Part 5: God's Lost and Found
PARABLES OF JESUS
PART 5
Luke 15:1-2; 11-32
A DIRECT QUESTION: Why do you welcome sinners and hang around with them?
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, ‘This Man welcomes sinners and eats with them.’” Luke 15:1-2 (NIV)
A SIMPLE ANSWER: Because I want them to come home.
“Jesus answered them, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’” Luke 5:31-32 (NIV)
1. DO YOU KNOW THE INITIATING HEART OF GOD?
“So he got up and went to his father. ‘But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.’” Luke 15:20 (NIV)
2. THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES WHEN WE REBEL AGAINST GOD.
“Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.” Luke 15:13-16 (NIV)
“The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, ‘Look! All these years I’ve been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!’” Luke 15:28-30 (NIV)
Two ways to stay in control:
Live any way you want.
Be very moral so God has to bless you.
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” 1 Timothy 1:15 (NIV)
3. COMING HOME IS A CLEAR PICTURE OF LIFE CHANGE.
“So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate…The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.” Luke 15:20-24, 28 (NIV)
Are you moved by what it costs to bring you home?
“‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.’” Luke 15:31 (NIV)
MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:
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This Week’s Reading Plan and Blog/Podcast:
YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan:
“The Prodigal Son Transformation with Kyle Idleman” (7 Days)Blog and Podcast: “Jesus’ Parable: The Prodigal Son”