When he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I perish with hunger. I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. make me as one of thy higher servants. He arose and came to his father but when he was yet a great way off his father saw him and had compassion and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. The son said unto him Father I have sinned against heaven and in thy sight and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
Introduction: The Context of the Parable
The parable here is not only an answer to the murmuring of the Pharisees and the scribes, verse 2, but it’s really an explanation or indeed an exposition of the first verse of this chapter. The first verse describes what happened in the ministry of Christ then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. The parable is explaining that it’s explaining what was put on in their hearts, it’s explaining what Christ was doing in addressing them and speaking to them. It’s explaining the meeting between these people and Christ. And the parable explains that, expounds it, enlarges upon it.
That’s very precious because the first verse of this chapter is a picture of what happens millions of times in the history of the Christian Church. It’s a picture of our assembly this evening. It would not be a very wonderful thing if the parable was also explaining what was happening in the case of each one of us and in the case of those who are described in this parable, and we draw near to hear the word of God that we would come as the publican and the sinners did like the prodigal attorney that what we hear from Christ would be what the prodigal had that this would be replicated, that this would be repeated in our experience. In other words, that the call of the gospel which we hear with our ears would be effectual, would be an effectual calling. All three parables illustrate that effectual calling of the gospel.
Christ Receives Sinners
It’s true we want to emphasize that we must emphasize it every time indeed that the gospel is declared that this man receiveth sinners and eateth with them that indeed it is a feast that Christ has prepared in this world for sinners that he himself is salary that he himself is the food on the table that he himself is the the householder receiving the guests he himself is the minister the servant who guards himself and serves those who are sitting at his table he is the one who receives this glorious person, the son of God in our nature exalted now to the right hand of God he receiveth sinners and eateth with them.
That’s the great message of the Gospel to everyone here tonight, to the Lord’s people, to others, to every sinner, young, middle-aged, old, whatever your case and condition. As we were trying to explain last night, the parable can be applied, the prodigality of sin, the prodigality of sinners can be applied to God’s people, prodigal Christians, prodigal families, prodigal churches, prodigal nations, prodigal generations, as well as to the sinner seeking the sinner finding Christ passionately however your condition tonight this man receiveth sinners and eateth with them is a message from heaven to you it’s the most glorious truth it’s the most welcome news it’s good news from the far country of heaven from old waters to a thirsty soul. Are you looking for salvation? Are you seeking it? Are you asking for it? And here is where you find it.
The Seeking Savior and the Seeking Sinner
Then through near unto him all the publicans and sinners are to hear him. As we said, the parables interpret or explain one another. The first two explain or are essential to our understanding of the third. In the first two we have Christ as the seeking Savior. In the third we have the sinner seeking Christ. There’s no sinner who will seek Christ, but Christ has sought them. He is the good shepherd who seeks out the lost. He carries them home, that’s what the effectual calling is, it’s Christ finding and carrying home the lost sheep who cannot save themselves who would not and could not choose Christ except he draw them except he makes them willing in a day of his power to come to him. That’s what sinners are in need of, we were hearing this morning dead in trespasses and sins until he quickens them until he makes them alive until he draws them unto himself by giving them living faith and living desires and living principles. This is a great work, this is a work of wonder. I’m singing that in the psalm what is the work of wonder that man would praise the Lord for his goodness, it’s because he he it is who sends trouble into their lives to bring them into a straight them also in a way to walk that rightly is he that guide they might to a city over him they might abide. It’s all his glorious work. It’s a work of grace, a work of wonder. Wonder is the experience that is described here of effectual calling, something that you know about, something that you can identify with.
To that end we would like to reconsider it. It’s the great duty of God’s people tonight, in connection with the Lord’s Supper, to make their calling and their election sure is their duty always, to inquire into their relation to Christ is a special duty, connection with the Lord’s Supper, to examine themselves, whether they are in the faith, whether they met with Christ, whether they know Christ, whether they are capable of having communion with Christ, that they know what the feast of the fatted calf really means.
