The Prodigal Son – Pt. 1 The Prodigal Son – Pt. 1

Scripture Reading: Scripture Reading: Luke 15: 11-Luke 15: 11-3232

By Teacher Alton FelixBy Teacher Alton Felix

Date: 1Date: 1stst March, 2015 March, 2015

Meaning of ‘Prodigal’Meaning of ‘Prodigal’ Prodigal - Wasteful; lavish ; extravagantProdigal - Wasteful; lavish ; extravagant

For example, a prodigal person is someone who may For example, a prodigal person is someone who may be excessive in his/her spending to the point of being be excessive in his/her spending to the point of being wasteful.wasteful.

Most times a prodigal person’s goal is to satisfy his own Most times a prodigal person’s goal is to satisfy his own needs and wants and he/she tends to be reckless on needs and wants and he/she tends to be reckless on how money is spent to achieve this.how money is spent to achieve this.

A prodigal person may feel that ‘money is not a A prodigal person may feel that ‘money is not a problem’ as he/she may have easy access to wealth. problem’ as he/she may have easy access to wealth.

God Loves A Cheerful God Loves A Cheerful Giver!Giver!

Let’s not confuse ‘ Let’s not confuse ‘ a prodigal persona prodigal person’ ’ with ‘with ‘aa cheerful givercheerful giver.’.’

The difference has to do with the The difference has to do with the intention of the person.intention of the person.

A prodigal person usually spends money A prodigal person usually spends money to satisfy his/her self, whereas ‘a giver’ to satisfy his/her self, whereas ‘a giver’ cheerfully gives money to improve the cheerfully gives money to improve the life of another person or further the life of another person or further the cause of an organization, e.g. the church. cause of an organization, e.g. the church.

Give Me What Is Mines!Give Me What Is Mines!

““A certain man had two A certain man had two sons: And the younger of sons: And the younger of them said to his father, them said to his father, Father, give me the Father, give me the portion of goods that portion of goods that falleth to me. And he falleth to me. And he divided unto them his divided unto them his living.”living.”

- Luke 15: 11-12- Luke 15: 11-12

It is customary for parents It is customary for parents to leave an inheritance for to leave an inheritance for their children, and this is their children, and this is usually done at the time usually done at the time when the parents are ready when the parents are ready to do so, or even after their to do so, or even after their deaths.deaths.

The father in this story The father in this story gladly consented to his gladly consented to his son’s son’s untimelyuntimely request by request by sharing his life’s sharing his life’s possessions between his possessions between his two sons. two sons.

Where Life’s Journey May Take Where Life’s Journey May Take Us ….Us ….

““And not many days after And not many days after the younger son gathered the younger son gathered all together , and took his all together , and took his journey into a far country, journey into a far country, and there wasted his and there wasted his substance with riotous substance with riotous living.”living.” - Luke 15: 13 - Luke 15: 13

The young man wanted to The young man wanted to

experience life…try new experience life…try new things, have fun, go to things, have fun, go to new places, meet new new places, meet new people and have a good people and have a good time.time.

But there was a cost – he But there was a cost – he wasted what his father wasted what his father gave him. Also, he had gave him. Also, he had moved from the known to moved from the known to the unknown… the the unknown… the relationship with his father relationship with his father was broken.was broken.

Spiritually, one’s Spiritually, one’s

relationship with the relationship with the Heavenly Father is broken Heavenly Father is broken as we move away from as we move away from Him and seek after the Him and seek after the pleasures of life. Also, our pleasures of life. Also, our spiritual gifts remain spiritual gifts remain dormant or are wasted in dormant or are wasted in the process.the process.

When It Rains It Pours...When It Rains It Pours...

““And when he had spent it all, And when he had spent it all, there arose a mighty there arose a mighty famine in the land; and he famine in the land; and he began to be in want.”began to be in want.” - - Luke 15: 14Luke 15: 14

First he was broke, and now First he was broke, and now

there was a famine!there was a famine!

Everything seems to go Everything seems to go wrong at the same time! wrong at the same time! The devil’s plan for your life The devil’s plan for your life is to destroy you, no matter is to destroy you, no matter how sweet things may how sweet things may appear at the beginning!appear at the beginning!

What is interesting is that What is interesting is that the young man was still in the young man was still in want. It is as though all want. It is as though all the wine, music, and the wine, music, and pleasures could not fill a pleasures could not fill a void in his life. Sounds void in his life. Sounds familiar. familiar.

Spiritually, the young man Spiritually, the young man

was in the wrong place. was in the wrong place. Once our relationship with Once our relationship with God is broken we will soon God is broken we will soon come to a place where we come to a place where we will be in need, and will be in need, and nothing will seem to fill nothing will seem to fill that void. that void.

