In this episode of "Investigating Jesus," we dive into Luke 15’s parable of the lost son, exploring how to live with purpose by rejecting self-righteousness and embracing compassion. Jesus reveals a God who sees us as lost or found, not good or bad, through a father’s extravagant love for his wayward son. Join us to reflect on reconnecting with God and making a difference through love, not judgment!

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro: The Trap of Self-Righteousness

Ever felt a secret satisfaction when someone gets their “comeuppance”? Let’s unpack that.

1:13 - Fashion Fails Through the Ages

From corsets to smugglers—what should we never wear, and why self-righteousness is the worst?

5:37 - Series Recap: Why Jesus Matters

Christianity hinges on Jesus—can we trust Luke’s historical account?

9:50 - Luke 15: Outcasts Draw Near

Tax collectors and sinners gather around Jesus, but the religious leaders mutter in disapproval.

13:34 - Self-Righteous vs. Unrighteous

Which side do you lean toward? Jesus pulls both groups into a powerful story.

15:45 - Parable of the Lost Sheep

A shepherd leaves the 99 for the one—God’s deep care for the lost.

18:18 - The Lost Coin: A Woman’s Search

A woman searches for her coin—Jesus makes her the hero, challenging cultural norms.

20:53 - The Lost Son: A Shocking Demand

A son demands his inheritance early, stunning both the self-righteous and unrighteous.

22:54 - Rock Bottom with the Pigs

The son hits rock bottom—feeding pigs and eating their pods, he’s desperate.

24:55 - A Turning Point: Coming to His Senses

The son decides to return home, unsure of his father’s response.

26:28 - The Father’s Extravagant Love

The father runs to his son, embracing him despite the mess—God’s heart revealed.

30:43 - The Older Son’s Bitterness

The “good” son refuses to join the celebration—two lost sons, one loving father.

34:27 - Living Lost or Found, Not Good or Bad

What if we saw people as lost or found instead of good or bad? A game-changer.

37:47 - Starting a Relationship with God

A simple prayer to connect with God and begin a lifelong journey of transformation.

42:00 - Ditch Self-Righteousness for Compassion

Self-righteousness doesn’t look good on anyone—let’s love like Jesus instead.

44:56 - Closing Prayer & Reflection

A prayer to embrace God’s love and see others through His eyes.

In this episode of "Investigating Jesus," we explore a 2,000-year-old challenge to do more with your life. A radical preacher in Luke 3 calls out everyone—from leaders to soldiers—to live with purpose, not just belief. His message preps the world for something bigger and challenges us to ask daily, “What should I do?” Let’s take action and make an impact, starting with communities like the Gold Coast!

Episode Length: 27:15

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro: Your Life’s Message
What’s the 30-second reel of your life showing the world?

2:29 - Series Recap: One Man’s Impact
How one figure’s radical life still shapes us today.

4:31 - Luke’s Credible History
Luke documents real events, not myths—let’s dig in.

7:47 - The Preacher in the Wilderness
A historical figure brings a game-changing message.

11:37 - Faith That Acts
It’s not about belief—it’s about what you do with it.

14:59 - Real Ways to Make a Difference
Share, be just, don’t exploit—timeless advice for today.

17:19 - Setting the Stage for More
This message is just the beginning of a bigger story.

19:34 - Deepen Your Life Through Action
Doing connects you to purpose in a powerful way.

22:05 - A Simple Daily Question
One question to unlock a more meaningful life.

25:34 - Prayer & Community Impact
Let’s envision a world changed by active purpose.

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This episode unpacks life-changing invitations—from a reluctant teen meeting his future wife at Youth for Christ, to Peter’s jaw-dropping fish haul with Jesus. Luke’s eyewitness account anchors it all. Could saying "yes" to Jesus be your next step? Listen in and reflect!

Episode Length: 39:51

Chapters:

0:00 - Intro: Invitations That Shape Us
A story about saying "yes" and finding love—life’s wild turns!

2:45 - Jesus: The Credibility Key
Why this 1st-century figure still matters in 2025.

6:30 - Luke’s Reliable Record
How Luke’s "we" moments and eyewitness chats build trust.

12:15 - Holy Week Teaser
The gritty, glorious end of Jesus’ story—coming soon!

16:40 - Charlie Duke’s Moon-to-Faith Journey
An astronaut’s tale of Apollo 16 and finding Jesus.

22:10 - Peter’s Defining "Yes"
From empty nets to a full life—Jesus’ call in action.

28:50 - Your Invitation Awaits
Following Jesus: inconvenient, costly, and totally worth it.

