Who’s Justified:

Context:

• Jesus directed the next parable to a particular set of people.
• To those who trusted in themselves.
• To those who trusted in their righteousness.
• To those who treated others with contempt.

Luke 18:10-14 “...Two men went up into the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed thus: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted...”

For what was the Pharisee thankful?

• That he was superior to the tax collector.

In what did the Pharisee pride himself?

• That he fasted and tithed.

For what was the tax collector thankful?

• Jesus doesn’t directly say, but the tax collector was looking for mercy. 
• What was the Pharisee looking for? [accolades]

In what did the tax collector pride himself?

• Pride did not appear to be present.
• He recognized his sinfulness.

Which attitude did Jesus say brought justification?

• The repentant tax collector was justified.
• The Pharisee was not.

What did Jesus describe as the underlying principle?

• Pride will be resisted.
• Humility is what God rewards.

How do most religious people carry themselves?

• Most are proud of their position and their discipline. 
• Most look down on those who aren’t embracing their lifestyle.

How do we carry ourselves?

Does becoming a Christian put a person in a superior position?

• Accepting the sacrifice of Jesus brings forgiveness, not superiority.

Does it matter how we think of others?

• Self righteous attitudes expose a person’s sinful pride.
• Pride is not acceptable to God.
• God humbles the proud.

Faith for Justice:

Context:

• Jesus just finished a discourse on the coming kingdom.
• It will be sudden.
• It will be a surprise to many.
• Now He encourages His follows to pray always, and to not lose heart.

Luke 18:2-8 “...He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?...”

Who were the characters in the parable?

• An unrighteous judge who didn’t fear God or respect mankind.
• A widow with an adversary.

Did the situation appear to be favorable for the widow’s needs to be met?

Was it easy for the widow to get justice?

What did it require of the widow?

• Persistence.

Name some situations in our world where there is an adversary and little justice.

What is Jesus suggesting as a course of action?

• Crying out to God day and night.

How does this differ from the course of action taken by most people?

• Most people spend minimal time talking to the God of the universe.
• Most people work in their own power to find justice.
• Most people end up despairing about the lack of justice in our world.

What role does faith have in the pursuit of justice?

• Galatians 5:5 “...For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness...”
• Romans 1:17 “...the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith...”
• Hebrews 11:1 “...faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen...”
  
• Romans 10:17 “...faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ...”
• Matthew 21:22 “...whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith...”
• Matthew 17:20 “...For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you...”
• 1 Corinthians 16:13 “...Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong...”
• 2 Corinthians 5:7 “...for we walk by faith, not by sight...”

Did Jesus find many people of faith at His first coming?

Are there many people of faith on the planet now?

Will Jesus find many people of faith at His second coming?

Summary:

• There is a great need for justice.
• There is a great need for relief from the adversary.
• There is a great need for convictions about things not yet seen.
• There is a great need for faith.
• There is a great need for people of faith to talk to the God who gives justice.

Now and Then:

Luke 17:22-25 “...And he said to the disciples, “The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. And they will say to you, ‘Look, there!’ or ‘Look, here!’ Do not go out or follow them. For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation...”

How long was Jesus, the Son of Man, on the planet?

• Two methods have been used to estimate the year of birth of Jesus, one based on the accounts of his birth in the gospels, the other by working backwards from his stated age when he began preaching: most scholars, on this basis, assume a date of birth between 6 and 4 BC.
• Three details have been used to estimate the year when Jesus began preaching: a mention of his age during a specific year in the reign of Tiberius Caesar, another relating to the date of the building of the Jerusalem Temple, and the death of John the Baptist. Scholars generally estimate that Jesus began preaching, and gathering followers, around 27-29 AD and continued for at least one year, and perhaps as many as three.
• Two main approaches have been used to estimate the date of the crucifixion of Jesus. One uses non-Christian sources such as Josephus and Tacitus. Another works backwards from the historically well established trial of Apostle Paul in Achaea to estimate the date of his conversion. Scholars generally agree that Jesus was crucified between 30-36 AD.
• It would be reasonably accurate to say that Jesus started preaching at 30, and was crucified at 33.

