Homecoming: Reigniting Passion and Restoration in Faith
Summary
The sermon delivered by the speaker revolves around the theme of homecoming and restoration in one's spiritual journey. The speaker begins by sharing their personal experience with the Jesus Revolution movie, which sparked a sellout in their city and reminded them of the powerful Jesus movement of the 1970s. This leads to a call for a homecoming season in the church, inviting believers who have drifted away to reignite their passion for Jesus. The speaker emphasizes the importance of returning to one's first love, doing the first works, and sharing the love of Jesus with others. They warn of the consequences of not repenting and returning to one's first love, symbolized by the loss of the lampstand, which represents guidance and direction in life.
The speaker also shares a personal story from the time before an election, where they felt a still small voice assuring them of a change and a great swing on election day. This moment of prayer led them to believe that God has ordered change for the nation and will pour out His spirit on it. They encourage the congregation to embrace and proclaim the word of God, as it is meant to be shared and amplified.
In an effort to bring people back to God, the speaker recounts how they asked church members to boldly invite people in the community to return to church, resulting in a positive response from over 90% of those asked. They stress the importance of welcoming people back without judgment, drawing parallels to the story of the prodigal son and Samson, who both regained their identity and purpose upon returning to God.
The speaker further illustrates the concept of restoration through the story of David, who brought the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem with joy and worship, symbolizing the retrieval of what was lost in one's relationship with God. They also discuss the importance of creating a welcoming atmosphere in the church and community, likening it to a perpetual fire that believers are responsible for keeping stoked.
The sermon touches on the inevitable loss that comes with leaving something behind, using the example of a homecoming story and the story of a woman from 2 Kings who left her home due to famine and returned to find it occupied. This serves as a metaphor for how the devil can take over when people leave something behind, but also how God is willing to restore what was lost.
Personal experiences of making decisions without seeking God's guidance are shared, including the speaker's wife, Jane, who took a job without consulting God and later found a position that aligned with her passion for pastoral care. The speaker emphasizes the need to seek God's direction before making any decisions and the possibility of regaining what was lost when directed by God.
The congregation is encouraged to return to a place of passion and fervor for Jesus, to regain their song and dance, and to operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. The speaker concludes by sharing the journey of their children who had walked away from the Lord but have since moved closer to Him, offering encouragement to those with similar concerns for their loved ones.
Key Takeaways:
- The act of returning to one's spiritual roots and reigniting a passion for Jesus is not just a personal endeavor but a collective movement within the church community. The speaker's experience with the Jesus Revolution movie serves as a reminder that historical revivals can inspire current generations to seek a deeper connection with their faith and to share the transformative power of the Gospel with others. [09:23]
- The loss of one's lampstand, as warned by the speaker, is a metaphor for losing divine guidance when one strays from their first love, Jesus Christ. This serves as a cautionary tale that spiritual complacency can lead to a loss of direction, and it is through repentance and recommitment that believers can maintain their spiritual path illuminated by God's presence. [46:42]
- The concept of homecoming in the church is not limited to those who have physically left the congregation but extends to those who have lost their spiritual fervor. The speaker's call for a welcoming and non-judgmental atmosphere reflects the heart of the Gospel, where restoration and acceptance are offered to all who seek to return to God, regardless of their past. [35:27]
- Restoration is a central theme of the Christian faith, as illustrated by the speaker's reference to the story of David and the Ark of the Covenant. The act of retrieving what has been lost in one's relationship with God is a powerful metaphor for the spiritual journey of reclaiming joy, identity, and purpose through worship and a change of heart. [41:23]
- The speaker's personal narrative about their children's return to faith underscores the belief that God is actively drawing people back to Him. This offers hope and encouragement to believers who are praying for loved ones to experience a renewed relationship with God, affirming that no one is beyond the reach of divine grace and restoration. [03:12]
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Revelation 2:4-5 (NIV)
> "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."
2. Luke 15:20-24 (NIV)
> "So he got up and went to his father. 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. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 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. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate."
3. 2 Kings 8:1-6 (NIV)
> "Now Elisha had said to the woman whose son he had restored to life, 'Go away with your family and stay for a while wherever you can, because the Lord has decreed a famine in the land that will last seven years.' The woman proceeded to do as the man of God said. She and her family went away and stayed in the land of the Philistines seven years. At the end of the seven years she came back from the land of the Philistines and went to appeal to the king for her house and land. The king was talking to Gehazi, the servant of the man of God, and had said, 'Tell me about all the great things Elisha has done.' Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, the woman whose son Elisha had brought back to life came to appeal to the king for her house and land. Gehazi said, 'This is the woman, my lord the king, and this is her son whom Elisha restored to life.' The king asked the woman about it, and she told him. Then he assigned an official to her case and said to him, 'Give back everything that belonged to her, including all the income from her land from the day she left the country until now.'"
### Observation Questions
1. What does Revelation 2:4-5 warn believers about, and what are they instructed to do to avoid losing their lampstand?
2. In the story of the prodigal son (Luke 15:20-24), how does the father react when he sees his son returning home?
3. What was the outcome for the Shunammite woman when she returned to appeal to the king for her house and land in 2 Kings 8:1-6?
