Returning Home: Embracing God's Open Arms
Summary
Today’s focus is on the journey of coming home to God, inspired by the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. Many of us know what it’s like to feel lost—whether through our own choices, the pain of church hurt, or simply drifting away from God. The story of the prodigal son is a reminder that no matter how far we’ve wandered, or how long we’ve been away, the Father’s heart is always open, waiting for us to return.
We often make the mistake of telling people where they should be spiritually, without offering real guidance on how to get there. Just as we need clear directions when we’re physically lost, we need practical steps to find our way back to God. The prodigal son’s journey home began with a moment of clarity—a realization that life with the Father was far better than life without Him. This awakening is often born out of loss, pain, or emptiness, but it’s also the first step toward restoration.
Desire is the starting point. Before any change can happen, there must be a longing to return. But desire alone isn’t enough; it must be followed by a decision—a commitment to actually take the steps necessary to come home. And even then, it’s not complete until we act on that decision, moving toward God, even if it’s just one small step at a time.
Repentance is a crucial part of this journey. It’s not just feeling sorry for the past, but allowing that sorrow to produce a real change in our hearts and actions. True repentance means taking responsibility for our choices, letting go of blame, pride, and comparison. It’s about humbling ourselves and trusting that God’s grace is greater than our failures.
The Father’s response in the story is breathtaking. He doesn’t wait for the son to grovel or prove himself; instead, He runs to meet him, embraces him, and restores him fully. This is the heart of God toward every one of us. No matter what we’ve done, no matter how far we’ve gone, we are always welcome home. God’s forgiveness is complete, His love is unchanging, and His arms are always open. Today, whether you’re coming home for the first time or returning after a long journey, know that you are deeply loved and fully welcomed.
Key Takeaways
- The journey home begins with honest self-awareness. Like the prodigal son, we must come to our senses and recognize that life apart from God leaves us empty and longing. This moment of clarity is often uncomfortable, but it is the doorway to transformation and restoration. [01:07:01]
- Desire alone is not enough; it must be followed by decisive action. Many people want to change or return to God, but never move beyond intention. Real change happens when we move from wanting to come home, to deciding to come home, to actually taking the steps—however small—toward the Father. [01:13:37]
- True repentance is more than remorse; it is a commitment to change. Remorse is feeling sorry for the consequences, but repentance is a heart-level shift that leads to new behavior. God is not looking for perfect words, but for a humble heart willing to accept responsibility and turn back to Him. [01:19:27]
- The obstacles to returning home are often internal: blame, pride, and comparison. Blaming others or circumstances keeps us stuck, while pride resists admitting our need. Comparison—whether minimizing our sin or magnifying it—distracts us from the simple truth that God wants us back, regardless of our story. [01:21:08]
- God’s response to our return is always grace, celebration, and restoration. The Father runs to meet us, not with condemnation, but with open arms and a heart full of love. No matter how far we’ve gone, His forgiveness is immediate and complete, and He delights in welcoming us home. [01:23:25]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:54] - Lost and Recalculating: Directions and Spiritual Detours
[00:56] - The Problem of Church Hurt
[01:03:14] - The Prodigal’s Story Recap
[01:05:54] - Hitting Rock Bottom: The Pig Pen Moment
[01:07:01] - Coming to Our Senses
[01:08:47] - The Power of Relationships and Community
[01:10:02] - Remembering Life with the Father
[01:11:12] - The Waiting Parent: Praying for Prodigals
[01:12:05] - The Road Home Starts with Desire
[01:13:37] - From Decision to Action
[01:16:20] - Wrestling with Shame and Doubt
[01:18:39] - Repentance vs. Remorse
[01:21:08] - Obstacles: Blame, Pride, and Comparison
[01:22:00] - The Father’s Response: Restoration and Celebration
[01:23:25] - Forgiveness and Restoration
[01:25:57] - Taking the First Step Home
[01:27:25] - Invitation to Come Home
[01:30:02] - Living Out God’s Kindness
[01:31:19] - Baptism and Celebration
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Coming Home to God (Luke 15 and the Prodigal Son)
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### Bible Reading
- Luke 15:11-24 (The Parable of the Prodigal Son)
- 1 John 1:9 (“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”)
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### Observation Questions
1. In the story Jesus tells in Luke 15, what are some of the key things the younger son does after leaving home? What is his situation before he decides to return?
