EXTRAVAGANT GRACE!

Luke 15:21-24

"21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry."

We are studying ALL THREE PRODIGALS in the Gospel of Luke, chapter fifteen. Look at the definition of "Prodigal;" spending money or resources freely and recklessly; WASTEFULLY EXTRAVAGANT. Does this apply to more people than the younger son?

JESUS tells this parable about the TWO Sons. The younger son was disrespectful wanting his inheritance NOW. When he gets his money and FREEDOM he goes WILD! He blew ALL his money on riotous living and all kinds of debauchery. Then times got TOUGH for him. He hit rock bottom wished he could eat as well as the filthy and vile pigs he was taking care of.

Done with this terrible life he plans to return to his father's house. When he does his father RUNS out to greet him and WELCOMS him BACK!!! All the years away the father's love never wained. In today's verses the younger son gives his prepared speech; "And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am NO MORE WORTHY to be called thy son."

There is no indication that the father hears any of it. He is REJOICING that his LOST SON is found! The father wants everyone to celebrate with him! "But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the BEST ROBE, and put it on him; and put a RING on his hand, and SHOES on his feet: And bring hither the FATTED CALF, and kill it; and let us eat, and BE MERRY: For this my son WAS DEAD, and is alive again; he WAS LOST, and is found. And they began to BE MERRY." Could it be the father spending money and resources FREELY, maybe even recklessly; definitely EXTRAVAGANTLY!!!

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