Purpose, Pursuit & Party

Introduction:

Have you ever heard people grumbling in the church?

What are some of the things that upset people?

James 4:1–2 ESV

1 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask.

Today I hope that we can seek to understand what makes us happy at church in comparison to what makes Jesus happy. In chapter 15 of the Gospel of Luke, It begins with the “us and them” showing division and Jesus teaches us, in three parables, purpose, pursuit and party.

Luke 15:1–3 ESV

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” 3 So he told them this parable:

Who is the “us” and who is the “them?”

Pray to know Jesus’ purpose, pursuit and party.

1st Parable: Sheep who are being good, get left behind while the “good shepherd” goes off to find one lost sheep. After finding the sheep he bubbles over with joy and calls together his friends and neighbors for a party.

2nd Parable: Woman, having ten silver coins, goes crazy to find her lost coin. The coins are in a head band or neckless that represents what we know as a wedding ring. She bubbles over with joy and wants to party with friends and neighbors.

3rd Parable is the Prodigal Son: The younger son asks for his share of the inheritance (early) which he wastes away in reckless living. When he realizes his sin he returns to his father. When his father sees him, he felt compassion and ran to him and yeah, you guessed it, they had a party.

Let’s see what we can find what establishes a purpose in each of these parables

Purpose

The good shepherd lives for the sheep.

The woman knows the coins represent more.

The father/son relationship is mutual.

Let’s see what we can find what motivates a pursuit in each of these parables.

Pursuit

The good shepherd values the lost sheep more than his own life.

She demonstrates her responsibility to do everything that she can to find that lost coin.

The father’s love is unconditional.

Let’s see what we can find to stimulate a party in these parables.

Party

Finding who (what) was lost brings overwhelming joy.

Joy can be expressed in thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving is something to be shared to others.

Conclusion: Ok, let’s try to wrap it up

Why do people at church grumble?

Romans 3:10 ESV

10 as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;

Confession and repentance is our daily practice

Matthew 5:44 ESV

44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

I wrote a song in high school that had this phrase in it.

“To love and to be loved and to know that you are loved.”

“You must find the goodness of God and the fellowship of Jesus in who you are, or your love for the Father and his unique Son cannot become the foundation for a life of abundance and obedience.” Dallas Willard