Sermon Tone Analysis
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FOUR WHO ARE LOST
LUKE 15:1-31
*Introduction:*
This chapter could be called the parable of lost things—there was the sheep that was lost; the coin that was lost, and the two sons that were lost.
To me this is one of the most beautiful chapters in the Bible.
Look at the way it begins: “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear him."
That tells us a lot about the Lord.
It means that the outcast, the ostracized, those who had failed, realized that in Him they would find help instead of condemnation.
"A friend of sinners" He liked to eat with them.
So when the religious murmured because He received sinners, He told them four stories.
In those stories we see who the lost are, how they became lost, and God's attitude toward them.
! I. LOST THROUGH OTHER INTERESTS
a. *The Lost Sheep (vs.
3-7)*
i.
Not necessarily a bad sheep.
It no doubt loved the shepherd as much as the other sheep.
ii.
The story does not imply that the sheep ran away willfully.
It was out eating grass one day—ooh it was so good in that spot that the sheep forgot the shepherd and just kept drifting away.
iii.
I remember the time that I became lost as a child when I was6 or 7 years of age in Houston, Texas
iv.
Finally the sheep looked up and it was dark and the shepherd and the flock was out of sight.
1. That's the way a lot of people become lost.
We get interested in things—even good things, and we become so absorbed that we forget to pray; we are too busy to go to church and we gradually leave God out of our lives.
2. Then one day something happens.
Maybe it is sorrow or crisis, or some great need and we realize that we are not sufficient unto ourselves and we look around and say, "WHERE AM IT? HOW DID IT GET HERE?
I'M LOST"
v.
Not a mean sheep, but without the shepherd it had no guide.
No way to turn...and I can tell you friend, that without our Shepherd, we have no way to turn.
! II.
LOST THROUGH IDLENESS
a.
A coin was lost (vs.
8-10)
i.
That doesn't mean it was once silver and now turned to copper.
Though it was lost, it was still the same coin and still of value.
ii.
Being lost doesn't mean a person has thrown away all of his character, principles and ideals.
iii.
A lost person is not necessarily an immoral person.
iv.
You can be lost as far as salvation is concerned and still live an honest, decent life.
1.
There will be those at the end of the age that will say, "Lord, Lord, but will not be able to enter for the Lord will say, "depart for I never knew you”.
2.
There are those who say "I am a good person, I live a good life, I don't cheat, steal...etc."
I don't need the church...etc.
b.
The coin was lost because it was out of circulation.
i.
A coin represents service—unless it is spent it will accomplish nothing.
1. Sad stories are told about reclusive people who hide their money, afraid of banks—only to find that inflation has stolen their savings and it won't buy what it once would.
2. The story that Jesus told of the unprofitable servant who hid his one talent..."Bind the unprofitable servant.
You could have at least put it in the bank to earn interest..."
3. Or the fig tree that produced no fruit.
"Cut it down, it's taking up space"
ii.
These represent a lot of good people who are not doing anything as far as service to God is concerned.
1. God has given to each of us at least one talent and it is up to us to seek Him and find how we can minister in His Kingdom—how we can serve Him.
iii.
The highest purpose of man is to serve God.
1.
If we are not using our talents for God, then we can become lost—we can be out of circulation like the coin.
c. Now the attitude of the self-righteous Pharisees would only drive this person further away.
i.
The way to find this person and restore them to their rightful place in God is to show them a better way to spend their lives.
ii.
The spirit of this age would draw us away from Him...think of all the activities and things we can become absorbed with...
! III.
LOST THROUGH DESIRES
a.
The Prodigal Son (vss.11-24)
i.
No doubt this was a fine young man with many promising abilities—wanted to really live his life to the fullest.
ii.
Home was dull; his father's restraints irked him and he decided he could manage his own life
iii.
So he heads-out on his own and the only master he listens to is his own desire.
He never thinks of what he ought to do; only what he wants to do.
He doesn't pray "thy will be done"; instead, "it is my life and no body can tell me what to do"
1.
He declares his independence.
He recognizes no laws but the ones he makes himself.
2. He has a good time (Moses "the pleasures of sin for a season."
3.
As long as his money lasts, his friends last...but then.soon..Both are gone.
4. He finds out that he is not sufficient unto himself...
a. "He began to be in need”
b.
He becomes a beggar and a beggar is never free.
iv.
He was lost in the sense that he had become a slave.
1.
He gave way to his desires until eventually his desires became his master.
2. The purveyors of alcohol never show us the finished products of their wares.
3. I can remember a time in my own life when there were things I allowed to become my master...
! IV. LOST THROUGH PRIDE
a.
The Elder Brother (vs.
25-31)
i.
He wasn't a bad fellow.
1.
As we read the story we find him in the field.hard
at work.
In fact, he worked right up until dinnertime.
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