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September 12, 2004 (cf September 13, 1992)

Text Luke 15:1-10

Luke 15:6 "rejoice with me" Luke 15:9 "rejoice with me"

Luke 15:32 "It was right that we should make merry"

Introduction

Anyone knows that this chapter is about being lost and found. We learn a lot about a seeking, caring God from these three brief stories. But there is more to these stories than meets our first glance. It is significant WHY Jesus told these stories— and TO WHOM! These parables are as much about the attitude God's people should have toward those who are lost as they are about salvation itself.

[ When Jesus told these stories He was going about His business— doing what He normally did. He and His disciples were taking the kingdom of God into the weekday world. They were expressing their faith outside the temple as well as they faithfully worshiped inside. They were eating with publicans and sinners. And the religious elite, who were always looking for flaws in Jesus, grumbled about it. ]

I. THE PEOPLE THAT PROMPTED THESE PARABLES

  1. The people to whom Jesus addressed these stories were learned; especially in the written law; they were scribes and Pharisees– people who literally lived and breathed the Torah.
  2. They were grumblers; or in some translations, they were murmurers— complainers.

    To "murmur" means a soft, low complaint— a whine— they talked among themselves instead of openly asking Jesus about their concern. And complainers and murmurers and grumblers are basically unhappy people.

  3. They were out of touch with the basic work of God in Messiah. This basic work is exactly what Jesus had come to do.

[This basic work of God in Christ— WHAT IS IT? Precisely what the stories were about.]

II. WHY JESUS CAME: RECONCILING THE LOST TO GOD

  1. Jesus came to bring God down to where we live in order that he might bring us up to fellowship with God forever! The whole entire idea of "lost" is being away, separated, out-of-touch with God!
  2. And so— this lesson: "Variations on the theme of lost-ness" Three stories on one theme: being LOST is serious business— God Himself is interested in finding the lost— and all heaven is pleased when the lost is brought back!
  3. Being LOST is something to which we can all relate to some extent: "Have you ever been truly LOST?"

    [Illustration: My son Stephen was (at least mis-placed) in the

    Museum of Natural History in New York City. He was nine years old. For more than an hour— and there was concern on his part and ours: "Where were you?!?"]

    1. Lost like a sheep: "All we like sheep.. turned each one to HIS/HER own way! An introduction to THE UNIQUE ISOLATION OF DAMNATION. Hell will be full of isolated individuals wrapped in their unique selfishness... Hell calls out "Do your own thing! Be yourself! Rise above the masses!" The shepherd simply goes after us one by one! See Him seeking... calling.
    2. Lost like a coin: "Many of life's forces are 'set' before birth. You are the product of many forces beyond your control: Your IQ... your $$.. your limits... your country of birth... God comes SWEEPING AWAY THE DARKNESS— valuing His image— "Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's" Think about that! Every man, woman, boy, girl is a coin with God's image stamped on it— and Father God is looking for His precious coinage!
    3. Lost by deliberate, bull-headed choice! The third "lost" in this chapter is— a lost child! A Prodigal. A lost that must have a response of WILL in order to be found!
  4. The disciples understood what Jesus was about: Jesus was where He was and was doing what He was doing BECAUSE HE LOVED THEM ALL! And He especially was there to bring us all— all lost without Him— to bring us all to God!
  5. But there is another part to this message: ALL THREE STORIES END WITH REJOICING! One measure of our faith is- what makes us really HAPPY!

[These sour intellectuals weren't happy until others could dot the "i" and cross the "t" like they did— and then they didn't have it right— but they couldn't see that Jesus was finding the lost before their very eyes!]

III. WHAT IS THIS PASSAGE SAYING TO YOU AND ME, HERE, NOW??

The "usual" application is vital: God is seeking YOU! God loves YOU! Whether you are lost by carelessness or by (seeming) circumstances— or even by deliberate choice— God still loves you and is seeking you! God is waiting for you to "come home to HIM!"

  1. IT IS TRUE: PEOPLE ARE LOST UNTIL THEY "CONNECT" WITH GOD! They are not lost because they are not keeping your rules or because they are "liberal" or "fundamental" or "educated" or "simple." They are lost if they are living as if God does not matter!

    God is always concerned about the lost. He is illuminating, revealing, sweeping the corners; He is calling, carrying, bandaging, forgiving. What God can do in regard to the last, God does. If we are away from Him, then it is important— absolutely the most important thing in the world— that we be saved! Sheep - coin - son/daughter – God is moving heaven and earth to bring you INTO FELLOWSHIP WITH HIMSELF.

  2. But that is not where this lesson ends.
  3. WE ARE CALLED TO BE LIKE GOD HIMSELF: NEVER GIVING UP ON THE LOST. We ARE God's candle— God's broom— God's under-shepherds– TELLING EVERYONE: "HEY! GOD IS GOOD! HEY! GOD LOVES YOU! " When we cannot go and force people to come, we must be like the Father in the story, praying waiting watching— ready to run down the road and say "Welcome into the FAMILY!"

CONCLUSION

GOD IS ALWAYS LEADING A CELEBRATION OVER THE FOUND! God is a cheerleader, who applauds every sincere effort toward the light— who makes heaven ring with music when anyone takes a step toward faith and God.

OUR HAPPINESS IS COMPLETE WHEN IT IS LIKE GOD'S OWN JOY; IN SEEING THE LOST COME HOME! This chapter just a hint into what God's heart must be— how much God loves YOU and ME– how he spares no effort to locate us— and Jesus loved even the scribes and Pharisees! He was seeking THEM, too!

Prayer: On this Homecoming Sunday thank You for welcoming us into Your House and Home. Help us to be like You- Amen