The God of the Wayward Child

Yesterday, I continued my series, "Lost People Matter to God."

I preached on the third parable of Luke 15 - the Parable of the Prodigal Son . I labeled the message, "The God of the Wayward Child."

Here is the sermon skeleton from Sunday's message:

Title: "The God of the Wayward Child"

Text: Luke 15:11-24

Series: Lost People Matter to God (Luke 15)

Outline:

I. The father loved his son so much that he allowed the boy to take advantage of him.

    A. God does not want you to live for him because of rules.

    B. God does not want you to live for him because of rewards.

    C. God wants you to live for him because of relationship.

II. The father loved the boy so much that he eagerly awaited his return.

    A. Good news: God is waiting for you to come home.

    B. Bad news: God is waiting for you to come home.

III. The father loved the boy so much that he freely restored him with joy.

    A. The father freely restored his wayward son.

    B. The father joyfully restored his wayward son.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son is three-dimensional - with a focus on the loving father, and prodigal son, and the elder brother. God willing, the next two weeks, I will preach the this parable from the perspectives of the prodigal son and the elder brother.

Pray that God will move and help us to join the party!