THE LOST SHEEP, THE LOST COIN
AND THE LOST PRODIGAL SON

June 2, 2005

Luke 15: 1-32

INTRODUCTION:

1-       Three Parables; three thoughts and three conditions of those away from God.

2-       “LOST” & having no value until found.

3-       God would have us to see the state one is in away from God

4-       And most often they really don’t see their own condition.

5-       They first of all are away from God; estranged from God and in a sinful condition.

6-       Then we see the Great Love that God has for those who are lost and undone.

7-       And then we get a glimpse of heaven as one’s soul is restored!

THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP:

1-    The sheep was lost, cut off, and perishing in the wilderness.

2-    What a picture of lost man!

3-    There’s no Hope, having no Security in this world & all alone “LOST”!

4-    Beloved; that is not a good feeling; but the end will be yet worse; shut off from God forever. Eternally

VIEW THE WILDERNESS WITH ME AS THE WORLD FULL OF FASCINATIONS:

1-    Men may not realize it; not able to see the trees for the forest but:

2-    The wilderness to the sheep offers greener pastures; prettier grass, pleasure and more excitement.

3-    But to mankind every temptation that comes; we view it as being good!

4-    For some strange reason; things forbidden have a secret charm about them.

5-    And as the sheep continue they are caught up in the underbrush, or jagged rocks.

6-    Places of danger; lost!

7-    So likewise man “LOST” continues in the wilderness of sin headed for destruction.

All we like sheep have gone astray, We have turned, every one, to his own way: and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isa. 53: 6

BUT NOTICE; THE SHEEP WERE SOUGHT BY THE SHEPHERD:

1-    Any ordinary shepherd could have said; “I have 99 others, I don’t have to go looking for this one”!

2-    But this Shepherd saw the value of one sheep!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Jn. 3: 16

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” Lk. 19: 10

BUT NOTICE WITH ME THAT THE SHEEP, ONCE FOUND BROUGHT JOY:

1-       The shepherd invited his neighbors to the celebration; his sheep was found.

2-       Ring the “Bells of Heaven”; there is joy over one sinner that has been found.

3-       The lost sheep is returning from the wilderness of sin.

4-       God wills that every person be saved!

It’s not his will that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance!

1-    And when one is saved; redeemed; purchased back to God to whom they belong anyway.

2-    There is Great Joy over the one sinner that has come home. Amen?

CHRISTS NEXT PARABLE WAS THE LOST COIN:

“LOST” anything that is lost has no value!

1-    Doesn’t matter how valuable it may be; Lost, it has no value at all!

2-    This was a small silver coin worth about 16 cents.

3-    She had 10 of these coins; totaling worth of about $ 1.60

4-    But to this woman; these coins had great sentimental value.

5-    This was part of her dowry.

6-    Women in that day would sew the 10 coins into a headdress and wear them on her wedding day.

7-    It wasn’t so much about the value of the coins but all that she had accumulated in life.

8-    She made her contribution to the marriage with these coins.

9-    They were so important to her; if she even owed a debt and could not pay the debt.

10-                       Her coins could not be taken by anyone as part of her debt.

11-                       But Jesus was coming to pay her debt.

12-                       He paid a debt He did not owe.

13-                       And she owed a debt she could not pay.

HER COIN HAD NOT CEASED TO BE A COIN; BUT WAS OUT OF CIRCULATION:

1-    And it rendered no good to anyone; it was out of circulation.

2-    This symbolizes the lost man; he is of no value; a sinner is worthless to the Kingdom.

3-    This coin was lost in the darkness with no purpose, lost in the house!

4-    The same is true with our children many times.

5-    We can rear them; teach them; teach the word of God.

6-    But the time may come when you look for their fruit and find none.

7-    They’re lost in the house and many times, lost in the house of God.

8-    The sheep was lost out of ignorance; but the coin was lost out of neglect.

9-    Folks today are the same; Lost to God’s Love; and Lost because of neglect to come to Him.

DO YOU FIND IT STRANGE THAT LOST MONEY DESERVES OUR ALL TO FIND IT?

1-    But a lost soul; we find no time to go to the same extreme to find it.

2-    The coin was lost in darkness; and she lit a candle and swept diligently until she found it.

3-    To every lost person and to all who are saved.

4-    Remember this one thing!

