Welcome to this new episode of the Gospel for the Nations podcast. This podcast has been brought to you by Pastor Kareem. Our desire is to open the Word of God with you and to speak in a way that is clear, simple, and full of grace. Wherever you are listening from, we pray that the Holy Spirit will touch your heart through his word, strengthen your faith, and draw you closer to Jesus.
SPEAKER_01Heavy Father, I just want to thank you for this moment of fellowship with your Spirit, Lord. Guide us through your word.
SPEAKER_02Thank you for guiding me this week to write this sermon. It's all about you, it's not about us, it's all about who you are. And understand that we have been saved to love you.
SPEAKER_01We thank you and we all pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
SPEAKER_02Hallelujah. Praise God. So we continue the journey as uh the last previous two weeks, uh, during the parables that we have seen, because it's a threefold parables, but it's the same message, so we cannot divide them. This week it's about the lost son. It is in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 15, from verse 11 to 32. So today we come to the third and final parable of the chapter 15 of the Gospel of Luke. As we have already seen, this chapter presents one single message, but unfolded through three different parables. So the first one was the parable of the lost sheep, the second one, the lost coin. But this time we will look at the parable of the lost son. So three parables, three different illustrations, but yet one message, which is the grace and love of our Heavenly Father towards the lost souls. Toward the one who turns from his sinful ways, repents, and places his faith in Jesus Christ, his only son, who came not to condemn the world, but to save it. So this time our attention is drawn to a man, a father, who has two sons. It is true that this parable is commonly known as the parable of the prodigal son, yet the word prodigal never appears in the passage itself. It is simply a title, as that tradition has given to it because the youngest son wasted his inheritance. The word prodigal in Latin it says prodigus, refers to someone who spends recklessly, throws away possessions, and wastes everything without restraint. But although this title accurately describes what the younger son did, it doesn't describe the true focus of the parable. Jesus does not place the emphasis on the Son who wasted his inheritance, but on the father who graciously welcomes repentant sinners while lovingly appealing to the self-righteous. So for this reason, it could just as well be called the parable of the Father's grace or the parable of the loving father, because the father is the central figure in this parable. So this parable brings us into the intimacy of a deep relationship between a father and his two sons. Although their characters are different, they share the same family, the same roots, and the same inheritance. This one brings us into the heart of the family. So this relationship is deep and personal. As though our Lord desired to conclude this beautiful trilogy by drawing us closer to the one who loved at first, our Heavenly Father. Through these three parables, Jesus not only reveals the joy that fills heaven whenever a sinner repents. Above all, it reveals the Father's heart, full of grace, of compassion, and mercy toward those who were lost. Because this parable is longer than the previous two, we will read it progressively and unfold the text as we move through it. As we do, we will disclose even more of the death of the Father's love, this greatness of his grace, the joy he experiences whenever sinners return to him. Amen. So let's read the first section of the parable from verse 11 to 16. And he said, A man had two sons, and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me. So he divided his wealth between them, and not many days later, the youngest son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country. And there he squattered his estate in wide living. Now, when he has spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began doing without. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that city. And he sent him into his field to feed pigs. And he longed to have his fill of the carob pots that the pigs were eating, and no one was giving him anything. Amen. So regarding this first part, it's very interesting to see the context. So when he said, and he said, confirms the connection with the two previous parables. This is not a change of message, but just a different illustration. So the central theme remains the same. Someone possesses something precious, yet it becomes lost. But this time it is a man, a father who has two sons, both belonging to the house of Israel, to whom Jesus had first been sent. One believes himself to be righteous and devout, representing the Pharisees and the scribes. Yet he too is lost. The other represent the outcast, the sick, the lost sheep, the lost coin, the tax collector, and those living in immorality. People who are equally lost. One believe is not lost, while the other knows that he is. You see the difference? The words of Jesus captivated his audience through illustrations that he knew well, very well. First, the Pharisees and the scribes carefully examining every word he spoke and everything he did. Then the tax collectors, the sinners, and all the people who had gathered to hear Jesus proclaim the kingdom of God understood. So yet our Lord came to seek and to save them both, because they were all lost. For one, however, repentance will be far more difficult because of his self-righteousness. While the other, fully aware of his misery, will be far more willing to recognize his need and also for forgiveness and grace. So this part talks about the younger son. He's the one who desired to make his own way without the help of his father, perhaps out of pride, lack of purpose in life, disappointment, or simply rebellion. But he is also the less experienced of the two, lacking of wisdom and maturity that comes from life experience. So yet the father is in his love and certainly knowing that one day his son will return, allows him to leave, and does not prevent him from making his own choices. So requesting