Parable of Lost Things

Introduction

: Can you remember a time in your life when you felt far from God? Was it during a time when you were determined to live life according to your own standards and desires? Do you know people today who are far from God? What is your reaction to those who are dealing with sin? Today we will see how God responds to His children when they stop running from Him and seek His grace.

Again three parables to the religious leaders but at a different time and we don’t have time to go through all three!

Tension

Luke 15:1–10 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.”

“Tax Collectors and sinners” from last week - Tax Collectors and prostitutes.

“So...” was in response to the Pharisees grumbling

Truth

1. Sinful behavior leads us far from God (Luke 15:11–16).

Luke 15:11–16 ESV

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.

In Jesus’ parable, the younger son demanded his inheritance so he could make his own life choices (vv.11–12).

The younger son found his freedom, but lost himself in the process (vv. 13–14).

The younger son had to accept the most demeaning job and soon recognized that even the pigs lived better than he did (vv. 15–16).

Illustration: Frank Sinatra’s song “My Way” was ranked 27 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, number two on the Adult Contemporary Chart in the US, and number five on the UK Singles Chart in 1969. Paul Anka wrote the song especially for Sinatra after a conversation with Sinatra about changing parts of his life. The song focused on looking back over his life with few regrets for living life his way. Describe a time in your life when you were determined to live by your own rules. How did that situation turn out? When did you realize that you had hit rock bottom?

2. Sincere repentance leads us back to God (Luke 15:17–20a).

Luke 15:17–20 ESV

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.

The younger son realized that he could live better as a servant in his father’s house (v. 17).

He returned home, repentant and ready to accept the consequences of his actions (vv. 18–20a).

Illustration: Getting a big project ready for school or work can be stressful. Imagine working for weeks on that really important project. Then, the day the project is due, you discover that you have misplaced it. It’s gone, deleted, lost. You scour your office, your car, your computer, trying to find it. Then you remember, you emailed a copy of the project to a colleague. You’re elated. You have searched and searched and now, you have found it. We can all relate to that sense of relief we have when something, or in this case, someone so valuable is found. Searching is stressful. Finding is the most joyful feeling in the world.

3. Reconciliation with God is possible with His compassion and forgiveness (Luke 15:20b–32).

Luke 15:20–24 ESV

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.

Luke 15:25–32 ESV

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.’ ”

Even though the son had been away a long time, the father watched for him, compassionately received him, and celebrated his return (vv. 20b–24).

The older son, who had remained faithful to his father, was angered that his brother received complete forgiveness and reconciliation (vv. 25–30).

The father emphasized the importance of celebrating the return of the lost son (vv. 31–32).

Because People are God’s Treasure, He celebrates the return of His wayward children even as He encourages His faithful followers to welcome home the lost.

Gospel Application

Landing

Conclusion: In this parable, Jesus revealed a son’s repentance, a father’s compassion, and a brother’s dissatisfaction. In the Christ journal, C. Gene Wilkes asks: “Who are you in the story today? Do you need to repent and go home? Do you need to forgive and embrace a lost child? Do you need to give up your pride and celebrate the return of those who have a change of heart and come to the Father?”