No Matter Where You’ve Been, Come Home

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? That feeling of being a little too far gone, a little too messy, or maybe just a little too bitter to show up.

This past Sunday, May 3rd, I shared a powerful message at River Community Church that really hit home for a lot of us. It was all about the story of the prodigal son from Luke 15, and honestly, it’s a story that never gets old because it’s my story, and it's the story of so many people I've met over the years.

If you missed the service or just want to sit with those truths again, you can catch the full sermon on our website at https://localchurchgathering.com or by clicking on the video above.

I really believe this message is for everyone, regardless of where you find yourself today.

The Story We All Know (And Need)

To get us on the same page, let's look at the text I shared. Here is the story from Luke 15:11-32 in the New Living Translation:

"To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: 'A man had two sons. The younger son told his father, "I want my share of your estate now before you die." So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons.

A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money on wild living. About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything.

When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, "At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.'"

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. His son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son."

But his father said to his servants, "Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost and has now been found." So the party began.'"

For the One Who Ran

Maybe you relate to that younger brother. You took the "inheritance" of your life, your time, your talents, your health, and you spent it all on things that didn't satisfy.

You might feel like you’ve traveled to a "distant land" where God feels miles away. You’re tired, you’re hungry for something real, and you’re covered in the dust of your own decisions.

The beauty of this story isn't that the son cleaned himself up before heading back. It’s that he decided to move toward the Father even while he still smelled like the pig pen.

If that’s you, we want you to know something: the Father isn't waiting at the porch with a lecture. He’s running down the driveway to meet you.

Your mistakes don't disqualify you from His love; they just highlight how much you need it. You are always welcome home.

For the One Who Stayed (But Felt Resentful)

But then there’s the other half of the story, the part we sometimes skip over. Let's look at the older brother in Luke 15:25-32:

"'Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, and he asked one of the servants what was going on. "Your brother is back," he was told, "and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return."

The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, but he replied, "All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even a young goat for a feast with my friends. Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!"

His father said to him, "Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is now found!"'"

A lot of us are the older brother. We show up, we do the work, we follow the rules, and we stay "home."

But inside, there’s a bitterness brewing. We feel like we’ve earned God’s love, and it feels unfair when someone "messier" gets the same grace we think we’ve worked for.

If you’re the resentful one, the Father’s message to you is the same: "Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me." He wants your heart, not just your checklist of good deeds.

Religion tells you that you’re accepted because you perform. The Gospel tells you that you’re accepted because the Father is good.

Whether you’ve been in the pig pen or in the fields working with a cold heart, the invitation to the party is for you.

Grace is a Family Experience

At Church, we try to move away from that "tired religion" that makes people feel like they have to be perfect to belong. We’re just a family of fellow travelers.

We embrace our flaws because they are the very things that lead us back to the Father’s embrace. We believe that grace is messy, beautiful, and absolutely free.

You don't need to have it all figured out to sit with us. You just need to be willing to come home.

Something New is Growing: Smithville Church Plant

Speaking of home and family, we have some incredibly exciting news about how our family is growing! We are officially moving forward with the Smithville Church Plant, and we want you to be a part of it.

This isn't just about a new building or a new location; it’s about taking this message of "welcome home" to a whole new community. It’s about building a space where more people can experience the radical love of the Father.

If you feel a nudge to be involved or just want to hear the vision for what’s happening in Smithville, we’re hosting informational meetings soon.

When: Sunday, May 17th
Where: Downstairs at River Community Church
Time: Immediately following each of our 3 services

Whether you’ve been with us for years or you connected with us from my sermon last Sunday at the River, you are invited to come and hear how you can help plant these seeds of hope.

If you’re planning to attend the meeting or want more info, please take a second to fill out our interest form here: https://link.localchurchgathering.com/widget/form/XxfVbd3LDr5esYMheYVb.

Join the Journey

Life is too short to live it in the pig pen or in the bitterness of the fields. There is a feast waiting for you, and the Father has already prepared your seat.

If you need a reminder of that this week, go back and watch the sermon at https://localchurchgathering.com. Let those words sink in.

We are so glad you’re part of this community. No matter where you’ve been, you’re welcome here.

I hope to see you on the 17th!