The Return

Luke 15:11–24 CSB

11 He also said, “A man had two sons. 12 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. 13 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. 14 After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. 15 Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to eat his fill from the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything. 17 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. 19 I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.” ’ 20 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. 21 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.’ 22 “But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. 23 Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So they began to celebrate.

1. A child of God belongs in the House of God

In your house, you will always have what you need

When life happens, you can always go home

In God’s House, you will always be protected

In God’s House, you have all that you will ever need

God is the Creator of all things

He is still the Provider

2. Our evil desires draw us away from His House

The enemy does not have the power to get you out of His House

The enemy can’t snatch you from God’s Hand

John 10:27–28 CSB

27 My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.

Don’t be led astray by your own desires

We need the Word of God in us

We need the Word of God in our thoughts

His Word will give us direction

His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path

Psalm 119:105 CSB

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.

Don’t listen to yourself

In the midst of counselors there is safety

Proverbs 3:5–6 NLT

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Seek Him in all you do

3. Your senses will remind you of whose you are

We are in the midst of a Spiritual War

The enemy’s goal is to take us away from God

The enemy is using COVID to attack our senses

Our 5 senses

A sure sign that you have COVID is that you lose your sense of taste

You lose your sense of smell

Covid is also causing many to lose their sense of hearing

Many are losing their sense of touch

Many are losing their sense to see

Hearing

Many can’t hear God because of all the noise around them

If you are not in His Word, your hearing is affected

Touch

Many have lost their sense of touch

Touch is fellowship

Touch is intimacy

We are told not to touch each other

Sight

Many are blinded by the news reports

The enemy is using the media to blind people

2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT

4 Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.

We need to come to our senses

We must acknowledge that we were wrong

Our repentance in the heart is the beginning of our return

4. Whatever you rehearse you become

We need to rehearse a narrative

We are the children of the Most High

Proverbs 23:7 NKJV

7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.

Everything starts with an idea

We think about the idea (good or bad)

We believe the idea (good or bad)

We speak because we believe the idea

2 Corinthians 4:13 NIV84

13 It is written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” With that same spirit of faith we also believe and therefore speak,

What we speak we being to act upon

Our actions develop a lifestyle

We are the result of our thoughts

Romans 12:2 NLT

2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

5. A celebration awaits your return

In His House, the only thing missing are those that have not come home

Where are you?

A question God asked man when man sinned

Where are you?

A question for those not in the House of God

A question for those that have not accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior

A celebration awaits you

You are valuable to God

You are fearfully and wonderfully made

God is for you, never against you

He has good plans for you

No weapon formed against you will prosper

You can do all things through Him

Now, will you return home?

Come home

Come back

Time for the Return