Charles Stanley - The Forgiving Father

Two sons, two rebellions, two confrontations. One father, one response: My door is always open. In this message, Dr. Stanley explores the love of God the Father through the parable of the prodigal son. All of us have sinned and fallen away from God in our own ways, but no matter where sin takes us, the path back home is always the same. And at the end is a Father, longing to embrace us. Discover just how tender God's heart is toward you.

Jesus was a skillful storyteller, and perhaps His most masterful parable was that of the prodigal son. When He told this story, His audience was composed of tax collectors and sinners who were drawn to Jesus as well as self-righteous scribes and Pharisees who criticized Him for His association with sinners. Both these groups needed a lesson on the grace and mercy of God, and that’s exactly what the parable of the prodigal son delivers.

This parable is about a son who asked his father for his share of the estate, left home, and wasted his inheritance. But perhaps the most amazing character in this story is the forgiving father. Jesus was teaching that no one has sinned to such a degree that it’s impossible to turn back to God in repentance and receive forgiveness.