The Simple Gospel :

Week 02

(1 Corinthians 15:1–4) Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you… that Christ died for our sins… that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day…

In the parable of the father and his two lost sons, Jesus reveals two wrong paths that people commonly take in their quest for happiness and the fullest life: .

Rebellious people seek life and fulfillment through a  lifestyle.

Religious people seek life and fulfillment through a  lifestyle.

Both of these paths actually lead away from happiness and the fullest life … and away from God.

(Luke 15:1–3) Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable:

(Luke 15:11–24) Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. 12 The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them. 13 “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. 14 After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 

(Luke 15:11–24) So he got up and went to his father. “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21 “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24 For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Luke 15:25–32 (NIV84) “Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ 28 “The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29 But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’ 31 “ ‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”

1. Humble yourself. You need a savior. 

(James 4:6) But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

2. If you are on a rebellious path, humble yourself and come home today to the Father’s embrace.

3. If you are living a moral and religious, but self-serving life, humble yourself and accept the Father’s invitation into his joyful family. Come inside and enjoy the party!

Additional scriptures:

(Romans 10:9, 13) That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved … 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

(Ephesians 2:8–9) For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

(Acts 16:30–31) He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.