When the Prodigal Returns Home - A Relational Look at the Parable of the Prodigal Son

What do we learn about God - the Father? [Be like Him]

1. We cannot behave so badly that He will reject us when we return

2. He is looking for us to return even when He lets us go do what we insist on doing

3. God is patient, waiting for us to come to our senses

4. His priority is to restore a relationship with Him first before everything else

5. He defends His actions to His critics and protects the prodigal who returns

What do we learn about sin, its effects, and restoration ? [Be wise in our choices]

1. Sin changes our perspective to focus on ourselves and our desires

2. Sin objectifies people and causes us to use people for our own selfish purposes

3. Sin blinds us to the ultimate consequences of our actions

4. Ultimately, sin can be a motivator to influence us to return to God

5. Sin does not overpower the love of God

6. It's never too late to return to God no matter how much we have sinned

7. God is eager to restore us

What do we learn about the prodigal? [come home]

1. When we put our mind to do something God doesn't want us to do, He will let us

2. When we disregard who we know we should be as Christians, God never discards us but waits for us to return to him

3. We return to God presenting our terms to him (be a hired servant) but God restores us to our rightful place as his child

4. We, like the prodigal, can be shocked at the compassion, mercy, grace,forgiveness,and restoration of God

5. Not everyone will be happy that we returned and that God is rejoicing. Some think we should be punished

What do we learn about being judgmental on those who return to God? [Rejoice when sinners return]

1. We can have a heart that does not reflect the love of the Father

2. We can have a transactional relationship with God - we do something for Him and He is obligated , in our mind, to do something for us

3. We can refuse to join God in His celebration of restoration

4. We can hold grudges against people who have sinned and shamed themselves and the Christian community

5. We can expect that God should have honored us at an earlier time or instead of someone else

Plan how to be less stressed this holiday season:

1. Take 15-20 minutes and sit down with a pen and paper and

list out all the ways you tend to get stressed during the

holidays. Ask for God’s wisdom before you start to be

honest and not get stressed out by writing out all the ways

you get stressed out.

2. Next, identify where the major stressors are that are leading

to all that stress. Invite God into this part of the process and

ask how important the stressor is. Write a 1 by the most

stressful experiences, a 2 by moderate stressful

experiences, and a 3 by the least stressful experiences. If

they are all a 1, that’s okay.

3. Last, for each stressor, pray for wisdom and then ask

yourself this question: “How could I creatively and

assertively manage this stressor in such a way that it

doesn’t turn into stress in the first place?”

1. Stay focused on where God is leading you.

- 1 Corinthians 4:20

- Luke 9:23

- Galatians 2:20

2. Thoughts (Recognize how your thought life affects your progress toward Christ likeness)

- Romans 12:2

- Romans 8:12-13

- Colossians 3:1-4

3. Actions (Bible, Prayer and Community)

- Lectio Divina (click here)

- Morning Affirmations by Kenneth (click here)

- Psalm 23

- Hosea 14

Pray without ceasing - 1 Thessalonians 5:17

- Invite God into the interaction

- Ask God for His wisdom

- Ask Him to direct you in your heart language

- Ask Him to walk with you through any valley you are in that makes continuing to get healthy difficult for you

Church

- Meet regularly with other Christians

Where do people stall?

1. The chose their addiction over becoming like Jesus

2. They tell God how He should change them and if He doesn't meet their expectations, they become discouraged and can turn away from Him.

3. They isolate themselves due to fear of exposure or shame after failure.

4. They set unrealistic goals for change.

5. People are hurt by others and walk away from God.

By the love and power of God in your life, you can make it through your addiction to a life like Jesus on the other side.

For more info on Repentance: Episode 16 - Confessing and Repentance (12/03/2020)