Prodigal Father

PRODIGAL FATHER
A Certain 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.”
And he divided his wealth between
them. Luke 15:11-12
PRODIGAL FATHER
 Prodigal (Webster’s Dictionary) – one
who spends or gives lavishly;
recklessly extravagant.”
 Story is not just about the failure &
sins of the son
 But is more about a father’s love & a
cry for intimacy
PRODIGAL FATHER
 The younger son did not value his
relationship with his father for the
companionship & intimacy
 But for what the father could do for
him
 He became selfish & began to value
material things
PRODIGAL FATHER
 Many value God for what He would
give & for what He would do in their
lives – and not for intimacy
 Attitude of many that God owed
them healing & financial prosperity
Butthey did not pursue the
way of love
PRODIGAL FATHER
 Many ministers compare
themselves with others in regard to
their anointing, power & favour of
God
 Seeking the power of God

- not in order to bless the people,

- but to receive honour & favour
“The anointing on your life is never for the
purpose of impressing people; it’s to lead
people into a liberating encounter with the
power and love of God. Rooted in compassion,
not performance.”

-Jeremy Riddle
PRODIGAL FATHER
 Because of His love & grace, the
Father still pours out His blessings
 When we value Him only for what He
can do for us, we miss out on the
greatest blessing of all —an
intimate relationship with
Him
PRODIGAL FATHER
 Theyounger son thought only of his
own desires & needs
 Demonstrating his immaturity
 Immature Christians only seek the
blessings from God - not God
Himself
This attitude leads many away
 And results in an eventual drought
in the spiritual life of the Church
PRODIGAL FATHER
We are outside of an intimate
relationship with the Father
and the door was opened for
competition, strife, division, lust,
and every evil work to enter.
(See James 4:3; 3:16)
PRODIGAL FATHER
 Jas
4:3 You ask and receive not,
because you ask amiss, that you may
spend it upon your lusts
 Jas3:16 For where envying and strife
are, there is confusion and every
foul deed
PRODIGAL FATHER
 When Christians value the Father
more for what He can do for them
than for intimacy and love...
 They eventually begin to seek to
fulfill their own selfish desires rather
than enjoy the relationship they have
with God
PRODIGAL FATHER
 Then, in order to fill the void that has
been created, they seek comfort or
identity in one or more of the
counterfeit affections
power, possessions, position,
people, places, performance,
or passions of the flesh
PRODIGAL FATHER
 This vicious cycle can continue until
they realize that what they are lusting
for will not satisfy them
 There is an unmet need for love &

intimacy - that
only Father
God’s embrace can fulfill!
PRODIGAL FATHER
 Some people try to fill this emptiness
with alcohol, with drugs, or even with
religion
 This emptiness is only filled in a
relationship with the FATHER
in LOVE & INTIMACY

NOT ...DUTY ... NOT WORKS

COME TO YOUR SENSES!
The Homecoming
 Before the son had ever left home, his
father had already forgiven him
 The love he had for his son was not
based upon the son’s behavior
Before you take even one step
outside the covering of your
heavenly Father, HE has already
forgiven you.
COME TO YOUR SENSES!
 2Ti 2:13 If we are unfaithful, he
remains faithful because he cannot be
untrue to himself.
 Not only will He forgive you, but He
will also run to you as soon as you
take one step back toward His love
 Jer 31:3 ... "I love you with an
everlasting love. So I will continue to
show you my kindness.
PRODIGAL FATHER

 Itis FATHER who is PRODIGAL

 Ready to pour out undeserved
blessings, grace & mercy on our lives
 He runs to us - His arms outstretched
 Ready to welcome us back into His
embrace
EXPERIENCING A HOMECOMING
 Six simple principles we can apply to
restore the relationship of intimacy
 1. Come to your right senses

 2. Confess your sin

 3. Forgive your earthly father (or

mother) for any hurts or issues of the
past
EXPERIENCING A HOMECOMING
 4. See Father’s house as your source of
love
 5. Anticipate Father’s embrace
 6. Return to the presence of the
Father
Father: My child, I love you. Return
to Me. I live to take away your
shame. Everything is going to be all
right!
RESPONSE TO THE FATHER’S HEART:

 Dear heavenly Father, thank You for

Your love that surpasses my
understanding. I long to return to
Your house. I confess my sin. Please
forgive me for valuing my inheritance
and the things I hope to gain for
myself more than I value an intimate
relationship with You.
 RESPONSE TO THE FATHER’S HEART:

Ihave taken my inheritance &

consumed it on my own lusts. I took
from You what You were so willing to
give to me, and I have not been
faithful with it. I have left Your house
to pursue my own selfish interests,
but now I long to return to You.
 RESPONSE TO THE FATHER’S HEART:

I make a choice to leave the pigpen of

sin and shame. Let me experience
Your compassion. Run to me and
welcome me back as Your child in Your
loving embrace. Restore me to Your
love. I choose You to be my Father and
I choose to be Your child. In Jesus’
name, amen.