The Prodigal Came Home
Luke 15:11-32

Prodigal = Wasteful, reckless, extravagant, uncontrolled, profligate (abandon to vice).

The Prodigal Son is so familiar to us in the book of Luke. We see it happen in our everyday lives. We see young men (and women) ruin their lives just like the prodigal did. When we look at our nation today, we can see the parallel to the story. Our nation has ran after material things and just recently it has come crashing down. The message is not about how we have failed as a nation. Or how you and I have failed as individuals, but the message is how much God loves you and I.

First let us understand…
It is so easy to only consider self

He wanted freedom - 12

He wanted fame & fortune - 13

He wanted friends

(we all want someone to care for us - do we not look in the wrong places many times?)- 13b We also must understand…
It is so easy to walk from what we know is right He went to escape responsibility (far country) - 13

He went to emulate others (an easy trap to fall into) - 13b

He went to enjoy life - 13b

 I am sure all of you can agree…
It is so hard to admit failure He turned from celebrity to outcast (money gone/friends gone) - 14

He turned from full to hungry - 14

He turned from revelry to wretchedness - 14b

 If you are like me, you find…
It is so hard to admit our need He began to wait it out - we often try to outwait problems

He began to look for help from others (job slopping hogs)

He began to see his plight - 17-19

 But the good news is…
It is so sweet to go home He was expected - 20

He received a grand welcome - 20b

He acknowledged his wrong - 21

He was welcomed home - 22-24

 As I begin to close today, I want you to know…
It is so right for you to let the Lord into your life this day. Admit your failure without Him

Admit your need for Him

Admit your wrongs to Him

Accept His love for you

 Gary Marcum - East 38th Street Free Will Baptist - 100701am