1. The Work of Conviction: “When He Came to Himself”
I want to consider first the case of the prodigal, the work of conviction, summed up in that, when he came to himself. He came to himself. You see, the work of effectual calling is Fisher in his short catechism exposition. The great work of the Holy Spirit and the effectual calling is to persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ. He does that by convincing us of sin and wisdom, lightening our minds in the knowledge of Christ and renewing our wills. The end in view is to persuade and enable us to embrace Jesus Christ but here is aligazit, to convince to convict of sin and misery.
Christ’s Persistent Seeking and The Sinner’s Resistance
It’s a great work of Christ to seek and to find the lost. He sends forth his word for that purpose. The devil who’s trying to keep his captives in his own kingdom. We use another figure. The Lord sends out his armies, his soldiers, those who are engaged in the great warfare with the devil. They’re assaulting the kingdom of Satan. We written that in the chapter in chapter 10 the Savior sent out the 70 disciples to go and preach whether He Himself would come He going to come as well He’s going to go out before His face. They’re in the vanguard. They’re going to make the assault. They’re going to put the enemy as it were to flight. They say that. They come back saying that even the devils are subject to us. It’s a great matter, the great business of the preaching of the word of God is the kingdom of heaven suffering violence, the kingdom of darkness suffering violence. Sinners in captivity to be set free. The mighty gates of brass to be assaulted. It’s one way of looking at it. It’s a great work for Christ.
Here then in the parables the first two parables he goes out after that which is lost seeking to refine it. Oh how long has Christ been laboring as it were over your own soul every time the word of God is preached to you, every time the word of God comes to your ears it’s Christ seeking that which is lost the Holy Spirit striving with a sinner is that great work of Christ in sending forth his arrows to bring you into subjection putting up resistance you will not hear his voice you will not hearken to him. That’s really what the prodigal doubtless was like when he was as he was getting rid of all the substance that was connected with his father’s house, as he was selling his inheritance and wasting his substance with riotous living spending everything like Saul of Tarshish, he was kicking against the pricks sinners do that.
Conviction by the Law and Providential Circumstances
A great variety of methods and ways in which the work of conviction goes on in the case of a sinner in the chapter we read again and it’s one of the reasons why we read it, is to illustrate this great matter of conviction of sin by the law by the law is the knowledge of sin by the law is the knowledge of sin. The man who, the lawyer who came to Jesus and asked in what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Where did Jesus send him? He sent him to the law. Go on, listen, go on. What do you read in the law? What is written in the law? How to read this stuff? Why did he send him to the law? So that he would be brought to a sense of his sin. The rich young ruler as well was sending him to the law so that he would see himself in the mirror of the word of God and see just what a sinner he was. Here he is, willing to justify himself, he’s defending himself against the convicting arrows of the law, he’s going to justify himself, I’m not a bad a person at all, I’m a good person indeed how does the law take to do with me how does the law really impact on my life who is my neighbour I’m good to my neighbours I’m good to those who are good back to me I love them who love me so that’s as far as my law keeping goes.
The saviour again, the parable of the Samaritan is designed to show him how poor a law keeper he was, how much he was breaking the law in his attitudes towards those who were his neighbours and who were not like himself and who were not as worthy of his esteem and regard. He was really like the, his lawyer was just like the priest and the Levite, the Haram, the Samaritan, passing by on the other side. He was a breaker of the law. He was vulnerable to its sanction then. He was being brought into a sense of his law breaking by that power. The mirror of the law was put in front of him and saying, look at yourself. You think you’re righteous, but you’re unrighteous. You’re ungodly your law keeping is worthless in the eyes of heaven all your righteousness is of as filthy rags that’s what your law keeping nothing to justify yourself you’re a wretched vile sinner you’re the man in the ditch until a sinner comes to that discovery that he’s the man in the ditch needing a merciful Samaritan to come and help him he’s as proud and self righteous and independent of God as he would ever be. And that’s really what’s going on here in Christ sending out the arrows of conviction into this man’s soul and the parable of the prodigal as well, the mighty famine in the land bringing him down in providential circumstances to eat the husks of the swine we’re eating. I perish with hunger. No man gave to him. No man cared for his soul.
