”A Change of Mind” - Luke 15:11-24

Episode 58

Title: A Change of Mind
Text: Luke 15:11-24
Theme: Repentance

"Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that." - Martin Luther King, Jr.

Introduction:
• “Repentance will not make you see Christ; but to see Christ will give you repentance.” - Charles H. Spurgeon
• Definition of Repentance:
o Repentance: “sincere regret or remorse” (Oxford)
o Bible Repentance: “Turning to God. A change of mind toward God that results in a changed life.” -  David Cloud (Way of Life Encyclopedia)
• There are two types of Repentance in the Bible:
1.) Initial Repentance (For Salvation)
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” – Luke 13:3
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” – Acts 2:38
- The initial “change of  mind” where we realize we need God.
- Repentance is a belief in what the Bible says and seeing yourself exactly how you are.
2.) Continual Repentance (For Sanctification/Consecration)
“ Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” – Revelation 2:5
- Illustration of lost people having repentance and the “not sorry for what you did, sorry you got caught” one size fits all false narrative.  A Lost person can have sincere remorse and change but not have a saving faith in Jesus Christ.
• This is a story of Repentance. A changed mind that led to a changed life.
Outline: “A Change of Mind” Luke 15:11-24
I. His Independence v. 11-13
A. The Delusion of Independence
- Usually in this story we will hear words like Rebellion, Retaliation, or Selfishness. 
- Independence – “free from outside control; not depending on another's authority” (Oxford)
- “From a biblical perspective, true independence is not about being self-sufficient or autonomous, but rather about being dependent on God.” Huh?!?!
Matthew 6:24 KJV: No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
Mammon = Material Wealth

B. The Dangers of an Independence
“Practical atheism” 
Freedom = Not being enslaved or under the power of sin. It’s not about not being under someone’s control, it’s about turning to God and submitting to His Control.
We live in a day where people are Independent and only dependent on God when it’s convenient for them.
The Prodigal lived a “Riotous” life. Meaning, an unrestrained life.  Meaning, he was independent. 

Galatians 5:1 - Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
2 Corinthians 3:17 “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
(Deliverance from the Law to Christ)

II. His Insight v. 14-19
- “When He came to Himself”
- 44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” – John 6:44 
- The Voice of Reason
A. His Deterioration
- The moment of realization
B. His Decision

III. His Improvement v. 21-24
A. His Difference
- turned to the Father
- Surrendered to the father
- Col 1:21,22 "And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:”

B. His Dependence 
- Provided for
- John 15:5 - I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 
- Fellowship with the Father
“I knew Him but did not know his name”- Helen Keller
- God is willing to Forgive and Fellowship

 

A special thank you to my Pastor, Mike Barnette, for the song “All Things New.” Please support his podcasts by clicking and sharing the links below.

The C.O.D.E. of Man Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/6Oglxqy35Wg4m4YMfU8Q28?si=074063174e334747

The Way of Holiness Podcast

https://open.spotify.com/show/08UgdbUrBDZoWWnfiCYxbO?si=oG-EaQzfQMC5GN-N7NaxvA

Daybreak Devotions Podcast:

https://open.spotify.com/show/2Z25hqT5DNOZcwBLBXc67I?si=1f1c8f24a3e24618

Also, a very special thank you to my dead friend, Dave Compton, for the opening remarks.