The Seven Upward Steps of the Prodigal Son

The Seven Upward Steps of the Prodigal Son
The Complete Story of Ruin and Reconciliation
Part Two
Luke 15:11-32
July 29, 2001

Introduction
The story of the Prodigal Son needs no introduction. It is probably the most famous parable in the Bible. Jesus introduces us to three characters: the father and two sons. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in the story that we forget who the main character is. It is not the elder brother. It is not the Prodigal Son. The main character in this story is the Father!

Thesis: God is standing "at the end of the road" watching for you to come home!

I. The Road to Reconciliation
A. Realization 17
1. The Bible says, "He came to his senses"
2. Some people have to go a long way down before they look up!
3. He realized his physical condition.
a. This young man was hungry!
b. This young man was thirsty!
c. This young man was flat broke!
d. This young man was friendless!
e. This young man was away from home!
4. He realized one man could change all of that - his father.
B. Resolution 18
1. He resolved to get up.
2. He resolved to go to his father.
3. He resolved to repent:
a. To his earthly father
b. To his Heavenly Father.
C. Repentence 19
1. True repentance is more than saying, "I’m sorry".
2. Three verses of Scripture that lead the way of true repentance.
a. Turn from sin to the living God Acts 14:15
b. Turn into a new creation 2Co 5:17
c. Turn from earthly to heavenly things Col 3:2
D. Return 20
1. What did Dorothy say in the Wizard of Oz?
2. There is no place like home!
3. This young man resolved to go home.
a. He wasn’t going home in pride.
b. He was going home in humility.
c. He realized just how badly he’d messed up!
4. Nothing was going to keep him from home now!
E. Reconciliation 20
1. When he was still a great way off, his father saw him.
a. He had to be looking for him to see him!
b. When my son scrimmages with 50 other boys who have on
white helmets, white jerseys, white pants, white socks, the same
kind of shoes, but no numbers, I can still spot my son! Why?
He is MY son and I know him!
2. The father had compassion.
3. The father ran to the son!
4. The father fell on his neck!
5. The father kissed his son!
F. Re-Clothing 22-23
1. The best robe be brought for his son.
2. A ring be brought for his son.
3. The best sandals be brought for his son.
4. The best calf be brought for his son.
5. The father commanded a feast in honor of his son.
G. Rejoicing 24
1. The father saw his son come back from the dead.
2. The father saw his lost son be saved.
3. The father threw a big party!
Illustration:
John Newton was a seaman, but not an ordinary seaman. John Newton was the captain of his ship, but not an ordinary ship. John Newton was the captain of a slave ship. He was involved in the infamous African slave trade in the 19th century.
It happened that Captain Newton held many of the vices that are common to most seaman: cursing, drinking, and a woman in almost every port. But Captain Newton had another vice. When his ship would take slaves from Africa to America, Captain Newton would get drunk and then rape the slave women.
On one of these voyages, Captain Newton carried