The Introductory statement (15:1-2) A real-life choose-you- - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

God’s ���������� Grace Luke 15

Scandalous Grace (Luke 15) Introductory statement (15:1-2) Parables of the Found Sheep and the Found Coin (15:3-10) Parable of the Loving Father (15:11-32) The

Introductory statement (15:1-2) A real-life choose-you- own-adventure story! So, choose . But not so fast …

Introductory statement (15:1-2) A real-life choose-you- Critics found the presence of tax collectors, and own-adventure story! other sinners and “unholy” folks around Jesus to So, choose . But not so be “something contradictory, or inappropriate, or fast … unsavory, or repulsive, or socially disruptive, or in violation of the nature and purpose of true religion.” F. B. Craddock, Luke , 184

Introductory statement (15:1-2) A real-life choose-you- Do you also find these sorts of folks (and interacting own-adventure story! with them, identifying closely with them, etc.) in So, choose . But not so some way inappropriate? Why or why not? fast … Food for thought…

Introductory statement (15:1-2) “ My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them! They may say, ‘Come and join us. Let’s hide and kill someone! Just for fun, let’s ambush the innocent! Let’s swallow them alive, like the grave; let’s swallow them whole, like those who go down to the pit of death. Think of the great things we’ll get! We’ll fill our houses with all the stuff we take. Come, throw in your lot with us; we’ll all share the loot.’ My child, don’t go along with them! Stay far away from their paths .” Prov 1:10-15 [NLT2]

Introductory statement (15:1-2) “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers …” Ps 1:1 [NLT2] “ Get out! Get out and leave your captivity, where everything you touch is unclean. Get out of there and purify yourselves …” Isa 52:11 [NLT2]

Introductory statement (15:1-2) “ Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers . How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God.… 2 Cor 6:14-18 [NLT2]

Introductory statement (15:1-2) … As God said: ‘I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people. Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them , says the LORD. Don’t touch their filthy things , and I will welcome you. And I will be your Father, and you will be my sons and daughters,’ says the LORD Almighty.” 2 Cor 6:14-18 [NLT2]

Introductory statement (15:1-2) One more time: with which characters in this introduction do you most identify? Food for thought…

Parable of the Found Sheep (15:3-7) and Parable of the Found Coin (15:8-10) The two parables are really just introductions to the “main event” below (15:11-32) Two important themes introduced (to color how we hear the next parable): Relentless Seeking (what is “lost”) Hilarious Joy (when the “lost” becomes “found”)

Parable of the Loving Father (15:11-32) What does this story say God is like ? God’s grace is ���������� This story is identity-shaping It’s choose-your-own-adventure time again!

Parable of the Loving Father (15:11-32) [From these parables] God … What does this story say God is like ? • …cares deeply for those far away ( ������������� ) God’s grace is ���������� • …longs for their return ( ������ ) • …actively pursues those far away ( ������ ) This story is identity-shaping • …rejoices ridiculously when those far away come near ( ������ ) It’s choose-your-own-adventure • …welcomes all to draw nearer ( ������ , �������� , ���������� ) time again! • …does not always seem “fair” to us ( ���������� , ����������� )

Parable of the Loving Father (15:11-32) If Scripture seeks to give us an identity, which it does, What does this story say God is like ? this parable is a prime identity-shaping text . It God’s grace is ���������� says, in effect, that humans are not legitimately inhabitants of the far country, that they are not This story is identity-shaping prodigals or slaves. Rather, they are children of It’s choose-your-own-adventure their father and belong with their father .” time again! K. Snodgrass, Stories With Intent , 141

So, choose-your-own-adventure! Which son in the story do you feel more like? [Check one] The “prodigal” son? The older son? A little of both ( see a doctor )

So, choose-your-own-adventure! Which son in the story do you Is there something you feel is prohibiting feel more like? [Check one] you from “returning home”? Some reason The “prodigal” son? you feel that God wouldn’t welcome you? The older son? Question for the “prodigal” son A little of both ( see a doctor )

So, choose-your-own-adventure! Which son in the story do you “This is a good time for me to ask you two probing feel more like? [Check one] questions. Only you can answer them: 1. Do you add The “prodigal” son? to others’ guilt or do you lessen it? 2. Are you the type who promotes another’s liberty or restrains it?” The older son? Questions for the older son [from Chuck Swindoll] A little of both ( see a doctor )

Here’s how the story HAS TO END We must become the COMPASSIONATE FATHER

Becoming the compassionate father : Here’s how the story HAS TO END Henri Nouwen says of the parable that it made him “come to the awareness that my final vocation is We must become the COMPASSIONATE FATHER indeed to become like the Father and to live out his divine compassion in my daily life… Indeed, as son and heir I am to become successor . I am destined to step into my Father’s place and offer to others the same compassion that he has offered me. The return to the Father is ultimately the challenge to become the Father .”

Here’s how the story HAS TO END We must become the COMPASSIONATE FATHER 3 ways to become the compassionate father: GRIEF FORGIVENESS GENEROSITY