Luke 15 Circle Park
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God leaves the 99 for the 1.
God leaves the 99 for the 1.
Wow what a beautiful day I am grateful to be here with you all. When Cheryl asked if I could do this I couldn't be more exited to take the opportunity, I've lived in the valley my whole life, I gave my life to the Lord around 2 years ago and my life has changed drastically since then I have had the oppurtunity to do mission trips, summer camps, but my main passion is helping individuals in the valley grow in thier relationship with the Lord, currently I run a landcaping buisness, i am an intern at my Church, and help with the youth group there, then im also a volunteer for an orginization known as youth for christ where we try to reach the youth of this valley with the gospel . One of my main goals is to live out what Paul writes in 2 Tim 2 15
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
We will attempt to do jsut that rightly handle the word of truth that the scriptures are just as relevant today as it was 2000 years ago regardless of what culture says.
But we are not here to talk about me So we are going to read out of Luke chapter 15 if you have a bible if you don't that's okay i will read the passage out loud for us. But my prayer is that we all walk away from this feeling encouraged. We will read 3 parables that are about recovering things that were lost and likely there is someone here today that is also lost maybe the world rejects you the way the pharisees reject others Im here to tell you that Jesus is looking for you and he rejects no one who comes to him looking to be found.
Read Luke 15 1-7
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.
reread v 1
1.) So in this day the tax collectors and sinners were considered unclean according to Jewish law , tax collectors were especially hated because they were Jews who turned against their own people to their own benefit, there were employed by the roman officials to collect the taxes owed which were often very unfair the amount they charged,
similar to today whats new? But they didn't really care how the tax collectors got it as long as they got what they felt they were owed so say it was 100$ dollars, well the TC might tell the people it was 300$ give the 100$ owed to the romans then pocket the extra 200 for themselves they were corrupt hence the reason they were hated by thier own people.
Then in verse 2 we get introduced to the pharisees and the scribes which were known as the religious leaders of that day they would divide humanity into either unclean or righteous. They tried to seperate themselves from the unclean as much as possible. Some took this so seriously that they wouldn't even teach the word of God to the unclean. The idea being if you follow God law you are righteous but if you do not you are unclean. The issue is the pharisees were kind of making the rules on who was unclean and not they weren't even following scripture in many cases,
in reality they were hypocrites they would point out the wrong in others but behind closed doors they were committing sin as well. Jesus was bad for the pharisees because they knew if the people actually listen to him , and he is the messiah then people would no longer listen to them and they would essentially lose their authority.
So we see see sinners tax collectors pharisees a huge crowd surrounding Jesus asking why he eats with such people, in eastern culture there is this sense of unity if you are to break bread with someone else and the tc and sinners were attracted to Jesus because they were the ones flocked to Jesus they knew they need saving.
So he answers in response to the complaining pharisees in this beautiful parable of a lost sheep and the Shepard that goes to find it. Jesus is the good Shepard looking for the lost sheep. The reason he uses this illustation hes no doubt referencing a OT scripture from the prophet Ezekiel no doubt addressing these wicked Shepard in Ezek 34 1-6
The word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel. Prophesy, and say to them, ‘This is what the Lord God says to the shepherds: Woe to the shepherds of Israel, who have been feeding themselves! Shouldn’t the shepherds feed their flock? You eat the fat, wear the wool, and butcher the fattened animals, but you do not tend the flock. You have not strengthened the weak, healed the sick, bandaged the injured, brought back the strays, or sought the lost. Instead, you have ruled them with violence and cruelty. They were scattered for lack of a shepherd; they became food for all the wild animals when they were scattered. My flock went astray on all the mountains and every high hill. My flock was scattered over the whole face of the earth, and there was no one searching or seeking for them.
The pharisees surely would have known what Jesus he is alluding too in Ezek 34 when he brings up this parable, hes essentially saying you are corrupt shepherds of this passage which would have been very offensive to them so he essentially says I have come to collect the flock, I dont care if you look all righteous, i have came to save the lost!!
It reads in a few verses after Ezek 34 11-12
“For thus says the Lord God: Behold, I, I myself will search for my sheep and will seek them out. As a shepherd seeks out his flock when he is among his sheep that have been scattered, so will I seek out my sheep, and I will rescue them from all places where they have been scattered on a day of clouds and thick darkness.
