Luke 15:1-10
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 this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’
Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Luke 15:25-32
“Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.
And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.
But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ (ESV)
1. The lost sinners and tax collectors (v1)
2. The lost Pharisees and the scribes (v 2)
3. The Lost sheep (vv 3-7)
4. The Lost coin(vv 8-10)
5. The Lost & Found Sons.
How shall we live in view of the teaching of Jesus in Luke 15?
Applying Luke 15 to our Lives
1. Don’t hinder lost sinners who are seeking the Lord
2. Beware of the problem of Legalism
3. Follow the great Shepherd in his quest for the lost
4. Realize that like the lost coin, there are still lost people in dark places
5. Rejoice when sinners repent & rejoice in your salvation!
May the Lord stir our hearts to join Jesus in his search for, finding, and saving the lost through evangelism (locally), mission (globally), and sending, supporting, and praying for missionaries.