Sermons on Luke 15:11-32:

The Ache For Meaning

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 29, 2025

Every human ache for meaning is the soul remembering its Maker—God’s embrace disguised as longing, inviting us home to relationship and rest

(When the Soul Remembers God) It began with a phone call. My oldest son’s voice was steady at first, then it trembled. He’s forty-one now—bright, competent, a systems manager for a defense company, respected by his peers. On paper, everything about his life says success. Yet that afternoon, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:11, Matthew 11:28, Philippians 2:13, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Luke 15:17-20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Do I Even Belong?

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 31, 2025

Through Christ, every orphaned heart finds adoption and belonging—turning lament into song and distance into home in the Father’s embrace.

I. The Song That Never Dies Every culture has its songs of longing — the melodies that rise from somewhere words cannot reach. The Irish have “Danny Boy.” The Armenians sing “Dle Yaman.” The Jews mourn “By the Rivers of Babylon.” And from the dark fields of the American South came one of the most ...read more

Scripture: John 14:18, Romans 8:15-17, Luke 15:11-24, Philippians 3:20, Revelation 21:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Lost Sons And A Prodigal Father Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Nov 3, 2025

While the parable of the prodigal son reveals some things about the lostness of the younger son, it also reveals the lostness of the elder son and the prodigal love of God.

How do you view God? Some people view God as a heavy-handed, demanding judge with strict rules of right and wrong. Others view God like a doting grand-father who willingly gives his grandchildren whatever they want - practically spoiling them. Some may view God as aloof and distant, uninterested or ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-3, Luke 15:11-32, John 3:16-17, Romans 8:32, Ephesians 2:4-7, Titus 3:5-6, 1 John 3:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Sadness In God’s Heart

Contributed by Samuel M on Jul 8, 2023

God is sad looking at our lives. We relax or hide when we are supposed to go to battle. When we need to hide, we go to war. We are off season and out of season with God. We preach when we have to pray. We pray when we have to preach.

God is sad looking at our lives. We relax or hide when we are supposed to go to battle. When we need to hide, we go to war. We are off season and out of season with God. We preach when we have to pray. We pray when we have to preach. We don’t grasp the move of the Holy Spirit. We laugh when we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11

Lost & Pretending

Contributed by Captain Emily Vincent on Jul 11, 2023

Jesus tells the parables about the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son, but how can this relate to us today in our modern world? And how can we as Christians be pretending? Will God be able to tell who we really are behind the person we have created ourselves out to be?

Guys…I want to be really honest with you this morning… I love that we get to do some amazing things, but honestly. I’ve been running around like a chicken with my head cut off…running from one meeting to another, making sure everything on my multiple lists get done, and I’m just plain tired…I can’t ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7, Luke 15:8-10, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Salvation Army

Respond To Christ’s Call To Love Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jul 17, 2023

Just as the church at Ephesus had its opportunity to respond to the Lord's call, so do we. We too are called to be a shining light for Christ and share the love of God with others. Let us consider the lessons we learn from the church at Ephesus and seek to renew our love for Christ.

Visionary View: Respond to Christ’s Call to love Today, as God's church, we draw nearer each day to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Some of you may search for signs of His imminent return and find many Biblical prophecies fulfilled already. Yet, remember Jesus' own words in Mark ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:32, Luke 12:40, Revelation 2:1-7, Matthew 28:20, John 4:38, Matthew 28:18-20, 1 John 4:1, Matthew 7:15, Luke 15:11-32, John 10:28-29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Sermon # 46 - Be A Son, Not A Slave Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Aug 4, 2023

God has called us to be His sons and daughters, but it is possible that we can live like slaves not understanding our position in Christ. May we be freed from every enslavement so we can enjoy the rights to be the true sons and daughters of God.

We read in Romans 8:15, For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. (KJV) There are two kinds of spirits that are mentioned in the verse above, one is the spirit that makes us a slave, and the other the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:15, Luke 3:38, Luke 15:11-12, Luke 15:13, Luke 15:14-15, Matthew 6:9, John 12:50, John 5:17, John 6:36, Matthew 4:1, John 1:12, Galatians 4:7, Job 1:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Evidence That Demands A Verdict

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Aug 13, 2023

If we were on trial today, would there be enough evidence to convict us of being a Christian? In this sermon, Dr. Vorce unravels the necessity of our testimony and encourages the faithful to share their testimony with others.

