Finding Hope: The Joy of Redemption in Christ
Summary
### Summary
In today's sermon, we explored the profound message of Luke 15, which contains three of Jesus' most famous parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. These parables illustrate the universal human condition of being lost and the relentless love of Jesus in seeking and saving the lost. We began with a story about an elderly couple who got lost on a simple trip to the store, emphasizing how easy it is for anyone to lose their way. This story set the stage for understanding the deeper spiritual message of Jesus' parables.
The tax collectors and sinners gathered around Jesus because they recognized their deep spiritual need. In contrast, the Pharisees and teachers of the law, who should have been rejoicing at the repentance of sinners, were instead critical and self-righteous. This dichotomy highlights the importance of humility and the acknowledgment of our own flaws and sins. Jesus' mission was clear: He came to seek and save the lost, regardless of how they became lost.
We examined the lives of biblical figures like Abraham, Jacob, David, Peter, and Paul, who were all deeply flawed yet found favor with God. This serves as a reminder that no one is beyond redemption. The sermon also touched on the modern tendency to minimize or rationalize our sins, urging us to confront our flaws honestly.
The heart of the gospel is that Jesus came to save sinners, and this is the good news for all of us. We are all sinners in need of grace, and Jesus' love extends to everyone, even those society deems unworthy. The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin illustrate God's joy in finding and redeeming the lost. Just as parents weep over lost children, God weeps over His lost children and rejoices when they are found.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Universality of Being Lost: Everyone, regardless of their background or actions, can find themselves lost at some point in life. The parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son illustrate that being lost is a common human experience, and Jesus' mission is to seek and save the lost. This underscores the importance of humility and the acknowledgment of our own spiritual needs. [02:02]
2. The Contrast Between Sinners and the Self-Righteous: The tax collectors and sinners gathered around Jesus because they recognized their need for salvation, while the Pharisees and teachers of the law were critical and self-righteous. This contrast highlights the danger of self-righteousness and the importance of approaching God with a humble heart, acknowledging our own flaws and sins. [05:33]
3. God's Relentless Love: The parables show that God is relentless in His pursuit of the lost. Just as a shepherd leaves the ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost, God seeks out each of us with unwavering love and compassion. This relentless love is a cornerstone of the gospel and a source of immense comfort and hope. [07:27]
4. The Flaws of Biblical Figures: The lives of Abraham, Jacob, David, Peter, and Paul remind us that even those who are deeply flawed can find favor with God. Their stories encourage us to confront our own flaws honestly and seek God's grace, knowing that redemption is always possible. [09:20]
5. The Joy of Redemption: The parables emphasize the joy that God experiences when a lost soul is found. This joy is likened to the relief and happiness of parents finding a lost child. It is a powerful reminder of God's deep love for each of us and His desire for our return to Him. This joy should also inspire us to reach out to others who are lost and help them find their way back to God. [14:39]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:02] - The Story of Anthony and Viola
[03:46] - The Lost Sheep, Coin, and Son
[05:33] - The Pharisees' Self-Righteousness
[07:27] - Jesus' Mission to Save the Lost
[09:20] - Flawed Biblical Figures
[11:18] - Modern Rationalization of Sin
[12:42] - Dwight L. Moody's Insight
[14:39] - The Joy of Finding the Lost
[16:29] - The Good News for All
[18:00] - Conclusion and Call to Action
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Luke 15:1-7 - The Parable of the Lost Sheep
2. Luke 15:8-10 - The Parable of the Lost Coin
3. Luke 15:11-32 - The Parable of the Lost Son
#### Observation Questions
1. What are the three parables mentioned in Luke 15, and what common theme do they share? [03:46]
2. How did the tax collectors and sinners respond to Jesus' message compared to the Pharisees and teachers of the law? [05:33]
3. What examples of flawed biblical figures were discussed in the sermon, and how did they find favor with God? [09:20]
4. How does Jesus describe His mission in Luke 15, and what does this reveal about His priorities? [07:27]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the tax collectors and sinners were more receptive to Jesus' message than the Pharisees and teachers of the law? [05:33]
