SERMON NOTES WITH APPLICATION

Pastor William Mathis
23 hours ago
3 min read

Series Theme: I Got It

“I’M GOING HOME”

Luke 15:11–24 (KJV)General Theme: Hidden MannaFollows: So We Will Know

🌟 BIG IDEA

Sometimes we don’t realize the value of “home” — belonging, identity, safety, love — until we leave it, lose it, or break away from it.The prodigal son’s journey shows us how separation leads to brokenness, how settling strips our potential, and how self-awareness brings us back into alignment with who we truly are.

This is not just the story of a son returning home — it’s the story of all of us waking up, coming back to ourselves, and rediscovering God’s love.

1️⃣ SEPARATION LEADS TO BROKENNESS (vv. 11–14)

The younger son takes his inheritance early and leaves home — not just physically, but spiritually and emotionally.Distance from his father leads straight into disaster: waste, want, and emptiness.His “freedom” turns into famine.

Truth: Whenever we disconnect from our source — God, wisdom, community, purpose — we slowly break down.Distance creates damage.

For Christians: Don’t confuse independence with isolation — separation from God always leads to struggle.

For Seekers / Non-Christians: You don’t have to be perfect; just know that life hits harder when you’re disconnected from what brings you life.

💡 Practical Application

Pay attention to what “far country” looks like in your life: attitudes, habits, relationships.
Don’t wait until everything falls apart — check your connection early.
Remember: home (love, identity, belonging) is stronger than any mistake.

“When you leave who you are, you lose what you have.”

2️⃣ SETTLING DECREASES POTENTIAL (vv. 15–19)

The son goes from inheritance to the pig pen.Why? Because he settled.He stayed in a place beneath his identity, beneath his calling, beneath his potential.Settling always shrinks you.

But then comes the breakthrough:“He came to himself.”This is the moment he remembers who he really is.

Truth: When you forget your worth, you settle for less than you were born for.But when you come to yourself, you rise again.

For Christians: Stop accepting roles beneath your calling — you’re a child of God.

For Seekers / Non-Christians: You deserve more than survival — you were made for flourishing.

💡 Practical Application

Don’t let fear push you into places God never assigned you.
Check where you’re settling — in relationships, work, habits, identity.
Start moving toward the “you” God designed, not the “you” pain produced.

“You can survive in the pig pen, but you can only thrive at home.”

3️⃣ SELF-AWARENESS IS KEY TO SOUND JUDGMENT (vv. 20–24)

The son comes home expecting judgment — but the father is waiting, watching, running toward him.No lecture.No punishment.Just love, restoration, celebration.

This is the moment the son reclaims his identity.Home isn’t just a building — home is where you are known, loved, and restored.

Truth: When you see yourself clearly, you’ll see God clearly.And God’s response is always grace, not grudges.

For Christians: Self-awareness makes repentance real and restoration possible.

For Seekers / Non-Christians: You don’t have to fix yourself before you come home — just come.

💡 Practical Application

Allow yourself honest reflection — growth starts with truth.
Practice coming to God without shame; His arms are open.
Let the Father redefine you — robe, ring, shoes, celebration — not your mistakes.

“When you come to yourself, you return to God.”

✨ TAKEAWAY

Home is not just a place.Home is identity.Home is belonging.Home is where love runs toward you even when you’ve run away.

The prodigal’s journey shows us: