THE RETURN OF THE PRODIGAL SON

Luke 15:11-32

Introduction:
We gather for a divine encounter and a spiritual
resuscitation. The very heartbeat of God resonates deeply
with the timeless narrative before us in Luke 15. It's a story
that speaks of rebellion, ruin, and ultimately, redemption.
It's the story of the prodigal son, a vivid illustration of
God's boundless grace and the urgent need for sinners to
return home. Tonight, as we open our hearts to God's
word, we'll explore "the return of the prodigal son,"
understanding that this Jesus’ parable holds profound
truths for every soul in need of salvation and every believer
called to share that glorious message.

I. The Perilous Pursuit of Pleasure (Luke 15:11-16)

The prodigal son's journey began with a desire for
independence, a craving for self-gratification that led him
down a dangerous path. This is a common trap, even
today, where the allure of worldly pleasures promises
freedom but delivers only bondage.
● A. The Pernicious Petition for Possessions: He
demanded his inheritance, not for stewardship, but for
selfish indulgence. This speaks to a heart that
prioritizes temporal gain over eternal values.
○ Luke 15:12: "And the younger of them said to his
father, Father, give me the portion of goods that
falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living."
○ Proverbs 28:22: "He that hasteth to be rich hath an
evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall
come upon him."
○ 1 Timothy 6:9-10: "But they that will be rich fall
into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish

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 and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction
and perdition. For the love of money is the root of
all evil: which while some coveted after, they have
erred from the faith, and pierced themselves
through with many sorrows."
● B. The Prodigal's Profligate Pathway: He squandered
his inheritance on riotous living, indulging in fleeting
pleasures that ultimately left him empty and destitute.
This is the consequence of rejecting divine principles
for carnal desires.
○ Luke 15:13: "And not many days after the younger
son gathered all together, and took his journey into
a far country, and there wasted his substance with
riotous living."
○ Proverbs 21:17: "He that loveth pleasure shall be a
poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be
rich."
○ Galatians 6:7-8: "Be not deceived; God is not
mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he
also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of
the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the
Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting."
● C. The Pitiful Plunge into Poverty: Famine struck,
and he found himself in the most degrading of
circumstances, feeding swine, a clear symbol of his
spiritual and physical degradation. This highlights the
inevitable consequence of a life lived apart from God.
○ Luke 15:14-16: "And when he had spent all, there
arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to
be in want. And he went and joined himself to a
citizen of that country; and he sent him into his
fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled
his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and
no man gave unto him."

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 ○ Romans 6:21: "What fruit had ye then in those
things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of
those things is death."
○ Isaiah 55:2: "Wherefore do ye spend money for that
which is not bread? and your labour for that which
satisfieth not? hearken diligently unto me, and eat
ye that which is good, and let your soul delight
itself in fatness."
II. The Revelation of Remorse and Reason (Luke 15:17-
19)
It was in the depths of his despair that the prodigal son
came to his senses. This is a crucial turning point, a
moment of divine conviction that often precedes true
repentance.
● A. The Reality of His Ruined State: He recognized the
vast difference between his father's house and his
current deplorable condition. This awareness of one's
lostness is the first step towards seeking salvation.
○ Luke 15:17: "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!"
○ Psalm 40:12: "For innumerable evils have
compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken
hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up;
they are more than the hairs of mine head:
therefore my heart faileth me."
○ Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned, and come short
of the glory of God."
● B. The Resolution to Return Home: He formulated a
plan to go back to his father, acknowledging his
unworthiness but holding onto a glimmer of hope for
mercy. This is the essence of genuine repentance – a
decision to turn from sin to God.
○ Luke 15:18: "I will arise and go to my father, and

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 will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against
heaven, and before thee."
○ Isaiah 55:7: "Let the wicked forsake his way, and
the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him
return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon
him; and to our God, for he will abundantly
pardon."
○ Acts 3:19: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted,
that your sins may be blotted out, when the times
of refreshing shall come from the presence of the
Lord."
● C. The Recognition of His Righteous Father: He
understood his father's character – that even as a
servant, he would be better off than in his current
state. This speaks to the sinner's understanding of
God's love and mercy.
○ Luke 15:19: "And am no more worthy to be called
thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants."
(Though not explicitly about the father's character,
it implies a knowledge of his father's just and
generous nature compared to his present masters).
○ Psalm 103:8: "The Lord is merciful and gracious,
slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy."
○ Lamentations 3:22-23: "It is of the Lord's mercies
that we are not consumed, because his
compassions fail not. They are new every morning:
great is thy faithfulness."
III. The Paternal Pardon and Perfect Position (Luke
15:20-24)
The climax of the story reveals the father's incredible love
and the joyous reception of the returning son. This is a
beautiful picture of God's eager desire to receive repentant
sinners.
● A. The Passionate Pursuit of the Parent: The father

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 saw him from afar, demonstrating his unwavering love
and watchful waiting. This illustrates God's yearning
for lost souls to return to Him.
○ Luke 15:20a: "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."
○ 2 Peter 3:9: "The Lord is not slack concerning his
promise, as some men count slackness; but is
longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any
should perish, but that all should come to
repentance."
○ John 6:37: "All that the Father giveth me shall
come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no
wise cast out."
● B. The Prompt Provision of Restoration: Before the
son could even finish his confession, the father
initiated his full restoration – the best robe, ring, and
shoes, symbolizing complete reinstatement. This
signifies God's complete forgiveness and justification of
the repentant sinner through Christ.
○ Luke 15:21-22: "And the son said unto him, Father,
I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and
am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the
father said to his servants, Bring forth the best
robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his
hand, and shoes on his feet."
○ Romans 5:8: "But God commendeth his love toward
us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died
for us."
○ 2 Corinthians 5:17: "Therefore if any man be in
Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed
away; behold, all things are become new."
● C. The Peaceful Party of Rejoicing: A feast was

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 prepared, celebrating the son's return, signifying the
joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. This
underscores the glorious outcome of salvation and the
celebration in the presence of God.
○ Luke 15:23-24: "And bring hither the fatted calf,
and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my
son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is
found. And they began to be merry."
○ Luke 15:7: "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall
be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more
than over ninety and nine just persons, which need
no repentance."
○ Revelation 19:7: "Let us be glad and rejoice, and
give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is
come, and his wife hath made herself ready."
Conclusion:
Brothers and sisters, the story of the prodigal son is not
merely an ancient parable; it is a living truth for every
generation. It calls out to those still entangled in the
"perilous pursuit of pleasure," reminding them of the
inevitable ruin. It encourages the "revelation of remorse
and reason," urging them to come to their senses and
return to the loving arms of their Heavenly Father. And for
those who have answered the call, it celebrates the
"paternal pardon and perfect position" that awaits every
repentant soul.
Tonight, if you are that prodigal, far from home, the Father
is watching, His heart longing for your return. He is ready
to run to you, to embrace you, to restore you. Do not delay!
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord:
though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as
snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as
wool" (Isaiah 1:18).
And for us, as evangelists in training, this parable is our

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blueprint. It teaches us the boundless grace of God, the
urgency of repentance, and the joy that awaits in heaven
when a lost soul is found. Let us go forth, with this same
compassion, reaching out to the prodigals of our
generation, that they too may experience the pathway to
pardon and the perfect position in Christ. Amen.