A PARENT’S HEARTBREAK TEXT: Luke 15:11-32 THESIS: God loves mankind more than a parent loves their own children. How do we see our fellow man? .......................................................................................................................................................................................... I. The Sinner does not need us to condemn them ~ apart from Christ they are condemned already. A. The Christian must never forget that we are “sinners saved by Grace”. (see Romans 3:23 & 6:23) B. The Christian is called to love and hurt for the lost. C. The sinner lives in a world of hurt, sin, pain and guilt. 1. The wayward son squandered is inheritance on riotous living. (vs. 13-14) 2. The lost son had his fare weather friends abandon him. 3. Sinful choices reduced him to a lifestyle of eating with the pigs. (vs. 15-16) 4. The lost son comes to his senses. (vs. 17-20a) ACTION STEPS · Pray that the Holy Spirit will quicken the sinners mind to his/her “lost”ness. · Pray that the Holy Spirit will convict the sinner of his sin. · Pray that the Holy Spirit will bring the sinner to a place of conviction and repentance. II. The Father L O N G S for the return of his son. A. Jesus tells this parable a hardened religious group to reveal the loving, hurting heart of God for a lost world and not to highlight the failures of mankind. 1. The Father searches the horizons for his boys return. 2. “While the son is a long way off, the father saw him and was filled with compassion.” (vs 20b) a. The father runs to him! b. The father hugs him! c. The father kisses him! d. The father puts a robe on him! e. The father places shoes on his feet! f. The father throws a celebration party! III. The self-righteous brother is only concerned about his losses and not his brother’s gain. A. The older brother (supposing to be more mature) was interested in having a pity party not a “Salvation Celebration.” B. The older brother was concerned about temporal losses and not eternal gain. 1. Evangelism will cost of our time, talent and resources. 2. May we be motivated by love and compassion for the lost. | 