Embracing Redemption: The Prodigal Son's Journey
Summary
### Summary
Greetings to everyone at Every Day Star Campus and those joining us from home or on vacation. Today, we celebrate the opening of a new Day Star Campus in Uganda, marking our 350th location there. This year alone, we've witnessed 1,845 baptisms in Uganda, a testament to the transformative power of the gospel in a formerly Muslim country. While we continue to support orphanages and feed the hungry, the most profound change comes from spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, which can break the cycle of poverty and bring light into darkness.
We are concluding our series "Liar, Lunatic, or Lord," affirming that Jesus is indeed the Lord. Next week, we will begin a new series titled "To Hell and Back," exploring the journey of Jesus. This season is an excellent opportunity to invite someone to church, as we often see an increase in first-time guests.
Today's focus is on Jesus' most famous parable, the Prodigal Son, but from the perspective of the father. This story resonates deeply because it mirrors our own experiences with rebellion and redemption. The parable is divided into three stages: rebellion, reevaluation, and return.
In the first stage, rebellion, we see the younger son demanding his inheritance and squandering it in a distant, pagan country. The father, representing God, lets him go and allows him to make his own mistakes, understanding that rebellion never leads to God's blessings. The father also lets the son face the consequences of his actions, knowing that some lessons can only be learned through pain.
The second stage is reevaluation, where the son comes to his senses and decides to return home, filled with regret and repentance. During this waiting period, parents should pray fervently, commit their children to God, and demonstrate the values they wish to see in their children.
The final stage is the return, where the father welcomes the son back with unconditional love and acceptance. This story teaches us to love our children faithfully, accept them unconditionally, and forgive them completely, just as our Heavenly Father does for us.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Transformative Power of the Gospel: The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most potent tool for changing lives and breaking the cycle of poverty. While humanitarian efforts like feeding the hungry and building orphanages are essential, the gospel brings lasting change by transforming hearts and minds. This is evident in Uganda, where many converts come from Muslim backgrounds, experiencing a profound shift from darkness to light. [02:10]
2. The Stages of Rebellion and Parental Response: The story of the Prodigal Son highlights three stages: rebellion, reevaluation, and return. In the rebellion stage, parents must let their children go and make their own mistakes, understanding that rebellion never leads to God's blessings. This approach allows children to learn valuable lessons through their experiences, even if it means facing painful consequences. [07:08]
3. The Importance of Prayer and Commitment: During the reevaluation stage, parents should focus on praying fervently for their children, committing them to God, and demonstrating the values they wish to see. Prayer is a powerful tool that extends beyond physical boundaries, and committing children to God acknowledges that they are ultimately under His control. Demonstrating godly values through one's own life sets a powerful example for children to follow. [25:44]
4. Unconditional Love and Acceptance: When children return after making poor choices, they need unconditional love and acceptance. This doesn't mean approving of their harmful behaviors but loving them despite their mistakes. Acceptance and approval are different; one can accept a person without approving of their actions. This approach makes it easier for children to admit their mistakes and seek reconciliation. [33:36]
5. Forgiveness and Second Chances: The father in the parable forgives his son completely, offering him a second chance without demanding repayment or retribution. This mirrors how our Heavenly Father treats us when we return to Him. Life's consequences often serve as the most effective sermons, and when children come back, they need love and a second chance more than another lecture. [36:15]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[00:54] - Celebrating New Campus in Uganda
[02:10] - The Power of the Gospel
[02:49] - Upcoming Series: To Hell and Back
[03:24] - Introduction to the Prodigal Son Parable
[04:07] - The Perspective of the Father
[05:03] - Stage One: Rebellion
[06:34] - Letting Them Go
[07:08] - Letting Them Make Mistakes
[08:42] - Reaping Consequences
[10:52] - The Price of Rebellion
[13:36] - Parental Guilt and Responsibility
[15:34] - The Importance of Consequences
[18:37] - Parental Roles and Responsibilities
[24:29] - Stage Two: Reevaluation and Repentance
[25:44] - The Power of Prayer
[29:36] - Committing Children to God
[30:50] - Demonstrating Godly Values
[32:10] - Stage Three: The Return
[33:36] - Unconditional Acceptance
[36:15] - Complete Forgiveness and Second Chances
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 15:11-24 - The Parable of the Prodigal Son
