life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.