The Parable of the Two Lost Sons (Luke 15:11-32)
Ben Clarke, 11th December 2016Part of the Study of the Gospels series, preached at a Fordham Sunday Service service
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15:12 The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them.
15:13 "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.
15:14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need.
15:15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs.
15:16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.
15:17 "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!
15:18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
15:19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.'
15:20 So he got up and went to his father. "But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
15:21 "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. '
15:22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
15:23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate.
15:24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they began to celebrate.
15:25 "Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing.
15:26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on.
15:27 'Your brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.'
15:28 "The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.
15:29 But he answered his father, 'Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.
15:30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!'
15:31 " 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.
15:32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' "
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