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Schedule of Services
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Luke 15:1-32 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. [2] And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. [3] And he spake this parable unto them, saying, [4] What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? [5] And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. [6] And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. [7] I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. [8] Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? [9] And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. [10] Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. [11] And he said, A certain man had two sons: [12] And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. [13] And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. [14] And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. [15] And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. [16] And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. [17] And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! [18] I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, [19] And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. [20] And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. [21] And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. [22] But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: [23] And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: [24] For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. [25] Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. [26] And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. [27] And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. [28] And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. [29] And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: [30] But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. [31] And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine. [32] It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. Do we proclaim Christ's lordship, or complain of Christ's lordship? Our objective: To capture god's perspective and priority for lost people, and to gain a realistic game plan to reach out to the lost around us. Learning from the lost sheep (vv.1-7) Jesus initiates reaching the lost. Lost people are a top priority to Jesus. There is always a celebration when the lost is found! This kind of person is helplessly lost. They have no control over their situation, and need our help. Learning from the lost coin (vv.8-10) Jesus cares about quantity. Jesus searches persistently. There is a celebration when the coin is found! This kind of person is carelessly lost. Need to be careful with people, and not neglect them. Learning from the lost son (vv. 11-32) God's love is patient. While God is patient, He is waiting expectantly. The father does not initiate this search, but waits till the lost "comes to himself". This person is rebelliously lost, knows it, and knows what to do about it, but has to "come to himself". Learning from the elder son. The elder son was angry instead of happy. He saw his own good works, while he saw the failures of his brother. He worked in his Father's fields, lived in His house, but did not have all the blessings. This son was religiously lost. We need to be SALT. S--Show love. A--Ask questions. Get to know the person. L--Listen to them.
T--Turn the subject to Jesus. Show them the answer.
(John 16:18) That God would convict them of sin. (II Corinthians 4:4) That their eyes would be opened to the truth. (Matt. 9:38) That laborers would be sent to them. (Hebrews 3:12-13) That their hearts would soften to the Gospel (John 17:15) That they would be protected from the enemy (John 14:27) That they would have no peace till they find Christ (John 6:44) That God would draw them to Himself |