God Loves More
Before Jesus said a word, his actions spoke volumes—he was eating with “sinners,” and the religious crowd couldn’t handle it. Their pride and judgment were on full display, and in response, Jesus told three powerful stories that revealed God’s heart. A heart that loves more—loves first, loves when we’re a mess, loves when we walk away. These stories challenge us: Have we let that kind of love change us? Do we look more like Jesus or more like the ones who judged him? And who are we making room for at our table?
KEY VERSES:
- Luke 15:1–2
- Micah 6:8
- Hosea 6:6
- Psalm 103:8–14
- Jeremiah 4:23
- 1 John 4:7–12
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Series Intro – “Prodigals” from Luke 15: A deep dive into Jesus’ stories about God’s heart for the lost.
- Religious Leaders Are Triggered (Luke 15:1-2): They were upset not by Jesus’ words, but by his actions—welcoming and eating with sinners.
- Jesus’ Example: Actions speak louder than words. He lived the welcome he preached.
- Modern Church Reflection: Do our actions match our message? Or do we unintentionally push people away?
- The Table vs. The Judgment Seat: Jesus chose the table with sinners. Pharisees chose judgment.
- Three Red Flags in Religion:
- Selfish mutterings — “I don’t like this” mentality
- Entitled positions — “I’ve earned this spot” thinking
- Self-righteous hearts — Forgetting we were once broken too
- Jesus’ Radical Welcome: In this culture, eating with someone was spiritual and relational. Jesus was declaring friendship with sinners.
- Old Testament Echoes: Micah 6:8; Hosea 6:6; Psalm 103:8-14 — God values mercy, justice, and love over performance.
- 1 John 4:7-12: True love begins with God and changes how we love others.
- Final Challenge: Realign your heart with God’s. Make your table bigger. Live the love that changed your life.
TALK ABOUT IT:
- Who do I have a hard time imagining sitting at Jesus’ table?
- In what ways do my actions align—or not—with the heart of God?
- When have I slipped into a “Pharisee mindset” of keeping score or being right?
- How does it make me feel that Jesus would choose to sit at the table with me?
- What does it mean for me personally to “make the table bigger”?
- How can I better reflect God's love in my neighborhood, work, or family?
- What keeps me from engaging more deeply with people who are far from God?
APPLY IT:
- Be honest about who you naturally exclude. Ask God to help you welcome people the way Jesus did.
- Spend time this week in Luke 15. Read it slowly and reflect on how God loves you—and others.
- Choose someone who’s different than you and extend an intentional act of love or kindness.
- Stop seeing church as a place to go and start seeing it as a mission to carry out in the world.
- Catch yourself when you slip into religious pride or judgment—and replace it with gratitude and humility.
- Invite someone to your literal table (a meal, coffee, etc.) and build relational bridges.
Born and raised in Schuylkill County, Josh is passionate about Grace being a church that reaches the entire county. He drives the vision, content, clarity, and leadership cohesion at our church. Josh loves old Harleys, fly-fishing, and Philly sports, but not nearly as much as a he loves spending time with his family.