Luke 15:11-32 And he said, A certain man had two sons:… I. THE PRODIGAL SON LEAVES HIS FATHER'S HOUSE. 1. Why did he leave? (1) Youth is the time of imaginations. The prodigal son promised to himself a joyful life outside of his father's house. (2) Youth is desirous of sensual pleasures. (3) Youth desires to be independent, and will not obey. 2. How did he leave? (1) The ungrateful demand. (2) The going astray. II. THE PRODIGAL SON IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY. 1. He wastes his substance. 2. He begins to be in want. Poverty is the condition of the soul that seeks happiness in the world. By losing his God, the sinner loses everything. 3. His degradation. He who would not perform the daily work in the house of his father, is now obliged to labour as a hired servant. 4. He envies the brute beasts. III. HIS RETURN AND RECEPTION. 1. The causes of his return. (1) It was caused by his misery. The famine calls him back whom satiety had led away. God visits with grace him whom He visits with affliction. (2) Forsaken by all the world, he returned to himself. The first condition of conversion is knowledge of one's self, and the knowledge of the condition of our soul. (3) He saw the misery of his condition. 2. The steps he takes in order to return. (1) He makes a firm resolution, not deferring his return to a later time, nor being deterred by difficulties. (2) He still remembers the kindness of his father. (3) He acknowledges the enormity of his sin. 3. His reception. (Repertorium Oratoris Sacri.) Parallel Verses KJV: And he said, A certain man had two sons: |
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