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A BUNCH OF LOST THINGS LUKE 15 Today we will cover all of Luke Chapter 15. PEOPLE AND PARABLES v. 15:1-2 The net result of all this down-to-earth teaching is significant— and varied. • The SCRIBES and the PHARISEES were furious. • The GENERAL PUBLIC was wishy-washy. • But the PEOPLE ON THE FRINGE of society—the outcasts and downtrodden—fell in love with Him. 2
WHY PARABLES? The Lord responded to the sarcasm of the scribes by telling three of the most wonderful stories He ever told. THREE PARABLES —A parable is a simple story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. In Matt. 13:10-11, Jesus actually tells us why he used them—to help unspiritual people understand spiritual things. Paul explains this basic principal in 1 Cor. 1 and 2. A. First, THE LOST SHEEP Luke 15:3-7 Three groups of people were in the crowd. 3
THREE GROUPS OF PEOPLE 1. PUBLICANS AND SINNERS: The Law breakers . The religious establishment excommunicated them, but these stories brought hope to their heavy and sin-stained hearts. 2. PHARISEES AND THE SCRIBES: The Law keepers . To them, these parables were intended to be parables of love . 3. THE LORD’S DISCIPLES: Those freed from the Law. To them, these parables were parables of faith. The same three groups are with us today. Much that the Lord was doing and saying mystified them, and it still is a mystery to the lost of our day and time. 4
LIFE AS A SHEEP PEOPLE ARE LIKE SHEEP —Basically dumb and disobedient. Just like sheep, people need a Shepherd. People generally are lost like sheep are lost—involuntarily. They simply stray, they wander, they have no idea how it happened or why they are lost. Just like sheep need to be saved from themselves, so we need to be saved from this world, our own flesh, and our mortal enemy, the Devil; basically, all that lurks outside of the confines of the sheepfold. The Law itself, law-keeping, or even law-breaking can’t save you from these things; only the one Good Shepherd can. 5
MISPLACED MONEY B. Second, THE LOST SILVER Luke 15:8-10 People are lost not only the way sheep are lost, But also the way coins are lost—through a sudden fall through a crack, under a rock, in a ditch. The coin was lost through no fault of its own, but through forces over which it had no control. The loss was nonetheless real. This reminds us of the Holy Spirit’s work in this world. God first lights the lamp ( 2 Cor. 4:6 ), which represents God’s Word ( Ps. 119:105 ), and it dispels the darkness in which people live. The Holy Spirit then “sweeps the house,” searching diligently for the lost coin . . . anyone who will come! 6
TWO DISORIENTED DUDES C. Third, THE TWO LOST SONS Luke 15:11-32 First, we have the story of the scandalous son. Luke 15:11-24 To begin with, there was the allure of far horizons. In the parable of the LOST SHEEP, it is THE SON who is the active member of the Godhead. In the story of the LOST COIN, it is the HOLY SPIRIT who is at work. In the parable of the TWO SONS, it is THE FATHER who predominates. The lure of faraway places, people, and pleasure took hold of the younger son’s soul. 7
THE JOURNEY BEGINS Look at the prodigal’s long-distance travel plans. The expression “took his journey” implies that he went abroad, not just down the road from home. However the total distance as measured by God was expressed in terms of morals, not miles. He abandoned himself to the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. 1 John 2:16 We see a man throwing his money away, living in debauchery, and surrounded by fast-living companions. “Come on, guys, the drinks are on me,” he would say. Look at his living plans: party hearty, live it up, flesh fest . . . next stop, homelessness! 8
LOSING THE STINKING THINKING Finally, he began to think correctly of the father’s house. He almost lost hope, BUT—Father God! “But!” Make sure you take note the marvelous “buts” of the Bible; they always herald a change. “He ran!” God is always swift to forgive and in a hurry to save. Isa. 65:24 Here is the story of the Prodigal Son, the whole story of the ruin and redemption of poor, wayward sinners of Adam’s race— YOU AND ME. The great Pauline parallel is recorded in the story of Philemon and Onesimus, his runaway slave. Welcome home, son! 9
THE OTHER BOY There was another son, a SANCTIMONIOUS OLDER SON. Luke 15:25-32 Pious frauds Their sins arise from their disposition; they are spiteful, jealous, moody, selfish, self-righteous, and bad tempered. He hated his brother who had come home. Punish him, Father, don’t throw a party for him. 10
TWO BOYS, ONE ANSWER But the elder brother had a huge problem. His robe of righteousness was full of holes. The father loved that mean-spirited, hypocritical elder brother just as much as he loved the prodigal. This part of the parable was clearly pointed at the scribes and the Pharisees—the Jewish people. The Jewish people were ISRAEL —they were the elder brother; the GENTILES —the prodigal. No matter how you get lost, whether you are a Lost Sheep, a Lost Coin, or either of the two Lost Sons, Jesus wants you to come home . 11
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