NOW: What did Jesus say about His current situation?

• The days were coming when He would no longer be seen.
• He was going to suffer many things and be rejected.

THEN: What did Jesus say was the coming situation?

• There would be false reports of His presence.
• His coming day would be like the great illumination of lightning in the sky.

Luke 17:26-30 “...Just as it was in the days of Noah, so will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating and drinking and marrying and being given in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot - they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building, but on the day when Lot went out from Sodom, fire and sulfur rained from heaven and destroyed them all— so will it be on the day when the Son of Man is revealed...”

How were the Noah and Lot situations similar?

• People were not living in harmony with the intentions of God.
• People assumed things would continue in a uniform way.
• Destruction came suddenly, and there was no escaping the judgment.

How will the day of the Son of Man’s return be similar to the Noah and Lot situations?

• People will not be living in harmony with the intentions of God.
• People will assume things will continue in a uniform way.
• Destruction will come suddenly, and there will be no escaping the judgment.

Luke 17:31-35 “...On that day, let the one who is on the housetop, with his goods in the house, not come down to take them away, and likewise let the one who is in the field not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife. Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will keep it. I tell you, in that night there will be two in one bed. One will be taken and the other left. There will be two women grinding together. One will be taken and the other left...”

What advice did Jesus give for the day of the Lord?

• Don’t attempt to salvage anything of the current existence.
• Turning back has negative consequences - loss of life.
• The current existence can’t be preserved.

Do all have the same future?

• Who is taken? The one who is willing to lose his life.
• Who is left? The one who seeks to preserve his current life.

Matthew 24:28 “...Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather...”

Luke 17:37 “...And they said to him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, “Where the corpse is, there the vultures will gather...”

How would you explain this passage?

• Wherever there is a carcass (physical corruption), vultures will go there to eat it.
• Where there is spiritual corruption judgment will follow.

We will discuss Matthew 24 more extensively in the future.

The Kingdom Comes With Mercy: Luke 17:11-21

Context:

• Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem.
• He was passing between Samaria and Galilee.
• He entered a village and was met by ten lepers.

Luke 17:13 “...lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us...”

What did the lepers want?

• Lepers were required by law to stay away from people.
• Does anyone want to be cut off from “normal” people?
• The lepers asked for mercy.
• Eleeo - unmerited favor.

Why did the lepers need unmerited favor?

• They were unclean, and couldn’t make themselves clean.

Why do all people need the unmerited favor of Jesus?

• All people are unclean, and can’t make themselves clean.

Was interfacing with the lepers on the agenda for the day?

• Not on the apparent agenda.
• Definitely on the opportunity agenda.

Luke 17:14 “...When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed...”

When were the lepers healed?

• As they followed the instructions of Jesus.

When do we receive the unmerited favor of Jesus?

• Every day, all day, all the time?

Is significant focused mercy received as we respond to His words?

Luke 17:17-19 “...Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well...”

What was the difference between the Samaritan and the other nine lepers?

• The Samaritan fell before the Lord in appreciation.
• The Samaritan fully comprehended the mercy that changed his life.
• The Samaritan gave credit where credit was due.
• The Samaritan glorified God with a loud voice.

What did Jesus proclaim about the Samaritan?

• Jesus celebrated the health giving result of a faith connection with God.

Luke 17:20-21 “...Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you...”

What mistakes do religious people make regarding the kingdom of God?

• They want to observe personal signs of its existence.
• They don’t recognize the reality of Jesus, and thus the kingdom, in their midst.
• They forget that God’s kingdom has always existed, will always exist, and is everywhere evident.

How does the kingdom manifest in our midst?

• Not in acts to parade power and authority.
• Not in acts for showmanship.
• The kingdom comes In acts of mercy.

The Kingdom of God:

• We are unclean and can’t make ourselves clean.
• We need mercy, the unmerited favor of God.
• When we ask for mercy, the Lord speaks to us.
• As we respond to His voice, we receive mercy.
• When we receive mercy, we are made clean.
• When we are made clean, we need to glorify God with a loud voice.
• Behold, the kingdom is in our midst.

