Sermon Tone Analysis

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 too 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.