2. How do the parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son illustrate God's relentless love for the lost? [07:27]
3. What does the joy of finding the lost, as described in the parables, tell us about God's character and His view of redemption? [14:39]
4. How do the stories of flawed biblical figures like Abraham, Jacob, David, Peter, and Paul encourage us to confront our own flaws and seek God's grace? [09:20]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually lost. How did you find your way back, and what role did humility play in that process? [02:02]
2. The Pharisees and teachers of the law were critical and self-righteous. How can we guard against self-righteousness in our own lives and approach God with a humble heart? [05:33]
3. Jesus' mission was to seek and save the lost. How can you actively participate in this mission in your daily life? [07:27]
4. Think about a person in your life who might feel lost or unworthy. What practical steps can you take to show them God's relentless love and compassion this week? [14:39]
5. The sermon mentioned the modern tendency to minimize or rationalize our sins. What are some ways you can confront your own flaws honestly and seek God's grace? [11:18]
6. How can the joy of redemption, as illustrated in the parables, inspire you to reach out to others who are lost and help them find their way back to God? [14:39]
7. Reflect on the story of Anthony and Viola. How does this story help you understand the ease of getting lost and the importance of seeking help? How can this apply to your spiritual journey? [02:02]
Devotional
### Day 1: The Universality of Being Lost
Description:
Everyone, regardless of their background or actions, can find themselves lost at some point in life. The parables of the lost sheep, coin, and son illustrate that being lost is a common human experience, and Jesus' mission is to seek and save the lost. This underscores the importance of humility and the acknowledgment of our own spiritual needs. [02:02]
Bible Passage:
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of a time when you felt spiritually lost or distant from God. What steps can you take today to draw closer to Him and acknowledge your need for His guidance?
### Day 2: The Contrast Between Sinners and the Self-Righteous
Description:
The tax collectors and sinners gathered around Jesus because they recognized their need for salvation, while the Pharisees and teachers of the law were critical and self-righteous. This contrast highlights the danger of self-righteousness and the importance of approaching God with a humble heart, acknowledging our own flaws and sins. [05:33]
Bible Passage:
"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.’" (Luke 18:10-11, ESV)
Reflection:
Reflect on your own attitudes and behaviors. Are there areas where you might be acting self-righteously? How can you cultivate a more humble and repentant heart before God?
### Day 3: God's Relentless Love
Description:
The parables show that God is relentless in His pursuit of the lost. Just as a shepherd leaves the ninety-nine sheep to find the one that is lost, God seeks out each of us with unwavering love and compassion. This relentless love is a cornerstone of the gospel and a source of immense comfort and hope. [07:27]
Bible Passage:
"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?" (Luke 15:4, ESV)
Reflection:
Consider someone in your life who may feel lost or distant from God. How can you demonstrate God's relentless love to them today?
### Day 4: The Flaws of Biblical Figures
Description:
The lives of Abraham, Jacob, David, Peter, and Paul remind us that even those who are deeply flawed can find favor with God. Their stories encourage us to confront our own flaws honestly and seek God's grace, knowing that redemption is always possible. [09:20]
Bible Passage:
"But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:27, ESV)
Reflection:
Identify a flaw or weakness in your own life. How can you bring this before God and seek His grace and redemption today?
### Day 5: The Joy of Redemption
Description:
The parables emphasize the joy that God experiences when a lost soul is found. This joy is likened to the relief and happiness of parents finding a lost child. It is a powerful reminder of God's deep love for each of us and His desire for our return to Him. This joy should also inspire us to reach out to others who are lost and help them find their way back to God. [14:39]
Bible Passage:
"Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10, ESV)
Reflection:
Think of someone you know who is spiritually lost. What practical steps can you take this week to help guide them back to God and share in the joy of their redemption?
