June 20, 2004

Intro: Luke 15:1-32—contrast the judgmental attitude

of the Pharisee with the joyful attitude of heaven.

I. THIS FATHER WILLINGLY SHARED HIS MATERIAL

GOODS.  See 15:12

  1) Our heavenly Father gives as well- Acts 17:25

Psa. 68:19

  2) God gave Israel land- Gen.12:7, Ex.6:4 & 8

Exodus 33:1

 

II. THIS FATHER LOOKED AND LONGED FOR THE

WAYWARD TO RETURN.  15:20

  1) Our heavenly Father has a long history of compassion

toward those broken by sin- Ex. 34:6,  Ps.86:15

  2) Jesus used this story to amplify the truth of the

Father’s compassion- Isa. 57:15.

 

III. THIS FATHER CHOSE TO GIVE UNDESERVED

FORGIVENESS.  15:20-23

  1) Such forgiveness was relational, not forensic-

He could have met the son with a long list of demands

and conditions!

   Contrast this with the Pharisees- Lk. 11:46

 

IV. THIS FATHER LOVED HIS SON BEHAVIORABLY.

  1) See 15:22- best robe, ring, shoes, calf

  2) Our heavenly Father proved his love thru the death

of His Son at Calvary- John 3:16,  Rom.5:8

 

V. THIS FATHER LOVED THE SELF-RIGHTEOUS

SON AS WELL AS THE SELFISH SON.  15:31

   1) The self-righteous knew of his Father’s intent to

show mercy- 15:30

   This is what is meant by “propitiation”- I Jn. 2:2, 4:10

 

VI. THIS FATHER WAS IN TUNE WITH HEAVEN’S

THINKING- 15:24  “began to be merry”