Parables of the Lost Sheep and Coin

Theological Focus

When Christ pursues a lost sinner, he relentlessly and unfailingly finds him/ her who, at the same time, draws near to Him by faith and turns away from his/her lifestyle of spiritual rebellion, resulting in a joy filled life as opposed to those who do not.

Introduction:

Today is a perfect lesson for Roundup Sunday, it’s the lesson about rounding up what was lost. In this case, us!

We are in Luke 15:1-10 looking at Jesus who came to seek and save who were lost.

I. Christ relentlessly and unfailingly pursues lost sinners until they are found.

1.) Revelation

Q: Who are the people that approached Jesus?

A: Tax Collectors and sinners

Words to emphasize: they “were all drawing near to hear him”

Q: What do you know about tax collectors?

A: They were seen as traitors. Were Jewish men who worked for Rome and were known for being greedy and taxing above what was necessary.

Q: What was it the Pharisees and scribes complained about?

A: The fact Jesus received them, and welcomed them.

Explain: Jesus then tells two back to back parables that we will look at side by side: The Parable of the Lost Sheep and The Parable for the Lost Coin.

Q: Looking at both parables, what similarity does the shepherd have with the woman as he looks for his lost sheep and she looks for her lost coin?

A: The man pursuing the lost sheep until he finds it; the woman lighting a lamp in the house and sweeping diligently until her coin is found.

You might think, why is a coin so important? My sons Levi and Anthony likes to collect change they finds on the ground. But it could have been a headband that had these 10 silver coins or just may be referring to days wages she possessed. One silver coin was worth a day’s wage in those days. Either way, it was valuable to her enough to search dilgently.

2.) Relevance

Q: What do these two parables reveal to us about Christ when he came to seek and save us?

A: our being found was 💯 because of Jesus pursuing us

Illustration: A couple of years ago a 68 year old man was driving back from Ridgecrest in his truck through the canyon and veered off the side 100 feet down into the ravine.

Amazingly he survived, but was stuck down there for about 5 days without food or water. He was severely injured, broke several ribs and vertebrae, and all he could do was wait and hope.

His family of course was terrified when he didn’t come home and tried searching desperately for him. He had to endure near freezing temperatures at night, high heat during the day, and even the biggest bear he ever saw walked three feet in front of him! Fortunately for him, the bear just looked at him and walked away. After the fifth day, someone spotted his wreckage, climbed down and saved his life.

Calvin described what he felt when he realized he was being rescued: "I was excited, I was happy, I was glad. I was going to be saved, I'm not gonna die here. I'm gonna make it. I was very happy - tears were running down my face."

Like this man, we once were lost until we were found. Just as he wasn’t in a position to save himself, neither were we!

II. When Christ has found his lost sheep, he receives them with joy and all of heaven rejoices.

1.) Revelation:

Q: When the shepherd finds his lost sheep and the woman her lost coin, what is their reaction?

A: Rejoicing! They are extremely happy and excited.

Q: What repeated words or phrases do you notice between the two parables?

A: Calls to neighbors: “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep/coin that I have lost.” there will be more joy in heaven [before angels] than those who feel they need no repentance.

Notice especially when the shepherd finds his sheep, he lays it on “his shoulders, rejoicing.”

Q: How is Jesus relating this to the Pharisees’ grumbling over Jesus receiving tax collectors and sinners?

A: discussion

2.) Relevance (Illustration)

The emphasis is on the shepherd and the woman pursuing that which was lost. In the same way, Jesus pursued and found us.

Many times we look to our own experience and we think about when we found Jesus Christ. But this teaches us that when we “found Jesus”, He at the same time was actively pursuing us. All the credit goes to him!

Q: What are some challenges that these parables give to us?

A: Dangers of being self sufficient spiritually, the need for repentance

Q: What are some areas of comfort and hope?

A: The rejoicing, the joy that we enter into upon being found by Jesus and repenting.

Illustration: When we were at Disneyland this past May, there was a lot of people for memorial day weekend.

Our last day there, we were in Toon Town and the kids were having a great time there playing.

Taylor and I were talking and I had Jade next to me. I overheard say, “I’m going to look for Donald duck”. Then I turned toward her - and she was gone!

We looked for her and looked for her, Taylor went and told the people there in charge and showed her a picture of her. We were frantic! Finally one of the workers spotted her and we were absolutely ecstatic.

Just as were were overjoyed to find Jade, there is a billion more times joy in heaven when you were found by Christ!

Q: Knowing that there is joy in heaven after you given your life to Christ, how can that motivate you as you pursue joy in your life?

A: discussion

III. Application:

1.) For nonbelievers:

To experience true joy: Draw near, hear, and repent. You can do this right now by talking with me or one of the pastors during service. Do not go home today without knowing for sure if you belong to Christ.

2.) For believers: rejoice!

Make a habit to go to worship service regularly, singing praises to Him because you were lost but now are found!