Note: I used some commentary from Becoming a Contagious Christian by Bill Hybels
Lost and Found
Theme: To build a concern for the Lost
Text: Luke 15
Introduction
There was something about Jesus that attracted people. People from all walks of life came to him. He had an attraction. I believe that one of the reasons was because he had answers. Whereas there were many people who had questions, Jesus had answers and he believed what he said. He was not as a man teaching from a book or bringing out a doctrine but he taught with authority and he taught from the heart. He was sincere. He really knew.
This attraction brought criticism from the leaders. These religious leaders had a problem with the people that Jesus attracted. He was surrounded by lepers, tax collectors and prostitutes. One time he even allowed one to wipe his feet with expensive perfume. This has been a major criticism.
For the religious people. You know the self-righteous ones. Felt that this was inappropriate.
MARK 2:16-17 When the scribes of the Pharisees saw that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they said to His disciples, "Why is He eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?" And hearing this, Jesus *said to them, "it is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick; I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
See also Luke 15:2
It was not uncommon for Jesus to have disagreements with the Pharisees and scribes. These two sects made up the majority of the Jewish religious bodies. They had high expectations of the a Messiah who would come in a put them in charge of the world and its political system. When they realized that Jesus was not going to pander to them and their self-righteous attitudes they began to find reasons to oppose him.
The thing is that the disagreements that they had usually had to do with a strict observance of the law and lifting up ones self. Here the complaint they had against Jesus was the fact that he “associated with sinners and tax collectors”. He was never accused of being a sinner but in their eyes just the association is bad.
In their minds these were the lowest of lows of society and didn’t deserve to be looked upon much less associated with.
As I was reading this passage God spoke to my heart and said, “What about your reputation? Can someone say this about you?” Now I am not saying that we have to go out and act like sinners but surely we need to meet them and bring them to the Lord. We learn quickly that Jesus didn’t wait for sinners to come to him but he compelled them. He went to them. He even tells us to go to the “highways and byways to reach them”. What a reputation.
So to explain his position he goes into three parables. As you know Jesus often uses parables or stories to explain things of the kingdom of God.
Today I want us to put these three parables together and
I. People are lost
God separates up people into two categories those that are saved or lost. Those that have eternal life or those that are need it. These are all that are important to him.
The Lost Sheep Luke 15:4-7
The Lost Coin Luke 15:8-10
The Lost Sons Luke 15:11-32
A. Lost because of preoccupation with worldly concerns Luke 15:4 sheep wandered away.
B. Lost because of carelessness Luke 15:8
C. Lost because of usefulness Luke 15:8
D. Lost because of rebellion Luke 15:12
E. Lost because of self-righteousness Luke 15:29
II. God has a concern for the lost
The good news is that God is concerned for anyone who is lost. There is not a one who God is not concerned with. With this he actively seeks out those that are lost. As with the sheep he goes out with compassion and rescues the one. As with the lost coin he is not satisfied (nor should we be) until it is found.
He is often seen waiting at the top of the hill for that one to come home again. Greeting them with open arms. He is seen going out of his way to bring that one back in to enjoy the celebration.
Ezekiel 34:16 "I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment."
Luke 5:31-32 Jesus answered and said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. (32) "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."
Luke 19:10 "For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."
John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (17) "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
III. There is a great celebration when one comes to the Lord
Finally we see that when these come back there is a great celebration in heaven.
The Lost Coin
Luke 15:6 "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' 7 "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
The Lost Sheep
Luke 15:9 "And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' 10 "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
The Lost Son
Luke 15:20 "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still 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 to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 "But the father said to his servants, 'Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. 23 'And bring the fatted calf here 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.
Conclusion
Enclosed you will find an invitation to Friend Day next Sunday. I encourage you to use it. Give it away. Right now I know I have at least friends who will be here. These are people I know need to hear the gospel.
