Last week I attended a youth camp in Indiana called FUEL. They assigned me the text on the Prodigal Son (Luke 15). As I pondered and prayed how I should approach this powerful parable, I sensed God wanted me to interweave my own story in with the prodigal. As a result, I decided to share my testimony in an honest and raw way. The next day, John Guthrie wrote this summary, which I felt well-encapsulated my message:
Pastor Sean Finnegan used the Parable of the Prodigal Son as a jumping off point to tell his personal “prodigal son story.” Sean, the son of a pastor, seriously strayed from God when he first attended college. Sean spoke of his several serious addictive behaviors that led to situations that could have very well killed him. His addiction to video games was primarily the cause of his academic dismissal after only 2 semesters of college. His dad was furious at this news and told Sean he was a loser (which he acknowledged he was). He sank even further into trouble when he renewed his connections with former high school friends. His mom insisted he go to a community college, but he continued his destructive behavior which led to poor academic performance again. Like the prodigal son of Luke 15, Sean finally “came to himself.” He finally realized how out of control he was. And so, one night, he cried out to the God of his youth, “save me,” and if he would, Sean would live for Him. In spite of what may have been the wrong attitude, God did save him and Sean literally woke up a new man. He found new friends, went back to community college, learned how to study, and his grades were almost all A’s. He eventually had his way paid to attend RPI where he graduated with a 3.9 GPA in engineering. He asked us to access where we were in our spiritual journey. He hoped some could learn from his story and not follow the wrong path that he had taken. He shared Romans 10.9 and asked that those who had not yet decided to follow Christ might consider that. He asked, “Why not tonight?”
Wow! What a powerful – dramatic – compelling and easily identifying testimony! You managed even to roll your father’s testimony into it! This is truly a signature work, not only with respect to effective evangelism, but public speaking altogether. Neither Tony Robbins, Dr. Phil, nor Oprah can hold a candle to this message – about the delivering power of God [when focused by an unqualified commitment to Christ] that you made so clear here. And your line towards those who have might have accepted Christ (in name?) but who were still “adrift” was a total knock-out.
Heck, I now even know who to call for help with my differential equations!! 🙂
Thank you, Sean, for your defining moment and continued commitment to making your life precious to our master.
Sean: I have the same transcripts- haha! I know this was a difficult testimony to share but it is an inspiring thing of beauty. Thank you so much.