THE HARVEST OF ONE - Luke 15:11-32

INTRO: We continue to talk about the Harvest: It is plentiful; we can’t give up on - souls.

The HARVEST implies MANY - but often the HARVEST is about the ONE!

Luke 15 is often referred to as the Chapter about the LOST. It’s contains 3 Parables; Lost Sheep; Lost Coin; Lost son.

Lost Sheep - 100 sheep; loses one; goes and finds it; REJOICE WITH ME, FOR I HAVE FOUND THE LOST ONE.

Lost Coin - 10 silver coins; loses one; cleans the whole house; finds it; REJOICE WITH ME BECAUSE I HAVE FOUND MY LOST COIN.

LOST SON - Prodigal; The most extensive parable in Luke 15. God wants us to understand that the HARVEST includes those who have LEFT THE HOUSE and those LOST IN THE HOUSE.

THE REBELLION- 11-19

People often leave the house because of Rebellion.

2 sons; 1 righteous; 1 sinner; asked for inheritance; lived large and wasted it.

Money was gone; got a job - PERSUADED a farmer to hire him; unskilled; able to feed pigs-spiritually unclean/morally embarrassing. Pigs were unclean because they ate filth.

The young man was determined in his REBELLION.

TO REBEL AGAINST GOD RESULTS IN FAILURE. LIVING; MONEY; FRIENDS; FAMILY.

I can do better than this. My father’s servant’s live better than this. SO I will go home…acknowledge where you are...”FATHER I HAVE SINNED - repent; Not worthy to be a SON; but a servant.

THE RETURN - 20-24

GOD’S LOVE IS AMAZING!

While the son was a long distance his father saw him. Imagine the joy.

Father was FILLED WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION-experience…ran; embraced; kissed. NOT FUSS; REBUKE; I KNEW IT; I TOLD YOU SO!

When the son repented to his father the father, heard it but didn’t comment on it.

WHEN REPENTANCE IS OFFERED SINCERELY, GOD ACCEPTS IT GRACIOUSLY.

The father ordered the finest robe in the house…ring (visible authority of the father)…sandals (servants did not wear sandals)…fatted calf and LET’S CELEBRATE.

WHY? This ONE was dead…but now they are alive. This ONE was lost…but now they are found.

And the party began (on earth as it is in heaven).

THE RESENTMENT - 25-32

The other son, the righteous one came home and heard the celebration; asked a servant what was going on. The servant told him your brother has returned and the righteous one became angry…refused to go into the house. FELLOWSHIP! NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THE HARVEST!

RESENTMENT OF ANOTHER IS RESENTMENT AGAINST GOD. ALL CREATED IN HIS IMAGE.

RESENTMENT OF GOD IS CAUSED BY A MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE RELATIONSHIP.

The elder son had confused his relationship with the father…he based it on his works (29)…but the father based the relationship on LOVE.

ALL I HAVE IS YOURS…REJOICE WITH ME BECAUSE OF THE HARVEST...YOUR BROTHER.

CLOSE: THE HARVEST OF ONE IS IMPORTANT TO GOD.

Take 5 Cards and pass them out this week. Easter is coming.

Let’s focus on reaching that ONE who has...

REBELLED AGAINST GOD...

RESENTMENT OF GOD...

AND SEEK THEIR RETURN TO GOD.