Jesus Receives Sinners

Service Notes

Tonight we have a special time of prayer for Tracy Paver

Bible Reading

Ended last week looking at Zacceus as someone who counted the cost of non-discipleship and found it to high.

In that story it says about Jesus “the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Today we start on 3 stories but one story.

Lost. Sought, found. Restored

Two options. We look at all this today or you promise to be back next week.

Luke 15 (KJV 1900)

1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.

2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?

5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

11 And he said, A certain man had two sons:

12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.

13 And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

14 And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.

15 And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.

16 And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,

19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.

20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:

23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.

25 Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.

26 And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.

27 And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.

28 And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.

29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:

30 But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.

31 And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

32 It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.

Sermon Introduction

Overview

v.1-2 Set up

v.3-6 Parable of Sheep

v. 7 Application

v. 8-9 Parable of Coin

v.10 Application

v.12-32 Parable of the Prodigal Son

Themes

repentance

grace of God

contrast hearts of the Pharisee’s & rejoicing of angels

Understanding parables

In the middle section of Luke. In the middle of 20 parables.

Clarity - How do we understand? What is understood by original audience. / Some suggest we bring Bible into modern times. I am to take you back to this time and help you understand. Historical context.

Complexity - Parables have layers. (Simple) We know shepherds and coins. (Ethical issues) Should Shepherd leave 99? (theological) Move from what they do understand to what they don’t.

Christ - Where is Christ?

We will see the following over the next two weeks, Lord willing.

Sinners draw near

Pharisees murmur

Jesus receives sinners

The Father rejoices

Today we will see why this is one of the most beloved chapters in the Bible. It is is made up of parables spoken in response to the accusation “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

Jesus receives sinners and eats with them

Luke 15:1-2 “1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”

Strong desire to race to the story of the Prodigal son, but we must take a moment and rejoice in this truth “this man receiveth sinners and eateth with them.”

God is a God who seeks lost men and women, then Christ is a Savior who seeks lost men and women, for Christ reveals God. Christ is God.

This is the heartbeat of God

Like John the Beloved we should want to lay our heads upon the chest of God and hear His heart beat. I believe doing so could change everything about our short lives.

God pursues Adam Genesis 3:9 “9 And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?”

After the rebellion at the Tower of Babel God sends His servant Abraham and says go to them Genesis 12:1 “1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:”

God will sit Abraham and his descendents in the middle of the world so they can receive those traveling through. Ezekiel 5:5 “5 Thus saith the Lord God; This is Jerusalem: I have set it in the midst of the nations and countries that are round about her.”

God placed His people in situations where the world was watching.

Pharoah Exodus 5:2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the Lord, neither will I let Israel go.

Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 3:15c who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?

David before Goliath with all of the Philistines watching. 1 Samuel 17:46c that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.”

Hearing the heartbeat of God

As Daniel sat in the lions den. He was not all alone. He could go to sleep each night listening to the heartbeat of God knowing that he was serving his life’s mission to testify of God’s faithfulness.

As David stood before the giant. His heart had to be beating our of his chest. His heart was in sync with the heartbeat of God who the whole world needs to know there is a God in Israel.

So as Moses stands before Pharoah and is surrounded the wreckage of the plaques he moves forward as He hears God’s heartbeat. Exodus 9:16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth.

Do you hear it this morning?

Adam heard it when God came to him in his shame.

Abraham heard it when he was called to go after a rebellious people

Solomon heard it as he lived out the purpose of his life.

Simeon heard it as the answer to prayer

Do you hear it this morning? Jesus receives sinners! Luke 15:2 “2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.”

This week as we talk with Tracy and the Youngs. We see Gods hand upon their lives. We see people who want God to be glorified. We see God’s leading in their lives to go not just to another country but to God to sinners. Why? This is the heartbeat of God. Jesus receives sinners.

The following parables were spoken to the Pharisees and scribes, but in the hearing of the multitude of tax collectors and sinners who drew near to Him to hear Him AND THEY WERE RECEIVED!

Parable of the lost sheep

Luke 15:3-4 “3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?”

Helpless Sheep

“No creature strays more easily than a sheep; none is more heedless; and none so incapable of finding its way back to the flock, when once gone astray: it will bleat for the flock, and still run on in an opposite direction to the place where the flock is: this I have often noticed.” (Clarke)

The lost sheep would never save himself, or find the shepherd himself. If the shepherd did not take action, the sheep was doomed.