35:20 - Prayer & What’s Next
A heartfelt prayer and a nudge to take that next step.

Subscribe: Catch Part 4 next week—more from Luke’s Gospel awaits!
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Is Jesus just a story, or is there real evidence? 📖✨ In this episode, we take a deep dive into the truth about Jesus, exploring historical accounts, eyewitness testimony, and why His message still transforms lives today. Through compelling insights and biblical analysis, we uncover why somebody had to tell this story and why it still matters. 🔍🙌

Chapters & Timestamps:

[00:00] - Introduction: Why Investigate Jesus?

What makes Jesus' story unique, and why should we question it?

[04:30] - The Eyewitness Accounts

How firsthand testimonies shaped the Gospels and their credibility.

[09:15] - Can We Trust the Gospels?

Examining historical accuracy, manuscript evidence, and reliability.

[14:50] - The Message That Changed the World

Why Jesus' teachings continue to impact lives across centuries.

[19:30] - Who Was Somebody Had to Tell?

Exploring the key figures who preserved and spread the message.

[25:00] - The Challenge of Truth

What it means to accept or reject Jesus' story and its implications.

[30:00] - Final Reflection: What Will You Do with This Story?

A call to investigate, reflect, and respond to the truth.

Every church has a story, and this is ours. 🌍✨ In this episode, we take you on a journey through the origins, mission, and vision of our church, sharing the challenges we've faced, the faith that sustained us, and the future we’re building together. Whether you're new or a longtime member, this episode will deepen your connection to our community. 🙌🔥

Chapters & Timestamps:

[00:00] - Introduction: Why Our Story Matters
The importance of knowing the heart and history of our church.

[05:30] - Humble Beginnings: How It All Started
The early days of our church and the vision that sparked it all.

[15:45] - Overcoming Challenges & Growing in Faith
Key struggles we faced, how God provided, and the lessons we learned.

[28:20] - Our Core Values & Mission
The beliefs and culture that shape everything we do as a church.

[41:10] - The Impact on Our Community
Stories of transformation, outreach, and how God is moving through us.

[55:00] - Looking Ahead: The Future of Our Church
Our vision for the next season and how you can be part of it.

[1:05:30] - Final Thoughts & Call to Action
A challenge to step into faith, purpose, and community.

Call to Action:

How has our church’s journey impacted you? 🌟 Share your thoughts in the comments! If you're new, we'd love to connect—let us know how we can support you!

Life is a journey—are you walking in step with the Spirit or relying on your own strength? 🚶‍♂️ In this episode, we explore the battle between self-governance and surrender, why true freedom comes from abiding in Christ, and how daily choices shape our spiritual lives. Through biblical insights, personal stories, and practical steps, discover how to trust God fully and walk in true transformation.

Chapters:

[00:00] - Introduction: What Does It Mean to Walk in the Spirit?
Understanding the tension between self-governance and surrender and why it matters.

[04:30] - The Struggle Between Flesh and Spirit
Paul’s message in Galatians 5:13—freedom in Christ vs. indulging in the flesh.

[09:15] - The Illusion of Control
Why trying to control everything leads to frustration, and how surrender brings true peace.

[14:50] - Faith in the Waiting
Trusting God’s timing when it doesn’t match our expectations—learning patience in the process.

[19:30] - The Power of Abiding in Christ
What does it really mean to abide in Jesus? How staying connected to Him leads to transformation.

[25:00] - The Fruit of the Spirit vs. The Works of the Flesh
Breaking down the contrast between living by the flesh vs. walking in the Spirit.

[30:00] - Final Reflection: Choosing to Walk in Step with the Spirit
Practical steps to stay connected to God daily and experience true freedom.

Every choice we make creates a ripple 🌊—affecting our lives, relationships, and faith. In this episode, we explore how small actions, whether good or bad, shape the world around us. Through biblical insights, personal stories, and practical steps, we uncover how to move from self-governance to faithfulness, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us toward lasting impact.

Chapters:

[00:00] - Introduction: Every Choice Has an Impact
How even the smallest decisions create ripples that influence our lives and others.

[03:30] - The Power of Small Actions
Stories and examples of how small acts of kindness, faith, or disobedience create lasting effects.

[07:00] - Biblical Perspective on the Ripple Effect
Exploring key scriptures 📖 that show how choices—both good and bad—change history.

[11:30] - Self-Governance vs. Faithfulness
Understanding the dangers of self-reliance and why surrendering to God's plan leads to real transformation.

