Where Sin Increased, Grace Increased All the More – Luke 15:22-23 and Romans 5:20 (Video)

We understand the father being glad the son returned home, but what father would give his son the best robe, a ring, shoes, and the huge celebration after living so rebelliously? The son didn't deserve any of this, but grace is when sinful people receive favor they don't deserve. Romans 5:20 says, "The law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace increased all the more." The son's sin increased, but the Father's grace increased more. https://youtu.be/y0eMCF1m4g8 Romans 5:20 says, "Where sin increased, grace increased all the more." The son's sin increased, but the Father's grace increased more. Table of ContentsFamily Worship Guide for Where Sin Increased, Grace Increased All the MoreSermon Notes for Where Sin Increased, Grace Increased All the MoreLesson One: The son was given (Part One) a robe for honor.Lesson One: The son was given (Part Two) a ring for authority.Lesson One: The son was given (Part Three) shoes for sonship.Lesson Two: The son’s sin increased, but the Father’s grace increased more.Lesson Three: Humility makes us recipients of God’s grace. Family Worship Guide for Where Sin Increased, Grace Increased All the More Directions: Read the verses and then answer the questions: Day 1: Luke 15:22, Matthew 18:18, Hebrews 1:2, Romans 8:16-17, Galatians 3:29, Titus 3:7, Ephesians 1:11, John 17:22—Describe how the father addressed the servants. Why did he speak to them this way? Considering the father is a picture of God the Father in what ways does this encourage you? What does the robe signify? What about the ring? The shoes?Day 2: Luke 15:23, Psalm 40:2, 103:2, Romans 5:20—Why did the father call for a celebration? Do you think the father’s behavior toward his son looks exaggerated? Why or why not? What application does this have for us (think about us being joint heirs with Christ)? What does this mean: “Where sin increased, grace increased all the more”?Day 3: James 4:6, Hebrews 12:15, Proverbs 3:34, 1 Peter 5:5—What are trespasses; how are they different from other sins? Can we earn God’s grace? Explain your answer. What can make us recipients of God’s grace? What can cause us to forfeit God’s grace, or as Hebrews 12:15 says, fail to obtain it? Why do you think Warren Wiersbe said God’s grace, versus his love, save sinners? Do you agree or disagree? Sermon Notes for Where Sin Increased, Grace Increased All the More The title of this morning’s sermon is, “Where Sin Increased, Grace Increased All the More.” On Sunday mornings we’re working our way through Luke’s gospel verse by verse and we find ourselves in the middle of the parable of the prodigal son. Please stand with me for the reading of God’s Word. We will start at verse 16… Luke 15:17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. In our last sermon we finished verse 21, and this morning we will pick up at verse 22. But first notice the confession the son had planned… Luke 15:18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ Then he makes, or I should say begins, the confession in verse twenty-one… Luke 15:21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The father was so filled with joy he interrupted his son… Luke 15:22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. The father ignored his son’s statement about no longer being worthy to be called his son. He wouldn’t have any of that. Nothing would do except full restoration. Notice it says he spoke to the servants – plural. He wasn’t speaking to one servant. He was talking to all the servants. He wanted his son to feel like a prince, and everyone around him needed to treat him that way. The son would stand there and everyone would wait on him hand and foot. The first two words he said were… Bring quickly The father didn’t just tell the servants to do these things. He told them to do them quickly: “Get moving. Nobody better be standing around.” The scene reminds me of the military when someone high-ranking gives a command and everybody jumps to attention and springs into action. The father tells the servants to do many things for his son and we’re going to look at each of them individually to see what they represent. First, he tells them to… Bring the best robe, and put it on him Remember, the son is returning home after losing everything and having to become a pig keeper. His disheveled clothes would’ve been completely filthy and stinky. It’s almost like the father hugged him, recognized he needed a change of clothes, and commanded that the best robe be brought to him. And notice it says THE BEST robe, singular. The father had a certain robe in mind. He said, “Get that very best piece of  clothing we have and put it on him.” In our day many people have that one ultra-fancy outfit that only comes out for the rare, special occasion: For women it is that expensive ballroom gownFor men it is that tuxedo that we try to fit into for too long This is pretty much what’s happening. The Greek word for best is protos, meaning first in rank or honor or place. The robe would have been beautiful and probably embroidered, and it served as a sign of honor. And this brings us to the first part of lesson one… Lesson One: The son was given (Part One) a robe for honor. The Jews lived-in close-knit communities and most – if not all – the local people would know how the son disgraced his father and brought shame on the family. This robe communicated to everyone that the son had been restored back. Also, the father knows they’re about to have a huge celebration and he wants his son to be the guest of honor. Picture everyone else in their regular, plain Middle Eastern clothes, and the son will stand out and get all the attention. He was given the full dignity of his father, which relates to the second thing the son received… and put a ring on his hand The robe was for looks and the ring was for authority. And this brings us to the next part of lesson one… Lesson One: The son was given (Part Two) a ring for authority. The ring the prodigal son received would have had the family crest on it. This was one of those rings you could press down into melted wax to approve official documents. This gave the son all the father’s authority and allowed him to act on his behalf. It was like being given the keys to the kingdom. The father was communicating everything he had belonged to his son. I’ve told you many times that the Old Testament prefigures or foreshadows the New Testament and there’s an Old Testament account that resembles what is happening here, and it is Potiphar’s behavior toward Joseph. Listen to this… Genesis 41:40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command…42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph's hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck…44 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” Potiphar and the prodigal son’s father did what is historically called usufruct. Some of us have probably never heard this word before unless you’re in the financial world. It is a term used to describe the right to exercise control over somebody else’s property or estate. That’s what’s happening here. The son is the heir of everything. Look what he receives next… and shoes on his feet. Servants and slaves didn’t wear shoes. Even though the son was going to ask to be a servant and he said he was no longer worthy to be called the son, the father gave him shoes that communicated his sonship. And this brings us to the next part of lesson one… Lesson One: The son was given (Part Three) shoes for sonship. What the father did with the prodigal son pictures what God the Father does with repentant sinners: He makes us sons and heirs.Everything the prodigal son receives symbolizes what we receive when we become God’s children. Now let me tell you something interesting… The father is a picture and type of God the Father. But he gives the son so much the son doesn’t look like a picture or type of us, he looks like a picture or type of Christ: He receives all authority: Matthew 18:18 Jesus said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given TO ME.He is the heir: Hebrews 1:2 says [God has] appointed [Him] heir of all things. Who else BUT Christ could be recognized as a Son and receive so much authority? But – we wouldn’t believe it if it wasn’t recorded so clearly in Scripture – being a son of God means being a joint heir with Christ: