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...”