[16:00] - The Holy Spirit’s Role in Our Choices
How to listen for God’s guidance and allow the Holy Spirit ✨ to shape your decision-making.

[20:30] - Practical Steps to Create Positive Ripples
Daily habits and mindset shifts that help you make faith-driven choices.

[25:00] - Final Reflection: What Ripples Are You Creating?
Encouragement to reflect on your choices and take steps toward lasting impact.

Call to Action:

What kind of ripples are you creating? 🌊 Take time this week to reflect on how your actions impact others. Let us know in the comments how you’re choosing faithfulness over self-governance!

In this episode, we dive into the concept of humanity’s fatal flaw and how our choices create ripples that shape our lives and the world around us. Drawing from Genesis, we explore the origin of sin, the deception that led to self-governance, and how Jesus restores access to the tree of life. Discover how to break free from destructive patterns and live in God’s purpose.

Chapters:

[00:00] - Introduction: What Is the Fatal Flaw?

Exploring the Ripple Effect and how small choices can have lasting consequences.

[04:30] - The First Ripple: Creation and Perfection

Looking at the Garden of Eden and how God’s original plan was for harmony, purpose, and eternal life.

[08:00] - The Second Ripple: The Fall of Humanity

How deception and self-governance led to separation from God and the consequences of sin.

[12:30] - The Ripple of Self-Governance

Examining how humanity’s desire to define right and wrong apart from God creates chaos and brokenness.

[17:00] - Jesus: The Restoration of the Tree of Life

How Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection reopened the way to eternal life and spiritual restoration.

[22:30] - The Two Ripples: Holiness vs. Self-Governance

A look at the daily choices we make—living by God’s Spirit or by our own will—and their impact.

[27:00] - Practical Steps to Live in the Right Ripple

How to break free from self-destructive patterns, listen to God’s voice, and walk in faithfulness.

[31:30] - Final Reflections: What Ripple Are You Creating?

Encouragement to assess the ripple effect of your actions and live in alignment with God’s purpose.

In this episode, we explore the dangers of staying in our comfort zones and the importance of stepping out in faith. Using Migration, biblical examples, and personal stories, we dive into the challenges of change, overcoming fear, and embracing the adventure God has for us. Discover how to take the leap and trust God’s plan for your life.

Chapters:

[00:00] - Introduction: Comfort Zones and Growth
Exploring how staying in our comfort zones can hold us back and why stepping out leads to transformation.

[03:30] - Lessons from Migration
How the movie Migration illustrates the tension between comfort and adventure, and what we can learn from it.

[07:00] - Personal Story: Learning to Move Forward
A personal journey of realizing when it’s time to transition and the challenges of leaving behind what feels safe.

[12:00] - The Bible on Comfort vs. Faith
Biblical examples of those who stepped out in faith, including Abraham, Moses, and Jesus, and how their journeys inspire us.

[16:30] - Signs Your Comfort Zone is Holding You Back
Recognizing when fear, stagnation, or routine is limiting your potential and how to break free.

[21:00] - How to Take the Leap
Practical steps to step out of your comfort zone, trust God, and embrace the unknown.

[25:30] - Final Reflection: Where Do You Need to Move?
Encouragement to evaluate your own life and take action toward growth and transformation.

In this episode, we explore how God’s grace redefines our identity and transforms our future. Using insights from Wonka, biblical examples, and personal stories, we discuss how dreams, forgiveness, and grace help us break free from the weight of past failures. Discover how to embrace second chances, dream boldly, and live in God’s abundance.

Chapters:

[00:00] - Introduction: Dream a Little Dream
The episode opens with the theme of dreaming and how God’s grace invites us into a relationship filled with imagination and possibility.

[03:00] - Grace and Dreams in Scripture
Exploring biblical examples of grace, including Adam, Abraham, and Joseph, and how God’s dreams shaped their futures.

[07:30] - Wonka’s Story: Overcoming Failure
Parallels between Wonka’s journey of resilience and the transformative power of grace in our lives.

[12:00] - What Is Grace?
Defining grace as the ability to reimagine life through God’s eyes, letting go of the past and stepping into new possibilities.

[16:30] - Breaking Free from the Past
Personal stories and encouragement for letting go of past mistakes, failures, and limitations through God’s redemptive grace.

[21:00] - Living in Grace and Abundance
How to embrace God’s dreams for your life, forgive yourself and others, and create a culture of joy and abundance in your community.

[25:30] - Final Reflection: A Fresh Start with Grace
Closing thoughts on trusting God’s plan, taking risks, and believing that your best days are still ahead.