Summary: The Prodigal God prod⋅i⋅gal [prod-i-guhl] - wastefully or recklessly extravagant: prodigal expenditure. You think you know the story of “The Prodigal Son”? Think again.

prod⋅i⋅gal [prod-i-guhl] - wastefully or recklessly extravagant: prodigal expenditure.

What is the Christian life all about?

1. Knowing the heart of the Father

…But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

Luke 15:20b

The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. Luke 15:28

2. Trusting the heart of the Father

21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. 22"But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. Luke 15:21-23

31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' " Luke 15:31-32

3. Reflecting the heart of the Father

7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." 8Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." 9Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? 10Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. John 14:7-10

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. Luke 19:10

16This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:16-18