Lessons from the Prodigal son
Text: Luke 15:11-24
Introduction : Calvary greetings in Jesus name.
As we regularly visit this site to hear Scriptures speak, His words will not be parable unto us.
Whenever the enemy of our souls starts his plans to steal, kill and destroy our homes, businesses, and lives, he starts subtly the process of separation from the Father on Whose Shadow a true believer dwells.
Reading through the parable of the prodigal son told by Jesus in our text, I want to share my thoughts with you and am ready to also learn from you through questions and contributions as we study at His feet.
I pray that Holy Spirit will grant us understanding in Jesus name.
The key area of my discussion is in verse 13
Luke 15:13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
1️⃣ He took his journey.
As believers, there are times that we take our own journey.
Proverbs 14:12 (NLT) There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
As we move on in our Christian journey, there will be a presentation of a way/path that seems right, in fact the way will be broad that many people are passing through. Like the prodigal son, the way will be away from the Father.
A Spirit filled Christian will know when he/she is away from God if truly he/she has experienced salvation.
2️⃣ Into a Far country.
A far country is a long way from home. Christian home is the dwelling place of God. It is the secret place of the Most High, under the shadow of the Almighty. A Christian can wander away from home to find excitement away from God. Just like the prodigal son’s father, God will not restrain any wanderer who seeks for his/her freedom away from Him. There are Christians that are involved in social clubs, strippers clubs, old school associations with different beliefs, and many others with fleshy lusts. This is a far country away from the understanding of God’s words, therefore, any Christian involved in such worldly activities is dwelling among the dead.
Proverbs 21:16 The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead.
It is among the dead that all dead works are found. Jesus wrote to the church in Sardis.
Rev.3:1: “ I know all the things you do, and that you have a reputation for being alive—but you are dead.
Any Christian away from God is dead and still reputed to be alive.
3️⃣ And there wasted his substance.
“There” means outside from home. Away from his father. A Christian is either “Here” (with God ) or “There” (without God).
Let’s see what the prodigal son experienced “There” that is, without God
Wastage. Verse 13 And there wasted his substance
Promises of God to any Christian “there” will be gone
Psalm 1:1,4 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Life of any Christian “There” will be scattered.
Marriage, home, business, health etc. will be driven away by unseen forces. Over “there” a believer is introduced to secret sins with ready made excuses. These sins come with pleasure without consciousness of destroyers lurking around.
Hear what Scriptures speak; Proverbs 9:17-18 Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
Finally, it will be a wasted life over “there”.
Famine and Starvation.
Luke 15:14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want .
Any Christian found “There” shall experience famine of God’s words, but more of worldly and human philosophies.
Absence of God’s words will generate fearful living. Anyone “there” will surely yield to temptations and devilish thoughts. Devil doesn’t respect anyone “there” no matter the title because “there” is Devil’s territory. Any Christian “There” will begin to be in want of all things.
Ungodly association.
Luke 15:15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
Any Christian found “there” shall be joined to worldly affairs. To survive, you have to befriend people of the world where as a Christian you cannot talk about Christ. “There” a Christian will be involved in dirty jobs, full of all kinds manipulation. “There” the prodigal son was sent to feed swine, a dishonourable job for someone from a honourable home.
A Christian “there” will be dishonoured by the Devil “there“.
No man can give.
Luke 15:16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
Any Christian found “there” is bound to faint as a result of lack. Any Christian found “there” will be fed with junk. Can you picture the kind of food that swine feed on? Husks are outer covering of grains, chaff that is invaluable.
The prodigal son knew that even his father’s servants would not eat husks. “There “, no man will give to you anything valuable. This is because you can’t give what you don’t have. Bible says;
John 3:27 A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.
There is nothing out “there” that worth dying for except gifts from the prince of this world with accompanying sorrow.
1 Timothy 6:9 ( AMP) But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing.
Only Blessings “Here” that is with God, guarantee joy that last long.
Proverbs 10:22(NLT) The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
Are you “Here” (with God) or “There” (without God)?Conclusion: The prodigal son came to himself, then returned home to meet his father. Anytime we as Christians find ourselves moving away from God and experiencing what the prodigal son experienced in the far country, let us come back to ourselves and ask for restoration of the joy of salvation. I pray that Scriptures will speak to us the living words of God as we study on this platform in Jesus name.
✋Maranatha
