Sermon outlines · Luke 15:20
Sermon outline on the prodigal son
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In Luke 15:20, “compassion” translates a Greek word: σπλαγχνίζομαι. In Antioquia’s study mode, one tap shows what it means and where else it appears in the Bible — the kind of detail that gives a sermon depth. Try it in the preview.
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Luke 15:20
And 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.
✦ Understand this verseσπλαγχνίζομαι
splanchnízomai · Greek · G4697
- In this verse
- compassion
- What it means
- to have the bowels yearn, (figuratively) feel sympathy, to pity
- How the King James translates it
- compassion12
Appears in 12 verses · See them all in the app
Sermon outline
Sermon title
The father who runs to meet him
Main idea
The parable of the prodigal son shows a father who waits, runs and restores — that is how God receives whoever comes back.
Text
And 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.
Luke 15:20 · Read the chapter →
Introduction
Jesus told this parable to those who grumbled because he welcomed sinners. The younger son asked for his inheritance, spent it all far from home and ended up feeding pigs, hungry.
1. The son came to himself
And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and 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,
Luke 15:17-18 · Read the chapter →
At rock bottom, he remembered his father’s house. Repentance begins like this: coming to yourself, seeing your condition and remembering who God is.
Application: Where do you need to stop running and come back?
2. The father ran
And 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.
Luke 15:20 · Read the chapter →
While he was still a long way off, his father saw him, had compassion, ran, embraced him and kissed him. The son had a speech ready; the father did not wait for him to finish.
Application: Do not wait until you have it all together to come back to God: he runs to meet you.
3. The father restored
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.
Luke 15:22-24 · Read the chapter →
The best robe, the ring, the sandals and the feast: he came back as a son, not as a hired servant. He was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.
Application: Receive forgiveness as a son or daughter — and treat those who come back the way the father did.
Conclusion
The parable ends with the elder son outside, angry about the feast. Jesus leaves the question open for anyone who thinks of themselves as righteous: will you go in and rejoice over the brother who came home?