2. Proverbs 20:30 - "Blows and wounds scrub away evil, and beatings purge the inmost being."
3. Galatians 6:7 - "Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows."
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three stages of the Prodigal Son's journey as described in the sermon? ([04:41])
2. How does the father in the parable respond to his son's rebellion and eventual return? ([32:10])
3. According to the sermon, what is the significance of the phrase "Give me" in the context of rebellion? ([06:04])
4. What role does prayer play during the reevaluation stage of the Prodigal Son's journey? ([25:44])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the father's response to the Prodigal Son's return illustrate the concept of unconditional love and acceptance? ([33:36])
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that rebellion can lead to valuable life lessons? ([09:22])
3. How does the sermon explain the importance of letting children face the consequences of their actions? ([10:52])
4. What does the sermon say about the role of parents in demonstrating godly values to their children? ([30:50])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you experienced rebellion in your own life or in the life of someone close to you. How did you or they come to a point of reevaluation and return? ([04:41])
2. How can you apply the principle of unconditional love and acceptance in your relationships, especially with those who have made poor choices? ([33:36])
3. What specific steps can you take to demonstrate godly values in your daily life, setting an example for others to follow? ([30:50])
4. How can you incorporate more fervent and consistent prayer into your routine, especially for those who are in a stage of rebellion or reevaluation? ([25:44])
5. Think of a situation where you might need to let someone face the consequences of their actions. How can you do this in a loving and supportive way? ([10:52])
6. Identify one person in your life who might be in a stage of rebellion. What practical steps can you take to show them love and support without enabling their behavior? ([07:08])
7. How can you create an environment of acceptance and forgiveness in your home or community, making it easier for others to admit their mistakes and seek reconciliation? ([34:55])
Devotional
Day 1: The Transformative Power of the Gospel
The gospel of Jesus Christ is the most potent tool for changing lives and breaking the cycle of poverty. While humanitarian efforts like feeding the hungry and building orphanages are essential, the gospel brings lasting change by transforming hearts and minds. This is evident in Uganda, where many converts come from Muslim backgrounds, experiencing a profound shift from darkness to light. The gospel's transformative power is not just about spiritual renewal but also about social and economic upliftment. When hearts are changed, communities are transformed, and cycles of poverty and despair are broken.
In Uganda, the impact of the gospel is clear. This year alone, 1,845 baptisms have taken place, signifying a massive shift in faith and life direction for many individuals. The gospel's light penetrates the darkest corners, bringing hope and a new way of life. This transformation is a testament to the power of Jesus Christ to change lives fundamentally and eternally. [02:10]
Isaiah 61:1-2 (ESV): "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn."
Reflection: Think of a specific area in your life or community where you see a need for transformation. How can you actively share the gospel in that context to bring about change?
Day 2: The Stages of Rebellion and Parental Response
The story of the Prodigal Son highlights three stages: rebellion, reevaluation, and return. In the rebellion stage, parents must let their children go and make their own mistakes, understanding that rebellion never leads to God's blessings. This approach allows children to learn valuable lessons through their experiences, even if it means facing painful consequences. The father in the parable represents God, who allows us to exercise our free will, even when it leads us away from Him.
Parents often struggle with the guilt and responsibility of their children's choices. However, it is crucial to understand that some lessons can only be learned through personal experience and the resulting consequences. By letting children face the outcomes of their actions, parents provide them with the opportunity to grow and mature. This tough love is necessary for genuine transformation and repentance. [07:08]
Proverbs 22:6 (ESV): "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you had to let someone you care about make their own mistakes. How did that experience shape their growth and your understanding of God's role in their life?
Day 3: The Importance of Prayer and Commitment
During the reevaluation stage, parents should focus on praying fervently for their children, committing them to God, and demonstrating the values they wish to see. Prayer is a powerful tool that extends beyond physical boundaries, and committing children to God acknowledges that they are ultimately under His control. Demonstrating godly values through one's own life sets a powerful example for children to follow.
In the parable, the father waits patiently for his son's return, praying and hoping for his repentance. This period of waiting is crucial for parents, as it is a time to deepen their faith and trust in God's plan. By living out their faith authentically, parents can influence their children positively, even from a distance. [25:44]
James 5:16 (ESV): "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working."
Reflection: Identify a specific person or situation in your life that needs prayer. Commit to praying for them daily this week and consider how you can demonstrate godly values in your interactions with them.
