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Kayla

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Mothers Day Gift.

Seth Missions Trip

Today is a special day when we honor and celebrate mothers.  But for many, Mother’s Day is also a day filled with mixed emotions. Some feel the deep joy of a mother’s love, while others feel the pain of loss, distance, or broken relationships. Some mothers pray daily for a prodigal child to come home. Others carry the weight of wondering if they’ll ever be truly accepted by their family again.

If you’re a mom today, my prayer is that you feel honored, valued, and appreciated. And if today is a painful reminder of a broken relationship, a loved one who’s far from home, or a longing yet unfulfilled, know this—God sees you, loves you, and is always calling His children home.

That’s what today’s message is all about: coming home. Whether you’re the one who’s been away or you’ve been waiting for someone to return, this message is for you.

Have you ever felt like you didn’t belong?  Like you aren’t good enough or that, at any moment, someone will realize you’re a fraud?  Maybe you’ve walked into a room full of people and thought, “If they really knew me—knew my past, my struggles, my failures—they wouldn’t accept me.”  

That feeling has a name: imposter syndrome.

It’s the lie that tells you that you don’t measure up.

That you haven’t really changed.  

That no matter how far you’ve come, you’ll always be defined by your worst moments.  

Imposter syndrome keeps people from stepping into opportunities, relationships, and even faith because deep down, they fear they aren’t truly welcome.

For many people, this struggle extends to their relationship with God.  

“How could He still love me?

How could the church accept me after everything I’ve done?”  

The fear of rejection keeps so many from coming home.

Jesus came to rewrite that narrative.  He spent time with people who didn’t feel worthy - who society had written off - and welcomed them with love and grace.  

In Luke 15, Jesus told a powerful story about a son who had every reason to feel like an imposter when he came home.  He expected rejection, but instead, he found open arms and a celebration.

Whether you’ve ever felt like an imposter in your faith, or you’ve struggled to welcome others who are coming home, this story is for you.  

The question isn’t whether you are worthy.

The real question is: “Will you believe that you belong?”

Let me set up the story for you.  In Jesus’ day, there was a group of people called Pharisees the religious elite.  

Ultimately, the Pharisees were set upon keeping Holiness and for the people of Israel to never fall into idolatry and cast out of the land again.

So they started expanding on the Law inorder to keep everyone from getting anywhere close to breaking the Law.

These made up rules became a code you had to follow to qualify for God’s love.  I

f you broke the rules, you were out. 

No forgiveness, no grace, no simple path to being restored. 

Jesus taught a different gospel, one the Pharisees didn’t like at all. 

· Jesus spent time with and accepted people the Pharisees wouldn’t be caught dead with.  

· Pharisees disqualified people from God’s kingdom.  Jesus included them, and offered hope. 

· Jesus taught that Every Soul Matters to God - that any and every one qualifies for the love of God, regardless of their past failures. 

The Pharisees wanted to discredit and get rid of Jesus.  They didn’t like the fact Jesus focused so much on lost people.  They were more interested in preserving power and tradition.

In Luke, Chapter 15, the Pharisees were once again criticizing Jesus – this time for spending time with and eating with sinners.  In response, Jesus told three stories. 

The first was about a shepherd who lost one of his 100 sheep and left the 99 others to find the missing one. 

The second story was about a woman with ten coins who lost one.  She searched until she found the lost coin and then had a celebration. 

At the end of each of those stories, to make sure his critics got it, Jesus clearly stated His point:

Lk. 15:7“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

 Lk. 15:10“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels over one sinner who repents.”

         Then, Jesus told the parable of the Prodigal Son.  Remember – his audience was church people who were critical, judgmental and angry that Jesus spent time with sinners.

         There was a man with two sons.  Jesus never gave the younger one a name, so we have been calling him “Scott”.  Scott was tired of living by his Dad’s rules, so Scott asked for his share of the inheritance.  In their culture, that was the ultimate insult.  It was like saying, “Dad, I don’t care if you live or die.  I just want my money.”

         We don’t really know why, but Dad split the money and gave it to his boys.  Rich and happy, Scott took off and went wild.  He lost all the money playing and partying.  Then, hard times came.  Scott had no money, no food and was far from home. 

