ADULT STS LESSON 116: THE PRODIGAL SON

MEMORY VERSE: “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20).

TEXT: Luke 15:1-32
The text of study examines three parables with great lessons on repentance, restoration, soul-winning and heaven’s reaction to a sinner who repents and turns to the Lord. The scribes and Pharisees were usually outraged and murmured against Christ for interacting and preaching the gospel to the publicans and sinners. They believed that the privilege of entering the kingdom of God was exclusively reserved for them. The text shows God’s will and passion to see the conversion of sinners and restoration of backsliders. The parable of the lost sheep shows the value a man places on a sheep that was lost and the zeal and efforts to recover it. The same is applicable to the parable of the lost coin where a woman lost a piece of silver, and with great passion and diligence, sought it until it was found. Christ illustrates the joy and celebration that takes place in heaven when a sinner repents with the rejoicing when the sheep and coin were found. By this comparison, He conveyed His mission of seeking and saving the lost to the murmurers who condemned His visit to a sinner’s house. The story of the prodigal son shows how loving and merciful our Father Is in receiving sinners and backsliders that repent and turn from their sins to seek His pardon.

1.PASSION FOR SEEKING THE LOST
Luke 15:1-10; 19:10; John 18:9; Psalm 119:176; 1 Corinthians 10:33.

The wisdom and power Christ manifested in His teachings greatly affected and challenged the publicans and the scribes and Pharisees. Thus, they were attracted to Him anywhere He went in order to hear His preaching and teaching. As this group of people came closer to I hear His words, the scribes and Pharisees murmured against Him for associating with sinners. As they were critical of His action, He gave a parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin. “And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?” (Luke 15:3,4,8). In the first parable, the sheep represents sinners and the owner of the sheep is Christ. The man had a hundred sheep and lost one but left others in his custody to seek and find the lost. In the same manner, Christ goes after sinners to seek and save them. He says, “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:32). He took the form of a man and died for the salvation of the whole world (Philippians 2:6-8). The parable of the lost coin shows the value God places on human lives and His concern for sinners. Christ gave this illustration to show His burden and passion to rescue those who are lost. In His earthly ministry, He expressed His mission of seeking to save the lost (Luke 2:49; 19:10). Therefore, believers are expected to passionately engage in soul-winning like Christ. We should constantly pray to sustain this burden and passion because the whole world put together cannot equate the value of a soul (Mark 8:36). Rescuing the lost means delivering them from everlasting torment in the lake of fire. When the sheep and the lost coin were found, friends and neighbours were called to rejoice. This reflects the joy that takes place in heaven when a sinner is saved.

2.THE PROBLEM WITH THE LOST
Luke 15:11-16; Romans 7:15-18,24; 2 Timothy 2:26; 2 Corinthians 4:4.

After Christ narrated the parable of the lost sheep and the lost coin, He gave the third parable which is the parable of the prodigal son. This parable describes the life of a lost sinner, and the forgiveness and mercy a penitent sinner receives from God. The man in our text had two sons, “And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me…” (Luke 15:12). The younger son requested for his portion of the inheritance. Obviously, the younger son was driven by the twin evil of covetousness and worldliness. He presumed that the portion of goods which would be given to him would change his fortune (Luke 12:15). This is what the Scripture refers to as the “pride of life and the deceitfulness of riches”. His life portrayed lewdness and youthful lust. This is what has driven many youths into cult groups, maleficence and the rat race for riches. As the prodigal son went into a far country, sinners have wandered far from God, cut-off from Him and left bound under the captivity of Satan. As the prodigal son revolted from the father, so sinners have revolted from God. His association with vain men and harlots ruined his life. All those who rebel against God are said to be lost in their sins and trespasses. Sinners and backsliders have made themselves servants of sin and Satan, and are deceived thereby. They have also made themselves enemies of God as well as children of the devil (James 4:4; 1 John 3:8). Moreover they have no peace, no joy or satisfaction. Indeed, sinners have no hope and no future. Their conversion and restoration is urgent because if they die in that condition, they will be lost for ever. The prodigal son’s request was granted. “And not many days after he gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living” (Luke 15:13). Riotous living is one of the peculiarities of those who did not labour to get their wealth.
Thus, the prodigal son wasted all his portion of goods. He attracted to himself riotous men and women. These were people with indolent, visionless and worthless character and behaviour. The company of ungodly men and women devoured his goods. Sin indeed is a great waster. When the prodigal son finished wasting his portion of goods, he became destitute and impoverished. Then a famine arose in the land and he was in great want. He joined himself to an indigene of the country who sent him into his farm to labour among the swine. His condition degenerated to the point that he fed himself “with the husk that the swine did eat”. The situation of this prodigal son mirrors the life of a sinner. Many people are suffering and in great affliction because they have forsaken the fellowship of their Father in heaven to go and dine with the devil and his agents whose mission is to steal, to kill and to destroy.