The Spirit of Bondage and the Purpose of Conviction
That’s what the law will do. It’s to convince and to bring us into bondage. It’s very good bondage to fear what a blessing it is that the Holy Spirit would work in a soul like that as a spirit of bondage fear the terror of the law and the consequences of sin and the peril that sin brings a sinner into that the wages of sin is death that you’re on your way to the blackness of darkness forever for sin. That’s Christ’s glorious work he will send the spirit to do that he has a purpose of mercy he has this great work to do to bring sinners down by narrows sharply piercing heart the enemies of the king and under thy subjection the people down do bring.
It may not be with the great outward terrors and tremblings and experiences of fear and dread and ruin. It may be and it may not be. The spirit is sovereign. Christ is sovereign. But the great end is that they would come to themselves. The great end is of course to persuade them, enable them to embrace Jesus Christ in the Gospel. He does that by convincing them of their sin and misery. Sin and misery. That’s what was really going on in this man’s soul. Conviction of sin and misery. He came to himself in this sense, look at myself, look at me. At me, to see himself as he really was. Lord, show me myself. Show me what I really am. This facade that I have in the eyes of the world, I look so respectable, I look so righteous, I look so happy, I look so prosperous, I look so contented. Inwardly I’m in straits. Inwardly I’m perishing upon you. Inwardly I’ve got nothing. Come to that. You come to yourself. Come to your senses about yourself. Come to see things as they really are. Your prospects, your hopes, your dreams, your imaginations, what might and might not be in the future, all crumbling in front of you. The sooner you discover that the better plan. You’re here tonight and you’ve still got vain, glorious hopes about obtaining something in life without Christ and without the Holy Spirit and without the New Birth, without salvation. It’s a desperate delusion. You need to come to yourself, come to your senses. Oh, that the word of God would be an arrow in your heart.
Enlightenment in the Knowledge of Christ
Convince of sin and misery. To enlighten you in the knowledge of Christ. It’s the great work of the Spirit of God also. To show you what Christ is, what Christ has, what Christ, who Christ is, the glory of Christ, of Christ, the mercy of God in Christ. That’s really what has brought home to this man in the far country. How many hard servants of my father have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger. Look at the contrast. I’m a sinner ready to perish and destroy myself. I’m on my way to a lost eternity but ah there’s a savior for such there’s salvation there’s plenteous redemption to be found with him there’s mercy, there’s forgiveness there’s healing, there’s pardon there’s peace with God. I can’t find it for myself but that it’s there I’m so far away from it but it’s something to be found, something to be had remember me Lord with that love I can’t get hold of it I can’t grasp it but it’s there remember me Lord with that love which thou to thine does bear thy salvation oh my God to visit me draw near that I thy chosen food may see and in their joy rejoice the joy the people of God have that I don’t have that I would desire to have it’s this view of mercy discovering his need of it discovering his need of salvation that’s dawned on the soul of this man that’s why they drew near to Jesus to hear him they would see Jesus they must meet with him, they must find him all that I knew where I might find him like Zacchaeus up in the sycamore tree not just from curiosity but from desire awakened in his heart to meet with Christ to find salvation he’s a great sinner make haste and come down Zacchaeus he must abide in thy house that’s what my soul is needing that’s what my soul longs for Lord thee my God and I receive my soul, the thirst for thee.
The Sin of Unbelief
So he’s convinced that his need was Saviour. Ah, Saviour that he’s been rejected. Saviour that he’s been. Running away from God, a good son, had wasted his substance. He had left that house, where all that mercy walks, where all that favour and kindness and goodness was. For all that he would ever need in this life was. He’d forsaken it. He’d left it. And that’s what the sin of unbelief is. It’s the greatest crowning sin of all. You’re rejecting Christ. You’ve refused the gospel. You’ve refused the way of salvation. You’ve turned everyone to your own way like lost sheep. That’s the great sin. And when he has come, he will convince the world of sin. Of sin in respect of this, especially, as it were, leading to this, to break down the sinner in a view of the great enormity of this sin, of sin because they believe not in me. You’re a prodigal from the gospel. You’re a prodigal from Christ. You’re rejecting the great salvation. That’s the conviction with this sinner of ours.
