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This page is a sermon outline by Ervin Nemeth.

Reading: Luke 15:11-24. The Son that left home

1. Self-will (Already known from  Adam & Eve and Jonah)

The younger son said to his father, "Give me my part of all the things we own!" (Luke 15:12)

2. Selfishness

The younger son said to his father, "Give me my part of all the things we own!" (Luke 15:12)

3. Separating (Separating from family: the father doesn't force the son to stay).

So the father divided the wealth with his two sons.   Then the younger son gathered up all that he had and left. (Luke 15:12-13)

4. Sensuality (Sensual living -- the world)

The epicureans said: "Eat, drink and be merry today for tomorrow may not come."

There the son wasted his money like a fool.  He spent everything that he had.  (Luke 15:13-14)

5. Spiritually going down -- no money, no friends

The son was hungry and needed money. (Luke 15:14)

6. Feeding pigs -- for a Jew nothing may be worse

So he went and got a job with one of the people of that country.  The man sent the son into the fields to feed pigs. (Luke 15:15)

7. He wanted to eat what pigs ate.

The son was so hungry that he wanted to eath the food that the pigs were eating.  But no person gave him anything.  (Luke 15:16)

1.  Correct thinking

The boy realized that he had been very foolish.   (Luke 15:17)

Further reading: Philippians, a book of joy and encouragement to Christians under hard conditions.

2.  Resolution  -- not like a New Year's resolution that lasts only for one day.

I will leave and go to my father.  I will say to him:  Father, I sinned against God and have done wrong to you. (Luke 15:18)

3.  Repentance (confession and repentance are not similar!)

I am not good enough to be called your son.  But let me be like one of your servants. (Luke 15:19)

4.  Return -- it may be a problem for many Christian.

So the son left and went to his father. (Luke 15:20)

5.  Reconciliation to his father (15:21)

The father felt sorry for his son.  So the father ran to him.  He hugged and kissed his son.  The son said, "Father, I sinned against God and have done wrong to you.  I am not good enough to be called your son."  (Luke 15:20-21)

Rom 5:10; 2 Chor. 5:17-21

6.  Reclothed -- his father received: so our Father reclothes us coming back from sin!

But the father said to his servants, "Hurry!   Bring the best clothes and dress him.  Also, put a ring on his finger and good shoes on his feet." (Luke 15:22)

7. Rejoicing

My son was dead, but now he is alive again!  He was lost, but now he is found!"  So they began to have a party. (Luke 15:24)

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defended them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.
For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous;
With favor You will surround him as with a shield. (Psalm 5:11-12, New King James version)

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