Desperation & DemotionDesperation & Demotion

““And he went and joined And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him country; and he sent him into his fields to feed the into his fields to feed the swine. And he would fain swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”and no man gave unto him.” - Luke 15: 15- 16 - Luke 15: 15- 16

Things were grim and the Things were grim and the

son was desperate. In order son was desperate. In order to survive he went to work to survive he went to work for someone – his job was for someone – his job was feeding pigs. feeding pigs.

Amazingly, the young Amazingly, the young man seems happy man seems happy eating the pig’s food. It eating the pig’s food. It was really about survival: was really about survival: – either eat what the – either eat what the pigs eat or die of pigs eat or die of starvation because no starvation because no one gave him anything. one gave him anything.

This was a clear This was a clear

demotion from being the demotion from being the son in his father’s house son in his father’s house eating the best food etc. eating the best food etc. to working in the field to working in the field and eating pig’s food. and eating pig’s food.

Don’t Always Blame the Devil…Don’t Always Blame the Devil…

The decisions I make and the The decisions I make and the people I associate with will people I associate with will ultimately determine how my life ultimately determine how my life turns out. I will not blame the devil turns out. I will not blame the devil for everything that goes wrong in for everything that goes wrong in my life. Today I take my life. Today I take responsibilityresponsibility for my decisions and actions.for my decisions and actions.

A Time of Reflection…A Time of Reflection…

““And when he came to And when he came to himself, he said, How many himself, he said, How many hired servants of my hired servants of my father’s have bread enough father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish and to spare, and I perish with hunger!with hunger!- Luke 15:17.- Luke 15:17.

“ “ When he came to When he came to himself..” himself..” Wow! I can Wow! I can identify with that. We all go identify with that. We all go through stages in life where through stages in life where we do some really crazy we do some really crazy stuff! We act out of stuff! We act out of character , just like this character , just like this young man, and things may young man, and things may take a turn for the worse! take a turn for the worse!

Here the son started to Here the son started to take stock of his life…It is take stock of his life…It is as though he is having a as though he is having a conversation with himself conversation with himself and asking, “What am I and asking, “What am I really doing? I’m eating really doing? I’m eating pig food! Am I for real?”pig food! Am I for real?”

He is reflecting on the He is reflecting on the changes which took changes which took place in his life over a place in his life over a period of time. He is period of time. He is assessing where his assessing where his decisions have taken decisions have taken him. him.

Ultimately, the choice Is Ultimately, the choice Is Our..Our..

Take time to reflect... Do I want to change?Take time to reflect... Do I want to change? Am I happy with where my life is heading?Am I happy with where my life is heading? Is this really me?Is this really me? My life has hit ‘rock bottom,’ do I really want My life has hit ‘rock bottom,’ do I really want

to continue along this path?to continue along this path? Is this path taking me to a ‘dead-end’ Is this path taking me to a ‘dead-end’

or ,worse yet, if I continue the way I’m going, or ,worse yet, if I continue the way I’m going, will this bring about my untimely and pre-will this bring about my untimely and pre-mature death.mature death.

Am I doing what I was born to do?Am I doing what I was born to do?

Life’s Blows May Dim Your Vision Life’s Blows May Dim Your Vision of Who You Are…of Who You Are…

Although this may be easier said than done, don’t Although this may be easier said than done, don’t see yourself as any less a person than you really see yourself as any less a person than you really are.are.

By all means do some critical self-examination of By all means do some critical self-examination of where you are in life, errors made, wrong where you are in life, errors made, wrong relationships, bad decisions and so. relationships, bad decisions and so.

However, don’t repeatedly beat yourself over the However, don’t repeatedly beat yourself over the head for past mistakes and hurts: ASK GOD FOR head for past mistakes and hurts: ASK GOD FOR FORGIVESSNESS…FORGIVE OTHERS, and very FORGIVESSNESS…FORGIVE OTHERS, and very importantly, FORGIVE YOURSELF.importantly, FORGIVE YOURSELF.

Find the strength in the Lord, make the necessary Find the strength in the Lord, make the necessary changes, forget the past and move on victoriously in changes, forget the past and move on victoriously in Christ. Christ.

Reality Check!Reality Check! ““How many hired servants of my father’s have enough How many hired servants of my father’s have enough

to spare and I perish with hunger!”- Luke 15:17to spare and I perish with hunger!”- Luke 15:17

The son recognized that he was living a defeated life… a The son recognized that he was living a defeated life… a sub-normal life… he was living a life which was even sub-normal life… he was living a life which was even below that of his father’s servants. He left for greener below that of his father’s servants. He left for greener pastures which turned out to be barren land and dessert pastures which turned out to be barren land and dessert places!”places!”

