the “lost” parables

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The “Lost” ParablesThe “Lost” Parables

Luke 15Luke 15

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The “Lost” Parables

IntroductionIntroduction

• Lk. 15:1-2----Publicans and Lk. 15:1-2----Publicans and sinners came to hear Jesussinners came to hear Jesus

• The Pharisees and Scribes came The Pharisees and Scribes came to complainto complain

• Lk. 15:1-2----Publicans and Lk. 15:1-2----Publicans and sinners came to hear Jesussinners came to hear Jesus

• The Pharisees and Scribes came The Pharisees and Scribes came to complainto complain

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• They charged Jesus with They charged Jesus with receiving and eating with sinnersreceiving and eating with sinners

• Lk. 5:30, 32,Lk. 5:30, 32,• Lk. 7:34Lk. 7:34• Jesus once again shows God’s Jesus once again shows God’s

desire that all men enjoy desire that all men enjoy salvationsalvation

• They charged Jesus with They charged Jesus with receiving and eating with sinnersreceiving and eating with sinners

• Lk. 5:30, 32,Lk. 5:30, 32,• Lk. 7:34Lk. 7:34• Jesus once again shows God’s Jesus once again shows God’s

desire that all men enjoy desire that all men enjoy salvationsalvation

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• The three parables in Luke 15 are The three parables in Luke 15 are designed to answer these designed to answer these chargescharges

• The three parables in Luke 15 are The three parables in Luke 15 are designed to answer these designed to answer these chargescharges

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The Lost SheepThe Lost Sheep• JUST ONE IS LOST-Note the JUST ONE IS LOST-Note the

Lord’s interest in one soulLord’s interest in one soul• Men become lost by wandering Men become lost by wandering

away from God into sinaway from God into sin• Sin clouds the judgment, and Sin clouds the judgment, and

makes decisions that would makes decisions that would normally be clear-cut become normally be clear-cut become difficultdifficult

• JUST ONE IS LOST-Note the JUST ONE IS LOST-Note the Lord’s interest in one soulLord’s interest in one soul

• Men become lost by wandering Men become lost by wandering away from God into sinaway from God into sin

• Sin clouds the judgment, and Sin clouds the judgment, and makes decisions that would makes decisions that would normally be clear-cut become normally be clear-cut become difficultdifficult

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The Lost SheepThe Lost Sheep

• The one living in sin runs in The one living in sin runs in circles—aimlessly and without circles—aimlessly and without guidanceguidance

• 2 Tim. 2:24-262 Tim. 2:24-26• Gal. 6:1Gal. 6:1• ““Overtaken”Overtaken” = caught off guard = caught off guard

by temptation and falling into sinby temptation and falling into sin

• The one living in sin runs in The one living in sin runs in circles—aimlessly and without circles—aimlessly and without guidanceguidance

• 2 Tim. 2:24-262 Tim. 2:24-26• Gal. 6:1Gal. 6:1• ““Overtaken”Overtaken” = caught off guard = caught off guard

by temptation and falling into sinby temptation and falling into sin

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• Personal neglectPersonal neglect causes many causes many souls to be lostsouls to be lost

• Lk. 15:6Lk. 15:6• The friends and neighbors The friends and neighbors

rejoice---While the Pharisees and rejoice---While the Pharisees and Scribes did not really care about Scribes did not really care about the souls of others-Jesus did the souls of others-Jesus did and still does!and still does!

• Personal neglectPersonal neglect causes many causes many souls to be lostsouls to be lost

• Lk. 15:6Lk. 15:6• The friends and neighbors The friends and neighbors

rejoice---While the Pharisees and rejoice---While the Pharisees and Scribes did not really care about Scribes did not really care about the souls of others-Jesus did the souls of others-Jesus did and still does!and still does!

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• Lk. 15:7Lk. 15:7• The actions of men affect the The actions of men affect the

emotions of heavenemotions of heaven• Ezk. 33:11Ezk. 33:11• Repentance is a cause for joy—it Repentance is a cause for joy—it

marks a turning point in the life marks a turning point in the life of a precious soul!of a precious soul!

• Lk. 15:7Lk. 15:7• The actions of men affect the The actions of men affect the

emotions of heavenemotions of heaven• Ezk. 33:11Ezk. 33:11• Repentance is a cause for joy—it Repentance is a cause for joy—it

marks a turning point in the life marks a turning point in the life of a precious soul!of a precious soul!