Day 4: Unconditional Love and Acceptance
When children return after making poor choices, they need unconditional love and acceptance. This doesn't mean approving of their harmful behaviors but loving them despite their mistakes. Acceptance and approval are different; one can accept a person without approving of their actions. This approach makes it easier for children to admit their mistakes and seek reconciliation.
The father in the parable welcomes his son back with open arms, showing unconditional love and acceptance. This act of grace mirrors God's love for us, demonstrating that no matter how far we stray, we are always welcome back into His embrace. This kind of love fosters an environment where repentance and healing can occur. [33:36]
1 John 4:18 (ESV): "There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who has made poor choices. How can you show them unconditional love and acceptance this week, even if you don't approve of their actions?
Day 5: Forgiveness and Second Chances
The father in the parable forgives his son completely, offering him a second chance without demanding repayment or retribution. This mirrors how our Heavenly Father treats us when we return to Him. Life's consequences often serve as the most effective sermons, and when children come back, they need love and a second chance more than another lecture.
Forgiveness is a powerful act that can restore relationships and bring healing. It requires letting go of past hurts and extending grace, just as God does for us. By offering second chances, we reflect God's character and provide others with the opportunity to start anew. [36:15]
Colossians 3:13 (ESV): "Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive."
Reflection: Is there someone you need to forgive and offer a second chance? Pray for the strength to extend forgiveness and consider how you can show them grace this week.
Quotes
1. "Uganda is a formerly Muslim country, like is true of much of Africa, and so most of those converts, they're either Muslim or they come from Muslim roots. And so it's beautiful. It's wonderful revival, people coming out of darkness into light. And I just. I wanted to tell you, you know, we talk a lot about the orphanages and the kids that we're helping, but the best help, we're going to keep doing all of it, okay? We're going to feed hungry people, but the best help you can give is the gospel of Jesus Christ, because it changes generations. The reason there's poverty is because of a lack of understanding of the gospel, and the solution to the poverty is not just orphanages, which we continue to build, but it's the gospel." [01:10] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "And that's what Jesus, the last thing he told us before ascending to be with the Father was go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. And so that's what your church is doing. So thank you. Thank you for being a part of that vision. We are wrapping. We are wrapping up this series called Liar, Lunatic, or Lord. We have decided he's the Lord, right? Can I hear an amen? And we've been celebrating that. I'm going to get into that just one more time. But next Sunday, we start a new teaching series called To Hell and Back. To Hell and Back. And we follow the journey of Jesus. It's really cool. I'm excited about that title." [02:10] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Today we're talking about Jesus' most famous parable. A parable is a story that Jesus told to illustrate biblical truth. Okay? And that most famous parable was called the prodigal son. I love that parable. Because it's my story and it's your story. We are all prodigals. We're rebellious against God. And his love and the gospel brought us to him. So it's a story for us. But today in particular, I want to take it from a different perspective. And actually I look back through all my notes. I save them. I've got notes dating back a really long time, longer than some of you have been alive." [03:24] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "The reason there's poverty is because of a lack of understanding of the gospel, and the solution to the poverty is not just orphanages, which we continue to build, but it's the gospel. So we're doing both, and I want to thank you. Those of you that give regularly, you know, you can go. You can go on a trip. You can support children, and that's wonderful. But if you just give to this church, those of you that are regular tithers and givers, that's a sacrificial gift every pay period. And when you do that, a portion of what you give goes around the world." [01:45] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And rebellion is unpredictable. The man has two sons. One rebels, one stays home. I'm sure he asked himself, what did I do right here? What did I do wrong there? We don't know the answer to that. But what do you do when, your children are legally independent of you, but they're making poor choices and you don't know what to do. Verse 13 says, this child went away. He squandered his wealth with wild living. What happened was he grew beyond the control of his parents. See, we start out in complete control and immediately control starts to leak or transfer out of our hands as a parent into our children's hands." [06:04] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "The second thing you have to do is you have to let them make their own mistakes. We don't like to do this. It says he squandered everything he had with wild living. At first, everything's great. He's got money. He can travel. He's got freedom. He's got his buddies. They're having a good time. Staying up as late as they want. Doing what they want to do. And then soon it cost him everything because listen carefully. Rebellion is never going to lead you to the blessing of God. Rebellion. Never." [08:13] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "Listen, you may need to move out of that house. You can move out without doing it in a rebellious way. You may need to quit that job. You can change jobs without being rebellious. You may need to change churches. Of course, not any of you would, when