TO WANDER AWAY FROM GOD

September 21, 2025

SUNDAY SERMON

TO WANDER AWAY FROM GOD

Luke 15:11-24

For the last two Bible Study Lessons, our attention has been focused on God’s Lost and Found Department.  Verses 1-2 of this chapter tell us what motivated Jesus to give the three illustrations that make up these verses.  The enemies of Jesus were criticizing Him because He received sinners.  They are astounded that someone like Jesus Christ would spend His time with ‘publicans and sinners.”  They are stunned that He would receive such wicked and evil people.  In response, Jesus tells them three stories.  All these stories are designed to teach the same great truth: “Every soul is precious to God, even yours!”  Even the soul that wandered away from God!

Today, we are going to look at the illustration of The Lost Son.  As Jesus move through these stories, He is placing greater emphasis upon the value of the thing lost.  In the illustration of The Lost Sheep, there was 1 sheep out of 100 missing, just 1 %.  In the illustration of The Lost Silver, there was 1 coin out of ten missing, 10 %.  In the illustration of The Lost Son, there is 1 son missing, or 50 %.   In the first two stories, the objects missing were animal and material.  In this illustration, the object lost grows in value and importance.  Jesus is telling us that “Every soul is precious to God, even yours!”  When you wander away from God, your soul is precious to Him!

With these introductory thoughts in mind, let’s turn our attention to the message contained in these verses.  It may be that there are some people who are lost.  If so, let the Lord show you how precious you are to Him and come to Him for salvation.  It may be that there are saved ones here today, and you have wandered away from God.  You not as close to God as you used to be.  I hope you learn the truth this morning that you can come again.  Let’s look at this wonderful parable and consider three movements regarding, to wander away from God.   

I.               CONTEMPLATE THE RESULTS v. 11-16

A.   A Harsh Request v. 11-12 – The request of this younger son was for his share of the inheritance.  According to Deut. 21:17, he was entitled to one-third of his father’s estate.  His request was legal, since a man could divide his estate while he lived, but it certainly was a cruel request, nonetheless.

1.    It Was a Shocking Request – When this boy asked for his father to divide the estate, he was in effect saying, “I wish you were dead and no longer have a say in my life!  I am tired of you, and I want to be free from you and your control in my life.”  Few of us would ever say that to our dads.

2.    It Was a Selfish Request – Notice what this boy said to his father.  “Give me!”  His focus is on” me”.  His life is all wrapped up within himself, and he cares for no one else, especially not the father.  But this father is so gracious!  The lost son who sinned and wandered takes no thought for God.  Are your attitude toward God is” Give me?”  You want His air, His food, His water, His time, His world, etc., but you do not want Him in your life.

B.    A Hard Reality v. 13-16 – The son gets just what he wants but soon finds out that “all that glitters is not gold!

1.    The Reality of Sin’s Pleasures v. 13 – The lost son who wandered, takes his father’s grace and he squandered it by living a wicked, self-indulgent life.  The words “riotous living” refers to a life totally given over to sinfulness and wickedness.

2.    The Reality of Sin’s Price v. 14 – Eventually his money ran out and along with the money, he also lost the friends who had helped him spent it!  He found out too late that sin carries with it a high price tag.  Our sin will find us out!  Means that your sin will eventually be discovered and lead to consequences.

3.    The Reality of Sin’s Pain v. 15-16 – Because of his foolish decisions, this boy found himself in a mess.  He learned some valuable lessons.

a.    Sin Brings Shame – Here is a Jewish boy finds himself feeding the pigs!  He was in the pigpen of his life, the very bottom!

b.    Sin Brings Suffering – Here he is, no home, no help and np hope.

c.     Sin Brings Sadness – No one cares whether he lives or dies!

No one ever wandered off into sin and came back glad they did.  They all return broken.

To Wander Away from God.

1.    Contemplate The Results

II.             ARTICULATE WORDS OF REPENTANCE v. 17-19

A.   The Son’s Realization v. 17 – “when he came to himself” – and snapped out of this insanity. He remembered that even his father’s servants were in better shape than he is!

B.    The Son’s Resolve v. 18-19 – Repentance and confessing his sin and unworthiness.  He left home saying “Give me!”.  He returns home saying “Make me!”

To Wander Away from God:

1.    Contemplate The Results

2.    Articulate Words of Repentance

III.           ANTICIPATE THE RECEPTION v. 20 -24

(A Happy Reunion)

A.   He Found Reception v. 20-21- As this young man headed home, he did not know what he might find there.  What he found was incredible!  He found a father who had been longing, looking, and living for his son’s return.

1.    Ran – Why did this father run to his son?  God run to meet the sinner to quickly extend mercy and put away danger!

2.    Kissed – The verb “kissed’ is in the present tense.  Not just one kiss, but continual kissing.  The ultimate sign of acceptance.

B.    He Founded Restoration v. 22 – When this boy came home, he had everything he threw away restored by the good grace of the Father.

1.    The Robe – restored him to a position of sonship and honor.  It symbolized being clothed with the righteousness of Christ.

2.    The ring – restored him to a position of authority.  The son was now to represent the father and his kingdom.

3.    The Shoes – immediately restored and elevated him above servanthood.  Only the slaves went barefoot, sons wore shoes!  This boy returned home desiring to be just a mere hired servant, but the father is determined to recognize his position as a son!  The father said, “This is my son!”  Let me just remind you today that you are not a nobody if you are saved by grace!

C.    He Found Rejoicing v. 23-24 – The fatted calf was kept for special occasions.  The fatted calf was the Father’s way of sharing His joy with all around.  Instead of a wasted life, the father was celebrating a life redeemed and restored!  Everything that was missing in the pigpen was given to him when he returned home.  It is when a sinner returns home to God the Father!  There is rejoicing in Heaven. 

Where are you this morning?  Have you wandered away from God?  Are you lost in far country?  Our Heavenly Father is waiting to receive you, clean you up, wrap you in His righteousness and begin the celebration.  Those who have wandered away from God, and those who are not saved, come to Jesus!

TO WANDER AWAY FOM GOD:

1.    Contemplate The Results

2.    Articulate Words of Repentance

3.    Anticipate The Reception

Responsive Reading:  Luke 15:11-24