The Gift of Grace
By: Rev. Chuck E. Sprayberry
Scripture: Luke 15:11-24; Ephesians 2:8,9
Luke 15:11-24 (NKJV) 11 Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. 13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living. 14 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. 15 Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, 19 and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.” ‘ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 And bring the fatted calf here 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 going to examine the parable of the Prodigal Son in order to see an example of grace being bestowed from the Father to the Son.
The son leaving the father was a conscious decision.
- He requested his part of the inheritance.
- He waited several days before leaving. (He had an opportunity to change his mind.)
- He had a plan laid out to support his decision.
He gathered ALL together when he left:
- There was no intention of returning
He spent ALL he had while he was in the foreign country:
- There was no provision to support his return.
When he “came to himself,” he was at the end of his rope.
- No means of support
- No means of improving his condition
- No source of comfort or happiness
The journey back to the father began with the recognition of where he was.
For every step he took in leaving the father, he had to take the same number of steps to return. The return was without any of the comforts or pleasures his wealth had provided during his departure.
The son was receiving justice for his actions. It did not come immediately, but it did come.
He intended to return home and throw himself on the mercy of his father.
The father extended grace to his son and went further than the son had hoped.
- Justice – Getting what you deserve
- Mercy – not getting what you deserve
- Grace – getting what you do not deserve, unmerited favor.
The Robe: A symbol of provision.
- Justice – you deserve to be wearing your rags.
- Mercy – you can have that which I no longer want or need.
- Grace – you can have the best.
Shoes: A symbol of family position.
- Justice – you don’t deserve to be part of this family – you left.
- Mercy – You can stay, but do not get too close.
- Grace – You are welcomed back in full fellowship.
Ring: A symbol of trust.
- Justice – You can never be trusted.
- Mercy – You can have limited trust once you earn it.
- Grace – Your rust is fully restored.
Feast: A symbol of joy and gladness.
- Justice – You do not deserve your return to be celebrated. Who cares?
- Mercy – You may get a party, but people are just there for the food, not you.
- Grace – Your return is truly joyous and celebrated.
The father is the perfect picture of grace in this parable.
- Justice has no concern for you at all.
- Mercy may be there if you come and get it.
- Grace will come running to you.
When mankind was expelled from the garden and fell under the curse of his sin, he was receiving the justice due him.
God had mercy on us and made it possible for man to have knowledge of him and a relationship with him through the Old Testament covenant.
Christ took us one step further, and by grace made it possible for us to have our relationship with God perfected.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV) 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
October 21, 2012, · 9:19 pm
