01/03/2023
PRODIGAL'S STEPS TO NEW LIFE IN CHRIST
Luke 15:10-32
THE GOOD THOUGHT AND RIGHT DECISION
Phil. 4:8
✓ He Came to himself: self realization, remembered who he is, where he is, where he is coming from, His wealthy father and his present debilitating condition that is loathsome.
✓ He saw his counterfeit, futile, unfruitful, humiliating, dirty, absurd and wasted life, as a helpless pupper.
✓ Hecquestined himself why? amidst the abundance of His father, He is perishing in hunger,
✓ He is wallowing in a state of stupor, in debased, abandonment, by pleasure seeking, ungodly influence by unequal yoke association with friends, and is now abandoned by them, having willfully himself separated from his father and family, now like an outcast.
✓ He therefore, owned up his sins, and his licentious pleasure life, by which his allotted inheritance have been wasted with vile friends. in unholy association.
✓ He had a truly penitent heart.
✓ He made a determined decision in his heart, with resolution, " I will arise and go back to my father"
✓ He owned up his stubborn and riotous life, had a conviction, in his spirit, to truly repent, to turn from wicked ways, of sinful pleasures and to go back to his father and family, whether good or bad outcome.
✓ He was determined, to make right the wrong, with a readiness to Confess his sins to his father.
✓ He Adjudged himself to have first, sinned against heaven, that is against God and then against his father and resolved to confess his sins.
✓ He was so humbled, that he esteemed himself unworthy of acceptance by his father as bonafied son, who was supposed to be bequeathed with all rights of inheritance, since he had wasted his, in licentious living.
✓ Ignorant of the full and free Salvation package offer to all erring mankind, the full restoration perfected in Christ's redemptive sacrifice, he made assertions, even if his father accepts him. but decides to recruit him as one of the hired servants, to him he concluded, that this will actually be more than a show of favour, least expected in his estimation.
TAKE RIGHT AND TIMELY ACTION
✓ He proceeded and matched, thought, decision and word with action. He arose and went back to his father.
FATHER'S UNFAILING LOVE
✓ His father who evidently, in love had been yearning for his son seemingly lost, to return from worldliness, carnality and lustfulness in immorality of diverse sorts, had for long in his heart, decided to forgive, therefore with enthusiasm, at sighting him from afar, rushed hastily, welcomed him with a warm embrace, and compassionate kisses, seemingly with tears of joy. What an awesome wonder, looming in the sons mind, was the wonder and reality of an effortless and instant forgiveness, with a rousing welcome, full of excitement. The Scriptures rightly put it that while we were yet sinners. wallowing in sins out of ignorance, Jesus died and paid the price of sins, to all who will thereafter believe. Eph. 2:1-10.
✓ The returning prodigal son, evidently surprised at this firsthand reception, earnestly poured out his penitent heart in true confession of his sins to his father and declared his unworthiness to be accepted as a son.
THE GRAND RECEPTION PARTY
✓ His father who had already spoken forgivenness through his action, couldn't wait, any longer to celebrate his returning son,, he went further, showering him with abundant love.
St. Luke 15:22-24
But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
The salvation party began in grand style, with symbolic gifts, to the lost and found son. Remark that there was no prior information to this return.
Note that these preparetions for the grand reception, had been made, waiting for the return of his son for long, typical of the Salvation prepared in Christ for ages, waiting for all children of God, who would believe.
A. He was first clothed with a robe to cover his nakedness and proneness to sinful nature, Satanic manipulation and influence, condemnation to death, and captivity in hands of Satan. This robe signifies maximum and glorious divine security. It typifies, first, the indwelling Spirit of God, restored at regeneration and resident in man's spirit. It also, points us to Christ's imputed righteous nature in believing mankind, that capacitates and enables believers to manifest godliness in multidimensional ways; to love, to be just, to be merciful, to manifest goodness, in good works of righteousness, to give, be charitable, and compassionate.
B. The ring, was commanded by his father to be put on his hand, this signifies reconciliation, back to God and His heavenly family in an unending relationship of Father and son, and to an unending fellowship with the Godhead. This is typical of brochering the new covenant relationship in Christ. It also signifies the restoration of the believers blessing, and dominion mandate, an irrevocable seal of the authority of believers, an empowerment to operate in the realms of the supernatural for manifest, signs, wonders and miracles, promised in life and ministry of the believer. for exploits and all round fruitfulness in life.
C. The shoe, on his feet. This typifies empowerment and speed in the responsibilities, good works of righteousness and the great commission madatee to be witnesses to our Fathers love and propagators through evangelism of the Gospel message. it is the conferment of the commission, on believers to propagate, the Gospel to the ends of the world. Mathew 28:18-20; Eph.6:20-18.
The shoe also is typical of protective or defensive armour. Protects from rough and Stony terrain, heats and adversities of life to be experienced in our walk with God and the Gospel ministry challenges, especially persecution.
D. Merriment with the slaughtered fatted cow, this typifies, Christ's body and blood of redemption that brought Salvation to all believing mankind, as the Lamb, that takes away the sins of the whole world. This is typical if the Passover feast, now celebrated in Christ as often as we can as the Lord's supper or holy communion, in the fellowship of brethren, as a memorial feast, that reminds, reveals and releases all the power of Salvation to believers, meeting needs, bonding in unity, keeping focus and trust in Christ alive, and quickens our hope for eternal life at last.
E. The first son's envy: Is typical of the opposition and Satan's instrumentality to oppose the believers vehemently, with a view to erode their faith, fighting to pull down believers through adversities, falsehood and unending contentions. with a view of denying believers their Salvation experience. 1Pet.5:8-9, admonishes believers to fiercely resist Satan and his cohorts in truth contentions, with assured victory, to the extent of mire than conquerors, always triumphing till the end, with assured hope of eternal life in the end.
Were you blessed by this exposition? Spread the Gospel widely. Have a fruitful communion upgrade this lent. Remain blessed.
©Emezi Gabriel Global Evangelism & Faith Pillars Foundation. LENT O***M ©2023