2. Godly Sorrow Unto Repentance
Secondly we would like to notice the godly sorrow which was here in this protocol which is unto repentance, see he is confessing his sin he has got a sense of sin he is grieved over his sin this is no small matter to consider ourselves to be sinners it’s a great and weighty burden too heavy for us it’s the language of the prodigal the prodigal son here I will arise and go to my father I will say to him father I have sin against heaven. Before thee, I know more worthy of all thy sight.
The Nature of True Repentance
So he resolves, I will arise. That’s coming to himself, convinced of sin and misery, enlightened in his mind and the knowledge of Christ, renewed in his will. He must have Christ. He must find Christ. He’s desiring now to retire and I will arise go to my family and he arose and came to his family. Now as we said this is the work of Christ seeking this is the work, this is what Christ does when he finds the lost sheep this is what he does when he carries them on his shoulder he renews them, he makes them willing to come and carries him forward, not coercing him, not against his will, but sweetly drawing him, enabling him. So it was in the case of the brother Iwalarayis and he arose and came. He is carrying this burden of shame and guilt and sin. There’s that in the effectual calling of the Spirit of God. It’s described in that way in the Bible, repentance toward God, faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
There’s an apprehension of God’s mercy in repentance, which I view as a provision that God has made as a saviour for sin to return to. Let the wicked forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts and let him return to the Lord. It’s not just turning from one sin to another. It’s not just turning over a new leaf and make some amends and some changes in your life. That’s not repentance. Repentance is not just giving up some sin in a sinful course. The practices of the Muslims and the Hindus and the Sikhs and all these other cults and sects, they can do that, the natural power, delusions they follow, changing their life and their behavior. No, it’s turning from sin to God, it’s turning to the one from whom we have departed, it’s returning unto the Lord. There’s no way of returning to the Lord but in apprehending his mercy in Christ discovering that there is a way I am the way, the truth and the life no man cometh unto the Father but by me. Here is the glorious reality of repentance that here is a man resolved to return, here is a man now returning unto the Lord forsaking sin, coming back from the far country to the Father’s house, and he’s doing so with grief and hatred of sin, he’s doing so with a burden of guilt and a burden of condemnation.
Humility and Confession
I am no more worthy I cannot merit anything I do not deserve mercy it’s a marvel that the Lord has left me alive in this world it’s a marvel that I’m not destroyed for my sin he’s got hope and mercy he may have many a doubt many a fear, many a temptation his father will refuse him it’s a marvel to him that he would be given any room at all in the Father’s house. Make me as one of thine hired servants. That’s all I deserve. That’s more than I deserve. With us he dealt not as we sinned, nor did requite our will. If thou shouldst mark iniquity, who should stand? So it is, a lonely road indeed, a burden. Returning unto of the Lord, confessing sin, I will say to him, I have sinned. I have sinned against heaven. My sin is ever before me, but it’s against thee, the only, that I’ve sinned. In thy sight done this ill. When thou speakst, thou mayest be just and clear in judging. Still that’s in repentance. That’s in the godly sorrow which worketh repentance. It’s a desire to be cleared of sin, a desire to take revenge on sin, a vehement desire to be rid of sin, a zeal against sin. Sin is now the enemy. Oh, why did I do it? Why did I would run away from my father’s house. What a fool I am. A rebel. Who just God would be to punish my sin.