Revelation 12:11 ~ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. INTRODUCTION • Some people are great givers. They give regularly to the work of the Lord. I’m thankful for that because our ministries have been ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 12:11, Revelation 3:14-19, 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Corinthians 3:1-3, Deuteronomy 17:6, John 8:17, Luke 15:24, Luke 15:32, Romans 5:5, Acts 10:34, 2 Corinthians 11:16-33, Romans 8:35-39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

It's Good To Be Home - A Homecoming Service Sermon

Contributed by Duane Wente on Aug 28, 2023

If you’ve ever been traveling for a long time, one of the first things we say when we get home is “it’s good to be home!” The same is true about our spiritual home on earth, the church. By studying the story of the lost boy, we can see why “it’s good to be home!”

Introduction Video Ill.: The Prodigal (Abridged) - The Skit Guys The Dream Home Is Dead Source: Adapted from Julie Kilcur, “The Dream Home Is Dead,” CT magazine (September, 2020), pp. 33-40 https://www.preachingtoday.com/illustrations/2022/november/dream-home-is-dead.html Copied from Preaching ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, Galatians 6:1-3, Ephesians 4:11-13, Ephesians 4:15-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God Forces Himself To Not Help (Isaiah 42:10-17) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Apr 17, 2024

We can choose to live in a way where God will restrain himself, and resist the urge to help his people. God describes himself as a woman in labor, who has been fighting the urge to push.

Imagine today that the prophet of Isaiah 40-55 stands up in the midst of God's exiled people in Babylon, and he gives them a new word from God. He speaks out in a loud, clear voice. And this is what he says, verses 12-13: (10) Sing to Yahweh a new song; his praise from the end of the earth, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 42:10-17, Isaiah 59:14-21, Luke 15:11-32

Sermon # 7 - Obedience To Spiritual Authority Series

Contributed by Andrew Dixon on Apr 19, 2024

Submission to God ordained authority and obedience to God are important principles we should follow in order to experience God’s amazing provision in our lives. Here are some great examples from the bible who will help us put this principle into practice in our own lives.

Let us read 2 Corinthians 9:8, “Besides, God is able to make every blessing of yours overflow for you, so that in every situation you will always have all you need for any good work.” (ISV) As we continue to study the word ‘overflowing’ we realize that the scripture does not talk about this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:8, 1 Kings 17:1, Proverbs 18:21, John 19:11-12, Matthew 8:5-10, Luke 15:14, 1 Kings 17:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Other

Open Up Your Hearts! The Gift Of Authentic Christian Love

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on May 18, 2024

In a divided world, the call to open our hearts to authentic Christian love is crucial. Through unity in the church, strong family bonds, and a deep connection with God, we can reflect Christ's love powerfully.

Open Up Your Hearts! The Gift of Authentic Christian Love 2 Corinthians 6:11-13 Introduction: Brothers and sisters in Christ, I am deeply grateful for this opportunity to speak with you today. We gather here, not just as individuals, but as a family bound by the love of Jesus Christ. In a world ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:11-13, Ephesians 4:1-6, Acts 2:42-47, John 13:35, Colossians 3:13-14, Luke 15:11-32, Romans 8:38-39, James 4:8, Luke 5:16, 1 Corinthians 12:12-27, 1 Corinthians 12:25  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Father's Deep Love

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 25, 2024

In this story, Jesus leaves the ending open. There was still time for the self-righteous to repent as well. There is still time for you. Have you drifted far from God?

Opening illustration: Play the video “Daddy’s Love.” Introduction: On this ''Father's Day'' we will take an in-depth look at the genuine love of God, which is depicted in the love of the prodigal's earthly father. The sinfulness of the son was great, but the graciousness of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-24, Luke 15:30-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Portrait Of A Godly Father

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Jun 18, 2022

When we consider Jesus’ audience, there is a much deeper truth. Jesus shows the sinners, publicans, scribes and the pharisees what God is really like and he paints a picture of a Godly Father.

Sermon: The Portrait of a Godly Father Text: Luke 15: 1-24 1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! 3 So Jesus told them ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-24

Denomination: Methodist

Grudges And Guilt

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jun 22, 2022

We have been talking about some of the things in life that set us back. We've talked about betrayal, temptation, the injustices of life, just plain hard times, and bitterness. When we are involved in any of these, we tend to become plagued with guilt and grudges.

For the past couple of months we have been talking about some of the things in life that set us back. We've talked about betrayal, temptation, the injustices of life, just plain hard times, and bitterness. Today I'm going to wrap all of this up as we talk about what these things can ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21, Philippians 3:7-9, Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Baptist