Luke 15:18 KJV 1900

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

Back to the Father's House

INTRODUCTION:

If you are in the pig pen of this world and want to get back to the Father’s House, below are seven steps that will lead you back to the place called home.

I. THE FIRST STEP IS "REALIZATION"

Luke 15:17 KJV 1900

And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

I believe that a person must come to himself before he will ever come to God.

Sometimes we have this idea that everyone is doing it, everyone must be just like me.

II. THE SECOND STEP IS "RESOLUTION"

Luke 15:18 KJV 1900

I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

Resolution - a firm decision to do or not to do something.

III. THE THIRD STEP IS "REPENTANCE"

Luke 15:19 KJV 1900

And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

Proverbs 28:13 KJV 1900

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

Covereth - not openly shown.

God does not forgive sin until sin is confessed.

IV. THE FOURTH STEP IS "RETURN"

Luke 15:20 KJV 1900

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

There are many backsliders who admit that they were wrong; but they would not come back to Christ.

Matthew 11:28 KJV 1900

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

V. THE FIFTH STEP IS "RECONCILIATION"

Luke 15:20 KJV 1900

And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Reconciliation - the restoration of friendly relations.

This verse pictures the father waiting and looking for the son to return home.

"But when he was yet a great way off the father saw him, and ran to meet him."

VI. THE SIXTH STEP "RE-CLOTHING"

Luke 15:22 KJV 1900

But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

The robe symbolizes the father's forgiveness and of his son's acceptance back into the fellowship of the family.