Personal Ownership of Sin and Seeking Refuge
If you ever come to that, if you ever come to that child of God, you I want to know something about your experience. My sin. My sin. Sin in the general may be the subject of many a confession. It may be very eloquent in describing sin in general terms. Never take to do with my sin. Our own sin. Sins in which we are living. Sins that are secret to us. That God sees. Perhaps other people see them too and we don’t see them ourselves. Free grace awakes us with light from our hand and legal fear shakes us and no refuge, no safety itself you see, you must find salvation you must find Christ, you must find salvation from sin from death, from hell, from wrath to come from being, escape for thy life look not behind thee, carry not in all the play, escape to the mount lest thou be consumed, that’s the counsel indeed to me the penitent which I then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners unto him like Bartimaeus our son of David and of Nershul the world says be quiet not be so foolish don’t be bothering Christ don’t be bothering the church don’t be bothering your parents don’t be bothering what’s the point you’ve been going to church all these years and you’ve not found relief you’ve not found happiness why would you expect to find it now come with us we will give you birth and joy the worldly wise man he’ll give you all the carnal security you want. He gave you a way of getting rid of that burden. He’s an expert at getting rid of burdens.
Ah, the sinner awakened, the sinner conscious of the enormity of sin. Yes, the sinner under the powerful influences of the Spirit of God, I’m convinced of sin and misery, enlightened, seeking after salvation. He’s putting his fingers in his ears. He’s saying, life, life, eternal life. I must find Christ. I must find deliverance from my sin. All refuge is I cried to thee I said Thou art my refuge Lord and Lord Thou art my refuge and Lord. That’s where the sinner and the saviour meet. That’s the glorious meeting place where the sinner is stripped of all refuge of all refuge in the creature. He’s in a straight he cannot look to the right hand or to the left. No man cares for his soul. Lord, from the depths to thee I cry. My voice, Lord, do thou hear unto my suffocations voice. Give an attempt to hear. We can think of the prodigal with these cries and prayers and groans pleading the lonely road. Oh, were you ever on it? Did you ever return to the one from whom you departed to the one to the one from whom you fled in your folly and sin and whom you have been rejecting for all these years if you have not returned oh will you not return this evening will you not come will you not come and discover the welcome the glorious welcome that a sinner returning will and must receive.
3. The Sinner’s Reception: Finding Christ
Thirdly, we would like to consider the sinner’s reception, finding Christ, meeting here, wherever along the road, wherever along the journey. It’s a picture like that to no doubt explain what is the conscious experience of these sinners who grew near to Christ, to hear him, Perhaps feeling altogether destitute, in great straits, no comfort, no refuge, no deliverance in any creature, no one else to help them. To meet with Christ. Oh, what a reception. What a wonderful thing to consider compassion, about this compassion. Seeking Savior, meeting a seeking sinner. It’s the greatest, wonderful, beautiful meeting that can ever take place on earth. Christ and a sinner meeting.
What a precious thing it is the worship of God and that’s what happens and that’s what’s taking place a seeking saviour meeting a seeking sinner one whom he’s drawn and he lifts him up upon his shoulders rejoicing and carries him home that’s what Christ does.
Christ’s Compassion and Universal Invitation
For this man, all this man receiveth sinners and eateth with them. That’s his honor. That’s his glory. That’s his dignity. That’s his office. That’s why he came. That’s what his work is. That’s the glorious mission he’s on. That’s why he sent the gospel to you. That’s why the word is preached to you. That’s why they labor, crest upon you the glorious advantages, the glorious gifts that’s why all the bounty of the father’s house is set before you in the gospel that you might be wooed and won and drawn.
This man, look at this man, he’s full of compassion in him compassion is full, the Lord our God is merciful he is gracious O long-suffering, slow to man, and mercifully, does not chide or tinge, nor keep his eye for still. Thus he dealt not as we sin, nor did we quite our way. Compassion’s to hold, moved with compassion to the multitudes, and he saw them as sheep without a shepherd. He said the harvest is plenteous and the laborers are few pray the Lord of the harvest that he would send laborers into that harvest he would gather sinners into this. What else did he say? He said come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest. And I he rejoices in spirit he rejoices at this he said these things from the wise and prudent. Now it revealed them unto David, all things are delivered to me of my Father. For I know of the Father, of the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. That’s what he’s saying to the prophet who come unto me. He runs with this message, come unto me all ye that labor, not heavy labor. Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth. I am God and there is none else.
