Sermon Central
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It's Time To Come Home
Contributed by Tommy Strickland on May 2, 2003 (message contributor)
Summary: A story of Rebellion, Reality, and Repentance
IT’S TIME TO COME HOME
1) HE CAME TO THE POINT OF REBELLION
A) Change In Attitude: (12-16)
The phrase “give me” or like reference is used some 13 times. When we become rebellious, our attitude becomes self-centered. “Do your own thing” hurts more than just yourself!
B) Change In Association: (13-15)
Anytime you move from one place to another, you are going to meet new people. The difference is who is just and acquaintance and who is a friend? In Proverbs 18: 23 “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother” (JESUS) you can buy companionship but you cannot buy friendship. It is priceless!
2) HE CAME TO THE POINT OF REALITY
A) Change In Authority: (15)
He found himself working as a “slop server” in the pigpen of life. He was raised in a palace but living in the streets. Sin had become his master! He was no longer in control of the situation.
B) Change in Appetite: (16-19)
How many of us have ever been to the point of hunger that we would eat the very food with the pigs? The son realized his appetite was not satisfied with the “food of the world”. (ONLY Jesus can satisfy). He used to eat at the kings table, now he dined with pigs. The world was filling him up but not satisfying his hunger
3) HE CAME TO THE POINT OF REPENTANCE
A) Change in Altitude: (20)
HE GOT UP! When you are loaded down with sin, the ONLY way to go is UP to the Father! The son didn’t lie around and blame anyone else for his problem. He realized it was his problem; he saw the solution and acted upon it. When we learn to accept responsibility for our own actions, we begin the road home to the Father!
B) Change in Apparel: (21-22)
God replaces the old with the new! He doesn’t dust you off.... He picks you up, cleans you up, dresses you up, and gives you a fresh beginning. When you are the child of the King, you will not go neglected. He will supply those needs according to His riches in glory!
C) Change in Accommodations (23-24)
No longer was he sleeping in the street, he was back in his father’s palace! When we repent, and return to the Father, He welcomes us home with open arms and gives us an ETERNAL home in Heaven!
TODAY, WHERE ARE YOU IN YOUR JOURNEY OF LIFE?
Are you at the point of REBELLION? Sin RULES your life
Are you at the point of REALITY? Sin RUINS your life
Are you at the point of REPENTANCE? Jesus RESTORES your life