Quotes
1. "People get lost for all kinds of silly reasons. That's part of the human condition. Luke 15, which we just heard part of, is one of the most important chapters in all of the Bible. It includes three of the most famous parables ever told. The three parables each deal with something that is lost. A lost sheep, a lost coin, and does anybody know what the third was? The lost son." [02:02] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Jesus cares about bringing them home. I love how the chapter begins. Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. We could write an entire message from the Bible. We could write an entire message from that one phrase. Tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around Jesus. That shows us two things. First of all, the tax collectors and the sinners were hungry for Christ's message. They were not coming out of idle curiosity or to merely observe or to find fault with him. They were coming out of deep spiritual need." [02:02] (42 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Think for a moment how different the narrative might have been if we read instead that the Pharisees and the teachers rejoiced that the tax collectors and sinners gathered to hear Jesus' teachings. That's the way the story ought to read. But there was something dark in the hearts of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, just as there was something dark in the hearts of the tax collectors and the sinners. At least the tax collectors and the sinners were aware of their need." [05:33] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Jesus does not want us to stay where we are comfortable. He told them these parables. Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one. Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. In the same way I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of angels of God over one sinner who repents. Now these two parables and the one that follows them about the prodigal son defines Jesus' mission in the world. Jesus came to seek and to save that which is lost. Period. That's the heart of the gospel." [05:33] (49 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Jesus answered them, it is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. That was Jesus' target audience. Everyone who has ever gone astray. Paul writes in his letter to Timothy, Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. That's the heart of the gospel and that's why it's called the good news of Jesus Christ. Why is it good news? Because we are all sinners." [07:27] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We look at ourselves and we think to ourselves, we're pretty good folks compared to some others. Maybe we are. I think we are. Don't you? Pretty good. But that doesn't mean we've arrived. At heart, we still have a problem. There's a flaw, a weakness. Paul, once described his own situation. He said, I don't understand my own actions, for I do not do what I want to do. And I do the very things that I don't want to do. And I think he was describing at least some of us. He certainly was describing me sometimes." [09:20] (45 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "There is a deep flaw within us that is what the Bible calls sin. A reporter once asked the great evangelist, Dwight L. Moody, what people gave him the most trouble? And immediately he answered, I have had more trouble with Dwight L. Moody than any other man alive. He was speaking for us, isn't he? We are sinners in need of a saintly, and those who have been found not lost. But that's not the way the world shapes up." [12:42] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it hardly becomes any of us to talk about the rest of us. I'll say it again. There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it hardly becomes any of us to talk about the rest of us. And it's true. We take comfort in the fact that we are baptized believers in Jesus Christ, and we should take comfort in that. But it does not give us license to reject those who may not be as fortunate as we are." [12:42] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "Do you understand that God weeps over his lost children just as those parents were weeping over their lost children in that tsunami? Listen again to how Jesus ends these parables. Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them doesn't he leave the 99 in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it and when he finds it he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home or suppose a woman has 10 silver coins and loses one doesn't she light a lamp sweep the house search carefully until she finds it God weeps over any of his children who are lost that is why it is important that we reach out to those who are lost as well." [14:39] (50 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "Imagine how the sinners and tax collectors felt as they listened to Jesus tell these stories because of their position in society they were the outcasts and estranged from family and polite company imagine their joy their relief their comfort in knowing that someone loved and accepted them that God was eagerly searching them out no wonder the tax collectors and sinners gathered to hear Jesus they knew what it was like to be lost and have no one looking for them society told them they were too unworthy to stand in the presence of the father and then here comes Jesus telling us that they are deeply loved they are valued they are precious in his sight and that God is eagerly seeking them to bring them back home it must have sounded too good to be true yet that is the gospel Jesus came to save the lost that is why it's called the good news of Jesus Christ." [16:29] (75 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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