Spurgeon’s Conversion and the Father’s Kiss
Remember Charles Spurgeon at the age of 15 or 16 went to the little meeting house miserable helpless lost no one cared for his soul the poor preacher put up he wrote his text look unto me young man you look miserable young man look unto me and be ye saved Christ saved all the ends of the earth. For I am God and there is none else. And that’s all he could say. He just repeated the text. Look unto me, my sins.
For that’s what Christ is saying to this man. And he runs and falls and has compassion on him. And falls on his neck and kisses him. That’s what salvation is. It’s a kiss. It’s peace. It’s a case of reconciliation. It’s Christ and the symbol meeting. All in Christ reconciling the world. Not computing the present moment. It’s all by the name of Christ. Most gracious with her hand. The good eye deceives us all in pain and in fear. In feeling pain, that’s with salvation. For the prophet, who lives all life’s sins, cast behind by man. That of the kisser. There is forgiveness with him. This is justified freely by his grace. That’s the message of the Gospel. That’s Christ’s message to sinners, in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace. That’s why he went out to find the lost sheep. That’s what he says to the lost sheep, thy sins which are many are forgiven, be of good cheer. That’s what the sinners say God be merciful to me a sinner Christ is saying thy sins which are many are forgiven.
The Sinner’s Warrant and Christ’s Offer
More did you ever ask have not because you ask not ask and ye shall receive seek and ye shall find not good and shall be open to you. You have a warrant to take Christ at His word. You have a warrant in His word to receive the atonement, to receive the bounty of forgiveness. What is your warrant? Not that you’re not such a bad sinner as others. That’s not a warrant for a sinner to come to Christ. You need to go and look in the mirror. God’s law to discover just how bad you really are. You need to discover you’re in the ditch. You need the Good Samaritan to come and take you out of the ditch. Pour in the oil and the wine and your wounds. Look at him. You are his beast and he’ll take care of you. That’s what you need. And you’re warranted. You’re warranted to take Christ and all the mercy and salvation that is in him. It’s that he who’s saying it to you. The faith of the gospel offerer, which is the sinner’s warrant. Christ himself is saying. He says, come unto me. All you who labor and have been laden, and I will give you rest. Look unto me. O everyone that thirsteth, come to the water. You don’t know money. Come buy wine and milk without money, without price. Don spend money on that which is not bread and your labor for that which satisfies not He saying it He entreating it As though God beseeched by us He commanding you to repent. He’s commanding you to believe the gospel. You may take him at his word.
He is able to say to the afterwards that I have come to God whoever lives to make intercession for the Christ in his offer. Christ in his gospel freely extending the invitation to your water to take it and have pardon and justification by his righteousness and on the road of righteousness now that’s the gift which he has set before he has set before it here he falls on his neck and kisses him and the son said unto him unto him father I have sinned against heaven and thy sight, and have no more worthy to be called thy son. Still under this great fear, this great dread, this great impression, await the burden of sin. And, Father, I say to thee, hold the best moment, put it on. Manage these fears, silence these temptations, thy sins, which are many, are forgiven.
4. Gifts and Benefits Bestowed by Christ
Fourthly there are the gifts and the benefits bestowed by Christ an effectual calling they are receiving Christ and all the benefits that are in him they are united to him partaking of the benefits of the covenant of grace.
