Danger Signs on the Path to Sin
Luke 15:11-17
Read text.
Some passages more familiar, used more often, because of the value to us.
The parable before us is just such a passage; referred to as "The pearl of parables", "The gospel in the gospel", "The gospel in a nutshell."
Many sermons can be preached because of the important truths emphasized:
a. Possibility of forgiveness.
b. God’s desire to forgive (II Pet. 3:9).
c. Joy in salvation.
d. Sin of self-righteousness (not because he hated sin, but hated his brother).
But look especially at what took him from a good home to the pigsty of sin.
Several words and phrases in the text show the danger signs on the path to sin.
"Give Me" (12).
A. He was selfish. He had "I" trouble.
B. Wanted father’s things, but not father’s guidance.
C. An attitude of "This is what I deserve", instead of "What do I owe?"
1. By the time you reach age of independence, consider how much you owe.
2. You have a responsibility to be what is expected.
3. The world today.
4. The church today.
"Not many days after" (13).
D. Impatient.
E. Pleasure in sin results from seeking shortcuts to happiness.
F. God expects us to be happy.
G. I Pet. 3:10-11
"Into a far country" (13).
H. Sin more likely away from home.
I. College, job, vacation, even your home can be your far country. Anywhere which can cause you to leave the principles of your real home, the church.
J. Who will know?
1. God will know.
2. Sinner friends will know. They will realize you were not always like this.
3. Home will hear. Somehow word always gets back.
"Wasted His substance" (13).
K. Sin is always a waste.
L. A waste of:
1. Money.
2. Time.
3. Reputation.
4. Opportunity to do good and be useful.
M. Know persons whose lives are ruined; think of what that person "could have been."
"When he had spent all" (14).
N. Sin can soon take all you have.
O. He went from high living to hog living in a short time.
P. He paid a high price for low living.
Q. Sin has a limited life (Heb. 11:25b).
"He begin to be in want" (14).
R. Contrast Psa. 23:1
S. Sin is like a food that looks, smells and at first taste good, but never satisfies.
T. Sin leaves you in want of:
1. Good conscience.
2. Prayer life.
3. Self respect.
4. Respect of others.
5. Looking loved ones in the eye.
6. Hope (Argue that "God is too good", but know hell is too real).
U. Hog food won’t satisfy the soul.
"To feed swine" (15).
V. Travel downhill fast.
W. Farther you go the easier it gets.
X. Seen this happen, always start small.
1. Missing services.
2. Little drink.
3. Little bad language.
4. Little lies.
5. Little gossip.
6. Little hate.
Y. Jas. 1:14-15
1. Gal. 6:7-8
2. Some pray for crop failure.
"He came to himself" (17).
Z. Had been "out of his mind" to do what he had been doing.
AA. Time comes:
1. When feel utterly ashamed.
2. Realize how much missed.
3. Wish it had been different.
4. Realized that the more he got what he wanted the less he wanted what he got.
Emphasized the negative part of the parable.
a. But positive is the main thrust.
b. God will forgive.
If you have been in sin, and now have come to yourself, come home to God.
Jim Pharr
Lenoir, NC