That’s the Lord’s favorite name for Himself. says He is in pursuit of lost sheep. Luke 19:10 “10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Sheep lost in the thicket of sin in this world

Jesus came for the lost sheep. Matthew 1:21 “21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

Came to save sinners. 1 Timothy 1:15 “15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.”

We should never be surprised when we hear about a testimony that starts with a co-worker at Racetrac. Because God is seeking the lost through us.

Gathers the sheep

Luke 15:5 “5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.”

Publicans and sinners

Sinners is a general category for people who are bad.

Publicans / tax collectors were seen as traitors. The Romans sold tax franchises, probably to the highest bidder, to Jews who were willing to become tax collectors among their own people.

Both were barred from the synagogue.

“Let not a man associate with the wicked, not even to bring him the law.” - Rabbi commentary on Exodus 18

Their need, not their sin is what they have in common in this story.

It doesn't say some it says “they drew near to him”

Those that knew they were in need drew near to Him. Luke 5:31 “31 And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick.”

Thank God today you know that you are as the publican. Luke 18:10-11 “10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.”

Those that drew near to Jesus on that day were like this publican who said Luke 18:13 “13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.”

Lays upon his shoulders / eats a meal with them.

Romans 5:6 “6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.”

Can you imagine Levi’s thoughts as he heard this story. Luke 5:27 “27 And after these things he went forth, and saw a publican, named Levi, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he said unto him, Follow me.”

Jesus asks them “wouldn’t you go get your sheep?” It is the reason he receives sinners.

The joy of finding the sheep

Jesus tells them that their story gives Heaven no joy. Luke 15:7 “7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”

“Ty said that a man told him his testimony was “vanilla” and Ty responded if that is the case mine is “rocky road”. There is no vanilla testimonies. It shakes heaven!

Parable of the lost coin

Luke 15:8-9 “8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

Jesus loved to assault their foolish pride.

First story he had them imagine themselves as dirty, shepherds.

Now he is asking them to imagine they were a poor woman.

God didn’t mind. He sees dignity in shepherds and women. Psalm 23 he is the shepherd and the One who sets the table.

Desire to find the coin.

We probably need less explanation to relate to the losing of money. / I spend a good % of my life looking for things. When Stephanie cant find it is really lost. If I cant find it, it just means it moved 2ft.

This was probably equivalent to a days pay.

With a dirt floor you could see how easy it would be to lose sight of these coins.

She's going to do this until she finds it.  Why?  It's precious.  It belongs to her.  It's lost.  It needs to be recovered.

The joy of finding the coin.

That’s the same idea as the first one. The shepherd found the sheep because he sought the sheep and rejoiced with all who would rejoice with him.

Luke 15:10 “10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

Remember we started off the book of Luke with angels rejoicing at the birth of Christ. Luke 2:10-14 “10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace, Good will toward men.”

Why do the angels rejoice and celebrate because a Savior has been born? 

Because they know this brings about salvation, which brings joy to God.

In Revelation 3 we learn that Jesus confesses our names before the Father and the angels.

The angels have a great interest in redemption.  Why?  Because they share in the joy of God.

Look at this in 1 Peter 1:12 “12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.”

Angels know this brings about salvation, which brings joy to God.

The joy of God is what this chapter is about.

Scripture says that when Christians arrive in heaven, they enter into the joy of their Lord.

It is this very issue that causes Jesus to be in conflict with the religious leaders of Israel, because Jesus came down for the joy of God and His joy and the joy of the Holy Spirit to redeem sinners.

We work very hard to produce an environment, a life that we enjoy. 

Does this bring you joy? Few things on earth will. The older we get it seems the less does.

Heaven is complete, permanent, eternal, unending, undiminished joy because everything is as it should be.

The presence of God is "joy unspeakable and full of glory."

We have a measure of this joy now.

Wherever our joy is not what it should be, we are commanded to "rejoice always, and again I say, rejoice." 

One of the elements of joy in heaven comes from the salvation of sinners and that is what these parables are about.

Do you share in this joy with the angels?

Conclusion

How can you understand the joy of a village of men and the joy of a village of women and not the joy of God?  How can you condemn Jesus for doing what brings God joy?

It is God in Christ who searches intently, who comes all the way down to this world, all the way down to death, all the way down to the horrific death on the cross.  It is God who sends His Son way down, all the way down, turn on the light of the gospel to sweep, to search, to pursue the sinner in every dark and hidden place.

The Angels rejoice, Pharisees murmur, what do you do?

Are you indifferent?

If the things that make Heaven rejoice do not cause you to rejoice what makes you believe you have any real interest going there?