[[01:03:14]]
2. What is the first thing the prodigal son realizes when he “comes to his senses”?
[[01:07:01]]
3. How does the father respond when he sees his son returning home? What actions does he take?
[[01:16:53]]
4. According to 1 John 1:9, what does God promise to do when we confess our sins?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to make the father in the story run to meet his son, instead of waiting for him to come all the way home? What does this say about God’s heart?
[[01:16:53]]
2. The sermon talked about the difference between remorse and repentance. How would you describe that difference in your own words? Why is repentance necessary for restoration?
[[01:19:27]]
3. What are some of the internal obstacles that can keep someone from returning to God, according to the sermon? How do blame, pride, or comparison show up in real life?
[[01:21:08]]
4. The father’s forgiveness is immediate and complete. How does this compare to the way people sometimes expect to be treated when they’ve messed up?
[[01:23:25]]
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### Application Questions
1. The journey home starts with honest self-awareness. Can you think of a time when you “came to your senses” about something in your life? What helped you see things clearly?
[[01:07:01]]
2. The sermon said desire alone isn’t enough; it must be followed by a decision and then action. Is there an area in your life where you want to change or come closer to God, but haven’t taken a step yet? What’s holding you back?
[[01:13:37]]
3. Repentance means taking responsibility and making a real change. Is there something you need to take responsibility for, instead of blaming others or circumstances? What would it look like to take that first step?
[[01:19:27]]
4. Pride and comparison can keep us from coming home. Do you ever find yourself thinking, “At least I’m not as bad as…” or “I’ve messed up too much for God to want me”? How can you let go of those thoughts?
[[01:21:08]]
5. The father in the story runs to meet his son and celebrates his return. How does it make you feel to know that God welcomes you with open arms, no matter what? Is there anything in your past that makes it hard for you to believe this?
[[01:23:25]]
6. The sermon mentioned church hurt as a real reason some people drift away. If you’ve experienced hurt from church or Christians, what would it look like to begin healing and moving toward God again?
[[56:38]]
7. Is there someone in your life who is far from God or struggling? How can you pray for them or show them the same kind of love and welcome the father showed in the story?
[[01:11:12]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for courage to take the next step home, for healing from past hurts, and for hearts that reflect the Father’s love to others.
Devotional
Day 1: Life with the Father is Better Than Life Without Him
When we wander away from God, we often find ourselves empty, lonely, and longing for something more, just as the prodigal son did. The comforts, love, and security that come from a relationship with our Heavenly Father far surpass anything the world can offer. Sometimes, it takes losing what we thought we wanted to realize how good life truly was with God. If you feel distant or dissatisfied, remember that the fullness you seek is found in returning to Him. [01:10:02]
Luke 15:17
“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!’” (ESV)
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you’ve been searching for fulfillment apart from God? What would it look like to turn back to Him in that area today?
Day 2: The Road Home Starts with Desire
Before any real change can happen, there must be a desire to return to God—a longing to come home. Even if you only feel a small spark of that desire, God can work with it and grow it into something greater. It’s okay if you’re not sure you’re ready; sometimes, just wanting to want God is the first step. He honors even the smallest movement of your heart toward Him and will help you take the next step. [01:12:05]
Psalm 42:1-2
“As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” (ESV)
Reflection: What is one longing or emptiness you feel today that you can honestly bring before God, asking Him to stir a deeper desire for Him in your heart?
Day 3: Repentance Means Taking Responsibility and Turning Around
True repentance is more than feeling sorry for past mistakes—it’s a willingness to take responsibility and make a real change. It’s easy to blame others or circumstances, but God calls us to own our choices and turn away from what led us astray. Repentance is a heart change that leads to new actions, not just regret. When we stop playing the victim and humbly return to God, He meets us with open arms. [01:19:27]
Luke 15:18-19
“‘I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’” (ESV)
Reflection: Is there something you’ve been blaming on others or on your circumstances that you need to take responsibility for before God today? What step of repentance can you take right now?
