Pdt Victor Liu
Ringkasan khotbah 03 November 2024
A. SETTING, Luke 15:1-2, The Setting of this parable ( in short, parable is a tool of teaching with story. We must know the context well to know the meaning and implications of parable).
Luke 15:1-2, ESV
1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him.
2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.
3 So he told them this parable
The words of this parable is a singular, not plural. It means that these parables has emphasis the same thing.
All 3 parables teach us the same “truth”. Jesus wanted to make sure we got it!
B. Main idea of this parable:
In contrast with the Pharisees and the scribes that they are grumbling when Jesus receives sinners and eats with them ( NO COMPASSION FOR SINNERS, LOST PEOPLES), the repentance of others must be met with joy and celebration.
God’s joy for their repentance must be shared by all who claim to be God’s children ( see David E. Garland, Exegetical Commentary of New Testament: Luke)
C. One emphasis with 3 story
This Parable has 3 story: The Lost Sheep 3-7, The Lost Coin 8-10, The Lost Son or The Prodigal Son 11-32 —11 to 24 focus on the lost younger son and 25-32 focus on the lost older son that his person & response are the same like the Pharisees and the scribes ( v 2).
D. To understand this parable, we can see 3 parts of this parable
(1). There is a lost ( lost sheep, lost coin and lost of younger son) to show that all man are sinners ( see Romans 3:23; 5:12). You’re important, special, precious to God. You’re lost without Jesus.
(2.)There is a seeking for the lost (15: 4,8) however in lost son story— there is a waiting eagerly from The Father for the lost son (20)
Luke 15:4, 8, 20 NET
4 Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go look for the one that is lost until he finds it?
8 Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one of them, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search thoroughly until she finds it?
20 So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way from home his father saw him, and his heart went out to him; he ran and hugged his son and kissed him.”
(3) The climax: There is A JOY or A Celebration for the Lost Found. 9 verses focus on this Joy or celebration. If we add verse 5 b, there are 10 verses focusing on JOY.
See Luke 15: 6-7, 9-10, 20, 22-24, 32
After what was lost was found, there was a big celebration.
God celebrates the decision to surrender your life to Jesus and follow him!
We must observe carefully that repentance first than celebration. In short, we can see the Gospel in this story: REPENTANCE— UNCONDITIONAL LOVE of The FATHER—- CELEBRATION, rejoice with our Father by accepting & welcoming a new believer in our fellowship so that we can grow together.
Henri Nouwen points out:
God rejoices. Not because the problems of the world have been solved, not all human pain and suffering have come to end. No, God rejoices because one of his children who was lost has been found.
CS Lewis
“Joy is the serious business of heaven.”
Closing: Ills. Story of lost girl from Philip Yance. Repentance and going home, The Lost girl was received by 40 peoples to welcome her at Traverse’ bus station, Michigan, and to celebrate with a party at her home.
# Discussion @ KKD, kelompok kecil dinamis/dynamic cell group
1.There is a seeking for the lost (15: 4,8) however in lost son story— there is a waiting eagerly from The Father for the lost son (20). In this story, the Father doesn’t seek for the lost son. Let us observe, according your opinion what point Jesus told this contrast?
2.In story the prodigal son, we can divide 3 parts: Indulgence (11-13), crisis brings repentance (14-20a), unconditional love of the Father & celebration ( 20b—24).
In your own words, what is repentance from verse 17-20a?
Usually God uses our crisis to return to Him or to grow our life in Him. Is it ok or not ok if we pray that the lost people (that we know) get a crisis so that he or she can come to Jesus Christ?
3.In this parable Jesus teaches us to have compassion for sinners, lost people. One sinner that repented and believed Jesus makes the Joy in heaven. Let’s rejoice with our Father. How do we build our compassion for the lost people in theologically and practically??
4. Recently, we have some new visitors that come to our church regularly, some of them already finished to follow LDP. How we celebrate or accept them in our church, EBC??