Lost and Found

9.27.26

THE PRODIGAL SON

Luke 15:1–2 (NIV)
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’”

Jesus responds with three stories about what is lost and found: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.

PRODIGAL: Recklessly wasteful, lavish, or spending money and resources in a way that risks running out

1. REBELLION — The Son That Left

Luke 15:11–13 (NIV)
“Jesus continued: ‘There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, “Father, give me my share of the estate.” So he divided his property between them.” Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.”

Luke 15:14–16 (NIV)
“After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.”

Luke 15:17–19 (NIV)
“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’”

KEY THOUGHT: THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LEAVING AND BEING LOST

2. RESTORATION — The Father’s Love

Luke 15:20 (NIV)
“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.”

Luke 15:21–24 (NIV)
“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

KEY THOUGHT: SOMETIMES HITTING ROCK BOTTOM BECOMES THE ROAD HOME

3. RESENTMENT — The Son That Stayed

Luke 15:25–27 (NIV)
“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’”

Luke 15:28–30 (NIV)
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’”

KEY THOUGHT: YOU CAN BE DISTANT WITHOUT EVER LEAVING

Matthew 7:21–23 (NIV)
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name drive out demons and in Your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from Me, you evildoers!’”

RESTORATION — The Father’s Love

Luke 15:31–32 (NIV)
“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

WHERE DO YOU FIND YOURSELF?

Wandering • Lost • Rebellion • Resentment

Searching • Pleading • Waiting • Trusting

UNMERITED AMAZING GRACE

Restoration: The Father is still waiting to welcome us home and restore us.