The Prodigal Son

Sermon Text

Luke 15:11-32

The Parable of the Lost Son

11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ’

20 “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

25 “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’

28 “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’

31 “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’ ”

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

The Prodigal Son

Luke 15:11–32
Preached by Keith Dewell – June 14, 2026

Brief Summary

Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son in response to the Pharisees' complaint that He welcomed and ate with sinners. The parable reveals both the extravagant grace of God toward repentant sinners and the self-righteous pride of those who resent that grace. Through the younger son we see the misery of sin and the joy of repentance; through the older son we see the danger of pride and legalism.

Concise Bullet Point Summary

• Luke 15 contains three parables about recovering what was lost: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.

• The younger son represents tax collectors and sinners who come to Christ.

• The older son represents the Pharisees and scribes who objected to Christ receiving sinners.

• The prodigal son demanded his inheritance, effectively wishing his father dead.

• He squandered his wealth in reckless and sinful living.

• Sin is deceptive, destructive, and enslaving.

• God often uses hardship and affliction to awaken sinners to their true condition.

• The prodigal "came to himself," illustrating repentance and conversion.

• Remembering the father's goodness moved him toward repentance.

• The father's welcome demonstrates God's lavish grace toward repentant sinners.

• The older brother's anger exposes pride, envy, and self-righteousness.

• Those who understand grace rejoice when sinners return to God.

• Christians should examine their hearts for both prodigal rebellion and Pharisaical pride.

Main Points of the Sermon

1. How the Younger Son Was Prodigal

• "Prodigal" means reckless, wasteful, and extravagant.

• The younger son wasted:

  • His father's wealth.

  • The opportunities of youth.

  • Himself in sinful indulgence.

• Sin is not merely poor judgment; it is rebellion against God.

• It blinds people through self-deception.

• Like Augustine's famous confession of stealing pears, sinners often pursue sin simply because they desire it.

Key Scripture:

• Philippians 3:19

• Hebrews 3:13 (implied theme of sin's deceitfulness)

2. How the Prodigal Son Came to Himself

• God used famine, poverty, loneliness, and humiliation to awaken him.

• Affliction became an instrument of mercy.

• Repentance involved:

  • Recognizing his condition.

  • Remembering his father's goodness.

  • Turning from sin.

  • Returning home.

• "He came to himself" pictures true conversion:

  • New understanding.

  • New desires.

  • New direction.

The father's response exceeded all expectations:

• Compassion.

• Running to meet him.

• Embrace and kiss.

• Robe.

• Ring.

• Sandals.

• Celebration.

Key Scriptures:

• Proverbs 13:15

• Psalm 119:71

• Romans 2:4

• 2 Corinthians 5:17

3. How the Older Son Was Angry and Offended

• The older son mirrors the Pharisees.

• His anger revealed:

  • Pride.

  • Self-righteousness.

  • Envy of grace shown to others.

• He viewed his relationship with the father as based on merit.

• He could not rejoice over repentance.

• The self-righteous often believe they deserve more honor and favor than others.

Key Scriptures:

• Matthew 9:13

• Romans 12:3

• Matthew 15:7–8

• About the Younger Son

  1. In what ways does sin deceive people today?

  2. Why do people often believe they can manage the consequences of sin?

  3. What does "he came to himself" teach about repentance?

  4. How has God used hardship to redirect people toward Himself?

  5. Why is remembering God's goodness essential in repentance?

  About the Father

  6. What aspects of the father's welcome most vividly display God's grace?

  7. Why is it difficult to believe grace can exceed our expectations?

  8. How does this parable encourage those burdened by past sins?

  About the Older Son

  9. How can long-time church members develop an older brother mentality?

  10. Why is self-righteousness often harder to recognize than obvious rebellion?

  11. Do you rejoice when notorious sinners come to faith?

  12. Where might pride be hindering your own spiritual growth?

  Personal Application

  13. Which son do you identify with most right now?

  14. Is there any area where God may be calling you to repentance?

  15. How can you better reflect the Father's heart toward others?

• Prodigal: Wastefully extravagant; recklessly self-indulgent.

• Repentance: Turning from sin to God with sorrow and faith.

• Conversion: God's work of bringing a sinner from spiritual death to life.

• Grace: God's undeserved favor toward sinners.

• Justification: God's declaration that believers are righteous through Christ.

• Adoption: Receiving believers as God's children.

• Self-righteousness: Trusting one's own goodness rather than God's mercy.

• Sanctification: Growth in holiness through the Spirit's work.

• Pharisee: A Jewish religious leader often marked in Scripture by legalism and pride.

• Providence: God's sovereign ordering of all events according to His wise purposes.