The grass always looks greener on the other side, The grass always looks greener on the other side, especially when we live in a place of comfort, and have especially when we live in a place of comfort, and have to operate within certain boundaries or rules..Sounds to operate within certain boundaries or rules..Sounds

familiar?familiar?

As It Is In the Physical…As It Is In the Physical… You will agree that in his father’s home, the son was in a You will agree that in his father’s home, the son was in a

place of authority, comfort and luxury, far beyond that of his place of authority, comfort and luxury, far beyond that of his servants. But now his disobedience has led him astray and servants. But now his disobedience has led him astray and almost to the point of ruin. almost to the point of ruin.

As it is in the physical, so it is in the spiritual. I remember As it is in the physical, so it is in the spiritual. I remember the times when sin enticed me and I moved away from my the times when sin enticed me and I moved away from my relationship with God. There are always consequences relationship with God. There are always consequences which result from sin. But I thank God for His grace and which result from sin. But I thank God for His grace and mercy which allowed me to repent and return to Him before mercy which allowed me to repent and return to Him before it was too late. it was too late.

Don’t continue to live a life which may result in disaster. If Don’t continue to live a life which may result in disaster. If you give Jesus Christ a chance in your life things always turn you give Jesus Christ a chance in your life things always turn around for the better. Make that choice today. around for the better. Make that choice today.

Beware of Anger! Beware of Anger! It seems that the son was angry with himself for making It seems that the son was angry with himself for making

wrong choices which led to his situation:wrong choices which led to his situation: ““How many hired servants of my father’s have enough How many hired servants of my father’s have enough

to spare and to spare and I perish with hunger!”I perish with hunger!” True, it was mainly his own actions which led to his near True, it was mainly his own actions which led to his near

starvation, and it is only reasonable that he should be starvation, and it is only reasonable that he should be vex with himself or at least, regret making some vex with himself or at least, regret making some decisions in the past.decisions in the past.

What if someone else’s actions may have led to his What if someone else’s actions may have led to his wretched situation, say, he was kicked out the house, or wretched situation, say, he was kicked out the house, or he was abused and neglected and left to fend for he was abused and neglected and left to fend for himself? That would really make him angry, having to himself? That would really make him angry, having to eat pig food to survive, wouldn’t it?eat pig food to survive, wouldn’t it?

Don’t Allow Yourself to Don’t Allow Yourself to Become Bitter….Become Bitter….

Sometimes life can deal us a blow or set-back as a result of Sometimes life can deal us a blow or set-back as a result of our own actions or the actions or inactions of others. our own actions or the actions or inactions of others.

Listen, even though we may hurt for a time, don’t allow Listen, even though we may hurt for a time, don’t allow yourself to become so angry with yourself or so bitter with yourself to become so angry with yourself or so bitter with the person(s) who wronged you that you remain an angry the person(s) who wronged you that you remain an angry person. person.

Take time to deal with the pain but find it within yourself and Take time to deal with the pain but find it within yourself and with the help of God to forgive.with the help of God to forgive.

Staying angry or bitter, and carrying unforgiveness in your Staying angry or bitter, and carrying unforgiveness in your heart will make you sick, literally. You will be unhappy, heart will make you sick, literally. You will be unhappy, grumpy and even do things that you would not normally do. grumpy and even do things that you would not normally do. Sometimes, angry people can become depressed and even Sometimes, angry people can become depressed and even suicidal.suicidal.

Don’t allow the devil to steal your joy or bring you to that Don’t allow the devil to steal your joy or bring you to that place where you feel life is not worth living. place where you feel life is not worth living.

Let it Go!Let it Go! If you are hurting to the point where you are angry with yourself or others, say If you are hurting to the point where you are angry with yourself or others, say

this simple prayer:this simple prayer:

““Heavenly Father, I thank You for loving me in spite of what I may have done or Heavenly Father, I thank You for loving me in spite of what I may have done or what others may have done to hurt me. Help me to deal with the pain , and give what others may have done to hurt me. Help me to deal with the pain , and give me the grace to forgive myself and __________________ (say the person(s) name). me the grace to forgive myself and __________________ (say the person(s) name). Touch my mind, so that I do not always think about the past hurts. I bless Touch my mind, so that I do not always think about the past hurts. I bless ______________________ (say the person(s) name), and I release myself and ______________________ (say the person(s) name), and I release myself and _______________________ (say the person(s) name), from the spirit of _______________________ (say the person(s) name), from the spirit of unforgiveness. Thank You for hearing my prayer, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”unforgiveness. Thank You for hearing my prayer, in Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

Now that you are free from those hurts, allow God to have His way with you from Now that you are free from those hurts, allow God to have His way with you from this point onwards. Draw closer to God by spending time in prayer and reading the this point onwards. Draw closer to God by spending time in prayer and reading the Bible. Bible.

