The Parable of the Prodigal Son concludes a series of three stories all illustrating the same point. God's heart is to redeem the lost. People who consider themselves needing no redemption are not only the most in need of it, but often reveal this through the bitterness and resentment shown towards those who receive the mercy they themselves need.

1. The Audience of The Parable were people who were like the Prodigal Son's brother, which was the point of the whole story.
2. The Point of the Parable was to explain God's heart towards the sinner was desiring to see them restored.
3. The Conclusion of the Parable is unknown because the audience hearing it still had to decide whether they'd acknowledge and receive the mercy of God as the gift that it is.

There are two equal and opposite mistakes people make with sex. Some dishonor it through its abuse. Others dishonor it through its neglect. Both are not God's purpose for marriage. Marriage was created as the place where our sexuality could be enjoyed on the foundation that every relationship is built on. Trust.

1. God invented and defined the purpose of our sexuality.
2. To dishonor marriage and our sexuality is something God will judge because it is a serious aspect of our lives.
3. Honoring God through our relationships, sexual or not, will always begin and end with trust."

Faith has been redefined from its original and intended meaning. Faith, or trust with reason, has been understood rather to mean assumption. We need to be careful not to exchange faith for cynicism because it is a foundational aspect of our relationship with God and men.

1. Faith isn't assumption.
2. Faith isn't devoid of reason.
3. The virtue of faith is based on how trustworthy its object is.

Hope is the joyful expectation of a promise not yet fulfilled. The cynic has abandoned hope due to disappointment in what they are hoping for or a lack of reason to rejoice in the object of their hope. Without joy in God, hope in His promises will not happen.

1. The enemy of hope is cynicism. The response to cynicism is faith.
2. The hope of Christians is directly tied into the example of Jesus' own death and resurrection.

Love is the unique characteristic of God demonstrated to us in a moment of human history. The character of Jesus Christ and the act of redeeming us on the sole basis of His goodness is the model by which our relationship with God will continue to be defined by into eternity. Apart from the Holy Spirit, it will not be demonstrated in our Christian lives. Yet it is the only thing that should separate the Christian from anyone else.

1. Perfect love isn't natural for mankind.
2. Love is defined based on the character of God and His treatment of us.
3. Love God's way is impossible apart from the Holy Spirit.

Intrinsic value is an assumption in Christianity. It should not be taken for granted without understanding where that sense of value comes from. Fellow Christians share a Father and should treat each other like family. Fellow humans share a Creator and should be respected as such. And Christians who are suffering are experiencing this for the very same thing we ourselves ought to be doing. Act like Jesus to whoever and wherever you can.

1. Treat everyone in the church on the basis of their relationship with the Father.
2. Treat everyone outside the church on the basis of their Creator.
3. Treat those who suffer with the same comfort you'd want in their situation.