RETURN
How to find your way home
Luke 15.17-24

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”  Matthew 3.1-2

… John came,  baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  Mark 1.4

… Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. "The time has come," he said.  "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!”   Mark 1.14-15.

I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance ... Luke 5.32

Remember the height from which 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.  Revelation 2.5

… Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2.38

Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord … Acts 3.19

Repentance is a change of mind, heart and behavior that leads to a renewed passion for God and love for people.

In the past, he let all nations go their own way.  Acts 14.16

… or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God's kindness leads you toward repentance? Romans 2.4

Change of mind

When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s haired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!   Luke 15:17

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge … Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.  Psalm 51.1-4,7

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.  I John 1.8-10 (NASB)

Change of heart

I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.   Luke 15:18-19 

Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it – I see that my letter hurt you, but only for a little while – yet now I am happy, not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you became sorrowful as God intended and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm …

2 Corinthians 7:8-11

For this is what the high and lofty One says – he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.   Isaiah 57.15

Change of behavior

So he got up and went to his father ...   Luke 15:20

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, … "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance ...   Luke 3:7-8

"What should we do then?" the crowd asked. John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." Tax collectors also came to be baptized. "Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?" "Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them. Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely—be content with your pay."  Luke 3.10-14

Change in your relationships

… I am no longer worthy to be called your son ...   Luke 15:21

God drawing close to you

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.  Luke 15:20

Fresh outpouring of God’s grace and forgiveness

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 ...  Luke 15:22

Renewed joy

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.   Luke 15:23-24