IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO COME HOME

Luke 15

Introduction:

1.     My example

a.     Where have I been?

b.     Back in W. TN

c.     Back at Glendale – 43 years later

2.     Bill Cosby – “Humans are the only creatures that allow their children to come back home.”

3.     “Home is where they have to take you back.”

4.     Biblical example - - Luke 15

FOUR TYPES OF LOST PEOPLE IN LUKE 15

1.     How do we reach these lost people in our community?

a.     Coin – Show them the danger they are in.

b.     Sheep – Gently guide them, show them the way home.

c.     Prodigal – Encourage them to make the changes in their life

d.     Brother – Show them the error of their life and attitude.

THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL SON

1.     He is a lot like us today.

a.     He desired what the world offered.

b.     He thought it would bring pleasure and happiness.

c.     So he went for “all the gusto”.

d.     He learned the hard way in the School of Hard Knocks

2.     He paid a great price for his pleasure.

a.     Cost him his home and family.

b.     Cost him his true friends.

c.     Cost him all his pride.

d.     Cost him all his material possessions. (what a paradox that is)

e.     Cost him his inheritance (secure future).  

f.      He was blind to the reality of path he had taken.

3.     SIN is a kind of “madness” – out of our mind – blinded to reality

4.     His good times were short lived. Sure they were fun while they lasted. But they never last.

5.     FOUR things he did not foresee:

a.     Hunger

b.     Poverty

c.     Pigs

d.     Loneliness

6.     He still tried to help himself....went to the hog pen. That's where it always winds up. Eating with the hogs.

a.     We think money solves problems.

                                                    i.     “The grass may be greener on the other side of the fence, but their water bill is higher.” Reader’s Digest

                                                   ii.     Turn on your TV to see the “Life styles of the rich and famous”. They are having a ball killing themselves.

                                                 iii.     Yul Brenner, died of lung cancer, but before he died he recorded and aired on TV an appeal to folks not to smoke.

b.     Have you ever been truly hungry? He was starving to death.

c.     Spiritually, the world is starving for satisfaction, peace and for fulfillment.

d.     Yet, most are heading for the garbage pile, and the hog pen.

e.     Most can not see that far...but God does and warns in his Word.

PRODIGAL SON REMEMBERED – HE COULD GO HOME!

1.     Sure he had failed. Sure he was ashamed.

a.     But his failure made reality clear.

b.     He was no longer under the delusion that the world gave peace and satisfaction.

c.     His mind was swept clear of the deception that Satan places there...

d.     He realized how valuable his home and abiding in his fathers house was.

2.     With his thinking now cleared...he arose from the hog pen...came home to his father.

3.     Coming to our senses involves:

a.     An awakening – “he came to himself”

b.     Remembering God – His love, willing to forgive

c.     Humbled himself to confess sins

d.     Hated himself for what he had done

4.     It is never too late to repent and go back home.

CONCLUSION

1.     What did his father do? Scold him? Rebuke Him?

2.     No. He rushed to him, hugging him and kissing him.

3.     The son confessed – “I have sinned”

4.     The son’s repentance illustrates that repentance:

a.     Was sincere, genuine

b.     Was full of godly sorrow

c.     Honored his father

5.     Have you ever repented like this?

6.     What was the father's second reaction?

a.     Bring the best robe, put it on him, put on his finger a ring and sandals on his feet, kill the fatted calf and let us rejoice and be happy.

b.     "For this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found"

7.     SONG: I've wandered far away from God. Now I'm coming home. The paths of sin too long I've trod, Lord, I'm coming home!