Opening Scripture: “Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law” (Psalm 119:18)

• There are wondrous things right where God has planted you..Just open your eyes

Story: Acres of Diamonds- Russell Conwell

Moral of the story: The first farmer who killed himself was living on acres of diamonds and did not even realize it.

• Do you see you home as An Acre of Diamonds? Do you see your workplace as An Acre of Diamonds? Do you see your church as An Acre of Diamonds?
• Could it be that the very ground where God has planted us, is filled with acres of diamonds and we don’t even realize it?

Luke 15:11-13

We are going to look at the story of the Prodigal son from another angle!

A certain man had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.

• Prodigal Living means: Lacking Restraint or control in an area of life (unforgiveness, jealousy, bitterness, etc)

Question 1: Why Could he not see the acres of diamonds?

• Why? HIS HEART! He did not serve his Father with his heart
• “SERVE HIM IN TRUTH WITH ALL YOUR HEART; for CONSIDER what GREAT THINGS (ACRES OF DIAMONDS) He has done for you.” (1 Samuel 12:24)
• Just like the farmer, the son did not realize that he was already living on Acres of Diamonds

Question 2: Where did prodigal living begin?

• His prodigal living did not start in the new country but under his father’s roof
• Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. AS A RESULT, THEIR MINDS BECAME DARK AND CONFUSED. (Roman 1:21)
• His prodigal living began when he would not worship and give thanks to God
• His prodigal living began when he developed a rebellious & critical spirit towards his father

Question 3: Why did his father not stop him?

• He wanted his son to love him for who he was. A Loving Father
• And you shall LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD with all YOUR HEART, with all YOUR SOUL, with all YOUR MIND, and with all YOUR STRENGTH.’ (Mark 12:30)

Conclusion

• He gave him the best robe: robe of righteousness – The son’s righteousness was restored not based on his but on His father’s. He was in right standing with his father
• He put a ring on his finger- That was the family ring. It had the family signet on it.  It represented the family name and the authority of that name
• He put sandals on his feet – That symbolizes the right to be a son again and not a slave
• What is the Holy Spirit saying to you through this message?