5-    Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psa. 119:105

6-    But when that which was “LOST” was found, it brought great “JOY”

7-    There was rejoicing over the coin that was found.

THEN JESUS GIVES ANOTHER PARABLE; THE ONE OF THE TWO SONS:

1-      The younger son broke fellowship with his family.

2-      He was selfish; “Give me my inheritance”.

3-      “He deliberately chose to leave”!

4-      Paul knew something about this leaving!

“For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia” 2^ND. Tim. 4: 10

ARE YOU BACKSLIDDEN TODAY?

1-    I’m going to help you answer that question!

2-    If any Christian is not as close today as they once were; they’ve backslidden on God!

3-    And that doesn’t mean totally; but any backsliding is dangerous!

4-    Was there ever a time when you were more consecrated to God than you are now?

5-    Was there ever a time when you felt His Presence more than right now?

6-    Was there ever a moment when you loved Jesus more than right now?

7-    If the answer were yes to any of the above; you need Jesus more today than ever!

THIS YOUNGER SON WASTED HIS INHERITANCE IN THE WORLD;

1-    And beloved; while in sin you and me as well have done some of the same!

2-    Solomon said; “One sinner destroys much good”. Ecc. 9: 18

WAS SOLOMON WISE OR NOT?

1-    I hear James telling mankind where sin will take you! 1: 14- 15

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

          Then when lust hath conceived, it brings forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, brings forth death.

1-     That death being Spiritual death; A Christian cannot afford to follow temptation till death.

LOOK AT THE YOUNGER SON ACTIONS AND WHERE IT TOOK HIM:

1-    After the good times; He suffered hunger, and enslavement and humiliation.

2-    This is where sin will take a person!

3-    When the good times are over; there remains still a price to pay for it all.

Be not deceived; God is not mocked; for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap. Gal. 6: 7

1-    Better put; “Do the sins 2x2 and you’ll pay for them 1x1

BUT SEE THIS WITH ME:

1-     The younger son Remembered, Returned and Repented.

2-     He has seen the error of his ways; He was “LOST” but now he’s come to his senses.

HOW MANY OF YOU KNOW?

1-    God will only sow the seed of Righteousness on broken soil.

2-    When the Holy Spirit has broken man with tears of sorrow and repentance.

3-    Then out of tears of Repentance will come Tears of Joy.

4-    And there will be in Heaven Great Joy over one sinner that has come home!

IN 1^ST. KINGS 22: 17 WE FIND;

“And he said, I saw all Israel scattered upon the hills, as sheep that have not a shepherd; and the Lord said, “These have no master; let them return every man to his house in peace”

BUT THEN I FIND ISAIAH BECKONING ALL MEN TO BE SAVED; 55: 7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.

DAVID THE VERY MAN AFTER GOD’S HEART WENT ASTRAY ONE DAY;

1-    Like a sheep in the wilderness of temptation and sin.

2-    But he didn’t wallow in any of his wrongs;

3-    In the 51^St. Psalm he cried unto the Lord.

“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation: and uphold me with thy free spirit.”

1-    Just as the Prodigal’s Father forgave the Son.

2-    Almighty God forgave David and He’ll forgive all who will call upon the name of the Lord.

3-    The Father was standing; waiting; and looking for the son to come home.

4-    And the boy, coming to his senses in the pig pen said;

5-    My fathers servants have bread enough and to spare and I perish with hunger.

6-    I know what I’ll do; I’ll go to my father and say “Father I have sinned against heaven and before thee”

7-    “I’m no more worthy to be called thy son, make me as one of your hired servants”

8-    But the Father took him in; pitched a party; and said;

9-    All that I have is thine!

10-                       That other brother who was upset saying; you never gave me a feast like this.

11-                       The Father said; “Son, thou art ever with me and all that I have is thine”

BELOVED THE LOST TODAY NEED TO BE SAVED;

1-    The Holy Spirit is out looking for you today!

2-    He’s looking for the sheep; and will until He finds it.

3-    You’re more important that the coin that was lost in darkness.

4-    But the Holy Spirit will not stop looking in the dark places of your soul.

5-    The candle has been lit today; and the Holy Spirit has the broom in His hand.

6-    Let Him sweep away the dirt today in your life!

7-    He’ll take nine steps toward the lost sheep today; but you must take the 10^th. Step toward Him.

8-    Wont you come to Him today?