I've Been Running | Jordan Deese | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

I've Been Running

Radiant Church • Jul 6, 2025 • 36 min

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Take this message with you through a journey of Scripture, reflection, and prayer.

Summary

In this hopeful message titled "I've Been Running," Pastor Jordan Deese teaches from Luke 15 to illuminate the profound truth behind Jesus' famous story of the prodigal son. He reminds believers that feeling lost in marriage, career, or finances describes a temporary location rather than a permanent identity. When we humbly admit our need for help and turn away from cultural wisdom, God does not demand immediate perfection—He eagerly runs to meet us with grace, compassion, and refreshing for our souls.

Themes

Identity in ChristGod's Pursuing GraceRepentance and TransformationDivine Direction vs. Cultural WisdomPride and HumilitySpiritual Refreshing

Pastor's Points

1.

1. I have a choice to make.

2.

2. I have a step to take.

3.

3. I have a story at stake.

Key Points

1.
When we look to culture, media, or human wisdom for direction rather than God's Word, we consistently end up in pain, brokenness, and dysfunction (Proverbs 14:12).
2.
Your life will always move in the direction of the most consistent voices listening to culture breeds internal chaos, but listening to Scripture aligns you with God's best.
3.
Pride often prevents people from receiving help because being found requires the humble admission that we are lost.
4.
Jesus specifically came into the world to seek and rescue those who acknowledge their need for Him (Luke 19:10).
5.
When you feel lost, you must recognize that you have a choice to make—understanding that "lost" describes a temporary condition or location, not your core identity.
6.
God never defines believers by their past mistakes or current struggles; Scripture affirms that believers are chosen, valued, and loved children of God ().

Sermon Moments

“"Your life will always move in the direction of the most consistent voices in it. So if you are consistently listening to the culture around you, you should not be surprised when there's chaos within you."”

“"Admitting you are lost is the first step to being found."”

“"Location is where you are, but an identity is who you are. Lost is your location. It's not your identity."”

“"God isn't after your perfection. He's after your pursuit."”

“"Repentance isn't arriving at your destination. It's moving in the right direction."”

“"Grace is never what we expect, and it's always more than we deserve."”

“"The father is the only person in the story that runs... 'I've been running' is not an admittance of your failure, it's a declaration from your father."”

“"God's way better at finding you than you are getting lost."”

This Week

Audit the most consistent voices in your life this week to ensure your directions are coming from God's Word rather than culture, social media, or news.

Honestly identify any area of life—whether marriage, career, parenting, or finances—where you feel lost, and confess your need for God's help instead of letting pride isolate you.

Replace negative self-labels with biblical truth, reminding yourself daily that being lost is a temporary location, not your permanent identity in Christ.

Take one concrete step of obedience toward God today, focusing on heartfelt pursuit rather than waiting until you feel perfect or fully cleaned up.

Reframe how you view repentance, seeing it not as something to fear, but as a refreshing turning point back toward the Father's love.

Bring your weariness, fatigue, and mistakes to the Lord, trusting His promise to wipe away sin and grant refreshing to your soul.

Share your testimony of God's pursuing grace with someone who feels lost, pointing them toward the Father who runs to meet us.

Remember This

Being lost is a temporary location, not your identity—and the moment you turn toward God, the Father eagerly runs to meet you with grace, forgiveness, and soul-refreshing love.

A Challenge for You

"So today, if you have felt lost in your life, just put your hand over your heart... Lord, we look to You as the one who can find us even when we are far from You. May they make that turn, turn towards You. Recognize that You have a plan and a direction for their life."

These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.