         Scott got the ultimate horrible job - working with pigs.  He was in a pitiful situation – broke, hungry and alone.  The people who partied with him and helped spend his money, were nowhere to be found.  All Scott’s plans failed.  So, Scott made the decision to swallow his pride, return home and throw himself on the mercy of his father:

18I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.  

         It was a long walk home.  The whole way, Scott worried – “What will Dad say?  How will he respond?”  That was answered as soon as Scott got in sight of home.

         “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. 21“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’  22“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. 24For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

         It’s a beautiful picture of the love of a father – and the love of our Heavenly Father.  When you make the decision to come back to God, it kicks off a celebration.  Your Heavenly Father loves you and wants you home! 

         Like all Jesus’ stories, this one illustrates a principle.  Scott represents people who leave home – who walk away from faith and relationship with their Heavenly Father.  The Dad in this story represents God. 

Scott came home and Dad threw a party.  It felt like the story was over.  The crowd listening to Jesus had to think, “Nice story.  Thanks for sharing it.”  Then, came the zinger.  I can imagine the crowd getting quieter as Jesus continued:

25“Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27‘Your brother has come,’ he replied, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.

         What you expect is the same thing that happened with the father.  “The older brother ran to the house and threw open the door.  When he saw Scott, he hugged him.  Tears poured down his face as over and over again, through the sobs he choked out, “Welcome Home.  Welcome Home.”  But, that’s not how it went.  Instead, the story took an unexpected turn:

28“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.  29But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders.  Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends.  30But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’

The older brother was angry with the father for quickly and completely forgiving and accepting Scott. 

This isn’t going to be your favorite message, but we have to talk about this because this is the primary reason Jesus told the story.  We like to focus on the prodigal returning home and the love of the father. 

But, remember - this story wasn’t told to sinners, but to church people who had the wrong attitude. 

The older brother represents the Pharisees, and I’m afraid, on occasion us – church people – who aren’t quite as ready as our Heavenly Father to offer love, acceptance and forgiveness. 

The older brother’s attitude was:

· “How dare you throw a party for him?  Don’t you remember what he did?  Don’t you remember how bad he hurt you?

· “We can’t just let him come back like nothing ever happened.  That’s not right.  He left home.  He left you.  There’s no way he should have a celebration.”

· Where’s my celebration?  I’ve been working for you – doing my part and his part!  He spent your money on prostitutes.  Why in the world are we celebrating?”

Does that sound familiar?  Maybe you’ve heard it like this:

· We spend way too much time at our church trying to reach the lost – after all, I need to be fed.   

· Reaching the lost may be important, but church is supposed to be for me.  After all, I am a “tithe-paying member”.  

· You spend way too much time with sinners.  Shouldn’t we get your attention instead of them?  You care more about lost people than us.

· I can understand welcoming people back – but they need to pay a price.  They shouldn’t walk in the door and expect everything to go right back the way it used to be.

         That’s the attitude of the Pharisees – and the attitude of the older brother.  Now, here’s the part that really should bother you.  That attitude comes through to people who are away from home. 

You have to wonder if on that long walk home at any point Scott thought about how his brother would receive him.  Would he be angry?  Will he forgive me?  Will it be awkward between us from now on?

Over and over, I hear, “I’m just worried – will the church people accept me?  Will they forgive me?  What are they going to say?  Everyone will be talking about me.” 

One Prodical Said it this way:,

         Now here comes the really weird part. I'm not angry or upset or think it's God's fault at all. I know God is real; I have experienced enough of Him in my life to know that. It's other things about Christianity that I am unsure about and don't trust. I know I need God, I’m just not sure I’m ready for church people...

         Ouch.  That hurts. 

If we were to conduct a scientific study of those who for whatever reason have walked away from their faith and church, I believe their number one concern about coming back is not, “Will God forgive me?” or “Does God still love me?”.  Their concern is being judged by church people for past mistakes – even as they ask for and seek forgiveness.

The primary fear of prodigals I have talked to isn’t whether God, their Heavenly Father will love and forgive them.  It’s whether you and I, their supposed brothers and sisters, will love and forgive them.   

When people run away and then return home, the Father, God responds with unconditional love, immediate forgiveness and amazing grace.  

God isn’t the problem. 

The older brother attitude is the problem. 