The Best Robe, Ring, and Shoes
Well if the kiss is reconciliation what is the best hope what does that mean where does that fit in the effectual calling well we heard it said by one of our old ministers I’ve gone to eternity but he used to say that this was where the preachers of the gospel were called to show to the Lord’s people that they are justified. Show them the nature of justification. Show them how glorious and full and precious and plentiful salvation is. Show them that they are in that justified state. Bring forth the best robe. Bring it out. Bring it out. Take it out and show it to him. And put it on him. Show him that it fits him. And he’s got a new status in the family. He’s restored to the favor of the family he’s in the family, he’s a son yes, and the ring on his finger he’s adopted into the family of God, he’s a right to all the privileges of the sons of God show him that, that’s what the gospel is doing, it’s conferring this gift upon you, it’s conferring these benefits, it’s showing you what salvation means Christ has all this to give showering you. Oh, that men to the Lord would give praise for his goodness then, and for his works of wonder done unto the sons of men.
He the soul that longing is to fully satisfy, with goodness he the hungry soul would fill abundantly, that enough are to spare, that bread enough are to spare in the Father’s house. That’s really what is to be found in Christ. That’s what the call of the gospel is inviting sinners to come to. Oh, the sinner’s discovery of what’s in Christ, that the gospel has been effectual to them. Let’s say the half was not told then. The half was not told. It’s marvelous, it’s wonderful. The passion beyond is the work, the grace of Christ towards sinners is unspeakable. Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
How did you ever discover just how precious the role of the righteousness of Christ is? It’s not just a legal pardon, we have a justification, it’s adoption, for the very one who is the judge. He is the father of the fatherless. He rejoices over his people. He receives them into his family. But more than that, to choose in His feet. Choose for the glory. Choose for the journey home. Choose for the way of life, the way of obedience, the way of service, the way of fellowship in His walk. Protection from harm and danger, dignity, comfort, it’s all connected with what Christ gives. That’s what these publicans and sinners came to Christ to hear. That’s what they came for. To choose for the road. For the journey to heaven. And the race. To follow Christ in the way. It’s a picture of spiritual reality. Christ gives them. Your grace and glory give them. Give them. He will hold no good from them but not rightly to them.
Those who come to Christ will never perish. They will. All things will be provided, all things that they have need of, for the life that now is and for that which is to come. He’s going to enable them to endure to the end. He’s going to give them assurance of his love, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy Ghost, increase of grace, perseverance therein to the end. Put shoes on his feet, give him the robe, the ring and the shoes, give him justification, adoption and sanctification and all the benefits that accompany and pull from them give him all the benefits of the covenant of grace that’s what Christ has a plenteous redemption ever to be found the book of John the despising servant to leave from the father’s house to reject Christ in the gospel world that you’re running away from. Heaven itself is open. The gates of heaven are wide open. Them also in a way to help. But right is he that died that they might to a city go wherein the night abides. Gather them out of the lands for that reason and not serve peace and rest. So he’s doing millions of souls already in the kingdom. Prodigals that have retired already.
5. The Joy of Heaven at the Prodigal’s Return
Fifthly there is the joy of heaven at the return of this prodigal joy in the presence of the angels of God what a precious thing to consider the joy Christ rejoicing over his people resting in his love rejoicing over them with singing delighting in them this is the joy of his heart they make him glad out of the ivory palaces they make him glad these five things the work of conviction the repentance the reception benefits the joy.
Conviction, repentance, deception, gifts the joy. Gifts and benefits the joy. It’s a great work of Christ to seek and to find the lost.
God’s Waiting Grace and Abundant Mercy
So there’s joy in heaven over one sinner that we met. More than over ninety-nine just nations will need no defense, for wanting to justify themselves, and whose defenses are proof against arrows of the king, pick against plinths, harden their hearts in unbelief, to refuse him in speaking. Here is the joy in heaven over one, how precious one’s soul is, how precious an immortal soul is. The unspared cost of redemption, the bounty of this generosity, the love and the generosity of the Father, here expressed, bring, bring hither the fattened calf, Let us eat the image. This nice son is dead, he is alive again. He was lost in his father, but he began to be made. It’s a joy in heaven. It’s as though the father was waiting to be gracious. That’s what the Bible says about God, about Christ. Wherefore would the Lord wait? He may be gracious. Isn’t that very wonderful? He’s waiting on us so that He may be gracious. And then compassion flows like a river that’s dammed. Mercy is as if we’re building up behind it. Opening up the blood gates where she flows out and swallows up all before her. I will rejoice over them with joy and singing. I will rest in my love. He rejoices over the sinner that repents. This my son was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found. Nothing so valuable as salvation. To the sinner, nothing so precious to God, the sinner returned. Yes, it’s a costly, costly work, the redemption of the soul. It’s Christ’s death that was necessary, the soul’s redemption. Nothing less than the death of the Son of God in our nature. Perhaps that’s what’s being suggested for the Vatican. You should have been more willing to leave to the rich bound, the rich place, the costliness of salvation. Pray it forth, showing just how precious salvation is, how great is the goodness, thou for them that fear, that keepest it so, thou for them that trust, sons of men before.
