THE FLESHLY AMBITION TO BE FREE OF GOD
LUKE 15:11-24
Introduction:
“The great folly of sinners, and that which ruins them, is being content in their life-time to receive their good things. Our first parents ruined themselves and all their race, by a foolish ambition to be independent, and this is at the bottom of the sinner’s persisting in their sin.” —Matthew Henry.
I. TO BE FREE FROM GOD…
A. Is a departure from the Truth, Luke 15:12-13, “And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country.”
B. Alienates man from God,
1. It is a state of waste, vs. 13-14a, “and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land;”
2. It is a state of want, v. 14b, “and he began to be in want.”
3. It is a state of slavery, vs. 15-16, “And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”
a. There is constant discouragement. To feed swine was the lowest, most humiliating thing a Jew could do to earn a living.
b. No one cared enough to give relief, v. 16, “and no man gave unto him.”
1) No one is really interested in helping the drunk; the harlot, etc. except God.
2) No one is interested in the wayward Christian except the LORD.
II. DEPENDENCE ON GOD BRINGS MAN BACK TO THE TRUTH.
A. He comes to HIMSELF, v. 17, “And when he came to himself,”
1. The TURNING POINT in his life.
a. His eyes are OPENED to his situation, v. 15, “And he sent him into his fields to feed swine.”
b. He was standing knee-deep in the MIRE of the world.
c. He was eating the SLOP of sin, v. 16, “And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”
2. God CONVINCES him of his sin,
a. Guilty, subject to the judgment of God, Romans 3:19, 23, “Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
b. All have sinned, Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
B. He REALIZES that the lowest servant of the Father IS HAPPIER than he is.
1. He REPENTS of his sin, a change of mind, 2 Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
2. He HUMBLY GOES TO the Father, Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
C. He IS RECEIVED by the Father.
1. His father SEES him a far off and REJOICES.
a. He was DEAD, but NOW IS ALIVE, v. 24 “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” Ephesians 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”
b. He was LOST, but now is FOUND, Colossians 2:13, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”
2. He is CLOTHED with A ROBE, Isaiah 61:10, “for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.”
3. He is RECEIVED INTO the family… v. 23, “And they began to be merry.”
a. …NOT as a slave, v. 22, “Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:”
b. …As a MEMBER of the family although he had come humbly, willing to be a servant, v. 18, “I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
CONCLUSION
c. The Father is ALWAYS READY TO RECEIVE THE SINNER WHO comes TRUSTING Jesus Christ as their SAVIOR regardless of their situation.
d. THE LORD IS ALSO READY TO RECEIVE THE BELIEVER WHO HAS FALLEN INTO SIN, KNOWING THAT…“all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23.