Luke 15:11-31

Amazing Grace – Lost Son

First used 11-4-09

I. Show Bluefish TV video “What is Grace” (1:09)

II. Desire, the Father and the World – Luke 15:11-16
a. When do you receive an ‘inheritance’?
i. This would have put the entire family and farm in jeopardy!
ii. In this culture, this was like saying he wanted his dad dead!
b. We want the world – is sin fun?
c. The world doesn’t want us – vss 15/16
i. He had worked on his dad’s farm – HE HAD EXPERIENCE – why lowest job?
ii. A worker is worth his keep – WHY NOT FEED HIM??
III. Need and Repentance – Luke 15:17-20a
a. He saw his need
i. Jews did not own pigs b/c they were unclean much less feed them
b. How did the son return? Humble
i. Why wait till then? He could have gone back as soon as he was hungry
ii. “I have sinned against heaven and you” – acknowledgment of sin!
c. 3 types of slaves:
i. Doulos – domestic servant that lived with the master
ii. Paides – performed menial tasks but lived on the farm
iii. Misthos – temporary worker that did not live on the farm
IV. The Father gives us life and grace – Luke 15:20b-24
a. Death – literally “was being dead” (imperfect indicative)
i. Meant that he was in continuously dead – no escape
b. Life – literally “he has begun to live” (aorist indicative)
i. Emphasizing the point, the beginning of life (think of shocking a heart)
ii. 3 types of life
1. Bios – physical, bodily, functions
2. Psyche – your thoughts/mind
3. Zoe – spiritual life! – this is the one used!
c. The father disgraced himself by receiving the son
i. By “wiping his hands” with the son, he pushed off the disgrace
ii. By receiving the son, he took on the disgrace the son gave him!
iii. This type of disgrace was punishable by death in the OT! (deut 21:18-21)
iv. The son gave disgrace to the father
v. The father received it rather than put it back on the son and wiped his slate clean!
d. Robe = honor, ring = authority, sandals = not a slave!
V. This Grace is scandalous! Luke 15:25-28
a. The brother didn’t understand it
b. THIS GRACE TURNED THE WORLD THEY KNEW UPSIDE DOWN!
VI. Application
a. Where is your desire?
b. Have you seen your need and returned to the Father?
c. Are you giving grace in scandalous measure?
d. Are you swallowed up in Grace?
e. Will you refuse to be like the older brother and instead reach out to the worst of your schools?
f. Read Matthew 10:8b – “…freely you have received, freely give.”