"The Parable of the Prodigal Son – Coming Home"

Homecoming Sermon: "The Parable of the Prodigal Son – Coming Home"

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32 Title: "Coming Home to the Father"

I would like to welcome past and current members of the church, guest, family, and former pastor and their families, and pastors that have filled in at the church.

Introduction of myself.

My name is Glenn Hughes and now the Pastor of the church. I am joined by my wife Ginny, my son’s Obie who is here, my daughter, Katlyn, and my son Zeke who is at a driving course so please pray for us as he becomes another driver on the road. It is a privilege to be the Pastor here at Braswell Baptist and to get to celebrate Homecoming here during the churches 125 year anniversary.

Opening Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

We gather today with hearts full of gratitude, grateful for the opportunity to come together as a family for this special Homecoming service. Thank You for Your love that knows no bounds, for Your grace that calls each of us home, and for Your presence here with us today.

Lord, as we begin this time of worship, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to hear Your voice. Draw us close, and let us feel Your embrace. Whether we have wandered far or have stayed near, we come before You, knowing that Your love is constant and Your mercy is everlasting.

May everything we do in this service bring honor and glory to Your name. Holy Spirit, move among us, soften our hearts, and prepare us for the message You have for us today. Let us be transformed by Your Word, and let today be a day of renewal, restoration, and celebration of Your amazing grace.

In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.

Introduction:

Good morning, and welcome to our Homecoming service! Today is a special day where we celebrate coming home—to our church family, to the fellowship of believers, and most importantly, to the heart of our Heavenly Father. As we gather together, I want to share a parable from Jesus that speaks directly to the heart of Homecoming: the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

This story is more than just a parable about a wayward son. It’s a reflection of the Father’s love, His grace, and His call to all of us to come home, no matter where we’ve been or how far we’ve strayed.

Let’s dive into the Word of God.

I. The Son’s Departure (Luke 15:11-16)

Luke 15:11–16 “He also said: “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He longed to eat his fill from the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one would give him any.”

The story begins with a son who demands his inheritance from his father. Now, this was an unusual and disrespectful request in that culture. It was as if the son was saying, "I wish you were dead so I could have what’s mine." But the father, full of grace, gives the son what he asks for.

The son takes his wealth, leaves home, and wastes everything in reckless living. He finds himself in a foreign land, destitute, alone, and feeding pigs—an unclean animal by Jewish standards. In this moment, the son represents all of us who have, at one time or another, wandered far from God. Whether through sin, selfish ambition, or simply neglecting our spiritual life, we have all experienced moments of distance from the Father.

Application:

Homecoming reminds us that, like the prodigal, we often find ourselves far from home. Sometimes it’s a slow drift, sometimes it’s a deliberate choice, but we all have moments where we need to return to God.

Illustration:

Imagine a young man with great potential who decides to abandon his family business in search of fame and fortune in the city. He takes all his savings and invests in risky ventures, living a lavish lifestyle. But soon, everything falls apart. The economy crashes, his investments fail, and he finds himself living in a rundown part of town, doing odd jobs just to get by. He’s far from the bright lights he dreamed of, feeling lost and broken.

Argumentation:

The son’s departure is a vivid picture of humanity’s inclination to distance itself from God. We often think we know better than God, convinced that happiness is out there, somewhere else. But like the prodigal, we eventually find that our attempts to find fulfillment apart from God lead to emptiness and hardship. The foreign land is a metaphor for the isolation and brokenness that sin brings. The journey away from God is always downhill, often leading us to places we never imagined we’d be. The message is clear: without God, true satisfaction is unattainable. The son’s emptiness is a reminder that a life disconnected from God will inevitably result in disappointment and a longing for something more.

II. The Moment of Repentance (Luke 15:17-19)

Luke 15:17–19 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired hands.’”

The turning point in the story comes when the son "comes to his senses." He realizes the foolishness of his actions and decides to return home, even if it means becoming a servant in his father’s house. He rehearses a speech of repentance: "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

This moment of clarity is a powerful picture of repentance. The son recognizes his sin, feels the weight of his mistakes, and turns his heart back toward home.

Application:

True repentance isn’t just about feeling sorry for our sins. It’s about turning away from them and returning to God with humility. When we come home to God, we don’t have to clean ourselves up first or try to fix everything on our own. We simply need to take the first step back toward Him, and He will meet us.

Illustration:

Picture a man who’s been lost in the woods for days, without food or water. He’s exhausted and confused, wandering aimlessly, until he remembers a path he once walked with a friend. In that moment, he realizes that the way out is not to keep pressing deeper into the unknown, but to turn back, to retrace his steps, and find the familiar trail that leads to safety.

Argumentation:

Repentance is like finding that familiar trail—it’s a conscious decision to stop wandering and turn back to the source of life. When the son “came to his senses,” it wasn’t just a moment of regret—it was a moment of hope. Repentance begins with an acknowledgment of our need for God, a recognition that we cannot save ourselves. It’s important to note that the son doesn’t expect to be reinstated as a son; he is willing to be a servant. This humility is key to genuine repentance. It’s not about demanding our rightful place but understanding that we need God’s mercy and grace to be restored. Repentance is an invitation to begin again, to find our way back to the arms of a loving Father.

III. The Father’s Welcome (Luke 15:20-24)

Luke 15:20–24 “So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father told his slaves, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.”

Here’s where the story gets truly amazing. While the son is still far off, the father sees him, and filled with compassion, he runs to his son, embraces him, and kisses him. The son begins his rehearsed apology, but the father cuts him off and commands his servants to bring the best robe, a ring, and sandals. He calls for a feast to celebrate his son’s return.

