Series: “Investigating Jesus” (goal: move from crowd to true discipleship).
Luke, a physician, writes to his lost friend Theophilus, carefully compiling controversial teachings–including Jesus’ words on hell.
Preacher acknowledges cultural pressure to avoid topics of politics, money, and hell; chooses to confront hell head-on because Jesus taught it plainly.
Satan’s first lie (Genesis 3:4) denies judgment; he still uses three goals:
The preacher retells Jesus’ parable of the two sons (Luke 15) through a modern father’s voice, spotlighting two radically different children.
Purpose: expose both the “rebellious prodigal” and the “rule-keeping elder brother” hearts in all of us, then reveal the welcoming, pursuing heart of the Father.
Sermon arises from Jesus’ own context: religious leaders angry that He ate with “tax collectors and notorious sinners,” prompting the three lost-and-found stories of Luke 15.