No doubt we see Jesus fufilling this OT prophecy
Then we see this similar parable with verses 8-10 of this parable of the lost coin That the woman searches everywhere for this lost coin and rejoices when she finds it.
So that is the context we must read this from that Jesus is answering the Pharisess who claim to be righteous but thier hearts are far from the Lord Which leads us into our main text we will be in for this morning is verses 11-32
A very famous story, that even people who have never read the bible may have even read this story. Its known as the Prodigal son
Read Luke 15 11-21
He also said, “A man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he distributed the assets to them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing. Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He longed to eat his fill from the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything. When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger! I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.” ’ So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’
Going back up to V1 the son asks for his inheritance early
V11 Even though the parable is known as the prodigal son the other son and the father are both important characters as well.
So in this culture it was up to the father when the sons would get the inheritance either before or after he dies it wasnt uncommon to figure it out beforehand because the older sun would get double portion of his fathers estate the younger sons share would have been closer to one third of the estate,
typically being when the father dies so its kind of weird that he’s asking for it now because its kind of like saying I don’t care if your dead dad I just want my inheritance. He’s motivated by his own greed.
So the father give him his inheritance
The father here is clearly illustrating Gods love His love allows rebellion and respects the free will to make your own decision The father knows he is making a foolish greedy desision but allows him to go the course because there would be true love without free will.
we see the younger son leaves taking all his inheritance with what looks to be no plan on ever returning to his family.
Begins to live a prodigal lifestyle, meaning a reckless, foolish, party style life no doubt fun while it lasted.
Spends all of his money is essentially broke then a severe famine hits the land
Then out of pure need for food and to stay alive he takes a job that unacceptable and offensive to any Jew because pigs were considered unclean according to the levitical law. He has just spiraled into a terrible desperate situation in unknown territory poor so poor he would like to just even eat the pigs food.
Perhaps today you are here and find yourself in a similar situation you are desperate to get our of the situation that your are in maybe not just financially but emotionally, it could be from a relationship, an addiction. Unfortunately for some of us we are just like the prodigal son we have to quite literally hit rock bottom before we realize something needs to change we
V17-19 One of the first thing that happens when the son comes to his senses is he realizes he needs to surrender to the lifestyle that he is living and go back to his father. Friend what do you need to surrender from this morning?
Then he remembers his father servants are taken care of so I will go back to father. Its important that he notices that he sinned greatly.
There cant be a genuine repentance without recognizing the magnitude of our sin you wont have a need to change if you think are perfect
The bible says in James 4 8
Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
ive heard it said if you take 1 step toward him hell takes 5 towards you . If you jump towards him hew will sprint too you, if you sprint towards him he will fly too you
So He rehearses what he will say to his father on the way and says to himself not only did I sin against my earthly father but my heavenly father as well. Thats an important distinguish
He knows there are no excuses for his behavior. Since he has wasted his fathers inheritance, he has to no right to claim to be identified as his fathers son. He is just hoping he can be hired as one of his fathers servants.
Jesus here is using the son to illustrate the repentance of the tax collectors and sinners. That those who realize there dire for God, the good and gracious God they have turned their back too many times, theta they do not even deserve Gods kindness, they have no excuse for the way they lived but they simply want to return home to their father,
Read V20 The fact that his father sees him from a long way off tells us that his father was likely habitually sitting there waiting for his son to return, I imagine he would just go sort of sit on the front porch waiting for the return of his boy, thinking where is my son is he even alive
Man this really sets the scence it reminds when I was lost to the world and all the nights I would go out partying telling my parents im safe at a friends house, when in reality im passed out in a field somewhere who knows, all the terrible situations I had managed to place myself in.
I remember the night I finally said im done I cant do this and I cried out to the Lord, I just remember how great it felt to be able to tell God I have sinned greatly my lifes a mess i need you Lord,
None the less his father sees him him and runs toward him, Now according to Jewish his law he could have his son killed for what he did he had been rebellious, a glutton, and a drunkard. But he dose just the opposite he runs towards him
and in this culture it was unusual for a grown man to run it was considered undignified especially a man of wealth But his father is so overwhelmed with joy he runs to his son and begins hugging and kissing him.
Read 21-23
The son begins to recite his speech of how he has sinned, and the father barely seems to ackowdlege it and tells his servants to bring the best robe, ring sandals, and kill the best calf for a feast!! My son is home!!
The father here is showing God love for us that when we turn our face toward God, even if are far from him he sees his own child in us. Instead of him saying let him come to me ask for my forgivness, he takes the first step toward us.
