I. The Father was not responsible for the child's rebellion - (Lk. 15:22)

A. Modern psychology is constantly attempting to place the blame on the parent, but if it were the parents fault then (Deut. 21:18-21) has no place in the Bible.

B. The thought has occurred: why didn't the father do this in (Lk. 15)? Could it be that Jesus was using this story to introduce us to an age of Grace!

Justice is when you get what we deserve.
Mercy is when we don't get what we deserve.
Grace is when we get what we don't deserve.

C. Selfishness, immaturity, and irresponsibility are all manifested in a rebellious spirit. The prodigal believes he is the important one. Everything and everyone should revolve around their desires.

D. Every prodigal blames someone else for his/her personal misery, i.e.: Saul - David. He will do is best to put a quilt trip on someone else and accuse you of abandoning him.

 

II. The Father did not try to rescue him, or "fur line" the pig pen for him -

A. Step one of his deliverance is to accept the responsibility of his own choices - NO BAIL OUTS!

B. There are established lines that a good parent cannot cross (Amos 7:7-8).

C. The father knew they could not walk together until they agreed (Amos 3:3) - That didn't mean the father loved him any less!

 

III. The Father stayed where the support was - HOME!

When your children go prodigal, don't let the devil run you out of town with embarrassment, there are lots of other prodigals represented here, and some are in church.

 

IV. The good Father knows the hurting and misery of the pig pen -

The good Father knows the hurting and misery of the pig pen is the only thing that may jar him back to reality! So when they hurt, don't run to the rescue, but secretly praise the Lord! Rejoice, for God is answering your prayers.

 

V. Invoke a (Dan. 9) prayer - (vs. 3-19)

Daniel the righteous one is praying for wayward Israel.

A. (vs. 5) - We have sinned.

B. Did his prayer help? Someone did have the captivity later - Ezra and Nehemiah.