one's inheritance while the father was still living was permitted in those days. But nevertheless, it must certainly have been very painful for a father to watch his son living for a distant land before even being married. As though the pleasures of the world had become more valuable to him than his father's presence and the family inheritance. So the father carefully divided what could be shared between his two sons. According to the custom of time, the eldest son was to receive a double portion. That is the two-thirds of the inheritance, especially the land and everything connected to the family estate. But if you notice, since only a few days were needed to gather everything together and give the youngest son his portion. So this means this suggests an immediate action, most likely converting part of the estate into money and other value possessions that could quickly be spent. Quickly. Actually, without delay, he departed for a distant country, surrounded by different cultures and traditions, immersing himself in a world foreign to everything that he had known. And there he threw away his possessions on prostitutes, living in excess and immorality, turning away from the values of his family. Instead of building what his father desired for him, he gradually destroyed it. So the younger son eventually found himself in extreme condition, living among pigs, animals that were considered unclean according to the law. And after leaving his father's house in search of happiness and freedom in the world, he now found himself in the mud, treated as one of them, far from everything. His country, his home, and above all, his father. What a miserable condition. But at the same time, the love of the father is not shown by forcing his child to obey, but by warning him. Then allowing him to make his own choices to grow and to bear the consequences of those choices. The role of a father is to continue loving his child under every circumstance and be ready to forgive. Whatever it returns with a genuine heart of repentance. Who but God himself can foresee a famine or a season of slavery? Only God. So in this case, the son's separation from his father through sin and rebellion led to a series of painful consequences. But God knows every heart. And it is often through these wilderness experiences that he enlightens the heart, reveals himself to the work of the Holy Spirit, and calls man and woman to return to him. As we shall soon see, this young man will eventually realize that he could no longer live apart from the help and the love of the Father. So let's continue the second section of this parable. But when he came to himself, he said, How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread? But I perish here with hunger. I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants. Amen. So the expression when he came to himself simply means that in his own mind he reached a decisive moment of realization concerning his miserable and hopeless condition. It was an awakening of both his mind and his heart. His heart began to long once again for his father, almost forgetting the suffering he was enduring. Already in his thoughts he was making his way back to his father's house. But having reached a great point of suffering, he became fully aware of his condition and realized how much his father loved him and cared even for his hired servants. Even those who were considered nothing more than hired servants. That is, ordinary laborers working for wages were well provided for by the father. So this thought is clear and profound. It gives us a beautiful picture of a son returning to his father, speaking words of love, expressing genuine repentance. A repentance has come from the heart, from very death of his soul. As he entrusted himself once again to the one he loves, the one who will not condemn him but restore his soul. The burden of his suffering begins to fall away. Yet this thought will soon become a deliberate and visible action. Shall we read the continuation? Let's continue. Because now he's just thinking, but we will see that now he's reacting towards the father. And he rose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. And kill it. And let us eat and celebrate. For my son was dead and is alive again. He was lost and he is found. And they began to celebrate. Amen. So you see the movement. After he was thinking, the son got up, demonstrating his determination to ask for forgiveness. But not only in his thought, but also through his actions. Immediately after this remarkable awakening, he went to his father. This reveals a sincere and deep conviction that he had offended his father, sinned against him, and most likely brought dishonor upon him and the entire family. The father was moved with compassion. Seeing his son a while, he was still a long way off. He immediately recognized him returning home. He did not stop to wonder what his son might say or do before speaking to him. Instead, he took the initiative without waiting for his son to reach the house. He ran into him, embraced him, and kissed him, demonstrating his unconditional love. As we listen to the youngest son's first words, we see that the evidence of his repentance begins with his confession before heaven. That is, before God himself. Then turning to his father, he humbled himself before him, willing to return under any condition. Even as a simple hired servant, giving up his possession as a legitimate son. But the father did not look upon his son as someone whose sin has stripped him of his place in the family. Instead, he saw him as a precious treasure. His heart overflowed with joy because of his wonderful reunion. So several actions were taken by the father, and these actions deserve our full attention. He closes his son with the best robe, places a ring on his finger, and sandals on his feet. So the best robe in the days of Jesus, closing often represented a person's dignity, honor, and a position. By commanding that his son be closed with the best robe, the father immediately restored both his dignity and his place within the family. This act showed that he was fully welcomed, completely forgiven, and restored as his son. The ring was a symbol of authority and belonging within the family. By