Recognize, Repent, Return

A journey of restoration, healing, and purpose after failure.

Text: Luke 15:11-24

WE ALL MESS UP!

What do you do when you realize you’ve messed up?
The moment of failure often leaves us feeling lost, ashamed, or afraid to face the consequences.

Many of us have felt distant from God at some point, whether because of sin, distractions, or simply drifting away. It’s a common experience.

We all wrestle with this question: How did I get here, and how do I get back?

Today we are going to talk about a familiar story in the Bible about a character called the Prodigal Son.

Like the Prodigal Son, we often find ourselves in a “distant country,” far from where God wants us to be.

The BIGGEST ISSUE FOR US lies in whether or not we recognize that we’ve strayed and deciding if and how we’ll return.

Let’s read this story together today in Luke 15.

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
—Luke 15:11-24 (KJV - King James Version)

Better Than I Deserve

Imagine having everything you’ve ever dreamed of—a successful career, millions of dollars, and the lifestyle to match—only to lose it all in an instant.
Dave Ramsey, one of today’s most respected financial advisors, lived that reality.
His journey from financial ruin to restoration mirrors the story of the Prodigal Son
and serves as a modern-day example of recognizing failure, turning back to God, and finding redemption.

1. “The Pursuit of Wealth Without Wisdom”
   Dave Ramsey was a self-made millionaire by his twenties.
   He had built a real estate empire worth over $4 million.
   But like the Prodigal Son, he was chasing wealth without wisdom.
   His success was built on risky short-term loans, living on the edge of financial ruin without realizing it.
   For a while, everything looked perfect.
   He was living the high life—nice cars, a big house, and a booming business.
   But, as Proverbs 16:18 reminds us, “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.”
   Like the Prodigal Son, Ramsey’s pursuit of wealth blinded him to the instability of his foundation.
   Both thought they were secure, but their choices eventually led them to a breaking point.

2. “Hitting Rock Bottom”
   Then the bottom fell out.
   The banks called in his loans, and Ramsey realized he couldn’t pay them back.
   In a matter of weeks, he went from being a multimillionaire to declaring bankruptcy.
   He lost his business, his wealth, and almost his family.
   In his desperation, Ramsey recognized his failure.
   He realized that his financial collapse wasn’t just a business problem; it was a heart problem.
   He had been trusting in his own strength and chasing success without regard for God’s principles.
   This moment is much like the Prodigal Son sitting in the pigpen, starving and realizing that his choices had led him to ruin.
   It’s the moment of recognition, when you see the mess you’ve made and know something has to change.

3. “Turning Back to God”
   In his lowest moment, Ramsey turned to God and the Bible.
   He began studying what Scripture says about money, stewardship, and trust.
   Passages like Proverbs 22:7, “The borrower is servant to the lender,” and Matthew 6:33, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you,” became foundational to his transformation.
   He realized that he needed to do things God’s way, not his own.
   He surrendered his pride, repented of his greed, and committed to living according to biblical principles.
   The Prodigal Son made a similar decision: “I will arise and go to my father” (Luke 15:18).
   Both Ramsey and the Prodigal Son decided to humble themselves, admit their failure, and return to the Father.

4. “Restoration and a New Purpose”
   As Ramsey began rebuilding his life, he did so on a solid foundation of faith and biblical principles.
   He created a plan to live debt-free, save wisely, and give generously.
   Over time, God restored not only his finances but his family, purpose, and peace.
   Today, Dave Ramsey is a best-selling author and financial coach who helps millions of people experience freedom from debt and find peace in their finances.
   Through programs like Financial Peace University, he teaches others how to handle money God’s way.
   Ramsey, Like the Prodigal, experienced restoration far beyond what he expected.
   The father in the parable celebrated with a feast, saying, “This my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found” (Luke 15:24).
   God restored Ramsey’s life and gave him a greater purpose than he had before.

When people ask Dave Ramsey how he is doing, his response is ALWAYS…”Better than I deserve!”

FROM THE TEXT

Recognition of Loss: The son recognizes the consequences of his actions (verses 14-17).
Decision to

: He chooses to humble himself and return to his father (verses 18-19).
The Father’s Response: The father sees him, runs to him, and welcomes him home (verses 20-24).

God never stops loving us, even when we’re far away.
He longs for us to recognize our need for Him and return.
The first step is ours to take; the rest is His.

Recognize, Repent, Return

Recognizing our

is the first step in returning to God, and when we take even one step toward Him, He runs to meet us with love and forgiveness.

