Rev. Tom Hathaway - October 5, 2025
Love & Order
Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son reads like a courtroom drama: one set of facts, two competing stories. The son’s version says his mistakes have made him unworthy of love; the father’s version says love has never been in question. In this sermon, we step into the jury box to decide which story we’ll believe — not just about the prodigal son, but about ourselves. Because Jesus doesn’t hand down a verdict; he hands us the gavel and asks what story we’ll live by.
Scripture References: Luke 15:1-13, Luke 15:11-32
From Series: "The Lost Parables of Jesus"
The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son are more than sweet stories about things gone missing and found again. They paint a picture of God as one who refuses to give up on us, who searches tirelessly until the overlooked is noticed and the forgotten is restored. In these parables, Jesus shows us a God who rejoices over each return, no matter how small it may seem, and insists that every single life carries immeasurable worth. They remind us that in the kingdom of God no one is disposable, and the celebration is never complete until all are gathered in.
