The One Thing That Keeps Us From Coming Back to God | Philip Miller | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes

The One Thing That Keeps Us From Coming Back to God

Philip Miller

The Moody Church • Oct 27, 2026 • 25 min

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

Summary

Human pride and self-reliance are often the greatest obstacles holding us back from returning to God when we wander. Rather than driving us away, God's kindness and covenant faithfulness actively pursue us, inviting us to stop digging ourselves deeper into self-destruction and turn back toward home. When we humble ourselves and repent, we find a compassionate Father who runs to welcome us with open arms, reminding us that we are never truly alone.

Themes

Pride and RepentanceGod's Covenant FaithfulnessReturning to GodGod's Kindness and MercyHope in Suffering

Key Points

1.
Human pride is often the single greatest barrier that keeps us from coming back to God and experiencing His mercies.
2.
It is the kindness of the Lord, rather than harshness, that pursues our hearts and draws us back to Him in genuine repentance.
3.
Times of deep sorrow and grief are not meant to be walked alone or used as a reason to give up on God.
4.
Self-reliance is always self-destructive, making it essential to lean into God's presence, Word, and promises during trials.
5.
Turning back to God in repentance is actually the true way forward when we have hit rock bottom in life.
6.
Like the prodigal son, when we humble ourselves and head toward home, we find a compassionate Father who runs to meet us.
7.
Even when we are faithless or wander far away, God never abandons His covenant people.
8.
Confessing our sin with a humble heart allows us to let go of self-righteousness and receive God's justifying grace.

Sermon Moments

“When you're driving and you find out you're on the wrong road, the faster you stop and turn around, the sooner you get to go home.”

“As my dad used to tell me, when you're in a hole, stop digging.”

“Sometimes going back is actually the way forward.”

“It's time we let our pride die. Let our self-reliance die, our stubbornness die, our bitterness die, our guardedness die.”

“Naomi may have abandoned God, but God never abandoned Naomi.”

“God turns crosses into resurrection and he can take my story of rebellion and sin and he can bring redemption and salvation.”

This Week

Stop relying on self-sufficiency and humble yourself before God by confessing where you have gone down the wrong path.

In times of grief, pain, or suffering, choose to lean into God's Word, prayer, worship, and church community rather than isolating yourself.

Intentionally let your pride, stubbornness, self-reliance, and bitterness die so that you can freely turn back home to God.

When you recognize you are on the wrong road in life, stop immediately and turn around rather than continuing to dig yourself into a deeper hole.

Choose to trust in the Lord with all your heart instead of relying on dangerous human instincts or your own understanding.

Anchor your mind in God's covenant faithfulness and character, remembering that He will never leave nor forsake you.

Bring your sin and brokenness directly to God in humble prayer, trusting in His justifying grace and welcoming arms.

Remember This

No matter how far you have wandered, letting your pride die and turning back to God reveals a compassionate Father whose kindness and covenant faithfulness are ready to welcome you home.

A Challenge for You

Once you run to him, once you bring your sorrow, your pain, your grief to him, invite him in. Won't you doubt your own instincts and trust yourself to the Lord? And even if you've run the other way and done your own thing, won't you dare to believe that you can come home because of the promise of the faithfulness of your God.

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