THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SON

                                                       Luke 15:11-24

  Introduction:

        A.  I want us to look at two characters in this story:  the father who represents God,

              and the younger son who represents the publicans and sinners.

        B.  We see the classic picture of the human rebelling against God.

    I.  The younger son’s request to his father. vv 11-12

        A.  Request by son:

        B.  Request granted by the father:

        C.  The son goes to a far country:

   II.  Three things give out while the son is in the far country:

        A.  His money,  vv 13-14

        B.  His environment, vv 14-16

        C.  His friends, v16b

  III.  His turnabout,  v17a

        A.  Repentance is the giving up of one’s stubborn will to accept God’s will.

  IV.  The young man’s decision to go home  vv 17-19

  V.  The father’s acceptance,  vv 20-24

        A.  His father is looking for his son.  v 20c

        B.  His father has compassion.   v 20

        C.  His father accepts him just as he is and supplies his needs.  v 22-24

  Conclusion:

        A.  The message of this story:  come home if you’re living in the far country of sin,

              because God is good and He will accept you just as you are.