The sermon is based on Luke 15 and its Parables of the Lost Sheep, Lost Coin and Prodigal Son.
The opening two verses of Luke 15 give the reason why the Lord Jesus presented these particular parables:
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, 'This man receives sinners and eats with them.' So he told them [these parables].Be blessed as this choice servant of God, uncommon Christian and former Bible college classmate of mine proclaims the truth as it is found in the compassionate, love-filled and non-discriminatory Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 4:21).
"Jesus: A Friend of Sinners"
Sermon jam by Identity 313 Productions
13 minutes
"The Value of Sinners, Prostitutes and Drunkards"
or "Great Worth of Worthless Men"
1 hour, 12 minutes
Granted Ministries--a literature, music, sermon and online ministry of Christ Fellowship in Hannibal, Missouri--describes the sermon and its Canadian-born and raised preacher this way:
This message was preached at the 2nd Annual Fellowship Conference (April 21-24, 2011) in Denton, Texas, by J. Ryan Fullerton, one of the elders (2002- ) at Immanuel Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky.
[NOTE: Sponsored by three churches, the Fellowship Conference is also affiliated with the HeartCry Missionary Society and its founder Paul Washer. The 3rd annual Fellowship Conference is April 5-8, 2012, in Denton, Texas. Pastor Ryan is a scheduled speaker.]
Those who have sat under Ryan's preaching know that he can expound Scripture to the satisfaction of scholars while at the same time driving the word authoritatively into the heart of those who hear. His messages rarely fail to transform the listener, and they never fail to arouse some kind of response.
This message is no different and accomplishes a great many things.
Mainly, Ryan urges us to consistently and diligently preach the gospel to the "prostitutes, tax collectors, and sinners" of our communities—and not in a distant and impersonal way, but in ways which bring us into close contact with their lives, even by inviting them into our houses.
Along the way, this sermon makes many other points.
It shows the graciousness of Christ, who practiced this kind of evangelism. It also confronts common misconceptions of holiness. It even corrects a misapplication of the biblical doctrine of sin, reminding us that even worthless sinners still have great worth before God.
As Christians, whenever we hear a preacher challenge us, we need to "search the Scriptures to see if these things be so" (Acts 17:11). It is our belief that God intends this message to work repentance into the hearts of many professing Christians lacking Christ-like love for sinners.
May you listen well, having asked God to open your heart to the word preached.
Among others available online via YouTube.com, IllBeHonest.com and other websites, here are some more messages by Pastor Ryan. Some are videos and some are audio only.
Be blessed as you are instructed and exhorted by this preacher of the Gospel.
+ "The Convicting Power of Grace," 4th annual Fellowship Conference, Denton, Texas, March 29, 2013 . . . "It is grace that spurs on radical obedience to reach lost areas around the world. It is not simply exhortations to be radical that result in people being radical. It is tender forms of kindness and grace that form the most radical discipleship in the world"
+ "3 Reasons Why We Must Cling to God's Word," 1st annual 9Marks Conference ("Expository Preaching") at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky, March 2, 2013
--> For all 6 sessions (Dever, Mohler, et al.) and Q&A's, see here
+ "Where Is Your Faith?" (Luke 8:22-25), dorm meeting, Boyce College, Louisville, Kentucky, October 29, 2012
+ "Holy War: Is God Guilty of Genocide?" (Joshua 11), Fellowship Conference, Denton, Texas, April 6, 2012
+ "Daniel: A Man of Prayerful Dependence" (Dan. 9:1-23), 2012 Men's Pancake Breakfast, Clifton Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky, March 10, 2012
+ "Radical Evangelism," breakout session at "Radical: Give Me An Answer" collegiate conference, Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, February 18, 2012
+ "Biblical Manhood & Womanhood," 8 messages including Q & A, delivered at Lake Road Chapel, Kirksville, Missouri, February 2012
--> Said one attendee and blogger: "I personally know of no finer introduction to manhood and womanhood from a Christian perspective"
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| Lake Road Chapel. Kirksville, Missouri. February 2012. Click here to listen to sermon series. |
+ "Truths That Will Drive You Into A Life of Service" (Hebrews 2:1-4), dorm meeting, Boyce College, Louisville, Kentucky, March 14, 2011
+ "What Is A Christian?" (John 17), dorm meeting, Boyce College, September 13, 2010
+ A message on balance given at a dorm meeting, Boyce College, February 1, 2010
+ Various sermons at Immanuel Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky, October 2007-present
+ Some portions of Ryan's sermons have been included in songs by Christian hip-hop recording artist Flame
Also, see here for some blog posts written by Pastor Ryan.
Information on Ryan's biography and the church where he ministers are both online.
10th Anniversary Surprise Service of Ryan's Pastorate
Immanuel Baptist Church
Louisville, Kentucky
February 2012
For a 10-minute personal reflection video about Ryan that was given during the commemorative service from one of his mentor-friends (and former Bible college classmate of Ryan and me), Pastor Clint Humfrey of Calgary, Alberta, Canada, click here.
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| Immanuel Baptist Church. Est. 1887. Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Current building (shown here), built 1905. Spiritually revitalized, 2002-present. See here for a 10 minute video on Immanuel's "Deeper and Wider" vision campaign (2013). |
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| Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Est. 1859. Louisville, Kentucky, USA. |
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| Boyce College. Est. 1974. Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Boyce is the undergraduate school of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. |
The audio sermon "The 5 Characteristics of Uncommon Christianity" is now available