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The Prodigal's Father: A Testament of Tough, Forgiving Love

Explore the character study of the prodigal son's father in Luke 15, revealing tough, forgiving, and understanding love, mirroring God's love for us. Discover the importance of seeing the bigger picture and welcoming back those who have strayed.

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The Prodigal's Father: A Testament of Tough, Forgiving Love

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  2. New New New Testament Testament Testament People People People Character Studies Of “Ordinary Folks”

  3. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) His Love Was Tough vv. 12-16 • He let his younger son go despite the mistakes & certain failure to come • A love not easy for a parent to give, but necessary at times

  4. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) His Love Was Tough vv. 12-16 • The same kind of love God has shown toward us Rom 1:24, 26, 28 • We have “free will”…God lets us choose even when He knows we have chosen badly

  5. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) His Love Was Forgiving vv. 20-24 • His response was not “typical” • “I told you so!!” • A lecture about irresponsibility • Comments about his pathetic appearance

  6. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) His Love Was Forgiving vv. 20-24 • His response was not “typical” • Some “deal” to work off what he squandered • A “probationary period” • He wouldn’t even hear his son’s prepared speech vv. 21-22

  7. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) His Love Was Forgiving vv. 20-24 • His son’s return did not “surprise” him • He was looking for him, anticipating his eventual return v. 20 • This implies he was also ready to forgive

  8. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) His Love Was Forgiving vv. 20-24 • The kind of love penitent sinners need • God shows this love Heb 8:12 • Some want “prodigals” who finally come home kept on a “probationary leash”

  9. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) His Love Was Forgiving vv. 20-24 • Firm “tough love” must co-exist with receptive “forgiving love” 1 Cor 5:5 2 Cor 2:6-8 • God forgives & forgets…so must we Eph 4:32

  10. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) His Love Understood vv. 25-32 • The older son who stayed home did not see the “bigger picture” • Why the “party?” • Why not scorn & rebuke?

  11. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) His Love Understood vv. 25-32 • The older son who stayed home did not see the “bigger picture” • He only saw his own “worth” at the expense of his brother’s failures

  12. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) His Love Understood vv. 25-32 • The older son who stayed home did not see the “bigger picture” • He rejected his brother “This son of yours”…not “my brother”

  13. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) His Love Understood vv. 25-32 • The father saw the “bigger picture” • He recognized his older son’s traits v. 31 • But he also recognized the value of the lost son’s return

  14. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) His Love Understood vv. 25-32 • We need to see this “bigger picture” • What if we always compare ourselves to those who have departed? • What if we smugly say “I’ve never done what he/she did!”?

  15. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) His Love Understood vv. 25-32 • We need to see this “bigger picture” • What if we refuse to fully welcome back those who wandered off into sin? • If “guilty,” we are as much a “prodigal” as those who left…just like the older son

  16. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) His Love Understood vv. 25-32 • We need to see this “bigger picture” • None of us are not what we think we are by our own doing • All we have is because of our Father who gives it v. 31 cp. Jas 1:5

  17. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) Some Closing Thoughts… • This parable reveals God’s true heart • “Tough love” re: sin, us being head-strong • “Forgiving love” when we “come to ourselves” • “Understanding love” when others come home

  18. Prodigal’s Father (Lk 15:11-32) Some Closing Thoughts… • The Father welcomes home again His lost children • Are we there with Him to greet them?

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