This is the reason so many people don’t come to church.  The older brother’s attitude is judgmental and “Holier than thou.” 

· “While you were out doing stupid things, I’ve been here, faithfully serving God.”

· “You got what you deserved”

· I’ve seen her kind before – it won’t last long.  Before you know it, she’ll be right back doing the same things.

· “It’s not worth the trouble.  He’ll never really change.”

· “I hope you learned your lesson.  And - just in case you haven’t, I’m going to remind you.”

Too many times, prodigals are welcomed home not with open arms, but with questions and skepticism. 

That’s it – the number one reason prodigals don’t return to church and to God.

 The problem isn’t God. 

It’s us. 

Just that thought should break your heart.

 And, that was the point of Jesus’ story.    

The Dad offered forgiveness and grace.  The older brother wanted discipline and punishment.  Why? 

Scott didn’t just leave Dad, he also left his older brother. 

That hurt.  The older brother handled the rejection differently than the father.  Instead of rejoicing at the reunion, he was angry at the rejection. 

It hurts when people turn their back on you.  As they leave, they often do harm with their words and their actions.  When they come home, it reminds you of the hurt when they left. 

· So, instead of celebrating, the older brother attitude is skeptical. 

· Instead of forgiving, the older brother attitude is resentful. 

· Instead of gracious, the older brother is selfish. 

· “I deserve the party.  I’m been here.  I’m still here.  You never should have left.”

         The father, remember, he represents God, saddened by his older son’s attitude, responded:

31“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

         The Heavenly Father says, “I love you.  I will continue to bless you.  Fix your attitude!  There is a reason to celebrate.  This is a time to rejoice.  The lost has been found.  A sinner has come home.  Throw a party!  Celebrate.  They are home.”

         That’s it – that’s the whole story of the prodigal son.  It only took me four weeks to tell it.  And, Jesus stopped there.  He didn’t explain it to the Pharisees.  He left them and us to wonder and ponder, “Which person in the story am I most like?”

How are you going to respond when prodigals come home?  

Will you have the attitude of the father, or of the older brother?

The church - and the people in it - is supposed to be an extension of the love and grace of God. The goal for each of us should be to follow Jesus’ example in all we do - that includes how we reach out, treat, and love those who are away from God. When we put our preferences or made up rules in the way of a prodigal and make it difficult for them to come home, we aren’t acting like Jesus. Prodigals should know they need God by the way the church - and its people - treat them.  We are supposed to be the image of God in this world – agents of His forgiveness and grace. 

But, I want to remind you – the primary reason people don’t come home is because they see us not as the Father, but as the older brother.  I don’t like this message.  It hurts so much to even consider that maybe, “They aren’t coming home because of me.” 

This morning, as a church and as individuals, I challenge you to choose a different attitude.  In order to re-align with the heart of God, here’s what you must do. 

First, acknowledge your ugly tendency to act like the older brother.  It’s a wise, mature follower of Jesus who is able to honestly assess themselves.  This is the most difficult step of all.  We don’t like to admit that perhaps we are acting like Pharisees. 

You may need to acknowledge that you have an ugly tendency to be like the judgmental older brother.  Make a heart decision and ask God to get that completely out of you!

Second, focus on forgiveness, not punishment.  The prodigal coming home has already suffered.  Their consequences have been sufficient punishment.  When they come home, instead of punishing them for the pain they caused or piling on to the consequences they have experienced, act like the Father and quickly forgive.

        “But Terry, you don’t know how much it hurt me.  You don’t know the damage they caused.”  I understand.  I’ve been there.  It hurts.  But, you can’t allow your hurt to act as an excuse not to forgive.  Release that hurt. 

Try this – act like the father in the story and forgive them before they come home.  Make the decision right now to forgive.

In fact, when you don’t forgive them, you are just as guilty as they are.  Jesus said:

Mt. 6:14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” 

Be careful not to become the prodigal yourself – one who lives in the house, but disobeys and dishonors the father with a bitter, unforgiving heart towards the father’s other children.

Third, when a prodigal comes home, respond with love, not lectures.  We like to seize the moment and lecture. 

The thought is, “They need to know how bad they hurt me.  They need to learn their lesson so they won’t do it again.”

They’ve already learned the lesson.  That’s why they came home. 

