Prodigals and the Lost

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Lord, here we go again!

Pray.

Think myself empty.

Read myself full.

Write myself clear.

Pray myself haught.

Be myself.

Forget myself.

Lord, let this message be a beacon for you. Let me be forgotten and invisible. Let them see and know you, only you. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

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The gospel is the good news that God, the loving Creator, sovereign King, and holy Judge of all, has looked upon men and women wonderfully and uniquely made in His image who have rebelled against Him, are separated from Him, and deserve death before Him, and He has sent His Son, Jesus, God in the flesh, the long-awaited King, to live a perfect and powerful life, to die a sacrificial and substitutionary death, and to rise from the grave in victory over sin, Satan, and death. The gospel is a summons from God for all people in all nations to repent and believe in Jesus for the forgiveness of sins, turning from all idols to declare allegiance to Jesus alone as King and trust in Jesus alone as Lord. All who turn from Jesus will experience everlasting, horrifying suffering in hell, while all who trust in Jesus will experience everlasting, satisfying communion with God in heaven. (Secret Church 2020, David Platt, Radical.net)

For now, Jesus remains in heaven, changing the world one person at a time, but one day he will return and judge the world in righteousness. He will remove from this world all sin and all causes of sin and he will restore the cosmos to a state of peace, prosperity and flourishing and all those who have received him as their Lord and Savior will participate in his rule and enjoy his goodness forever.

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PRAY

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EACH WEEK:

A parable is a simple story that explains a spiritual truth.

Have you ever lost something that meant something special to you? Talking about an object?

What was it??

SCRIPTURE

Luke 15:1–32 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: 4 “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? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 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.’ 7 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. 8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” 11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. 17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” ’ 20 And he arose 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. 21 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.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. 25 “Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. 27 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.’ 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’ ”

The Parable of the Prodigal Son

1. Jesus talking to the Pharisees and the scribes.

Rumspringa

2. Who are the main characters? Who do they represent?

· Father

· Prodigal Son

· Older Son

· Father = God

· Prodigal Son = Sinners

· Older Son = Pharisees

3. What is the message of this parable?

· Sinners always have the opportunity to return to God and find forgiveness.

· God offers full and complete forgiveness to those that will accept it.

· God’s people should rejoice at the extent to which God offers grace to the undeserving.

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

4. Who are the main characters? Who do they represent?

· Shepherd

· Lost Sheep

Our relationship with God is like that of a Shepherd and His sheep. We are the sheep.Unfortunately, sheep are not known to be the brightest of animals. They tend to be a little ditzy at times — often wandering off into the wilderness until they get scared.

Sheep are reliant on their shepherds and their flocks. Sheep are prone to dangerous situations. Sheep are really good at getting lost.

Jesus is our caregiver — the protective Shepherd.

The shepherds staff was used used to correct sheep when they went on the wrong path. It was a weapon used to protect them from wild animals. It was able to smash the heads of snakes and whack away wild coyotes. Psalm 23 says our Good Shepherd carries a big rod and we should find comfort, hope, and love in that. With their staffs in hand, shepherds lead their flock to the safest places for the night. Shepherds fight off predators with their staff. Shepherds go to great lengths to save their sheep in times of danger. This means that our shepherd does the same for us — He protects us and provides for us. The shepherds staff provides safety for the sheep.

Everyone thought of shepherds just as protectors and providers. However, Jesus takes it one step further. He’s a pursuing shepherd. He’s not just a protective shepherd, he’s a passionate one who will go to great lengths to protect his little sheep.

The Shepherd in this story battled the ancient audience. He leaves his perfectly good flock of 99 to find one lost animal. It’s not expounded upon either.

When I read this, I think that 99% is pretty good! That’ll get you an A+ in school. Why would he stress over a 1% loss? Shouldn’t he just focus on the 99 safe sheep following him around?

It doesn’t say he hired a sheep sitter or left the flock in a fenced in field.

Nope. He just leaves it. Parables were often intentionally dramatic — with an intentional twist.

The twist in this story is that the Shepherd left the rest to look for the one. This goes to show that Jesus is willing to take a risk to seek out a rebel.

The shepherd was sacrificing a lot in this story. He left his current flock to go out into the wilderness — risking the elements and bears. It was seemingly foolish. It was seemingly dangerous.

Why would any shepherd in their right mind do something like that for one single, little, rebellious sheep? It seems absolutely absurd to go to such great lengths for one single, little sheep — until you realize that one is actually you. That sheep’s story is your story.

Notice the caregiver rejoices when he finds his lost sheep. Never underestimate God’s passionate pursuit for His people. He will look for you. He will fight for you. He will celebrate when you come home. Whenever you are feeling outcast, alone, average, not-good-enough, or inadequate, remind yourself that you are the one lost sheep.

· The 99

· Shepherd = Jesus

· Lost Sheep = Sinners

· The 99 = those Redeemed

Jesus will pursue you. Jesus chased after you even when it didn’t make sense. You might feel like no one notices you, but Jesus does. He does more than merely notice you. He radically loves you. He does this because: He wants you to be with Him forever. He wants the best for you. He desires a relationship with you.He will go to great lengths to make that happen. 

5. What is the message of this parable?

· Jesus will pursue you.

· Jesus notices you.

· Jesus radically loves you.

6. How do the two parables compare with each other?

7. How does this fit in with the gospel message?