3.PARDON AND RESTORATION FOR THE PENITENT SINNER
Luke 15:17-32; Romans 10:9,10; Isaiah 55:7; 1 John 1:9; Hosea 5:15.

In the depth of his misery and hopelessness, the prodigal son came to his senses and acknowledged his transgression. “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee” (Luke 15:17,18). This shows that sinners are beside themselves. He realised his sinfulness, was convicted and took the decision to return home. Thus, he made up his mind to repent and come out of his bondage and started his homeward journey to his father. Some sinners stop at this stage where they only confess their sins but do not forsake their sinful ways – the reason they remain in bondage to the devil. The prodigal son made his way to his father’s house and “when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him” (Luke 15:20). This shows that God sees the hearts of truly penitent sinners. He “…is long suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He expects sinners and backsliders to return and receive mercy (Isaiah 55:7). The eagerness with which the father ran, embraced and kissed him indicates God’s willingness and readiness to receive and pardon repentant sinners. The son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son…” (Luke 15:18,19). His confession is an evidence of genuine repentance, which is hinged on,
One, acknowledgment of his sins and foolishness.
Two, his decision and determination to go back to the father. Any sinner who will receive pardon from God the Father must plead for mercy before Him, with a contrite and penitent heart (Psalm 34:18; Proverbs 28:13). The implication of the confession of his sin against heaven means that every sin committed is a disregard to the law of God and heaven.
Three, the prodigal son declared himself unworthy because he had wasted his portion of inheritance. Sinners are unworthy of God’s blessings because they waste their lives as servants of sin and Satan (Ephesians 2:4,5).
Four, after confession, the prodigal son accepted the love of his father and continued to be his son. The sinner should accept Jesus Christ as Lord and personal Saviour.
Five, he appreciated the genuine forgiveness of his father. The father demonstrated this with the love and kindness he showed to the son. He did not consider his unworthiness but treated him as a dear son (Isaiah 43:25). The grand reception and adornment the father gave the prodigal son symbolises the spiritual provision God makes for people who return to Him wholeheartedly. The best robe he was decorated with represents the garment of righteousness (Revelation 19:8). The father’s jubilation and merriment typifies the returns to God. Great joy that takes place in heaven when a sinner celebration.
First, the son was dead and now he is alive The father carefully outlines the reasons for the (Ephesians 2:1).
Second, he was lost and is found. Sinners are lost and can only be found when they return to Christ. “Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing” (Luke 15:25). The attitude of the elder brother best describes the conduct of the Pharisees and scribes and tends to correct the behaviour of some believers towards sinners and backsliders. We should be happy when sinners turn to the Lord and backsliders return to Him, no matter their estate – rich or poor. The father’s response to the unhappy brother teaches us that God’s promises in His word belong to His children. Ours is to keep serving Him faithfully; He will surely reward us here and hereafter.

QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW:
1. What is the central theme of the three parables in the text?
2. Explain Christ’s mission as depicted in the parables of the lost coin and sheep.
3. Briefly state the spiritual condition of a sinner. What are the dangers of backsliding?
4. What is the meaning of the term “when he came to himself”, and what blessing awaits sinners and backsliders when they return to God?
5. What is the evidence of true repentance?
6. Why should believers rejoice at the conversion of a sinner and restoration of backsliders?
7. What steps can a sinner take to obtain salvation?