placing the ring in his son's finger, the father fully restored him to his position as a son. He granted him his forgiveness, renewed his trust in him, and welcomed him again into his family. This is the second recognition. But the third, the sandals. In those days, slaves commonly went barefoot while free men wore sandals. By giving sandals to his son, the father made it clear that he was no servant, but truly his son. He regained his freedom, his dignity, his rightful place in the father's house. So, in summary, the robe, the ring, and the sandals all symbolize the son's complete restoration. The father restores his dignity, his authority, and his place within the family. It is a beautiful picture of the grace of God. Fully restoring the repentant sinner, closing him with a new dignity, and restablishing him as his child through faith in Jesus Christ. Now that the Son has been restored to the family, the celebration must begin. The feast and the abundance are now restored and before them. Yet the fattened calf must first be sacrificed for the feast of reconciliation. And this sacrifice points us directly and forward to the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ, offered for repentant sinners to save us and reconcile us to God. Amen. This invitation to eat reminds us the word of the Lord Jesus Christ, who causes us to place our complete faith in Him and His finished work of redemption. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life. And I will rising up on the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Whoever feeds of my flesh and drinks, my blood remains in me and I in him. Amen. While this feast is not the direct meaning of the passage, it points us to Christ, who alone gives eternal life. But the father then says something that deserves our attention again, brothers and sisters. How can he say that his son was dead and now he's alive again? How come? That is not how the story has described the young man's journey. Isn't it strange to talk like that about his son? He was dead, and but now he's alive. The father speaks of his son as being dead, even though he was still physically alive. Yes, because although he was physically alive, he was spiritually dead. Because of his sin and separation from the Father. Ephesians 2. He also writes Romans 6 23, for the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen. They celebrate, yes, as does heaven itself, in reconciliation and in restored fellowship. Once again, this reminds us that the joy in heaven, whenever sinners enters the kingdom of God through repentance toward God and faith in Lord Jesus Christ. So everyone is present in the room now, celebrating, except one. The elder son, his brother. Let us now look together what is the second part of this parable, what it teaches us. Let's read from verse 25 to 27. So now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened cafe, because he has received him back safe and sound. Amen. So here the oldest son was out in the field representing the Pharisees and the scribes. They possessed the knowledge of God's scripture and practiced the law and the prophets, yet, in reality, they did not reflect the character of God, nor reveal the Father's heart to the world. So this is precisely what Jesus desired them to understand. The Pharisees and the scribes criticized him for spending time with the tax collectors and sinners while he was actually fulfilling the law and the prophets by seeking and saving those who were lost. The fields represent the works carried out for God. The place where laborers are busy at work. But one question again: where was the heart? They were in the privileged position, studying and teaching the scriptures, possessing an intellectual knowledge of the God of the Scriptures, but yet having an outward form of godliness while denying the very essence of God's perfect and holy law. To love God and to love one's neighbor as ourselves is of no value sight of God. If you cannot love both, it is inseparable. So returning to the Father's house also means returning to the place where the father rejoices. With those who were once lost, those who have been saved, those who have returned to celebrate in his heavenly kingdom, having been set free from the power of sin and death. And also the servant serves here as messenger between the father and the elder son, something that was common in the wealthier household. This can also remind us of the believer who are called to serve, following the example of Jesus Christ, who came not to be served but to serve. Our Lord said Himself, for even the Son of Man cannot be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10 verse 45. So when the elder son learned that his brother had returned, his reaction was both immediate but also surprising. Let's see the eldest son's reaction. But he was angry and he refused to go in. His father came out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, Look, these many years I have served you and never disobeyed your command. Yet you never gave me a young goat. Then I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son, he didn't say his brother, this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes. You killed the fat and calf for him. What a reaction. When the elder son learned what was happening, he should have run to join the celebration. Sharing joy with shouts of gladness and tears of rejoicing. Instead, his response was centered on himself, revealing jealousy, resentment, and the heart filled with deep frustration. If our service for God is marked by burden rather than joy, what is its true value for God? If it is motivated only by a desire to prove something or to complain before the Father after many years of faithful service, claiming that we have never received a celebration of our own, even though everything already belongs to us, then what is the true purpose of such a service? So the attitude of the elder son is far removed from the heart filled with joy and gratitude. Even his desire was not to celebrate with his father, but with his own friends, revealing once again that his heart was far from his father. It was exclusively for himself, enjoying himself. This is a clear picture of spiritual blindness. So through