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Inventory Time in the Pig Pen

Luke 15:11-24

  1. Introduction

 

 

    1. Inventory Time

 

 

 

    1. That time when a businessman must take time out to count all of his possessions.

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    2. The time when the facts must be faced for profit or loss.

 

 

 

 

    1. The young man who took inventory in a pig pen.

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    2. What had brought him to such loss and what he did about it.

 

 

 

  1. Body

 

 

 

    1. He had thought only of goods instead of God (verses 11-12)

 

 

 

    1. Perhaps the most tender story told by Jesus.

 

 

 

    1. The father, a good and compassionate man.

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    2. The great grief brought to the father.

 

 

 

    1. Someday a part of all these things will be mine.

 

 

 

    1. Surely no thought of God here.

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    2. The father approached for the inheritance.

 

 

 

    1. He would find those empty goods but now they seemed important.

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    2. He is not the only one who has found things empty.

 

 

 

    1. Solomon’s search (Eccl. 1:12-2:11)

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    2. The rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-25)

 

 

 

    1. Your life may be saying to the heavenly father.

 

 

 

    1. I want my share of good.

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    2. I’ll neglect the Bible if necessary to get them.

 

 

 

    1. He thought only of his flesh instead of the future (verses 13-16)

 

 

 

    1. Wasted his substance in riotous living.

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    2. Had to get into that far country, away from his father.

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    3. Thought so many of his problems would be settled by getting away.

 

 

 

    1. So many today – a new environment.

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    2. Daniel 12:3 – many shall run to and fro.

 

 

 

    1. The cry of the flesh

 

 

    1. Ephesians 2:3, 5:1-8

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    2. The cry of the flesh is for feeling.


    1. Here now you have the two directions in which men move.

 

 

 

    1. Those who are searching for satisfaction in goods.

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    2. Those who are searching for satisfaction in feelings, drugs, booze or other pleasures.

 

 

 

    1. The sad picture in the pig pen.

 

 

 

    1. He faced the facts – instead of feigning happiness (verse 17)

 

 

 

    1. Wen he came to himself.

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    2. How many hired servants have bread enough and to spare?

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    3. He did not ignore the situation as some do.

 

 

 

    1. I’m hungry, I guess everybody else is, too.

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    2. I’m feeding pigs, but lots of others are, too.

 

 

 

    1. Some excuse their spiritual misery by thinking everybody else is in the same boat.

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    2. He responded to the truth and it changed his life.

 

 

 

  1. Conclusion

 

 

 

    1. The great resolution (verses 18-24)

 

 

 

    1. I will arise and go to my father.

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    2. The father awaits and welcomes him.

 

 

 

    1. Forgiveness awaits all who come to God through Christ.

 

 

 

C. Come home today.