Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1924-10-30
Lesson for November 2
THE PRODiGAL SoN--WORLD's
TEMPERANCE SUNDAY

LESSON TEXT--Luke 15sll-z4.
GOLDEN TENT win arise and go
to my father.-Luke 1913.
PRIMARY TOPIC-The Story of q
Fathers Love.
JUNIOR ToPIC-The Parable of the
Prodigal Son.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-The Prodigal's Wanderings and
Return.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
PERIODICALS: Prevention and Rescue.
The center of interest In this parable
is not the prodigal nor his brother, but
the certain man who had two sons"
In this parable in a most picturesque
and dramatic manner the history of
man Is portrayed, from his fall to his
reconciliation with God. The whole
orbit of revelation is SWEPT as It per-
tains to a SHINING race and pardon
ing God He who fails to see the
heart of our Father God will miss the
purpose Of the parable.
|. The Sons INSTRUMENTATION (v. 12).
There Is every Indication tina. this
was a happy home. But a devil en-
tered It and stirred up discomfort In
the heart Of the younger son. His de-
sire for freedom moved him to wilfully
choose TO leave home-throw off the
constraints of his fathers rule. Sin Is
the desire TO be free from the restraints
Of rfghtful authority and for selfish in
diligence. AT the request Of the son,
the father divided unto them his liv-
ing"
II. The Sons Departure ". 13).
Having made the fatal decision he
went post-haste to the enjoyment OF
his cherished vision. so he got his
goods In portable shape. Having
thrown Off the restraints Of his IA
theirs rule he eagerly withdrew from
his fathers presence. This Is always
the way sin works. Adam and Eve
after they had sinned hid themselves
The son could not now stand the pres
ence Of his father, so he FASTENED
away.
III. The Sons Degeneration tvv
10, 14).
He had good time while his money
lasted, but the end came quickly. From
plenty in his fathers house to destitu-
tion in the far country was q short
journey.
~. The Sons Degradation wv.
Is, 1877.
He had no friends now to help him
when his money was all gone, so he
was driven to hire out to a citizen to
feed swine. 1t was quite a change
from a son In his fathers house to
feeding hogs in the far country. SO 1t
is; those who will not serve God are
made slaves to the devil to do his bid
ding (Rom. 6:16) In his shame and
disgrace he could not even get the nee
essary food. The coarse food of the
hogs was denied him.
". The Sons Restoration wv. 1924.
/. He Came to Himself ". 17) When
he reflected bit he was made con-
scious that though he had wronged his
father and ruined himself, yet he was
a son of his father. In the days Of his
SHINING he was beside himself. The
sinner continues in his sin because he
is insane. If we could but get sinners
to think seriously OF their condition 1t
would be more easy to get them to
turn from their sins.
2. His Resolution ". 18). His re-
Election ripened into resolution. The
picture of his home where even the
hired servants had superabundance.
the far country and go home.
3. His Confession wv. IS, 19). He
acknowledged that his sin was against
heaven and his father-that he had
forfeited his right to be called son
and begged to be given place as a
hired servant. The sinner not only
should make resolution, he should
confess his sin.
4. His Action ". 20). Action was
needed. Resolution will not avail I'M
less accompanied with action. When
the confession is genuine. action will
follow
5. His Reception by His Father (vv.
20-21. The father had not forgotten
his son. During these years he longed
for his return. He must often have
looked for him, for he saw him when
he was great way off. SO anxious
was he for him that he ran to meet
him and fell upon his neck and kissed
him. So glad was the father that he
even did not hear his confession
through, but ordered the tokens of
honor to be placed upon him.. receiv-
ing him back into sons position.
Then the feast was made, expressive
Of the JOY of his heart. God is love.
Jesus came to reveal God. This parable
makes bare Gods heart.