Mr. Scott Campbell's sermon on Luke 15 focuses on the three parables of the lost—the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son—all united by the central theme: The Joy of God over the salvation of sinners. Mr. Campbell establishes that these parables were told by Jesus in direct response to the grumbling of the Pharisees and scribes, who were scandalized that Jesus would receive and dine with "tax collectors and sinners." The core purpose of the parables is not to explain the mechanics of salvation but to reveal the profound, divine joy in heaven over a sinner’s repentance, contrasting God's heart with the judgmental attitudes of the religious elite.

The sermon specifically highlights the parable of the lost son, often called the Prodigal Son. Mr. Campbell notes that the younger son's journey begins with arrogance and ends in utter brokenness, eventually leading him to the realization of his sin and a humbling return home. However, the speaker shifts the focus from the son's journey to the extravagant love of the father, who saw his son "while he was still a long way off" and ran to embrace him. This father represents God, illustrating His proactive, unconditional, and tender love toward penitent sinners. This joy is not merely a mild satisfaction but a celebration involving robes, rings, sandals, and a feast, signifying full restoration and honor.

Mr. Campbell dedicates the final portion of the sermon to the figure of the older brother, representing the scribes and Pharisees. He describes this brother as one who lived righteously but whose heart was fundamentally motivated by self-righteousness, obligation, and a transactional view of God. The older brother serves God "to get things from God" and becomes angry when his "goodness" is not rewarded, especially when his immoral brother is celebrated. Mr. Campbell concludes by urging listeners to examine their own hearts: if they are like the younger brother, they need to repent of bad deeds; if they are like the older brother, they need to repent of their self-righteous goodness and the underlying assumption that God owes them because of it. The ultimate takeaway is that God does not want good people, but new people, and salvation is a gift that brings great joy to the heart of God.