Reflect on areas where you may have strayed from God. (RECOGNIZE)
“Where are you right now in your relationship with God?
Are you closer to Him or farther away?”
Pray a prayer of repentance, acknowledging your need to return to Him.
REPENTANCE
It means that I will quit trying to do things my way - I want to do things God’s way.
HE FORGIVES, HE CLEANSES, HE EMPOWERS!
“What step can you take today to recognize where you are and start the journey back to Him?”
THEN RETURN
Take the first step—whether it’s reconnecting with God in prayer, attending church, or seeking guidance.

If you take ONE STEP - you will NOT BE ALONE:
Through connection with small groups, prayer partners, and you have a church family that can help support you on your journey.

BONUS:
Bible Characters to Study

1. Peter (Denial of Jesus)
   Text: Luke 22:54-62, John 21:15-19
   Failure: Peter denies Jesus three times, despite his earlier bold claim of loyalty.
   Recognition: After the rooster crows, Peter remembers Jesus’ words and weeps bitterly, signaling deep remorse.
   Return: Jesus restores Peter with a threefold question, “Do you love me?” Peter is commissioned to feed and shepherd God’s people.
   Lesson: Even the deepest failures don’t disqualify us from being used by God when we repent and return.

2. David (Adultery and Murder)
   Text: 2 Samuel 11-12, Psalm 51
   Failure: David commits adultery with Bathsheba and has her husband, Uriah, killed to cover it up.
   Recognition: Nathan confronts David with a parable, and David acknowledges, “I have sinned against the Lord.”
   Return: David writes Psalm 51, a heartfelt prayer of repentance, asking God to create a clean heart and renew a right spirit within him.
   Lesson: God’s mercy is greater than our sin, and true repentance brings restoration.

3. Jonah (Running from God’s Call)
   Text: Jonah 1-3
   Failure: Jonah runs in the opposite direction of God’s command to go to Nineveh.
   Recognition: After being swallowed by a great fish, Jonah prays from the depths of despair, acknowledging God’s sovereignty and his own rebellion.
   Return: Jonah obeys God’s call, preaches to Nineveh, and the city repents.
   Lesson: Running from God doesn’t work, but when we recognize His mercy and turn back, He still uses us for His purposes.

4. The Woman Caught in Adultery
   Text: John 8:1-11
   Failure: The woman is caught in the act of adultery and brought before Jesus for judgment.
   Recognition: Though not explicitly stated, her silence and shame indicate awareness of her guilt.
   Return: Jesus tells her, “Neither do I condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin.”
   Lesson: Jesus offers grace and a fresh start, but it requires leaving sin behind.

5. The Apostle Paul (Persecuting the Church)
   Text: Acts 9:1-22
   Failure: Paul (then Saul) actively persecuted Christians, imprisoning and approving of their deaths.
   Recognition: On the road to Damascus, Jesus confronts Paul, asking, “Why are you persecuting me?” Paul is blinded and humbled.
   Return: Paul repents, is baptized, and becomes one of the greatest apostles, spreading the Gospel across the known world.
   Lesson: God’s grace can transform even the most misguided or hostile person.

6. Zacchaeus (Dishonesty and Greed)
   Text: Luke 19:1-10
   Failure: As a chief tax collector, Zacchaeus defrauded others and became rich at their expense.
   Recognition: When Jesus visits him, Zacchaeus openly repents, offering to give half his possessions to the poor and repay those he cheated fourfold.
   Return: Jesus declares, “Today salvation has come to this house.”
   Lesson: A genuine encounter with Jesus leads to repentance and life change.

7. Manasseh (Idolatry and Wickedness)
   Text: 2 Chronicles 33:1-17
   Failure: Manasseh, one of the most wicked kings, led Judah into idolatry and committed horrific sins.
   Recognition: When captured and taken to Babylon, he humbles himself, prays to God, and seeks His favor.
   Return: God restores him to his kingdom, and Manasseh works to undo the idolatry he once encouraged.
   Lesson: It’s never too late to turn back to God, even after prolonged rebellion.

8. The Israelites (Repeated Rebellion)
   Text: Judges 2:10-19, Nehemiah 9:16-31
   Failure: The Israelites continually disobeyed God, worshipped idols, and strayed from His covenant.
   Recognition: During times of crisis, they cried out to God, acknowledging their sin.
   Return: God repeatedly raised up judges, prophets, and leaders to deliver and restore them.
   Lesson: God’s mercy and faithfulness endure, even when we fail repeatedly.

9. The Samaritan Woman (Shame and Sinful Living)
   Text: John 4:1-30
   Failure: She lived in shame due to her multiple failed relationships and was an outcast in her community.
   Recognition: Jesus reveals her sinful past and offers her living water. She recognizes Him as the Messiah.
   Return: She leaves her water jar (symbolizing her old life) and brings her whole town to hear about Jesus.
   Lesson: Jesus meets us in our brokenness and transforms our lives when we respond to Him.