Reconciliation

Luke 15:11-32

 

INTRODUCTION:            Reconciliation implies salvation already exists.  As does rededicating to God.  The word

 

CONCILIATION, n. The act of winning or gaining, as esteem, favor or affection; reconciliation.

 

RECONCILIATION, In Scripture, the means by which sinners are reconciled and brought into a state of favor with God, after natural estrangement or enmity; the atonement; expiation.

 

So the person who is considering re-dedicating or reconciling his life to God via Jesus Christ should know some things:

 

1.                  Knows he is a sinner, saved by grace

 

Ephesians 2:8             For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

 

2.                  Knows he is going to heaven, but might not have a reward waiting for them.

 

1 Corinthians 3:13     Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.

 

1 Corinthians 3:15     If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

3.                  Knows that Jesus

a.                  Died for him

 

Romans 8:32              He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

 

b.                  Was buried for him

 

Luke 23:52-53 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.  53And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

 

c.                   Was resurrected for him (Christ Arose)

 

Romans 10:9            That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

 

4.                  Should know that

a.                  Jesus is the Christ

b.                  Jesus is God

 

John 1:1-5            In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  5And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

 

John 1:14            And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

 

John 10:28-30            And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

30 I and my Father are one.

 

Knowledge in all these things sets us up for discussing the prodigal son parable.  This parable is an example of backsliding Christian, a person who has finally reached the pigsty and has repented and wants to rededicate their lives back to God.  Most who have backslid and gotten out of the will of God, some have done so by disobedience, some through sin, some through laziness.

 

We see in this parable a story of faith, disobedience, ruin, repentance and reconciliation.             The full circle.

 

We see the prodigal son is

 

I.          A DISOBEDIENT SON            (vv 12-16)

            A.            Give Me

                        1.            My portion

 

Proverbs 14:14   The backslider in heart shall be filled with his own ways: and a good man shall be satisfied from himself.

 

            B.            Took His Journey

 

Galatians 4:9            But now, after that ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage?

1.                  Wasted substance

a. Riotous living

2.                  Spent all

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We see the prodigal son

 

II.            KNOWS HE IS A SINNER             (vv 17-19)

            A.            He Came To Himself

 

Daniel 4:36            At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.

 

Jeremiah 3:25            We lie down in our shame, and our confusion covereth us: for we have sinned against the LORD our God, we and our fathers, from our youth even unto this day, and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God.

 

 

B.                Repentance

 

Luke 13:3            I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

 

                        1.            I have sinned against

a.                  My Father

b.                  My Heaven

 

We see the prodigal son is

 

III.       SON FORGIVEN                           (vv 20-24)

A.                His Father Saw Him Coming Home

1.                  Had compassion (mercy) on him.

2.                  Ran to him,

3.                  Fell on his neck.

4.                  Kissed him.

 

B.            The Son Asked For Forgiveness

1.                  For he was dead

a. He now is alive

                        2.            He was lost

                                    a.            Is found

CONCLUSION:       

 

Joel 2:13            And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

 

            A.            Rend Your Heart

                        1.            Not your garments (things)

            B.            Turn To The Lord, He Is

1.                  Gracious

2.                  Merciful

3.                  Slow to anger

4.                  Of great kindness

 

C.                He Allowed His Son To Die

1. So we as sinners could live

 

Romans 12:1            I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

 

Reconciliation with God is something you have to do.  We as saved individuals tend to and do turn our backs on God.  When we have backslid away from God He is waiting for you. 

 

You see we need to renew our mind, get back into that perfect will of God.  You see it up to you.

 

If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Saviour, if you don’t know that Heaven is your eternal home, today is that day to know, and get right with God today.