TITLE: The Comeback Trail

TEXT: Luke 15:17-24

PROPOSITION: Jesus shows us how to make a comeback.

QUESTION: How?

KEY WORD: Steps

SCRIPTURE READING: Same

INTRODUCTION:

1. Athletes make a comeback from injury or retirement.
2. Jesus – parable of Prodigal Son
3. Minister urges young man to go back home, father might kill the fatted calf.
   Later son said, "Father almost killed the prodigal son."
4. Here is how we get away from God and to make a comeback.

Steps AWAY from God

1. Self will – "I want MY goods" (12)
2. Selfishness – "Give me" (12)
3. Separation – "a far country" (13)

3 things that follow:

1. Sensuality – "wasted … riotous living" (13)
2. Self abasement – "Feeding swine" (15)
3. Starvation – "would eat what the swine left" (16)

Steps on the Comeback Trail

1. Realization – "He came to himself" (17)
2. Repentance – "I have sinned" (18)
3. Resolution – "I will arise" (18)
4. Return – "I will go to my father" (20)

3 things that follow:

1. Reconciliation – "Father ran and kissed him" (20)
2. Re-clothed – "Robe, ring, shoes" (22)
3. Rejoicing – "kill fatted calf", have a party to celebrate (23-24)