Every time thoughts of the past come into your mind, resist thinking about them. Every time thoughts of the past come into your mind, resist thinking about them. Remember, you have already forgiven yourself and the person(s) who may have Remember, you have already forgiven yourself and the person(s) who may have hurt you, so do not dwell on those negative thoughts…Let Go and Let God have hurt you, so do not dwell on those negative thoughts…Let Go and Let God have His way with you. His way with you.

I Will Live and Not Die!!I Will Live and Not Die!! ““How many hired servants of my father’s have enough to How many hired servants of my father’s have enough to

spare and spare and I perish with hunger!” I perish with hunger!” - Luke 15:17 - Luke 15:17

I will say it again: I will say it again: “Don’t allow the devil to steal your joy or “Don’t allow the devil to steal your joy or bring you to that place where you feel life is not worth living.” bring you to that place where you feel life is not worth living.”

Things weren’t looking good for the young man in the story. Things weren’t looking good for the young man in the story.

Life was confusing, and it seemed as though he was living a Life was confusing, and it seemed as though he was living a life of regret. He may have become angry and depressed since life of regret. He may have become angry and depressed since he felt that he had reach the end of the line. He admitted that he felt that he had reach the end of the line. He admitted that he was near starvation because he had little or no food to eat. he was near starvation because he had little or no food to eat.

A Word for the HopelessA Word for the Hopeless Just in case you are one of those who may feel hopeless Just in case you are one of those who may feel hopeless

because life’s situations may have pushed you to the end of because life’s situations may have pushed you to the end of the line, the line, ALL IS NOT LOST!!ALL IS NOT LOST!!

At some stage in life we all have to deal with our own At some stage in life we all have to deal with our own demons. Here are some: anger, bitterness, fear, anxiety, demons. Here are some: anger, bitterness, fear, anxiety, depression, depression, lacklack, suicide, pride, jealousy, envy, hate, , suicide, pride, jealousy, envy, hate, drunkenness, drunkenness, lonelinessloneliness, negativity, rejection, complaining, , negativity, rejection, complaining, fornication etc.fornication etc.

It is easy to feel overwhelmed and that life is not worth It is easy to feel overwhelmed and that life is not worth living!living!

The devil is a liar! The devil is a liar! I will live and not dieI will live and not die, in spite of how , in spite of how things may seem. God loves me and have a plan for my life!things may seem. God loves me and have a plan for my life!

Let us pray.Let us pray.

SOS to the Throne!SOS to the Throne!

Heavenly Father, I am lost without Heavenly Father, I am lost without You. Help Me! In Jesus’ name, You. Help Me! In Jesus’ name, Amen.”Amen.”

A Word of CautionA Word of Caution

““How many hired servants of my father’s have enough to How many hired servants of my father’s have enough to spare and spare and I perish with hunger!” I perish with hunger!” - Luke 15:17 - Luke 15:17

The young man in the story spoke about what he was going The young man in the story spoke about what he was going through. That is alright, but your circumstances are never through. That is alright, but your circumstances are never permanent!permanent!

The Word of God says “Death and life is in the power of the The Word of God says “Death and life is in the power of the tongue.”tongue.”

So, speak life! Stop speaking negatively all the time. Learn to So, speak life! Stop speaking negatively all the time. Learn to speak positive things into your negative situation. For speak positive things into your negative situation. For example, don’t repeatedly say “I perish will hunger” but say example, don’t repeatedly say “I perish will hunger” but say “God will supply my needs!”“God will supply my needs!”

God Has A Plan For My God Has A Plan For My Life!Life!

The Bible also teaches that everything works out for good The Bible also teaches that everything works out for good for those who love God. for those who love God.

What am I saying? Two things: 1) God has a plan for your What am I saying? Two things: 1) God has a plan for your life and sees the bigger picture which you may not always life and sees the bigger picture which you may not always see;see;

2) Take it from me, after you get through the storms in 2) Take it from me, after you get through the storms in your life, you realize that it was necessary that you your life, you realize that it was necessary that you experience those things so that you can become a better experience those things so that you can become a better person and be a blessing to others. Can you hold on and person and be a blessing to others. Can you hold on and trusting God long enough until He turns that situation trusting God long enough until He turns that situation around? Are you willing to make the first step if necessary around? Are you willing to make the first step if necessary and do what is required of you to change your situation? and do what is required of you to change your situation?

God is saying to you, right now, God is saying to you, right now, “A new day is coming. “A new day is coming. Speak life!”Speak life!”

The Prodigal Son – Pt. 1The Prodigal Son – Pt. 1

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