Luke 15

Luke 15 Repentance leads to Rejoicing

Luke 15:1-2 “Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. And both the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.””

The Heart of God in Salvation

Matthew 11:28-30 ““Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.””

Luke 15:3-5 “So He told them this parable, saying, “What man among you, if he has one hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? “And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”

The Hand of God in Salvation

Isaiah 53:5-6 “But He was pierced through for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; The chastening for our peace fell upon Him, And by His wounds we are healed. All of us like sheep have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But Yahweh has caused the iniquity of us all To fall on Him.”

Luke 15:6-7 ““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 which was lost!’ “I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

Luke 15:8-10 ““Or what woman, if she has ten drachmas and loses one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully 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 drachma which I had lost!’ “In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.””

The Joy of God in Salvation

Luke 15:11–19 (LSB)

And He said, “A man had two sons.

“And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them.

“And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate living recklessly.

“Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.

“So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

“And he was desiring to be fed with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.

“But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!

‘I will rise up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before you.

“I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”’

Steps of Repentance

Desperation by your situation

Recognition of your need

Confession of your fault

Desire for mercy

Readiness to repent and obey

Luke 15:20-24 ““So he rose up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet, and bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and let us eat and celebrate, for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.”

While he was still a long way off

Far away = actively searching

Ephesians 2:13 “But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.”

Ran

Takes on our shame to redeem us

2 Corinthians 5:21 “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

Embraced

To throw oneself upon

Not ashamed to be associated with those He saves

John 17:21 “that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.”

John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,”

Kissed

God is earnest to save

2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some consider slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.”

Acts 17:30 ““Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now commanding men that everyone everywhere should repent,”

Forgiveness is the Father’s to give

Repentance leads to rejoicing

Luke 15:25-32 ““Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. “And summoning one of the servants, he began inquiring what these things could be. “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 became angry and was not wanting to go in, and his father came out and began pleading with him. “But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and never have I neglected a command of yours. And yet never have you given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends. ‘But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ “And he said to him, ‘Child, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. ‘But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and is alive, and was lost and has been found.’””

The False Believer

Has been privileged to know the God’s will

Has been blessed by the God’s provision

Does not care about the will of the Father

Angry = moved with anger, enraged, violent

Not repentant

Cares only about his own will