The Road Back Home

INTRODUCTION

Leaving home is something of a natural process of growing up.

With that said some folks stay close to home, and others end up moving far away from home.

When things are right even when we leave home, we never really leave home.

We’ve all heard the saying, “There’s no place like home.”

Whether it's a childhood memory, the embrace of a parent, or the comfort of being fully known and still loved, "home" represents more than just a place; it represents belonging, identity, and safety.

But what happens when we leave home spiritually speaking?

What draws us away, what do we find out there, and how do we find the way back?

There’s something deep within all of us that longs for home, not just a place, but a sense of peace, security, and identity.

Spiritually speaking, “home” is where we belong in relationship with our Heavenly Father through Jesus.

But sometimes, we choose to walk away.

Today we will continue in our Turn series examining the art of repentance and restoration.

In Luke 15, Jesus tells one of the most memorable parables in all of Scripture the story of a son who leaves home, hits rock bottom, and eventually returns to a father who never stopped watching the road.

It's more than just a story; it's a mirror held up to every heart that’s ever wandered.

In our Turn series we have been exploring the gift of repentance.

For the prodigal son, he will come to realize how wonderful this gift would be for him.

His is a story that reflects the journey of many hearts: a road away from God, a season of brokenness, and the hope of restoration.

This story is not just about a prodigal son—it’s about the mercy of a waiting Father and the possibility of coming home.

Let’s turn to Luke 15 as we examine the beautiful gift of repentance as we dive in the road back home.

Luke 15:11–13 NET 2nd ed.

11 Then Jesus said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that will belong to me.’ So he divided his assets between them. 13 After a few days, the younger son gathered together all he had and left on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his wealth with a wild lifestyle.

SERMON

I. The road leading away from home.

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Luke 15:14–16 NET 2nd ed.

14 Then after he had spent everything, a severe famine took place in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and worked for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16 He was longing to eat the carob pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

II. The potholes in the road.

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Luke 15:17–24 NET 2nd ed.

17 But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have food enough to spare, but here I am dying from hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me like one of your hired workers.” ’ 20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him. 21 Then his 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 slaves, ‘Hurry! Bring the best robe, and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! 23 Bring the fattened calf and kill it! Let us eat and celebrate, 24 because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again—he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.

III. The road back home.

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CONCLUSION

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