Read V24 Beautiful words from the father this is true for anyone here today is not in Christ you are spiritually dead and lost,go to your father that you may be alive agian, and we will celebrate with you
the bible tells us in 2 Cor 5 17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
The first thing the son notices is that he has sinned and needs to recocile that, the bible tells us in Rom 3 23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Everyone here is a sinner
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
We have to understand how serious sin is we live in a culture nowadays that tells us sin good, a do what makes you happy sort of mindset, the problem with is that see where that has gotten us, America and the world has fallen so far as sin continues to grow in our country and in the world.Sin is evil and in order to for God to be a good judge he had to give us the death penalty for our sin.
What is sin in your life?what do you prioritze before the Lord
your job
your finances
your image as it was for the pharisees
an addiction
a hobby an idol
maybe you see the wrong in others but cant see the flaws within yourself
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
He knew no one would be able to redeem themselves back to the Lord our good works are a filthy rag to the Lord, nothing we could do it had to be him too do it,
That 2024 years ago a man named Jesus Christ walked this earth, fully God yet fully man.Lived a life without sin he knew no sin, thats why he was the only one worth of paying for the sin of the world. Gets falsely accused by the pharisees, even the roman officials said they can find no gilt in him, yet was crucified anyways dieing a grusome death. 3 days later rising again seen by over 500 eyewitnesses proving he was the true messsiah but in that moment he manages to reconcile man back to God sin had to be dealt with and he did that.
Whats our Job well like the prodigal son returned home we also need too to return to our father and confess our sin
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
lastly Rom 10 13
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
What dose the father do he showers his son with love, it was not necessary for him to shower him with all these gifts but its showing the Lords abundant provision for us, and his love for us , He loves each and everyone of us and we are meant to be in relationship with him but we so often let other things come in between that relationship but im here to tell you stop letting the world rob you from knowing your creator and come HOME TO YOUR FATHER.
Whats the best way to do that? Have a relationship with him, if you have a spouse if you talked to them 1 day a week hows the relationship? NOT GREAT
Same with God we should commune with him on a regular basis its not some choir its a privileged. Imagine if your spouse had to ask what you like to spend time with me? would that be so bad? :(
ways to commune with God
The bible tells us everything about God if you want to know him read this book and you will know God, and anyone who grows with the Lord changes, righteosness will begin to flow fourth.
Pray talk to your father
Get plugged in with like minded believers we can not to this walk alone that is the greatest lie satan has used in this modern day . “I can have a relationship with God and not go to church” my friend you are setting yourself up for disaster, Gods design for us was to be in fellowship with one another, as iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another. I like to use the analogy its always the gazelle that goes off by itself that gets eaten by the lion, and the bible likens the devil to a lion and he will devour if you are not plugged in with fellow soldiers in Christ.No church is perfect but if they teach the bible, with sound doctine and theology then get plugged in, if theres soemthing you dont like change it.
Well end with verese 25-32 and we shift over to the older brothers perspective of this lets read.
“Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he summoned one of the servants, questioning what these things meant. ‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ “Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So his father came out and pleaded with him. But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ “ ‘Son,’ he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ ”
The older brother here represents the pharisees. Instead of this story ending on a note of joy and celebration . It shifts to the bitter brother unlike the fathers attitude . 1st we see him surprised his sinner brother has returned, 2 we see hes jealous of the fathers celebration,3 we see him get angry at the fathers forgiving love, 4th he begins to point out his own righteousness, 5 he focuses on the his brothers sin rather than his repentance,
Notice how he says this son of yours to his father he refuses to acknowledge him as his brother, as the pharisees will not acknowledge the sinners and TC as theier fellow jewish brothers,
Imagine if the younger son was met when he arrived by his self righteous brother, instead of his merciful father how south the conversation would have went.
a lot of prodigal people are met by self righteous Christians,who appear to be holy but thier hearts are far from the Lord, but they surely dont mind pointing out thr shortcomign in others.
they believe they cannot go home to their father, that forgiveness and mercy is too much too hope for. That their only choice is to return to pig slop. We are all prodigals. We cannot be like the older brother and the pharisees if we are going to win any one to Christ only pointing out the wrong in others. Wether its someone you dislike you need to love them and forgive them like Christ would.
So that we too may rejoice at the idea of a brother coming home to the Lord.
Let me pray for us <3g