4. According to the sermon, what percentage of people responded positively when asked if they had thought about returning to church? [12:20]
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "returning to one's first love" in Revelation 2:4-5 apply to the idea of spiritual homecoming discussed in the sermon? [46:42]
2. What does the father's reaction in the parable of the prodigal son teach us about God's attitude towards those who return to Him? [34:16]
3. How does the story of the Shunammite woman in 2 Kings 8:1-6 illustrate the theme of restoration and reclaiming what was lost? [19:35]
4. Why is it important to seek God's direction before making decisions, as illustrated by the speaker's story about his wife's job change? [26:48]
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from your faith. What steps can you take to "return to your first love" as mentioned in Revelation 2:4-5? [46:42]
2. The prodigal son was welcomed back with open arms despite his past mistakes. How can you create a welcoming and non-judgmental atmosphere in your church or community for those who have drifted away? [35:27]
3. The Shunammite woman experienced restoration after a period of loss. Is there something in your life that you need to reclaim or restore? How can you seek God's guidance in this process? [19:35]
4. The speaker emphasized the importance of inviting people back to church. Identify one person you know who has drifted away from the church. How can you reach out to them this week and extend an invitation to return? [12:20]
5. The speaker shared a personal story about making decisions without seeking God's guidance. Is there a decision you are currently facing where you need to seek God's direction? How will you go about doing that? [26:48]
6. The sermon mentioned the importance of keeping the spiritual fire stoked. What practical steps can you take to maintain or reignite your passion for Jesus? [16:00]
7. The speaker's children experienced a renewed relationship with God. Do you have loved ones who are far from God? How can you pray for them and support their journey back to faith? [03:12]
Devotional
Day 1: Rekindling First Love for Jesus
The call to return to one's first love is a stirring reminder of the fervor and commitment that once defined one's faith. It is an invitation to rediscover the passion for Jesus that may have dimmed over time. This homecoming to the heart of one's spiritual life is essential for reigniting the flame of devotion and zeal for sharing the Gospel with others. [09:23]
Revelation 2:4-5 - "Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place."
Reflection: Can you recall a time when your love for Jesus was most vibrant? What steps can you take today to return to that level of passion and commitment?
Day 2: Heeding Divine Guidance
Ignoring the call to return to one's spiritual foundation can lead to a loss of divine guidance, symbolized by the lampstand. This metaphor serves as a warning that without a strong connection to Jesus, one's path can become darkened. Reconnecting with the first love is not only about personal revival but also about maintaining the clarity and direction that comes from walking in the light of Christ. [46:42]
Proverbs 1:32-33 - "For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm."
Reflection: Have there been moments when you felt you were lacking divine guidance? What are some practical ways you can seek to restore that guidance in your daily life?
Day 3: Embracing the Prodigal's Return
The church's mission is to welcome back those who have strayed with open arms, without judgment, reflecting the heart of the Gospel. This homecoming is not just for those who have physically left but also for those who have lost their spiritual fervor. It is a time of celebration, much like the return of the prodigal son, where past transgressions are forgiven, and one's place in the family of God is reaffirmed. [35:27]
Luke 15:20-22 - "So he got up and went to his father. 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. The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 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.'"
Reflection: Is there someone you know who has drifted away from their faith? How can you extend an invitation to them to return, showing the same compassion and acceptance as the father in the prodigal son story?
Day 4: Joyful Restoration of Relationship with God
The story of David bringing the Ark of the Covenant back to Jerusalem is a vivid illustration of the joy and worship that accompanies the restoration of what was lost in one's relationship with God. It is a powerful metaphor for the spiritual journey of reclaiming one's identity, purpose, and the uncontainable joy that comes from being in the presence of the Lord. [41:23]
1 Chronicles 15:28 - "So all Israel brought up the ark of the covenant of the Lord with shouts, with the sounding of rams' horns and trumpets, and of cymbals, and the playing of lyres and harps."
Reflection: What aspects of your relationship with God do you feel need restoration? How can you actively participate in restoring joy and worship in your spiritual life?
Day 5: Divine Grace Reaches the Wayward
The transformative power of God's grace is evident in the lives of those who have wandered but are being drawn back to Him. This offers hope and encouragement to those who are praying for loved ones to experience a renewed relationship with God. It is a testament to the fact that no one is beyond the reach of God's loving embrace and the possibility of spiritual renewal. [03:12]
Hosea 14:4 - "I will heal their waywardness and love them freely, for my anger has turned away from them."
Reflection: Do you have loved ones who have walked away from their faith? How can you pray for them and support their journey back to a relationship with God?
Quotes
"The word of God is not just something that we receive for ourselves because we were meant to be vessels of proclamation; the word of God comes to us to change us so that we can amplify and share it. That's how the gospel goes out." [08:49] (Download)
"When you leave something you lose something. You may think when you leave your job you won't lose something, but there will be something about your old job that you lose, probably the community of friends that you have as workmates." [21:34] (Download)
"Homecoming is not just about the lost coming home; it's about the person in the church who needs to come home because fire was never meant to dissipate in our life, fire is meant to be perpetual." [16:00] (Download)
"There is only ever one right reason to leave and that is when God directs you. The only time that we should leave anything is if we've actually got a word from God because if God says go, then I have confidence that there will be a restoration of everything that I lost." [26:07] (Download)
"We can't be visionless in this hour; we've got to have our first love back. The great news is that when you come back to God, you can get back. Isn't that wonderful?" [47:53] (Download)
"Just go and share the love of Jesus with somebody, just get excited about there being sunshine in the sky instead of the depression that can fill your life sometimes. Just give Him thanks for the simple things in life, get back to your first love." [46:42] (Download)
"I can't afford to lose my lampstand, church, because my lampstand is my direction; it's the light that guides me as I'm walking this life. I can't be visionless; I can't be like Samson with no vision." [47:16] (Download)
"The Father didn't wait for the son to come through the doors to welcome him, and church, this is where we have to move because we are waiting for people to walk through our doors and they will not. But they want to come back." [12:58] (Download)
"He has called for a homecoming season in New Zealand that every church needs to be filled with people that once walked away from God because this is their homecoming season." [14:10] (Download)
"The goodness of God is that God will restore because it's his nature to restore. Somebody say Amen this morning." [32:22] (Download)
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