All too often, your lectures disqualify your love. 

Don’t act like the older brother. 

Open your arms wide with love. 

Love doesn’t lecture. 

Love says, “Welcome Home.”

Fourth, celebrate restoration; don’t relive rejection. 

You lecture and punish because you are reliving the rejection – the pain you felt when they rejected you and left. 

         I’ve made this mistake.  It’s one of my biggest regrets.  When I should have been celebrating, I was re-living the hurt. 

I have been one who instead of restoring a brother I pushed them back to the very people who we were trying to rescue them from.

It is sad when the world is more accepting than the church.

In some cases, we’ve prayed for years.  When they come, let’s celebrate.  Let’s have a party.  Let’s do what heaven does – clap and cheer and stage an outrageous celebration. 

Every time a prodigal returns home, we should celebrate – not in secret, but so they see it.  They should be overwhelmed with our love.  We can and will overcome our hurt and love them.  It’s not a put-on.  God is excited.  Heaven is excited.  Let’s join in!  We don’t have to act excited, we are excited!

When the Texas Rangers finally won the World Series, I was elated.  One of the coolest things about the win was the way they celebrated.  Grown men dog pile, hug each other, and cry like little girls - all for a trophy and a banner.  But the reason they are so emotional is because they accomplished their goal - winning the championship.

If grown men cry for a trophy, how should we respond when a sinner comes home?  

 If Heaven celebrates, so should we!

Fifth, meet them on the road, don’t make them walk alone. 

The father ran down the road towards his son.  He didn’t wait on the porch – he was watching for him!  Let’s look for them with anxious expectation.  When someone comes in, don’t make them sit alone.  Don’t make them stand for prayer alone.  Walk with them every step of the way.

 When someone makes that first step back towards God, drop everything and walk with them. 

 Miss everything.  Sacrifice anything!  Do whatever it takes – they are coming home!

That has to be our attitude – the attitude of our Heavenly Father. 

No matter what, no matter when, no matter how – you can always come home.  

“But they don’t deserve to come back.” 

Come on – you don’t deserve God’s love.  None of us deserve to be part of His family.  We are only here because God had grace enough to forgive and love enough to send His Son to die for us. 

The church - and the people in it - is supposed to be an extension of the love and grace of God.

The goal for each of us should be to follow Jesus’ example in all we do - that includes how we reach out, treat, and love those who are away from God.

When we put our preferences or made up rules in the way of a prodigal and make it difficult for them to come home, we aren’t acting like Jesus.

Prodigals should know they need God by the way the church - and its people - treat them.

This is what we need to keep in mind – four simple words – Make the decision.  This is how We resolve to treat people coming home:

1.  Forgive- don’t allow the hurt to make me act like the older brother.

2.  Love- openly, enthusiastically and with my whole heart.

3.  Celebrate - Throw a party.  Cook dinner.  Take pictures.  Laugh.  Cry.  Hug.  Shout.  Sing.  Dance.  People who have been away from God should see us celebrate!

4.  Include - they don’t have to earn their way back in.  They are home, and part of the family. 

When you do that, you are acting not like the older brother, but like the Heavenly Father. 

That’s how He responded to you – He forgives you; He loves you, He celebrates you.  He includes you in His family.

If you are here this morning and not in right relationship with God, and you’ve been away from home, I want to apologize.  I’m sorry we’ve given you reason to worry how we will react.  I’m sorry we’ve acted like the older brother.  Please forgive us.  Forgive us for being judgmental. 

Our judgmental attitude is just as much sin as your sin.  We are as much in need of forgiveness as you.  Please forgive us.

         And – know – we are committed to being not the older brother, but the loving Father – demonstrating the love of our Heavenly Father to you.  Come home.

· We won’t punish you or cheer when it looks like you are suffering consequences.  We won’t say, “That’s what you get.” 

· We won’t lecture you.

· We will celebrate your restoration and not go over past hurts.  We will put those behind.  The past is exactly that – past. 

· We will help you any way we can.  We’ll answer any question.  We will pray with you, cry with you, laugh with you and learn with you.

· We will open our arms, wrap them around you and say, “Welcome Home!”

· This series may be over, the door is always open.  You can always come home! 

Pray for people who have not come home because of church jerks

Pray that we won’t be like the older brother