Sermon Title: The Prodigal Son – A Call to Humility and WisdomText Reference: Luke 15:11–32
By: Pastor Bakul Daimari
Date: June 12, 2025
Bethel International Church, Gwangju, South Korea
IntroductionBeloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, we reflect on the parable of the Prodigal Son—a story Jesus told not merely for storytelling, but to reveal the heart of God, our Heavenly Father, and to expose the condition of our own hearts.
1. A Father and Two Sons“A certain man had two sons,” Jesus began.
The younger son, impatient and immature, demanded his share of the inheritance. Though he was not ready to handle it, he insisted. The father, in his wisdom, initially resisted. He knew his son’s level of maturity. He knew the consequences. Yet, eventually, he gave in—not because the son was ready, but because the son kept demanding.
This is a powerful picture of our Heavenly Father. He knows us inside and out. He knows our abilities, our maturity, and our limits. Often, when we demand things in prayer—whether it be success, money, relationships, positions, or recognition—God may hold back, not because He is unwilling, but because He is wise. He knows we may spoil the very thing we are asking for.
2. The Danger of Demanding Before MaturityLike the Israelites in the wilderness, we often grumble and complain when our prayers are not immediately answered. We think God is delaying, ignoring, or withholding. But beloved, delay is not denial. Delay is divine protection.
The Israelites complained for meat and water in the wilderness. God gave them what they demanded—but many died in the process. Why? Because complaining hearts don’t please God, and immature blessings can become dangerous burdens.
Sometimes, even our earthly parents give in to our desires just to please us, though they know we may not be ready. Imagine a child demanding a motorcycle before he can drive safely. The result is often sorrow. Likewise, when we pressure God with immature prayers, He may permit—not grant—what we ask for. It’s not always a blessing; sometimes it's a lesson.
3. From Freedom to FamineThe younger son took his inheritance and went to a far country. There, he wasted everything in reckless living. Soon, famine struck. He was alone, hungry, and hopeless.
It took suffering and scarcity for him to remember the goodness of his father.
This is where many of us come to our senses—not in prosperity, but in pain. Not in fullness, but in famine. Often, God uses suffering to bring us back to our spiritual senses.
4. Decisions Have ConsequencesThe decisions you make today—right or wrong—will bear fruit. Time will reveal whether they were wise or foolish. Not every provision in your life is from God’s will. Some are just permitted by God to teach you.
We must be careful not to mistake permissive will for perfect will. Just because something happened doesn’t mean it was God's best. Some things enter our lives because we pushed, not because God planned it.
5. True Religion Is Humility, Not PerformanceThe Pharisees and Sadducees were religious on the outside. They prayed in public, fasted regularly, and followed the law to the letter. Yet Jesus called them hypocrites. Why? Because their hearts were full of pride, not humility. They relied on their deeds, not on God's grace.
God is not impressed with outward religion. He is moved by a humble heart.
6. Return to the Father With HumilityWhen the younger son finally returned home, he said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” That is humility. That is repentance.
And what did the father do? He ran to him, embraced him, clothed him, and celebrated him.
This is the heart of our God. When we repent with humility, He doesn’t condemn us—He restores us.
Conclusion: The Key to Blessing Is HumilityDear friends,
We live in a time when many Christians chase blessings but ignore the condition of their hearts. Remember this truth:
The greatest virtue in the Christian life is HUMILITY.
The key to manifold blessings is HUMILITY.
If you’ve made wrong decisions, return to the Father. If you’ve demanded things outside His timing, repent. If you’ve been far from Him, come close again.
Don’t wait. Don’t delay. Today is the day to humble yourself and return to the Father.
By: Pastor Bakul Daimari
Date: June 12, 2025
Bethel International Church, Gwangju, South Korea
IntroductionBeloved brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, we reflect on the parable of the Prodigal Son—a story Jesus told not merely for storytelling, but to reveal the heart of God, our Heavenly Father, and to expose the condition of our own hearts.
1. A Father and Two Sons“A certain man had two sons,” Jesus began.
The younger son, impatient and immature, demanded his share of the inheritance. Though he was not ready to handle it, he insisted. The father, in his wisdom, initially resisted. He knew his son’s level of maturity. He knew the consequences. Yet, eventually, he gave in—not because the son was ready, but because the son kept demanding.
This is a powerful picture of our Heavenly Father. He knows us inside and out. He knows our abilities, our maturity, and our limits. Often, when we demand things in prayer—whether it be success, money, relationships, positions, or recognition—God may hold back, not because He is unwilling, but because He is wise. He knows we may spoil the very thing we are asking for.
2. The Danger of Demanding Before MaturityLike the Israelites in the wilderness, we often grumble and complain when our prayers are not immediately answered. We think God is delaying, ignoring, or withholding. But beloved, delay is not denial. Delay is divine protection.
The Israelites complained for meat and water in the wilderness. God gave them what they demanded—but many died in the process. Why? Because complaining hearts don’t please God, and immature blessings can become dangerous burdens.
Sometimes, even our earthly parents give in to our desires just to please us, though they know we may not be ready. Imagine a child demanding a motorcycle before he can drive safely. The result is often sorrow. Likewise, when we pressure God with immature prayers, He may permit—not grant—what we ask for. It’s not always a blessing; sometimes it's a lesson.
3. From Freedom to FamineThe younger son took his inheritance and went to a far country. There, he wasted everything in reckless living. Soon, famine struck. He was alone, hungry, and hopeless.
It took suffering and scarcity for him to remember the goodness of his father.
This is where many of us come to our senses—not in prosperity, but in pain. Not in fullness, but in famine. Often, God uses suffering to bring us back to our spiritual senses.
4. Decisions Have ConsequencesThe decisions you make today—right or wrong—will bear fruit. Time will reveal whether they were wise or foolish. Not every provision in your life is from God’s will. Some are just permitted by God to teach you.
We must be careful not to mistake permissive will for perfect will. Just because something happened doesn’t mean it was God's best. Some things enter our lives because we pushed, not because God planned it.
5. True Religion Is Humility, Not PerformanceThe Pharisees and Sadducees were religious on the outside. They prayed in public, fasted regularly, and followed the law to the letter. Yet Jesus called them hypocrites. Why? Because their hearts were full of pride, not humility. They relied on their deeds, not on God's grace.
God is not impressed with outward religion. He is moved by a humble heart.
6. Return to the Father With HumilityWhen the younger son finally returned home, he said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.” That is humility. That is repentance.
And what did the father do? He ran to him, embraced him, clothed him, and celebrated him.
This is the heart of our God. When we repent with humility, He doesn’t condemn us—He restores us.
Conclusion: The Key to Blessing Is HumilityDear friends,
We live in a time when many Christians chase blessings but ignore the condition of their hearts. Remember this truth:
The greatest virtue in the Christian life is HUMILITY.
The key to manifold blessings is HUMILITY.
If you’ve made wrong decisions, return to the Father. If you’ve demanded things outside His timing, repent. If you’ve been far from Him, come close again.
Don’t wait. Don’t delay. Today is the day to humble yourself and return to the Father.
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