"Jesus Loves You"

I. Opening

Context: CTW's production of "Rising Son" with volunteers embodying Christ's body

Central Theme: Knowing Jesus is our primary calling (John 17:3)

Scope: While we can't know everything about Jesus, we can know vital truths (John 21:25)

II. The Demanding Christ

Reality Check: Jesus requires total surrender

Biblical Requirements: Take up your cross, lose your life, become last, choose one master

Important Balance: God's love doesn't mean unconcern about behavior

Call to Holiness: Scripture demands holy living and obedience

III. The Simple Truth: You Are Incredibly Loved

A. Why This Truth Feels Impossible

1.           God's High Standards: We know we fall short of His demands

2.           Our Sinfulness: We're all flawed - selfish, immoral, cruel, apathetic. Result: Natural to doubt God's love when confronting our sin

B. Jesus Saw This Struggle in People: Prostitutes, tax collectors, religious leaders seeking fulfillment. Fishermen, common folks without direction

Jesus' Mission: Communicate God's love regardless of choices or direction

IV. Two Stories of Love (Luke 15)

A. The Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32)

The Son's Disgrace

Ultimate Disrespect: Demanded inheritance (wishing father dead)

Cultural Context: Old Testament prescribed stoning for rebellious sons

Complete Disgrace: Ended up caring for pigs (unclean for Jews)

Community Impact: Town gossip, family shame

The Father's Love

Constant Watching: Spotted son from distance

Undignified Running: Older man running inappropriately

Extravagant Welcome: Fatted calf, fine coat, ring, unprecedented joy

No Questions Asked: Full acceptance without justification

Message: Father's love is greater than any sin

B. The Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7)

The Sheep's Situation

Not Rebellious: Simply wandered away, got distracted, tired, or injured

Natural Drift: No identifiable moment of leaving

Hopeless State: Sheep gives up, lies down, loses hope

The Shepherd's Response

Active Searching: Worried, concerned, seeking desperately

Joyful Recovery: Carries sheep on shoulders

Celebration: Can't stop talking about finding the lost

Counter-Cultural: Pharisees believed lost people weren't worthy to be found

V. The Character of God Revealed

A. Theological Insights

T.F. Torrance: "Jesus died for you precisely because you are sinful and utterly unworthy"

Klyne Snodgrass: God values the least deserving and takes initiative regardless of how lost they are

B. Modern Example: Stephen Rollins

Simple Practice: Ends every interaction with "Jesus loves you"

Community Impact: Golf course encounters, restaurant interactions

Ripple Effect: People remember and share the message

VI. Life Application

A. Interpreting Life's Difficulties

Reality: Life is hard, standards are high, we fail, God feels distant

Framework: Interpret everything through "Jesus loves you"

B. Two Types of People

1.  The Intentional Rebel (Prodigal Son)

Made decision to leave

Father waits for rock bottom realization

Always welcome back home

2.   The Lost Wanderer (Lost Sheep)

Simply drifted away

Too embarrassed, tired, or ashamed to return

Shepherd actively searches and rescues

VII. Closing

Central Message: Jesus loves you

Universal Application: Regardless of whether you've rebelled or simply gotten lost

Invitation: Come home or be found - Jesus rejoices in both