Are You A Covert Prodigal? A Closer Look At Luke 15:25-32

Last week, we looked at the account of the prodigal son from the book of Luke. As Reverend Julio pointed out this past Sunday, there are actually two prodigal sons in this parable. One is overt and the other is covert. The overt prodigal is the one who squanders his inheritance and ends up living in poverty. The covert prodigal is the one who stays home with his father and seems to be obedient. However, he is actually motivated by a sense of entitlement and ingratitude. This attitude of entitlement is all too common today. We see it in the LGBT rights movement, the Black Lives Matter movement, the feminist movement or any other movement. We even see it in the church. Somehow, we have convinced ourselves that we are doing God a favor by serving him, and that HE owes us something in return.

In today’s sermon, we will learn about this covert prodigal and do an introspection of our own lives in light of the Word of God.

Are You A Covert Prodigal?

The Passage: Luke 15:25-32 

²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ²⁷ And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ ²⁸ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, ²⁹ but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ ³¹ And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. ³² It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’”

Tags: Luke 15:25-32 exposition