Luke 15: The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to
hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered,
"This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3Then Jesus told them
this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one
of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the
lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts
it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and
neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'
7I 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.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
8"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she
not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?
9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and
says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10In the same
way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over
one sinner who repents."
The Parable of the Lost Son
11Jesus continued: "There was a man who had two sons. 12The
younger one said to his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So he
divided his property between them. 13"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. 14After he had spent
everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be
in need. 15So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that
country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. 16He longed to fill
his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him
anything. 17"When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my
father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18I
will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned
against heaven and against you. 19I am no longer worthy to be called
your son; make me like one of your hired men.' 20So 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. 21"The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned
against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22"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. 23Bring
the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. 24For
this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.' So they
began to celebrate. 25"Meanwhile, the older son was in the field.
When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. 26So he
called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. 27'Your
brother has come,' he replied, 'and your father has killed the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.' 28"The older brother became
angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. 29But
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. 30But when this son of yours who has
squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf
for him!' 31" 'My son,' the father said, 'you are always with me, and
everything I have is yours. 32But we had to celebrate and be glad,
because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is
found.' "
- Do we really care?
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
- Do we really look for them?
Matthew 28:19-20 - 19Therefore go and make disciples of all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you;
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and
to the ends of the earth."
- Do we really rejoice over them?
- Do you need to come to your senses?
Luke 15:17 - When he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's
hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!'
"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers
of men." Matthew 4:19 (NIV)
Who do you need talk to about Jesus?
Family (immediate or extended)
Fellowship (church relationships)
Friends (neighbors, kids, sports, school, etc.)
Fun (gym, hobbies, hand-outs)
Factory/Firm (work, professional arenas)
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