Conclusion: The Everlasting Gospel and Invitation
This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. We make a feast of fat things full of marrow, wines and the lees well refined. A feast of joy. Joy in heaven, joy in earth. Joy in the heart, joy to give, joy to share with. Oh, they’re not allurements in the gospel, and they’re not winning arguments to lay down your resistance, to give up your defiance, to abandon your rebellion, to be willing subjects to this glorious king, to ride out of your grave, be alive. Miles it has come forth that’s what the gospel is saying to the dead can these bones live thou knowest go and preach to them that’s what we’re endeavouring to do this evening we might even say to preach to dead bones because there’s a glorious saviour who’s able to make alive those who are dead this my son was dead and he’s alive again that’s the nature of effectual calling. The call goes to those who are dead, yet Christ makes them alive, makes them listen and hear and obey and rise up out of their graves. He that is dead came forth, loose them and let them go. The dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God, and they that hear shall live. So they called the everlasting gospel bring sinners near they then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners were to hear Pharisees and scribes murmured saying, listen now receive a sinner, you need a witness it’s true, it’s true it’s gloriously true, it’s always going to be true it’s true all your days child of God, to be true for the children of God all their days. This man received the sin of sin. I meet it with you. Do not come and sit at the Lord’s table. As one of the king’s sons, though you be lame, I’ll fall at your feet. I know it’s this man who received the sin of sin. I meet it with you. The Lord bless his body and his faith. The Lord bless and pity us.
Plea for a Willing Heart
Oh, would you not be another one? Would you not commend yourself? Would you not come? Would you not be willing to come? People, a willing people, in the idea of power shall come. The seeking Savior meets the seeking Savior. When the seeking Savior makes the seeking sinner. When the seeking Savior makes the sinner willing in a day of power to come to Him. They are never so willing to do it. They never did anything so willing. The Lamb. He embraced Him. He was persuaded and enabled to embrace Him. As He is free, we offer to Him in the cross. Are you ever willing to have Christ your unwillingness is keeping all these benefits from you oh he will not come unto me that he might have died he is willing you are unwilling would you not ask him to make you willing would you not ask him for the new heart and the right spirit then will I sprinkle clean water upon you will you not plead that promise tonight from all your filthiness, from all your idols will I cleanse you, and your heart also will I give you a new spirit will I put within you an absolute promise that you completed the throne of Christ Lord do as thou hast said do that for me, that’s what I need make me willing give me that new heart give me that repentance that’s what Christ is exalted to do to give repentance and remission of sins you can’t do it yourself you can’t generate it you can’t engineer it you can’t work it up it’s not of nature, it’s not of blood it’s not of him that willeth, not of him that runneth but of God that showeth mercy it’s not of the will of the flesh except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God and that’s the very thing that Christ comes to do he baptizes with the Holy Ghost he has all the resources the covenant of grace he has all the power in heaven and earth to subdue the heart to himself to make a people willing that’s the glorious glorious savior that he is described this man is seen as a and he did lift him.
This sermon is auto-transcribed and may contain inaccuracies.
Speaker: Rev David Campbell
Congregation Santa Fe
Text: Luke 15:17
Date: 12 June 2026
Series: Texas Communion June 2026