Dealing with Sin:

Matthew 18:7 “...Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!...”

Luke 17:1-2 “...And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin...”

Is it necessary that temptations come?

• an-ang-kay' - Distressed, Constrained.

             NASB: Inevitable. KJV: Needs be. NIV: Must come.

• skan'-dal-on - Offence, Stumbling Block.

             NASB: Stumbling blocks. KJV: Offences NIV:Things that cause people to sin.

• Our distressed world will inevitably offer stumbling blocks that cause people to sin.

What are some sources of stumbling blocks?

• Our corruption, passions, and our besetting sins will lead us astray.
• The evil one will tempt us at our weakest points.
• Other people will influence us against God’s truth and intentions.

What awaits those who tempt, offend, and cause stumbling blocks?

• Ouai - Woe, grief, denunciation

Matthew 18:8-9 “...And if your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into the hell of fire...”

What does Jesus suggest as a remedy for personal sin?

• Cutting off the source of the sin.
• Throwing away that which causes you to sin.

What does Jesus say is the alternative?

• Eternal fire. The hell of fire.

Luke 17:3-4 “...Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him...”

What does Jesus suggest regarding your brother’s sins?

• Pay attention to yourself, and to your brother.
• Confront (rebuke) a sinning brother.
• Forgive a repentant sinner.

Does Jesus want people to face eternal fire?

Does Jesus want people to avoid sin?

How can people avoid sin?

The Chasm:

Context:

• 16:14 - The Pharisees were lovers of money.
• 16:15 - What is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
• 16:17 - Not one dot of the law will become void.

Luke 16:19-31 “...There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried, and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side. And he called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.’ And he said, ‘Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.’ But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’ And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead...’”

How often did the rich man indulge himself?

• Every day.

Does boasted righteousness and external correctness insure eternal good?

• God knows the heart.

Where did the rich man go when he died?

• The torment of Hades.
• Hades is the place or state of departed spirits. It appears to be a holding place.
• Revelation 20:13 “...And the sea gave up the dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them, and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had done...”
• Hell is the place or state of those finally damned. It is the final judgment place.

Does poverty and misery preclude eternal good?

• Not in this parable.

Where did the poor man go when he died?

• He was carried by angels to Abraham’s side

How did the great chasm add to the rich man’s torment.

• He could see what he couldn’t have, much like the poor man saw on earth.

What did the rich man request?

• He wanted Lazarus to be sent back to the living to warn the rich man’s five brothers of the fate that awaited them.

What was Abraham’s response?

• The Law and the Prophets are enough warning.
• If a person doesn’t believe them, they won’t believe someone returning from the dead.

Do you think those who have had death and revival experiences can convince people when the Law and the Prophets can’t?

• The greatest miracle will have no effect on those who are determined not to believe.

• There was a Lazarus who returned from the dead. Did his whole community turn to follow Christ?

2 Peter 1:19 “...And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts,...”

Destined to Sin?

Luke 16:18 “...Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery...”

Who made this statement about divorce and remarriage?

• Jesus.

Does someone commit adultery if they divorce their wife and marry another?

• That’s what Jesus just said.

Does someone commit adultery if they marry a divorced woman?

• That’s what Jesus just said .

Why did Jesus say this?

• Back up one verse to get some context.
• Luke 16:16-17 “...The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void...”
• You can’t use a personal interpretation of the law and the prophets to work your way into the kingdom of God.
• The Pharisees acknowledged that a person shouldn’t commit adultery, but often permitted divorce for almost any reason.
• Jesus used the example of divorce to reveal how the Pharisees, who proudly paraded their law abiding righteousness, were not following the law.

Was Jesus trying to teach the Pharisees how to better follow the law?

• Jesus was offering the Pharisees a chance to admit their sin.
• Jesus was offering the Pharisees a chance to realize that the kingdom of God could not be entered by way of man’s best efforts.
• A person who doesn’t understand their inability to follow the law will not understand their need for Jesus.

Was Jesus, in Luke 16:18, creating a verse to be used to condemn people who have divorced and remarried?

  This is a conviction verse:

• Romans 3:23 “...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...”
• Only Jesus has followed the letter of the law without sinning.
• Ezekiel 18:4 “...Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die...”