you leave a church, you could do it without being rebellious. That's not of God. And this attitude. If I'm going to do it my way, I don't want to hear what anybody else has to say. Never leads to blessing. Now, do you think the father could see the problems coming? Of course he could. Do you think the father thought about running out there and saving his son? Of course he did, but he didn't because the father realized there are some things you can only learn through pain. This kid was stubborn and he was hardheaded." [08:42] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The father wants to rush in. He wants to save him, but he knows this kid's got to learn. That's the best thing for him. And so here's what happens next. After he'd spent everything, it was a severe famine in that whole country and began to be in need. So he went and hired himself or he went to work for a citizen of that country, that pagan country. Okay. He's now doing, he's left the father's faith system. And values. Now he's gone to a pagan nation and now he's participating in it because he's working. And that guy sent him to the field to feed the, to feed the pigs. Now a good Jewish family that won't go anywhere near pigs. They won't touch pigs. He's working with the pigs and he longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating pig slop, but no one gave him anything." [12:07] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "And this boy in this story is reaping the consequences of his own actions. Now he's hungry. He's homeless. He's, he's lost his clothes. He needs money. And let me tell you what's not in the story. The father does not send him money. When he hears the stories of what's going on, he doesn't hand a bunch of cash and send his friend back to go bail him out. He doesn't himself go bail him out. He knew that it's a very important lesson to learn. And, and life has an effective way of disciplining us when we go down the wrong path. And as a parent, you shouldn't sort a short circuit that lesson. I mean, it's a great lesson. It's a great opportunity. And those are the lessons that last the longest." [15:04] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "And I want to just say something here. I don't have a tirade for you. I don't know what I want to call it, but I have a very stern, stern statement I'd like to make right now. And I want to tell you that I'm making this as on a platform of 35 years. I've been a youth pastor or a senior pastor. Okay. I hope you know, this is not an angry, emotional Facebook, you know, tirade. You get that kind of stuff all the way. But what I'm about to say to you is out of the heart of a father and a pastor. That's enough. Here's what it is. Parents today have lost their mind, completely lost it. And they don't understand what their position is. A lot of them feel like they're a sponsor for a sensational celebrity kid. That's your job." [18:37] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
11. "I've got an 11-year-old son and we don't have one week that goes by that I don't tell him this, son, my job, my number one job in your life is to prepare you for when I'm not here. If he's heard it one time, he's heard it a hundred times. I'm here to prepare you for when I'm not here. My job is not to be the coolest dad among all the dads. I'm not going for that title, okay? My job is not to make sure you're the coolest kid. I got the coolest shoes. I got the whatever and buy all the video games. That's not my job. My job is not to make you happy or to be your best friend. I've told him all of those things. My job is to prepare you for when I'm not here." [21:02] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
12. "And let me say this above everything else, I'm teaching him the most important thing in his life is his relationship with Jesus. That's more valuable than everything else. And that's the most important thing in his life. And that's the most important relationship is nurtured and built and developed through a Bible believing local church. He needs to know the pastor, the youth pastor, the children's pastor. He needs to be in a small group. His small group leader needs to know his name. Let me tell you why I know this because this is all I've done my whole life. And I've seen children who are not close to the, uh, to the church and their parents thought they had everything they needed. I'll be the leader. They don't need to be in small group. They don't need to go to youth group. They don't need to know the pastor or the, and you know what happens?" [22:10] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
13. "The second stage in the story is re-evaluation, repentance, regret. He starts to regret what's going on. And it looks like this. When he came to his senses, he said, how many of my father's hired servants have food to spare? And here I am starving to death. I'll set out and I'll go back to my father. And I will say to him, father, I've sinned against heaven and against you. I'm no longer worthy to be called your son. Look at the next two words and say them with me. Make me. You remember what he said to start with? Give He says, make me one of your hired servants. This is a major change. Give me is transactional. I want to transact what you've got into my pocket. Give me is transactional. Make me is transformational. When you come to the father, you're not asking, give me, give me, give me. You're asking, make make me your son, change me, rebuild me. And that's what repentance does." [24:29] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
14. "Your number one responsibility as a dad or a mom is to pray for your children. Number one, the moment your child is born, they become the target of the enemy. And your job is to pray over them. This today, I've been blessed to pray with a handful of parents over their children. At the end of the service, we're going to do that. Again, we're going to pray one-on-one for your kids. If you are, you know what the prodigal in your family, by the way, could be your dad, could be your mom. We want to pray for them as well. Okay. But we pray and believe that, you know, even though they may leave the covering of the physical roof of your house, they can't leave the covering of your prayers. Did you know that your prayers goes everywhere they go. And it's important that you continue to pray for them." [25:44] (43 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