this parable, Jesus shows us that the elder son claim he has never disobeyed his father's commands. But let me remind you that is true only in his own eyes. He thinks he never disobeyed. Wow. Did he ever stop to ask his father what his father thought of him? This is something that he thinks, but he never asks his father, what do you think about me? That is what it means to be righteous in his own eyes. He claims of a perfect obedience was clearly false. You know why? Because his very refusal to enter the house when his father pleaded with him showed that he wasn't willing to listen and to obey. So he said, never, but he already lied because he had disobeyed just in front of his father. Yet his heart was filled with pride, rebellion toward his father. He failed to show him the honor and respect he deserved. Although he remained physically close to his father, his heart was in reality far from him. The same is true of those who serve God with only an outward knowledge of the scripture. If the heart is absent, if the love of God is not displayed whenever a sinner returns to the father's house, then all of it amounts to nothing and it has no value in the sight of God. The father's response toward his elder son is remarkably similar to the compassion that he had already shown to the younger son. He went, embraced, he wanted to invite him. He went out to meet him with love and sincerity. This is exactly what the father desires for each of his children. As the Lord declares, for I desire steadfast love, not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings. Let's see now the father's response to the elder son's reaction. Verse 31 and 32. And he said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad for this. Your brother was dead and he's alive. He was lost and he is found. Amen. So the father's response is marked by tenderness and love. He tells his son, You are always with me. Meaning that he has always remained within his sight and close to him. The father is fully aware of his son's presence and of the work he faithfully carries out on the family estate. Yes, he knows that. Everything that belongs to the father also belongs to him, just as it belongs to his younger brother. But yet the father calls his son to look beyond outward and temporary things, fixing his attention instead of what is inward and eternal, and to rejoice with him over the return of his brother who has been brought back to life. Here we clearly see the elder son's lack of love, not only toward his brother, but also toward his father. His refusal to share in his overwhelming joy reveals that he still does not understand the father's love for those who are lost. So this is precisely the main lesson Jesus desired to communicate to the religious leaders, was criticized his closeness to the tax collectors and sinners who are now being found. The father response reveals once again what truly matters in the condition of the heart. One son needed to be restored, while the other still to understand his father's heart. The central issue of this parable is neither the youngest son's departure, the elder son's outward closeness to his father, but the father's love, which seeks a genuine, sincere, and everlasting relationship with his children. So in this way, Jesus reveals the grace of God toward the low souls and toward repentant hearts that respond to his call. A grace displayed through his compassion, his mercy, and infinite love. So to conclude, the father invites both of his son to enter into the same joy. Yet we see two different responses toward the Father. One is to return to the Father's house through deep awareness of his one sin, rebellion and misery. Such repentance leads to an attitude of humility and submission, opening the way to joyful fellowship and the true reconciliation, a restored freedom. But on the other hand, the other reaction or response is the refusal to enter the father's house. Remaining in an attitude of anger, pride, and rebellion. Although the other son remained physically close to his father, his heart was still far, very far, from him, and able to share in his father's joy and love for the one who had been lost and had now returned. It is true that the grace of our heavenly Father is a gift of God. Yes. And that no one can come to Jesus unless the Father draws him. This is what the word of God teaches us today. So therefore, if we belong to the Father, clothed with the best robe of righteousness, the ring of the covenant, and the sandal of sonship. Let us go out in love to those who still need to hear and believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us never forget where we once were. When we ourselves were still in the mud of our sin before receiving his wonderful grace. On the other hand, if we are still living in an attitude of rebellion and anger toward our Heavenly Father, let us open our hearts to understand his love, his compassion, and the joy he experiences whenever a sinner returns to his house. So even today, the Father is still calling men and women to come to him through faith in Jesus Christ, so that they may be fully forgiven, reconciled to God, and restored as his children. Amen. So let's pray. Heavenly Father, Almighty and Sovereign God, we just want to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your holy word, for your grace, which enables us to know you, to worship you in spirit and truth. We thank you because you are merciful and compassionate toward us. We ask you to deepen our conviction that we are precious in your sight, that you seek the lost, call them to your Son Jesus Christ, and grant them true joy, true rest, true peace, and eternal life. All for the glory of your name. We surrender everything into your hands, trusting you completely and choosing to walk by faith. Keep us in your narrow path, continue sanctifying us, transforming us, conforming us to the image of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you for your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, the good shepherd of our souls, and the head of this church. We pray all these things in the mighty name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.
SPEAKER_00Keep reading his word, and keep trusting his grace every single day.