The prodigal son – Preaching Outline
Preaching Outline on Luke 15:20 – “So he got up and went to his Father…”
Development
1ST MOMENT
The first part of the parable of the prodigal son, told by the Lord Jesus, recounts the moment of revolt of a son brought up in communion with his father, who didn’t value his blessing.
v. 12 “The youngest of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the goods. So he divided up their possessions.”
Inheritance is something you receive when your father dies. For him, his father was dead. He no longer wanted to live near his father. However, his father, who also had another son, shared his possessions with them, v.12 “And he shared his possessions with them.”
With the blessing and the wealth he had received, he left for a distant land , feeling strong. As long as he had his inheritance, he lived well. The same thing happens to those who don’t value their spiritual inheritance and spend it, not all at once, but little by little, until it is no longer replenished and is completely gone.
2ND MOMENT
He discovers that there is famine in the land, a situation just like today.
He went from rich to poor, from poor to beggar, until he realized that he was in a sad situation: he was in the midst of people who were just as poor, but whom he himself had chosen. Nobody gave him anything, because they had nothing, not even for themselves.
The inheritance that had sustained him for a while was exhausted and, for him, the Father had become distant.
3RD MOMENT
He went to feed pigs.
v. 15 – “Then he went to meet one of the citizens of that country, who sent him out to his fields to feed pigs.”
This is what happens to someone who despises the riches of his father’s table. The owner of the pigs even denied him the food intended for them.
v. 16 – “And he wanted to fill his stomach with the carobs that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.”
4TH MOMENT
He reflected on his situation and concluded
v. 17 – “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s servants have plenty of bread, and here I am perishing with hunger!
He was convinced of his mistake. How could he continue to suffer, heading towards death, without taking decisive action, knowing the riches of the blessing of his father’s house?
Young people have their moments of doubt, insecurity and questioning, but when they respond to the touch of the Holy Spirit and allow themselves to be led by Him and no longer by the world, the blessing comes.
What will I do?
v.18a “I will get up and go to my father…”
– What will I talk to him about?
v.18b “…Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.”
He recognized that his sin on earth was reflected in heaven; it was the eternity that was in him that had been assaulted and therefore needed to be restored in his life.
The arrogance and self-sufficiency that generated the false sense of strength were gone. You’ve realized that you were actually weak. Now humility has won.
– How will I behave before the Father?
v.19 ” I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your journeymen.”
5TH MOMENT
v.20 “So he got up and went to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him, was filled with compassion and ran to him and kissed him.”
He took an action that would make him truly victorious.
The right decision restored that young man’s life, according to the purpose of the Lord Jesus.
When the decision is made to go to the Heavenly Father’s house, the chains that bind you, of whatever order, are broken and all doubts and uncertainties disappear.
v.20 – “He got up and went…”
There was no longer any need for great confessions, everything was confessed through an attitude of deep repentance.
What mattered now was total integration with the Father.
It’s no use just acknowledging your mistakes if you don’t take the attitude of the strong and courageous: “I will get up and go to my father”.
RESULT
The Father was waiting for him. He hugged and kissed him in reconciliation;
He exchanged the garment of the world for the best garment, the garment of Salvation;
Ring on the finger to identify the Father with the son, the new covenant;
Sandals on your feet to walk according to the gospel of peace;
Fatted calf, the food reserved for the joy of the feast.
Celebration, joy, praise.
v.24 – “For this son of mine was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to rejoice.”
The sinner becomes strong when he recognizes his weakness, gets up and heads towards his heavenly Father.
More Preaching Outlines
- The brother of the prodigal son – Luke 15:25
- Luke 15:11-20 – A certain man had two sons
- Message to workers
- The Creative Work
- THE MIRACLE OF WINE IN THE MARRIAGE THAT HAS JESUS John 2:1-8
