LUKE 15
8 Outlines
Luke 15
LOST AND FOUND
This 3-part parable shows us the work of the Trinity
in salvation.
THE SINNER IS LOST AND DISTRESSED - Vss. 4-6
THE SINNER IS FOUND THROUGH THE WORK OF THE SON -
Isaiah 53:6, Luke 19:10
THE SINNER IS LOST AND DEAD - Vss. 8-10
THE SINNER IS FOUND THROUGH THE WITNESS OF THE SPIRIT
- John 16:8-10, Ephesians 2:1
THE SINNER IS LOST AND DEFILED - Vss. 11-32, Isaiah
64:6
THE SINNER IS FOUND
UNDER THE WATCH OF THE FATHER - John 1:12
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Luke 15:1-10
JOY IN HEAVEN
INTRODUCTION - Vss. 1-3
The self-righteous
scribes and Pharisees found fault with Jesus because he received and ate with
sinners. Using the stories of the lost
sheep and the lost coin, Jesus shows that there is joy in Heaven when a sinner
repents.
TRAGEDY - Vss. 4, 8
One sheep out of 100 is
lost.
One coin out of 10 is
lost.
Neither the shepherd nor
the woman was satisfied with one even being lost.
The Lord Jesus is
concerned for all those that are lost. Christians should be concerned for all
those that are lost.
TENACITY - Vss. 4, 8
The shepherd and the
woman were tenacious in their search for what was lost.
The Lord Jesus continues
his search for lost people today.
We must be tenacious in
our outreach to those without Christ.
TRIUMPH - Vss. 4, 8
The lost sheep and the
lost coin were both found.
Jesus finds lost sheep,
especially through the evangelistic outreach of Christians.
TESTIMONY - Vss. 5-7,
9-10
The shepherd and the
woman joyfully call for others to rejoice with them when what was lost was
found.
CONCLUSION - Any time a
person repents and comes to Christ there is joy in Heaven.
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Luke 15:1-24
LOST AND FOUND!
I have lost many things
in my time. Among the missing there have
been lost hats, coats, socks, gloves, glasses, keys and a host of other
things. On many occasions I have been able
to rejoice because what was lost, was ultimately
found.
The reason Jesus came to
earth was because we sinners were "lost". Because of our sin against
God, we were destined to an eternity in hell (Ezekiel 1:4). Jesus arrived to
die for our sins and make it possible for anyone to have salvation (1
Corinthians 15:3-4, Romans 5:1).
In Luke 15, I see the
work of God, the Trinity in seeking and finding the lost.
BACKGROUND - Vss. 1-3 -
Jesus ministered to the despised people of His day. The Pharisees found fault. Jesus told three stories which illustrate
God's work in winning the lost.
THE PARABLE OF THE LOST
SHEEP SPEAKS OF THE DIRECTION OF THE SINNER FOUND BY THE SEEKING SAVIOR. Vss.
3-7
The sheep had wandered away.
We sinners have done the same thing (Isaiah 53:6). Our Lord came to earth
seeking us (Luke
THE PARABLE OF THE LOST
COIN SPEAKS OF THE CONDITION OF THE SINNER, FOUND BY THE SEARCHING SPIRIT. Vss.
8-10
A coin is an inanimate
object. It could not cry out, "Here am I!" in order to be found.
You and I were dead in
trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1). We were helpless!
However the Spirit of
God searched for us. He convicted us of our sin, and gave us an opportunity to
be saved through trust in Christ (John 16:8-11, Ephesians 2:4-7).
THE PARABLE OF THE LOST
SON SPEAKS OF THE DECISION OF THE SINNER WELCOMED BY THE SEEING FATHER. Vss.
11-24
Tell the story. The lost
son comes to his senses and decides to return to his father.
The Father was evidently
looking for Him all the time (Vs. 20).
When a lost sinner
decides to come to Christ, the Heavenly Father is watching, and ready to
receive him (Vss. 21-24, John
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Luke 15:11-24
HOMECOMING
During the summer and
fall many churches in the
HE LEFT HOME - Vss.
11-14
HE DREAMT OF HOME - Vss.
15-19
HE CAME HOME - Vss.
20-24
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Luke 15:11-32
FATHER AND SONS – FATHERS DAY
A REBELLIOUS SON – Vss.
11-14
A REPENTANT SON – Vss.
15-19
A RECEPTIVE (REJOICING)
FATHER – Vss. 20-25
A REPULSED SON – Vss.
26-30
A RIGHTEOUS FATHER – Vss.
31-32
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PICTURE OF THE FATHER
Luke 15:11-32 – FATHERS DAY
This parable shows us some
facts about our Heavenly Father which are worth remembering.
THE FATHER ALLOWS
CHOICE, ALTHOUGH OFTEN DISAPPOINTED. Vss. 11-19
THE FATHER AWAITS CHANGE
THAT BRINGS SOMEONE BACK TO HIM. Vss. 20-21
THE FATHER APPROVES
CONFORMITY TO HIS WILL Vss. 21-32
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Luke 15:11-32
THE PRODIGAL
RETREAT FROM THE
FATHER'S PRESENCE Vss. 11-16
RETHINKING THE
FATHER'S GOODNESS Vss. 17-19
RETURN TO THE
FATHER'S FAVOR Vss. 20-21
REINSTATEMENT BY THE
FATHER'S GRACE Vss. 22-32
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Luke 15:20-32
FAMILY SQUABBLE
(DISAGREEMENT)
There are often
disagreements in families. Some are minor. Some are major. In our Lord's
parable about "The Prodigal Son" there is a story about a family
disagreement between the "righteous son" and the Father.
RETURN OF A SON - Vss.
20-24
The Prodigal Son had
taken his portion of the family inheritance and spent it on wild living.
When out of money and in
desperate straits, he decided to return to his father in repentance. (See Vss.
11-19)
The Father, however,
gave the son a royal welcome. He was so delighted that the son had returned.
Part of the welcome was
a party where the "fatted calf" was killed.
RESENTMENT OF A BROTHER
- Vss. 25-30
The brother who hadn't
left refused to celebrate.
He was jealous and
angry.
REMINDER OF A FATHER -
Vss. 31-32
The righteous son always
had the joy of the Father's presence.
All that the Father had
was his.
It was right to rejoice,
because someone, who was as good as dead, returned to life! He was lost, but
was now found.
As Christians we should
rejoice when people come to Christ! We
should not be resentful that they get attention. The Father has been with us since we came to
Christ. All that He has is at our disposal.
When a person comes to Christ a person who was spiritually dead is now
alive and a person who was Spiritually lost is now
found! We are to rejoice!