Jesus and the Prodigal Son | Focused on Christ Podcast (Luke 15 Explained)

In this episode of Focused on Christ, Pastor Nathan Smith and host Mike Crump dive into Luke 15, unpacking three of Jesus’ most well-known parables—the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. These parables reveal the heart of God: His relentless pursuit of the lost, the scandal of His grace, and the joy in heaven when sinners repent.

We explore questions like:
✅ Why did Jesus eat with tax collectors and sinners?
✅ What does the parable of the prodigal son teach us about grace and forgiveness?
✅ How do the father’s actions foreshadow the work of Christ on the cross?
✅ Why did the Pharisees—and the older brother—struggle with God’s grace?

This conversation will challenge the self-righteous, encourage the broken, and remind us all of the beauty of the gospel.

📖 Scripture: Luke 15 – The Lost Sheep, The Lost Coin, The Prodigal Son
🎧 Episode 136 – Jesus and the Prodigal

✦ If you’re looking for:

• Luke 15 Bible study

• Parable of the Prodigal Son explained

• What does it mean that Jesus ate with sinners?

• Parables of Jesus explained

…this episode is for you!

🙏 Subscribe for more Christ-centered teaching and encouragement.

🔗 Connect with us: focusedonchrist.com

#ProdigalSon #Luke15 #ParablesOfJesus #FocusedOnChrist #BibleStudy

Ep. 135 | Condemnation and Love – Can Jesus Rebuke and Still Love?

Welcome to Focused on Christ, where we are passionate about exalting Christ and equipping the church. In this episode, Mike Crump and Pastor Nathan Smith dive into Matthew 11 and unpack two seemingly opposite messages from Jesus: one of condemnation and one of comfort.

Can love and rebuke truly come from the same person without contradiction? Together we explore:

• Why Jesus rebuked cities that rejected Him despite seeing His mighty works.

• How God’s correction is actually an expression of His love.

• The invitation of Christ: “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

• The tension between divine judgment and divine mercy—and why both are necessary for the gospel.

If you’ve ever struggled with how rebuke and love fit together in the Christian life, this conversation will encourage and challenge you.

📖 Scripture Reference: Matthew 11:16–30
🌐 Learn more: focusedonchrist.com

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more gospel-centered content.

#FocusedOnChrist #CondemnationAndLove #Matthew11 #GospelTruth #BiblePodcast

Did Jesus really lie to his brothers?

In this episode of Focused on Christ Mike and Nathan examine John 7, where Jesus navigates family pressure, public scrutiny, and religious opposition during a major Jewish festival. Discover how Jesus responded when His own brothers didn't believe in Him and challenged Him to prove Himself publicly. Learn why Jesus chose to follow God's perfect timing rather than human expectations, and how this applies to your life today.

They discuss why religious leaders, despite their knowledge of Scripture, failed to recognize divine wisdom standing right before them. Understand the difference between knowing about God versus truly knowing Him personally. This episode addresses why people often reject spiritual truth even when confronted with compelling evidence, and how God's Word has unique power to transform lives beyond even miraculous signs.

If you're struggling with waiting on God's timing, facing misunderstanding from family about your faith, or seeking to deepen your relationship with God beyond religious knowledge, this episode offers biblical guidance and practical wisdom. Perfect for anyone navigating confusion in their spiritual journey or seeking to understand how God works in His perfect timing rather than on our schedule.