091524...When He Came to Himself...LUKE 15:11-24

To “Backslide” Spiritually:
-Implies movement away from Christ
-A process by which an individual who has converted to Christianity reverts to their preconversion habits or lapses or falls into sin
-To turn from God to pursue their own desires instead of His

Jeremiah 17:5-8...“Thus says the Lord: ‘Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord. He is like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see any good come. He shall dwell in the parched places of the wilderness, in an uninhabited salt land. Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”

Sermon In A Sentence: God patiently waits for us to come to our spiritual senses when we’ve messed up; and He lovingly embraces us when we repent & return to Him.

Repentance:
-The word “μετανοέω” [metanoeō] in the original Greek language of the N.T.
-It’s literal meaning is “to change one’s mind”
-In regard to one’s sin, to repent means to change your mind about your sin

Repentance That Overcomes Backsliding & Your Bad Decisions:
-Begins when you come to your senses
-Includes confession & admitting your sin
-Returns you to fellowship with the Father

Luke 15:11-24...“And he said, ‘There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 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! I will arise and go to my father, and 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.’

Luke 15:11-24...“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.’

2 Corinthians 7:10...“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death”

1 John 1:9...“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”

Luke 15:11-24...“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.”

Sermon In A Sentence: God patiently waits for us to come to our spiritual senses when we’ve messed up; and He lovingly embraces us when we repent & return to Him.