Day 4: God’s Response Is Compassion, Restoration, and Celebration
No matter how far you’ve wandered, God is watching and waiting for your return with compassion, not condemnation. When you take even one step toward Him, He runs to meet you, ready to forgive, restore, and celebrate your homecoming. There is no shame too great, no distance too far—He longs to welcome you back as His beloved child and throw a party in your honor. [01:17:37]
Luke 15:20-24
“And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.” (ESV)
Reflection: What would it look like for you to accept God’s forgiveness and restoration today, letting go of shame and allowing yourself to be celebrated as His child?
Day 5: We Are Called to Love Others Home
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be His hands and feet, welcoming others with the same love, compassion, and kindness that God shows us. Church should be a place of safety and acceptance, not judgment or condemnation. Our words, actions, and even what we post online can either help guide someone home or push them further away. Let’s commit to loving people the way Jesus does, so they see Him in us and are drawn to come home too. [01:30:02]
Romans 2:4
“Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?” (ESV)
Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience the kindness and acceptance of Jesus through you today? How can you intentionally show them His love in a practical way?
Quotes
Life with the father was so much better than life without the father. Life with your heavenly father is so much better than life without him. Scott was hungry. He wanted to eat. He realized, I don't like this. I have messed up and I need to go home. Here's the thing. Um, for those of you that have prodigals that you are praying for, this is the hard part. You can't make somebody want to come home. [01:10:20] (36 seconds)
Remorse is being sorry for the past, but not changing the future. A lot of people are sorry for what they do, but not sorry enough to quit. Repentance is still sorry for the past, but it changes the behavior so past mistakes won't be repeated in the future. That's the difference. If your kid is remorseful, it's because they got caught and they don't like the consequences. If they're repentant, there's been a heart change and they act differently. They're doing things differently. Repentance is being truly sorry plus a commitment to change. So why don't people repent? Sometimes it's because they blame other people or they blame God. [01:18:50] (56 seconds)
Can I tell you, it's easy to blame somebody else for your problems instead of taking the responsibility. And unfortunately, we have a society today that likes to blame other people. We play the victim game. It's easier to be a victim than to accept responsibility for our actions. That will get you nowhere in life. Do not play the victim. You and God are the only two people that are writing your story. Don't be a victim. Scott was willing to take the blame. It wasn't the pig's fault. It wasn't his boss's fault. It wasn't his friend's fault or the church's fault or his dad's fault. It was his own fault. Repentant people don't point fingers of blame. They accept responsibility for their own actions. [01:20:05] (47 seconds)
God celebrates when you come home. He is the father in this story. He is watching. He is waiting for you. And when he sees you, it is a party that is thrown in heaven. That's why we celebrate big when somebody comes to Jesus. Because we know if there's a party in heaven, there better be a party on earth. It's a big deal. It's a big deal. Worship team, you guys, come on back. Scott was forgiven and it was forgotten. Scott was restored to his family. He was home. God's response to you will be just like the father in this story. [01:22:15] (46 seconds)
First John 1 .9 says that if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins. And he will purify us from all unrighteousness. Can we make that personal this morning? If I confess my sins? He is faithful and just and will forgive my sins. He will purify me from all unrighteousness. That's it. No conditions. No exceptions. No, you got to do this, this, and this, and this, and then I will love you. You're forgiven. It's done. What Jesus did on the cross for you, it's done. He already paid the price. You don't have to. [01:22:40] (53 seconds)
I've told my kids that, you know, no matter what, no matter when, no matter how far you've wandered, you've wandered, you can always come home. And they do try my patience. They try me at times. But there is nothing, absolutely nothing my kids can do that would ever, ever make them, make me not love them. Because I'm their mama. And that's the heart of Jesus. We want you to know that no matter what, no matter the hurt you've caused yourself or others, regardless of your past mistakes or failures, you can always, always come home. [01:25:10] (49 seconds)
It's really hard in that waiting. Our job is to pray and ask God to draw their hearts, to remind them of the things that they know to be true, to remove the lies that they are believing in their lives. So how do you do it? How do you go home? The first step is you have to realize realize I want to go home. [01:11:33] (26 seconds)
God doesn't compare your sin to anybody else's. It's about how far you've wandered and how far you are from a relationship with him. It's simply the fact that you're gone and he wants you to come home. [01:21:08] (19 seconds)
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