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The Lost CoinThe Lost Coin

• LOST AND DID NOT KNOW IT –LOST AND DID NOT KNOW IT –like so many precious souls like so many precious souls todaytoday

• In verse 8 – light, sweep and In verse 8 – light, sweep and seek-------”diligently”seek-------”diligently”

• Compare this with so many who Compare this with so many who like the Pharisees and Scribes like the Pharisees and Scribes are unconcerned about lost are unconcerned about lost soulssouls

• LOST AND DID NOT KNOW IT –LOST AND DID NOT KNOW IT –like so many precious souls like so many precious souls todaytoday

• In verse 8 – light, sweep and In verse 8 – light, sweep and seek-------”diligently”seek-------”diligently”

• Compare this with so many who Compare this with so many who like the Pharisees and Scribes like the Pharisees and Scribes are unconcerned about lost are unconcerned about lost soulssouls

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• ““As a lost coin is of no use to its As a lost coin is of no use to its owner, the lost sinner can render owner, the lost sinner can render no service to God. Though lost, no service to God. Though lost, however, it still has value and however, it still has value and the owner (God) wants it back.”the owner (God) wants it back.”

• ““As a lost coin is of no use to its As a lost coin is of no use to its owner, the lost sinner can render owner, the lost sinner can render no service to God. Though lost, no service to God. Though lost, however, it still has value and however, it still has value and the owner (God) wants it back.”the owner (God) wants it back.”

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• God uses His word, the workings God uses His word, the workings of His providence, faithful of His providence, faithful Christians, etc., for recovering Christians, etc., for recovering the lostthe lost

• Note the love of God in His joy Note the love of God in His joy over the lost being foundover the lost being found

• Lk. 15:10Lk. 15:10

• God uses His word, the workings God uses His word, the workings of His providence, faithful of His providence, faithful Christians, etc., for recovering Christians, etc., for recovering the lostthe lost

• Note the love of God in His joy Note the love of God in His joy over the lost being foundover the lost being found

• Lk. 15:10Lk. 15:10

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The Lost BoyThe Lost Boy

• HE WAS LOST, KNEW IT AND HE WAS LOST, KNEW IT AND KNEW THE WAY BACK HOMEKNEW THE WAY BACK HOME

• FatherFather = The Heavenly Father = The Heavenly Father• SonsSons = Represent humanity = Represent humanity • Lk. 5:31Lk. 5:31

• HE WAS LOST, KNEW IT AND HE WAS LOST, KNEW IT AND KNEW THE WAY BACK HOMEKNEW THE WAY BACK HOME

• FatherFather = The Heavenly Father = The Heavenly Father• SonsSons = Represent humanity = Represent humanity • Lk. 5:31Lk. 5:31

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• Elder brotherElder brother = anyone whose = anyone whose heart is unsympathetic toward heart is unsympathetic toward the terrible state of the lostthe terrible state of the lost

• The younger sonThe younger son = one living in = one living in sin ----“went the limit of sinful sin ----“went the limit of sinful excesses”excesses”

• NOTE THE STEPS IN HIS NOTE THE STEPS IN HIS DEPARTURE:DEPARTURE:

• Elder brotherElder brother = anyone whose = anyone whose heart is unsympathetic toward heart is unsympathetic toward the terrible state of the lostthe terrible state of the lost

• The younger sonThe younger son = one living in = one living in sin ----“went the limit of sinful sin ----“went the limit of sinful excesses”excesses”

• NOTE THE STEPS IN HIS NOTE THE STEPS IN HIS DEPARTURE:DEPARTURE:

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• 1. His request1. His request• He wanted his father’s goods but He wanted his father’s goods but

not his presencenot his presence• He wanted his “freedom” – but He wanted his “freedom” – but

did not realize the blessings of did not realize the blessings of being a sonbeing a son

• 1. His request1. His request• He wanted his father’s goods but He wanted his father’s goods but

not his presencenot his presence• He wanted his “freedom” – but He wanted his “freedom” – but

did not realize the blessings of did not realize the blessings of being a sonbeing a son

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The Lost BoyThe Lost Boy• He thought all the good things He thought all the good things

were in the “far country” and did were in the “far country” and did not see the blessings at handnot see the blessings at hand

• 2. The father’s response2. The father’s response – He – He gave the son his portion—God gave the son his portion—God gives us our portion and tells us gives us our portion and tells us how to use it – but He does not how to use it – but He does not force usforce us

• He thought all the good things He thought all the good things were in the “far country” and did were in the “far country” and did not see the blessings at handnot see the blessings at hand