  This is not a condemnation verse:

• John 3:17 “...For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him...”
• Only Jesus provides payment for the penalty of sin.

Does Jesus have a different understanding of the marriage bond than what is held by our culture?

Does Jesus have a different understanding of sin than what is held by our culture?

Does Jesus offer a better solution for sin than what is held by our culture?

Since Jesus offers a solution, is sin irrelevant?

• Romans 6:1-2 “...What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?...”
• John 8:11 “...And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more...”

Exalted Abomination:

Context:

• Jesus had just explained that “...you cannot serve God and money...”
• Luke 16:14 then reveals something about the Pharisees - they were lovers of money.
• The Pharisees therefore ridiculed Jesus (NASB-scoffed at, NIV-sneered at).
• The word found no place in them.

Luke 16:15 “...And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God...”

What does it mean to justify yourself before men?

• Use words to make your actions appear to be legitimate.

Can anyone justify inappropriateness before God?

• God knows hearts.
• God knows underlying reality.
• God is not deceived by manipulative words.

What types of things are an abomination in the sight of God.

• Anything that is inconsistent with His created purpose.
• In this specific case, loving money and making it sound legitimate.

Luke 16:16-17 “...The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void...”

Matthew 11:13 “...For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John,...”

What changed with the preaching of John the Baptist?

• John prepared the way for Jesus Christ.
• The good news of the kingdom of God was now the focus.

What did not change with the preaching of John the Baptist?

• The Law was not voided.

Can a person force their way into the kingdom of God?

• You can’t use a personal interpretation of the law and the prophets to work your way into the kingdom of God.
• Matthew 11:12 “...From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force...”
• Acts 4:11-12 “...This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved...”
• The Pharisees were resisting what was being established by Jesus.
• They wanted a kingdom, but not the one Jesus was introducing.

Will heaven and earth pass away?

• Matthew 24:35 “...Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away...”

Managing with Wisdom:

Context:

• Finding lost sheep, lost coins, and lost family members.
• Jesus continues speaking to His disciples in parables.

Luke 16:1 “...Now He was also saying to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and this manager was reported to him as squandering his possessions...”

Why would a rich man have a manager?

• To take care of his possessions.

Does God have any managers? Any things to take care of?

How did the manager do?

• He squandered that which belonged to the rich man.

How do we do with what God entrusts to our care?

Luke 16:2 "...And he called him and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager...'

What did the rich man require of the manager?

• An explanation of how he was handling what was entrusted to him.

What does God require of His managers?

• Romans 2:6-8 “...He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury...”
• Romans 14:12 “...So then each of us will give an account of himself to God...”
• Hebrews 4:13 “...And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account...”

Luke 16:3-7 “...And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master’s debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty...’

What did the manager know was coming?

• He was about to be removed from management.

What did the manager do about it?

• He made friends.

Do we know what’s coming?

What are we doing about it?

Luke 16:8-9 “...The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light. And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings...”

How did the master respond to the dishonest manager?

• He commended him for being shrewd (KJV - wise, Holman - astute).

Who was he more shrewd than?

• The sons of light.

Was he commending dishonesty?

• No - the dishonesty put him on the hot seat.

What was he saying in this difficult passage?

• The people of this world are very focused on dealing with others to accomplish their goals.
• The people of God have a tendency to be less focused in dealing with others to accomplish the goals of God.

How can people “...make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings...?”

How can we use worldly possessions with an eye toward eternity?

Luke 16:10-12 “...One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own...?”

What is more important than unrighteous wealth?

• True riches.

How does faithfulness with worldly possessions affect true riches?

Luke 16:13 “...No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money...”

Why is it impossible to serve God and money?

• Once one gets loved, the other will be hated.
• Once one receives devotion, the other will be despised.

Which master do we serve?

Lost Son(s):

Context:

• Jesus talked about finding lost sheep.
• Jesus talked about finding lost coins.
• Now it’s time to talk about relatives.

Luke 15:11-16 “...And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything...”

Did the son know what was best for his future?

