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.