• 2. The father’s response2. The father’s response – He – He gave the son his portion—God gave the son his portion—God gives us our portion and tells us gives us our portion and tells us how to use it – but He does not how to use it – but He does not force usforce us

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• 3. The Journey3. The Journey – Only one – Only one sentence tells of his journeysentence tells of his journey

• The downgrades of life are steepThe downgrades of life are steep• He left unhindered-the father He left unhindered-the father

could have forced him to stay-could have forced him to stay-but that would be treating him but that would be treating him like a slave and not a sonlike a slave and not a son

• 3. The Journey3. The Journey – Only one – Only one sentence tells of his journeysentence tells of his journey

• The downgrades of life are steepThe downgrades of life are steep• He left unhindered-the father He left unhindered-the father

could have forced him to stay-could have forced him to stay-but that would be treating him but that would be treating him like a slave and not a sonlike a slave and not a son

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The Lost BoyThe Lost Boy• The father did not followThe father did not follow• ““All who depart for the ‘far country’ All who depart for the ‘far country’

must go alone – without God” Frank must go alone – without God” Frank L. CoxL. Cox

• Is. 59:2Is. 59:2• Here is a tragic fact---time spent in Here is a tragic fact---time spent in

sin is wastedsin is wasted• Is. 57:20-21Is. 57:20-21• Jer. 8:20Jer. 8:20

• The father did not followThe father did not follow• ““All who depart for the ‘far country’ All who depart for the ‘far country’

must go alone – without God” Frank must go alone – without God” Frank L. CoxL. Cox

• Is. 59:2Is. 59:2• Here is a tragic fact---time spent in Here is a tragic fact---time spent in

sin is wastedsin is wasted• Is. 57:20-21Is. 57:20-21• Jer. 8:20Jer. 8:20

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• HIS RETURNHIS RETURN• 1. He reflected1. He reflected – memory has – memory has

been called the lever of been called the lever of repentancerepentance

• 2. He made a determination2. He made a determination - ”I - ”I will arise and go to my father”will arise and go to my father”

• HIS RETURNHIS RETURN• 1. He reflected1. He reflected – memory has – memory has

been called the lever of been called the lever of repentancerepentance

• 2. He made a determination2. He made a determination - ”I - ”I will arise and go to my father”will arise and go to my father”

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• 3. He put his determination into 3. He put his determination into action – action – “He arose and came to “He arose and came to his Father”his Father”

• We can drift away from God—but We can drift away from God—but we cannot drift back—a we cannot drift back—a determined effort is required!determined effort is required!

• 3. He put his determination into 3. He put his determination into action – action – “He arose and came to “He arose and came to his Father”his Father”

• We can drift away from God—but We can drift away from God—but we cannot drift back—a we cannot drift back—a determined effort is required!determined effort is required!

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• God not only seeks, but receives God not only seeks, but receives the sinnerthe sinner

• Life apart from God is a wasteLife apart from God is a waste• Remain away from God and you Remain away from God and you

will perishwill perish• We must admit our sinful and We must admit our sinful and

unworthy condition to return to unworthy condition to return to GodGod

• God not only seeks, but receives God not only seeks, but receives the sinnerthe sinner

• Life apart from God is a wasteLife apart from God is a waste• Remain away from God and you Remain away from God and you

will perishwill perish• We must admit our sinful and We must admit our sinful and

unworthy condition to return to unworthy condition to return to GodGod

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ConclusionConclusion

• There is an urgency behind There is an urgency behind repentance for at least three repentance for at least three reasons:reasons:

• 1. Christ is coming1. Christ is coming• 2. Our lives are uncertain2. Our lives are uncertain• 3. Our hearts may never be as 3. Our hearts may never be as

receptive as they are nowreceptive as they are now

• There is an urgency behind There is an urgency behind repentance for at least three repentance for at least three reasons:reasons:

• 1. Christ is coming1. Christ is coming• 2. Our lives are uncertain2. Our lives are uncertain• 3. Our hearts may never be as 3. Our hearts may never be as

receptive as they are nowreceptive as they are now

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ConclusionConclusion

• Heb. 3:12-13---Beware, brethren, Heb. 3:12-13---Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is one another daily, while it is called “Today,” called “Today,” lest any of you lest any of you be hardened through the be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. deceitfulness of sin.

• Heb. 3:12-13---Beware, brethren, Heb. 3:12-13---Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is one another daily, while it is called “Today,” called “Today,” lest any of you lest any of you be hardened through the be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. deceitfulness of sin.

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