At the centre of this message is a Father whose love crosses every barrier. In the well-known parable, the Father runs to meet the returning child, embracing and restoring them with signs of belonging—a powerful picture of welcome home. The sermon challenges “contract thinking”: the idea we must earn our way back or settle our debt. God does not bargain; he invites us into a covenant marked by promise and steadfast love. We’re also cautioned not to stand nearby yet miss his heart, like the dutiful sibling who couldn’t rejoice. True change flows not from routine or rule-keeping but from receiving grace and sharing it. The invitation is simple: come home, be restored, and live as sons and daughters who reflect the generosity we’ve received.

Faith is described as a race that requires endurance, focus, and community. We are called not simply to admire the examples of past believers, but to live out that same steadfastness in our own time. To do this, we must first be tenacious in our walk with Christ, laying aside sins and distractions that weaken us, and pressing on with determination even when life becomes difficult. Secondly, we are to be transfixed on Jesus, making Him the centre of our vision and the foundation of our joy, rather than being drawn away by temporary pleasures or discouraged by hardship. Finally, we are encouraged to be twisted together with Christ and His people, cultivating both a deep personal relationship with Him and meaningful bonds within the community of faith.