• When people want what people want, they never can be free.
• When people get what people want, their foolishness they see.

Reckless living (ESV). Loose living (NASB). Foolish living (HCSB). Wild living (NIV). Riotous living (KJV). At what age does a person cease to be reckless?

• Five different translations describe inappropriate behavior and choices.
• Age can sometimes lead to maturity, but it’s not automatic.
• Maturation is a process that takes time.

How did pursuing pleasure work out for the prodigal?

• Proverbs 13:11 “...Wealth gained hastily will dwindle, but whoever gathers little by little will increase it...”
• Proverbs 20:21 “...An inheritance gained hastily in the beginning will not be blessed in the end...”
• Longing for pig food is not a pleasurable outcome.

Luke 15:17-20 “...But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants...”’

What motivated his return?

• He still wanted what he wanted.
• He was still looking for a way to meet his basic needs.

Luke 15:20-21 “...And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son...’

What was the father’s initial response to his son’s return?

• He was watching for him.
• He felt compassion, not condemnation.
• He embraced him.

How does God respond to a reckless person coming home?

• He watches for them.
• He feels compassion, not condemnation.
• He embraces them.

Luke 15:22-24 “...But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate...”

What did the father do next?

• He cleaned up the son and started a celebration.

What does God do?

•  Luke 15:7 “...Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance...”

Luke 15:25-30 “...Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.’ But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, ‘Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him!...’

Why did the older son get angry?

• He didn’t have his father’s perspective.
• He looked at life from a selfish viewpoint.
• He, too, wanted what he wanted.

Luke 15:31-32 “...And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.’...”

What did the older son miss?

• He missed out on the celebration.
• He missed out on being glad.
• Selfishness prevents healthy joy.

Did both sons have problems?

Don’t we all?

Finding the Lost:

Context:

• Jesus was attracting tax collectors and sinners.
• The Pharisees and scribes grumbled about this connection.
• Why did the Pharisees have trouble with Jesus receiving “sinners”?
• They considered themselves to be above these people.
• They valued position and self righteousness more than reconciliation.
• They didn’t understand the love of God.

Luke 15:4-7 “...What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance...”

Why is there rejoicing in heaven when the lost are found?

• 2 Peter 3:9 “...The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance...”

Why should God’s people not be resistant to establishing relationships with “sinners”?

• There would be no relationships since all have sinned and fallen short.

• 2 Corinthians 5:19 “...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation...”

What is the danger when God’s people establish relationships with “sinners”?

• 1 Corinthians 15:33 “...Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals...”

Luke 15:8-10 “...Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents...”

How much would ‘ten drachmas’ be worth today?

• Some commentators say a drachma was worth about fifteen cents, so ten would be worth about a dollar and a half.
• Most commentators say that these ten coins were worth about ten days wages.

Why would the woman seek diligently for the lost coin?

• The coin was highly valued by the woman.
• She didn’t have much, but valued highly what she had.

Why is there joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents?

• People are highly valued in the Kingdom of God.

How does God light a lamp to find sinners?

• People in darkness have a difficult time finding their way.

• Psalm 119:105 “...Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path...”

• Isaiah 55:11 “...so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it...”

The Cost of Discipleship:

Luke 14:26-27 “...If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple...”

How can you reconcile hating your father and mother with the fifth commandment?

• Exodus 20:12 “...Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the LORD your God is giving you...”
• Ephesians 6:2-3 “...Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land...”
• Colossians 3:20 “...Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord...”
• Matthew 10:37-38 “...Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me...”

• The Matthew verse translates as loving more, not as hate.
• To love father, mother, wife, children, or even self more than Jesus, is to not love Jesus properly.

What can’t happen when Jesus isn’t loved correctly - the most?

• A person can’t be a disciple of Jesus.

Is it possible to think you’re a disciple when you’re not?

• What does it mean to “...take his cross and follow me...”? 
• The cross was an instrument of death that prisoners were forced to carry.

Does following Jesus require enduring whatever is burdensome, or trying, or considered as disgraceful?

Does following Christ require an instrument of death? [death to self, to flesh]

Did Jesus carry a cross to accomplish the will of the Father?

