Sunday Sermon

Change Within Me Dave Shaner August 1, 2004

Introduction: Do you ever find yourself unable to get motivated? Change is essential to maturity. Change is essential to Christian growth. Change within me often involves repentance.

Text: Luke 15:11-24

Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. The younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he divided his property between them. "Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything. "When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 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.' So he got up and went to his father. "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. "The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' "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. 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.

What did the prodigal do to change?

I. He came to ______________.

A. He became  conscious of the misery he was in.

B. He came to his senses.

C. He began to be in need.

D. He had lost his character.

F. He said, "I have sinned."

II. He had no ______________.

A. Do you ever make excuses for why you have not changed?

B. "I can't change." means "I will not change."

C. Philippians 4:13

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

III. He took ______________.

A. He was determined to change.

B. What do you do when you decide to change?

Conclusion: When you come back to God, He will always be there on the road looking and running to meet you. Conversion to Christ means to become rational, right-minded, and properly balanced. It's a sound rational act to turn from sin to God.

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