This is the heart of our Heavenly Father. He doesn’t just wait for us to come home—He runs to meet us. He covers us with His grace, restores us, and celebrates our return. The father’s actions in this parable show us that no matter how far we’ve strayed, God is ready to welcome us home with open arms.

Illustration: Think of a mother whose child has gone missing for years. Every day, she stands at her front door, looking down the street, hoping to see her child come home. One day, when she finally sees a familiar silhouette in the distance, she doesn’t wait for the child to reach the porch. She runs down the street, arms outstretched, tears streaming down her face, calling out, “My child, my child!”

Argumentation: The father’s welcome is a beautiful picture of God’s extravagant love for us. The fact that the father runs to his son is astounding, considering that in the culture of the time, it was undignified for an elder to run. This act signifies how God breaks all social norms and limitations to reach us when we turn to Him. He doesn’t wait for us to come all the way back; He meets us in our brokenness. The robe, the ring, and the sandals symbolize full restoration—God doesn’t just forgive us; He reinstates us to our place as His beloved children. It shows that we can’t earn our place in God’s family; it is given to us freely, out of love and grace. Homecoming is a time to celebrate this truth, to rejoice in the fact that we are always welcomed back by a Father who runs to meet us.

Application: As we celebrate Homecoming today, let us remember that God’s grace is always greater than our sin. No matter where you’ve been, you are never too far from the Father’s love. Whether you’ve been walking closely with God or have drifted away, He is calling you to come home today.

IV. The Older Brother’s Response (Luke 15:25-32)

Luke 15:25–32 ““Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he summoned one of the servants and asked what these things meant. ‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ “ ‘Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ””

But the story doesn’t end with the prodigal’s return. There is another character in this parable—the older brother. When he hears the celebration, he becomes angry and refuses to join in. He feels that his faithfulness and hard work should have earned him more, and he resents the grace shown to his younger brother.

The older brother represents those who have been in the church for a long time but have lost sight of the Father’s heart. They’ve been faithful, but they’ve become bitter, self-righteous, and disconnected from the joy of grace.

Illustration:

Imagine an employee who has been with a company for decades, working long hours and sacrificing personal time. One day, the boss throws a huge celebration for a new hire who made a big mistake but managed to turn things around. The long-time employee feels overlooked, thinking, "Where’s my party? I’ve been here, loyal and hardworking, all along." The jealousy and resentment fester until he no longer sees the value of the company’s mission.

Argumentation:

The older brother’s response highlights the danger of self-righteousness. He had always been with the father, but his heart was distant. His resentment reveals that he saw his service as transactional—believing that his obedience entitled him to special treatment. This is a reminder that faithfulness without grace leads to bitterness. We can be in the church, serving faithfully, yet miss the very heart of the Father if we lack compassion for others. The older brother’s attitude is a caution against allowing duty to replace devotion, against letting our own sense of righteousness cloud our view of God’s mercy. In the Father’s kingdom, the celebration isn’t about what we’ve earned; it’s about the joy of reconciliation. Homecoming is a reminder that we are called to join in the Father’s joy whenever someone finds their way back to Him, and to celebrate grace, not entitlement.

Application:

As we gather for Homecoming, let’s not forget the importance of grace—both receiving it and extending it to others. We must guard our hearts against becoming like the older brother, resentful when God’s grace is extended to those who we think don’t deserve it. God’s love is for all, and we should rejoice when anyone comes home to the Father.

Conclusion:

As we close today’s message, let’s take a moment to reflect on where we find ourselves in the story. Maybe you identify with the younger son—you’ve wandered far and are in need of the Father’s grace, longing to come back home. Or perhaps you find a bit of yourself in the older brother, struggling with resentment or self-righteousness, missing the heart of grace and love that God offers to all.

Homecoming is about more than just returning to a place; it’s about returning to a Person—to the Father who loves you unconditionally, who runs to meet you even when you feel unworthy, and who celebrates your return. It’s a reminder that no matter how far we’ve strayed or how long we’ve been dutifully serving without joy, we all have a place in the Father’s house.

Today, the Father is calling each of us to come home. To experience His forgiveness, His grace, and His celebration. He invites us to let go of pride, guilt, and resentment, and to rest in His love. Let’s remember that our Heavenly Father stands ready, with open arms, calling us back to Him.

So, come home. Come back to the One who loves you, who waits for you, and who will run to meet you. And may this Homecoming be not just a celebration of being together as a church, but a deeper celebration of each of us finding our way back to the heart of our loving God.

Welcome home, brothers and sisters. Let’s pray.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, We come before You with grateful hearts, thankful for Your love that never gives up on us. Lord, today, we’ve heard Your call to come home, and we thank You for being a Father who welcomes us with open arms, no matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done.

Forgive us, Lord, for the times we’ve wandered away, thinking we could make it on our own. Forgive us for the times we’ve been like the older brother, letting pride and resentment cloud our understanding of Your grace. Help us to see others as You see them—with compassion and love—and to join in Your joy when someone comes home.

Father, we ask that You would draw us close to You today. Renew our hearts and our commitment to follow You. May we always be reminded that we are Your children, cherished and valued, not because of what we’ve done, but because of who You are.

Thank You for this Homecoming, for this church family, and for the opportunity to come together to celebrate Your goodness. May we leave here today filled with Your Spirit, ready to love others as You have loved us.

In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.