Sermon Central
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Restoration Of Prodigal Son
Contributed by William R. Nabaza on May 21, 2015 (message contributor)
Summary: To enumerate the four things GOD restored to us in the reconciliation namely, (a) honor, (b) power, (c) authority and (d) reputation.
I. EXORDIUM:
Are we reconciled and restored?
Yes. Restored to perfection. Reconciled to GOD.
Not only so, but we also rejoice and exultingly glory in God [in His love and perfection] through our Lord Jesus Christ, through Whom we have now received and enjoy [our] reconciliation.
II. AUDIENCE PROFILE:
Believers
III. OBJECTIVES:
To enumerate the four things GOD restored to us in the reconciliation namely, (a) honor, (b) power, (c) authority and (d) reputation.
IV. TEXT:
But the father said to his bond servants, Bring quickly the best robe (the festive robe of honor) and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet.
V. THESIS:
Praise, worship and thank You very much LORD JESUS for You have restored to me honor, power, authority and reputation because of my reconciliation with GOD in Your Name.
VI. TITLE:
Restoration of prodigal son
VII. EXPLICATION:
A. Author: Dr. Luke, The Beloved Physician (close friend and traveling companion of Paul)
B. Audience: Theophilus (Greek means friend of GOD, a Christian)
C. Purpose: To give a connected and orderly narrative of the life of CHRIST as seen by eyewitnesses
VIII. MAIN BODY:
A. Four things restored in the prodigal son as he returned humbly to the FATHER
"But the father said to his bond servants,"
1. Robe - represents honor
"Bring quickly the best robe (the festive robe of honor) and put it on him;"
Robe or "stole" in Greek meaning:
a. long fitting gown - as a mark of dignity
b. long clothing
c. garment
Then, addressing me, one of the elders [of the heavenly Sanhedrin] said, Who are these [people] clothed in the long white robes? And from where have they come?
I replied, Sir, you know. And he said to me, These are they who have come out of the great tribulation (persecution), and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
After their death in the tribulation period, there's restoration for the persecuted CHRISTians, and one of these is their honor or dignity.
Example of restoration of dignity and honor:
a. King Nebuchadnezzar
Now at the same time my reason and understanding returned to me; and for the glory of my kingdom, my majesty and splendor returned to me, and my counselors and my lords sought me out; I was reestablished in my kingdom, and still more greatness [than before] was added to me.
2. Ring - represents power and authority
"and give him a ring for his hand"
Ring or "daktulios" in Greek meaning: finger ring.
Some uses of the ring in the old testament:
a. signet - to seal something. it's used to sign something with finality and conclusion. Kings has the final say and he uses his ring to say it's final and can't be broken, a decree that was signed by the king's signet ring cannot be broken or changed.
And Pharaoh took off his [signet] ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and arrayed him in [official] vestments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck;
Write also concerning the Jews as it pleases you in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s [signet] ring—for writing which is in the king’s name and sealed with the king’s ring no man can reverse.
b. power and authority - was wrongfully given to Haman and Haman became destructive
And the king took his signet ring from his hand [with which to seal his letters by the king’s authority] and gave it to Haman son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews’ enemy.
While ring given to the rightful person: Mordecai is constructive and helpful to the Jews (the people of GOD)
He wrote in the name of King Ahasuerus and sealed it with the king’s ring and sent letters by messengers on horseback, riding on swift steeds, mules, and young dromedaries used in the king’s service, bred from the [royal] stud.
But the father said to his bond servants, Bring quickly the best robe (the festive robe of honor) and put it on him; and give him a ring for his hand and sandals for his feet.
c. wealth, prosperity and influence
For if a person comes into your congregation whose hands are adorned with gold rings and who is wearing splendid apparel, and also a poor [man] in shabby clothes comes in,
d. dignity and honor
All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought upon him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.