How can family misinterpret a person’s love for Jesus?

• A person who follows Jesus can be accused of abandoning family - hating them.

Luke 14:28-30 “...For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish...”

Why is it important to count the cost of building a tower?

• A tower is built up into the air for all to see.
• If completed, all will see and many will admire it.
• If not completed, all will see, and most will consider the builder a failure.

Why is it important to count the cost of following Jesus?

• Following Jesus creates changes that all will see.
• If completed, all will see and many will admire them.
• If not completed, all will see, and most will consider the person a failure.

Luke 14:31-32 “...Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace...”

Why is it important to deliberate before going to war?

• It is obviously unwise to go to war if there is little chance of victory.

Why is it important to deliberate before following Jesus?

• There are consequences to discipleship that people must be willing to face.
• Discipleship involves spiritual warfare, which requires discipline and determination.

Luke 14:33 “...So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple...”

What does it mean to “...renounce all...”

• All means all, and that’s all all means.
• We must be willing to leave everything, to endure anything, and to persevere in our walk with Jesus. 
• If we are not willing, we “...cannot be (His) disciple...”

Who will attend the Celebration:

Matthew, Chapter 21:

• Following the triumphant entry.
• Jesus cleanses the temple, calling it a house of prayer, not a den of robbers.
• He curses the fig tree and it withers at once.
• The chief priest and elders question His authority.
• He tells of two sons who are asked to go and work in the vineyard. One says he won’t, but then does. One says he will, but then doesn’t
• He also tells the parable of tenants who are unfaithful in caring for their masters vineyard, even to the point of killing His son.

What is Jesus describing in Matthew, Chapter 21?

• Matthew 21:43 “...Therefore I tell you, the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people producing its fruits...”
• There is a right and a wrong way to live.
• There are expectations that people live up to, or don’t.

Matthew 22:2-6 “...The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who gave a wedding feast for his son, and sent his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “See, I have prepared my dinner, my oxen and my fat calves have been slaughtered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding feast.”’ But they paid no attention and went off, one to his farm, another to his business, while the rest seized his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them...”

Luke 14:16-20 “...But he said to him, “A man once gave a great banquet and invited many. And at the time for the banquet he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come...’

Who is the king in the kingdom of heaven?

• Father God.

What has the king prepared?

• An abundant feast to celebrate His Son.

Who is invited to the celebration?

• Many.

Do all who are invited attend?

• Many do not.

Why do people miss out on the celebration?

• They consider other things to be more important - their things.

What do you consider to be the most important thing in your life?

• Revelation 19:6-8 “...Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure” - for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints...”

Do your actions line up with your confessions?

Matthew 22:7-10 “...The king was angry, and he sent his troops and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests...”

Luke 14:21-24 “...So the servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly to the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor and crippled and blind and lame.’ And the servant said, ‘Sir, what you commanded has been done, and still there is room.’ And the master said to the servant, ‘Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you, none of those men who were invited shall taste my banquet...’”

Will there be people at the celebration?

• The kings house will be filled.

Many use this scripture to describe the Jews rejection of the gospel, leading to the blessings being offered to the Gentiles.

Will there be Jews at the celebration?

• Those who accept the invitation can come in.

Will all Gentiles be at the celebration?

• Those that don’t accept the invitation will not come in.

Why would someone not accept the invitation?

• The want what they want, not what the king wants.

Matthew 22:11-14 “...But when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who had no wedding garment. And he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the attendants, ‘Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen...”

Is accepting the invitation all that is necessary to come in?

• The celebration is only for those wearing a wedding garment.

What is the wedding garment?

• Isaiah 61:10 “...I will greatly rejoice in the LORD; my soul shall exult in my God, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation; he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels...”

• Revelation 19:7-8 “...Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints...”

What is not the wedding garment?

• Self righteousness, which is really contempt for God’s provision through the blood of Jesus Christ.

How would you explain “...many are called, but few are chosen...”?

• The invitation is to many - many are called.
• Some are more interested in their own plans.
• Some are more interested in their own form of righteousness.
• The celebration is for those who come dressed in the proper garment - few are chosen.