The Prodigal Son
The sermon emphasizes God's unconditional love and forgiveness for His children, who are welcomed back into His family with open arms.
In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the idea that as believers, we should not be slaves to Satan, sin, disease, death, or hell. The preacher tells a story of a prodigal son who had strayed from his father's teachings and lived a life of indulgence and sin. When the son returns to his father, expecting to be treated as a hired servant, the father instead embraces him with love and forgiveness. The preacher highlights that in God's house, there are no slaves, only sons and daughters, and encourages gratitude for this truth.
Full Transcript
He sees him coming along the weary way, no longer with servants attending, no longer in rich robes, but ragged, poor, in worn-out sandals. He comes along the highway with the scent of the swineherd, and the stain of the flesh parts upon him. Creeping along, sick, sore, and weary, he says, Oh, if I could but be one of my father's hired servants, is it he? Can that be? Oh, God, can that be he, who wept only a few months ago, so strong, so happy, so bright, with the world all before him? Can that be? It is, it is he.
Will the father reject? Will the father not see? I gave you your fortune, and you have tainted it all in riotous living. Stay away. No, no, the father saw him afar off, and he ran to tail this snake, and he kissed him, not heeding his stupidity and his rag.
The father interrupted the prayer of the prodigal, after that son had confessed to sin, and asked if he might become a slave. In the father's house, there are no slaves in our father's house, and so the father would not listen to that cry, make me as one of thy hired servants. We are all sons and daughters of Jehovah God, the Almighty.
There are no slaves in God's great house. Thank God for that. Why then should we be slaves to Satan, and to sin, and to disease, and to death, and to hell? The father took him, and kissed him.
He told the servants to bring the vessel, and the signet ring that made him controller of his father's estate. He told them to get out the musical instruments of the dancers, and to make merry and be glad. Spread the feet, for this my son would stay.
Praise to me, praise to mother, praise to purity, praise to God, and he is alive again.
Sermon Outline
- The Prodigal Son's Return
- The Father's Restoration
- The Father's Gift of Identity
- The Father's Gift of Purpose
Key Quotes
“He saw him afar off, and he ran to tail this snake, and he kissed him, not heeding his stupidity and his rag.” — John Alexander Dowie
“There are no slaves in God's great house. Thank God for that.” — John Alexander Dowie
“Praise to me, praise to mother, praise to purity, praise to God, and he is alive again.” — John Alexander Dowie
Application Points
- We should not see ourselves as slaves to sin, but as sons and daughters of God, who are loved and forgiven.
- God's restoration of us is not just about forgiveness, but about giving us a new identity, purpose, and relationship with Him.
- We should praise God for His love, forgiveness, and restoration in our lives.