Luke 15:1-10

LOST, BUT NOW FOUND Luke 15:1-10 Personal Story About Lost and Found Luke 15:1-10 The Parable of the Lost Sheep 1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-10 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:1-10 The Parable of the Lost Coin 8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Background of the Chapter Two main groups of people listening to Jesus 1. Tax Collectors and Sinners 2. Pharisees and Scribes Luke 15:1-10 The Parable of the Lost Sheep 15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Matthew 22:21 Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. Tax Collectors • Worked with the Roman government. • Often took extra money from their own people. Luke 15:1-10 The Parable of the Lost Sheep 15 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Pharisees • Important religious leaders • Knew a lot about the Jewish laws Today’s topics 1. God is a seeking God. 2. God values every individual soul preciously. 3. God is overjoyed when a sinner repents and returns to Him. Luke 15:1-10 The Parable of the Lost Sheep 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? The Parable of the Lost Coin 8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? God is tireless in His pursuit of sinners, using every means to draw them back to Himself Application We shall actively pursues those who are lost, learning from God. 1 John 4:19 19 We love because he first loved us. Luke 10:2 2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Today’s topics 1. God is a seeking God. 2. God values every individual soul preciously. 3. God is overjoyed when a sinner repents and returns to Him. Luke 15:1-10 The Parable of the Lost Sheep 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? The Parable of the Lost Coin 8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? One is a spare for man, but never a spare for God. Application We shall ask God to help us see every person as valuable and precious in His sight. Some of the practical ways to reach out: • Check-In • Listening • Be Inclusive Today’s topics 1. God is a seeking God. 2. God values every individual soul preciously. 3. God is overjoyed when a sinner repents and returns to Him. Luke 15:1-10 The Parable of the Lost Sheep 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. Luke 15:1-10 The Parable of the Lost Coin 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” Repentance is a gift, not a punishment. Psalms 33:3-5 3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “ I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin. Application 1. Self-Reflection 2. How We Treat Others 1 John 4:8 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 1 Corinthians 13:4 & 8 4 Love is patient, love is kind…8 Love never fails. Application 1. Self-Reflection 2. How We Treat Others 1 Corinthians 13:7 7 Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Takeaway: 1. We should be eager to find and help those who are lost. 2. We should value every person, regardless of their past mistakes or current struggles. 3. We should also be quick to celebrate when someone turns back to God. Luke 15:1-10 Questions: 1. Why do you think Jesus chose to spend time with sinners and tax collectors, even when the Pharisees criticized Him for it? 2. In both parables, the shepherd and the woman actively search for what is lost. What does this tell us about God’s approach to those who are spiritually lost? 3. In verses 7 and 10, Jesus emphasizes the joy in heaven over a sinner who repents. Why do you think repentance is such a cause for celebration in God’s kingdom? How can this shape our understanding of repentance in our own lives? 4. Have you ever felt like the lost sheep or the lost coin—separated from God or others? What did it feel like to be “found”? 5. How can you extend that same grace and care to someone else who feels lost as individual, and as a church? Luke 15:1-10 Questions: 1. 你为什么认为耶稣选择与罪人和税吏交往，即使法利赛人因此批评他？ 2. 在这两个比喻中，牧羊人和女人积极寻找失去的东西。这告诉我们关于上帝对那些在灵性上迷失 的人的态度是什么？ 3. 在第 7 节和第 10 节中，耶稣强调在天上为一个悔改的罪人而感到的喜乐。你认为为什么悔改在上 帝的国度中如此值得庆祝？这如何塑造我们对自己生活中悔改的理解？ 4. 你是否曾经感觉像失去的羊或失去的硬币——与上帝或他人分离？被“找回”时的感觉是什么？ 5. 作为个人和教会，你如何将这种同样的恩典和关怀延伸给那些感到迷失的人？