15. "You demonstrate what you want to see in their life demonstrated, show them by how you live. See, there's way too many people in our world today pointing out the obvious. This person's doing that. These people over here, I wish religion was better over here. I don't like how the government's doing that. We just point out all the mistakes of everybody else. But I tell my staff this all the time. Leading people is like moving a rope. If you stand behind it and try to push it, how many of you know, it doesn't go anywhere. But if you just go where you want that rope to go and hold onto it, it goes with you. You want revival in your home, chase after the heart of God with everything you've got and your family will follow you there. Do it mother, do it father, do it teenager. You want revival in your school. You want revival in your friendships, your relationship, your boyfriend chase after God. And if he don't chase after God with you, drop him like a bad habit. Yes, sir." [29:36] (56 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
16. "The third step is the return. He got up and he returned to his father. Once he was in his father's capacity, there's a lot, there's a lot of replying engagements during This is how the father responds. How you respond when your children have screwed up. Okay. They've just blown it and they come back. It's very important. Here's how you responded. While he was still a long way off his father saw him and he was filled with what is not just a warm and fuzzy word that means love. No compassion is a two, it's a compound word. Com meaning with with, passion meaning suffer. It means you suffer with that person. You know, I told you so. I can't believe you did this. You knucklehead. No, no. You suffer with this person. You look at them and you wish you could take it away. So he was filled with compassion. He ran out to his son. He threw his arms around him and he kissed him. It's a beautiful example of the perfect father." [32:10] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
17. "Love them faithfully. The story says when he saw him far off, he was filled with compassion. He didn't wait until he got home to love him. He didn't wait until he paid back. He didn't wait until he said, dad, I'm on. I'm going to work all this debt off. No, he says, I love you right now. This is what we call stubborn love. Even after they've done wrong, you want to leave the door open for reconciliation. Secondly, you accept them unconditional acceptance. Now this is a problem for some of you, but stay with me for a minute. You say, pastor, you don't know what he's done. Unconditional acceptance. But you know what this father did? He saw him way out there and the Bible says he ran out there before he got home through his arms around him. He began to hug him, began to kiss him. Where had that guy just come from? Pig pen, ancient near East pig pen, smelly, stinky pigs, poop where they eat. You know what I'm saying? It's all over him. It's like, it's like in his mat and in his beard. And he's walked across the desert to get to you." [33:36] (66 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
18. "Acceptance and approval are two different words. They are not the same. There are a lot of people today. They want to follow their heart and, you know, be true to yourself and you know, all that other silly, ridiculous things that mean I have no anchor and no right or moral authority in my life, right? That's what our world's gone to. And then after they make these choices that are, damaging to their own life, they say, well, because you don't like what I'm doing, you don't accept me. Listen to me. You can accept a person without approving of their behavior. You can look at your son or daughter or any person that you care about and say, because I love you so much, I accept you fully just what you are and just what you do. I accept you fully, but because I love you so much, I can't approve of things that will harm you so badly. Is that simple enough?" [34:55] (54 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
19. "You can accept a person without approving of their behavior. You can look at your son or daughter or any person that you care about and say, because I love you so much, I accept you fully just what you are and just what you do. I accept you fully, but because I love you so much, I can't approve of things that will harm you so badly. Is that simple enough? It's like when your kid is like running through the house, holding a pocket knife to have to pick up your pocket knife. And he's, you know, he's five years old and he's running around. He thinks it's so much fun and you take it away from him. Well, you just don't, you just don't accept me. No, I know you're going to harm yourself. And so I can't approve of harmful behavior. You can accept them. But listen, when, when he accepts him, guess what happens? The kid apologizes. He admits his faults because listen, here's a fine point of the story. You may have never noticed. It's easier to admit your mistake when you know you're not. You're not 100% accepted. If every time you admit your mistake, somebody is going to pound you. They're going to bring it up. They're going to keep talking about it. You're more likely to hold it in. So dad, mom, how easy are you making it for your kids to admit their mistakes? Are they afraid it's going to become weaponized and used against them later? Or do you love them through it and move on?" [34:55] (80 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
20. "And you know what? God sees you too. If you need a second chance, that's what he's got for you. If you need a second chance, that's what he's got for you." [37:31] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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