A Tale of Two Sons

Luke 15:11-32

About the Sermon

Sons can be expensive. Some of what it costs to raise a son is reasonable and expected. There’s the expense of food and clothing and an education. But some sons surprise their fathers, as did the youngest of two sons in Jesus’ famous parable in Luke 15:11–32. This son requested his inheritance, then squandered it all. How would the father receive him back after such insult and abuse? More to the point, how would we respond to the father if he spent part of our inheritance to celebrate our younger brother’s return?

About the Series

Luke writes that we may be certain of the things that we have been taught. That is, confident in the good news about Jesus. Apparently some of the things we have been taught are so wonderful they are hard to believe. In his orderly account, Luke announces good news of great reversals in which God humbles the proud and exalts the humble. Peace with God through the forgiveness of sins really is available but on God’s terms. To show us how we must come to him, Luke introduces us to the characters Jesus lifted up and to the proud whom he brought low. In all this he compels us to humbly believe in the Son of the Most High God and to preach this good news of great joy to the end of the earth.
Luke writes that we may be certain of the things that we have been taught. That is, confident in the good news about Jesus. Apparently some of the things we have been taught are so wonderful they are hard to believe. In his orderly account, Luke announces good news of great reversals in which God humbles the proud and exalts the humble. Peace with God through the forgiveness of sins really is available but on God's terms. To show us how we must come to him, Luke introduces us to the characters Jesus lifted up and to the proud whom he brought low. In all this he compels us to humbly believe in the Son of the Most High God and to preach this good news of great joy to the end of the earth.

Sermons in the Series