Sermon Summary
I Was Lost and Am Found Again
Hallelujah! As we reach the midpoint of Lent, I pray you are filled with God’s grace. Today, we examine the famous Parable of the Prodigal Son, focusing on the stages of his fall and his eventual repentance.
Why did Jesus tell this story? The context is found in verses 1–2: the Pharisees were muttering because Jesus welcomed and ate with “sinners.” Through this parable, Jesus reveals a Father who desires to pour out grace not just on the self-righteous, but on every lost soul.
The Stages of the Fall
The son’s journey illustrates how we fall when we step away from God’s presence.
- Separation from the Father
In Greek, sin is hamartia—“missing the mark.” The fall begins with a desire for “freedom” away from God’s will. The son knew his father was good, but he didn’t want to obey him. He demanded his inheritance early—a deeply insulting request that effectively said, “I love your money more than you.” Surprisingly, the father grants it.
- Squandering and Exhaustion
Soon after, the son takes his wealth to a “distant country” (v. 13). This represents a life lived according to worldly trends and values rather than God’s Word. He squandered everything in wild living. When the money ran out, his friends vanished, and he was left spiritually and physically empty.
- The Crisis (Rock Bottom)
When a severe famine hit, the son found himself feeding pigs—a job considered “unclean” and degrading for a Jew. He was so starving he longed for the pods that pigs eat, but “no one gave him anything” (v. 16). Without the Word of life from the Father’s house, he became a slave to his circumstances, hitting absolute rock bottom.
The Turning Point: Awareness and Repentance
- Awakening (Coming to One’s Senses)
At his lowest point, the son “came to his senses” (v. 17). He remembered his identity as a son. He realized that the “freedom” he sought resulted only in death. This is the stage of awakening—recognizing that life apart from the Father cannot sustain us.
- True Repentance and Action
True repentance is more than an emotion; it requires action. The son decided to return, planning to say, “I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men” (v. 19). He humbled himself completely. Verse 20 says, “So he got up and went to his father.” He didn’t just feel sorry; he physically turned his life around.
The Father’s Heart
While the son was still a long way off, the father saw him and was filled with compassion. He didn’t wait for an apology; he ran to his son and embraced him. He didn’t remember the son’s sins—he only felt joy at his return.
What pleases God most? It isn’t religious rituals or possessions (Micah 6:7-8). It is a child returning home to walk humbly with Him.
Conclusion
Where are you today? If you feel far from the Father, follow the son’s lead: arise and return. As Hosea 6:1 says, “Come, let us return to the Lord… he will heal us.” No matter how broken you feel, the Father is waiting to embrace you, heal your wounds, and restore your life.
May you live daily in the Father’s presence, enjoying the true rest and power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.