God’s Lost and Found

Luke 15:1-10

 

INTRO: Luke 15 has customarily been broken up into three separate parables.  Actually it is one parable in three parts or pictures: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.  These three pictures have one central theme: the love of the Father for the lost.  The thing that we see here is that God is concerned about the lost.  The shepherd sought the lost sheep; although it only represented 1% of the flock.  The silver coin represented only a 10% loss; yet, it was sought diligently.  In the shepherd seeking the sheep, you have the work of the Son- Jesus Christ.  In the woman with a light searching for the lost coin, you have the work of the Spirit.

In our message today, we want to deal with the first two of these pictures: the lost sheep and the lost coin.

 

I.        VSS 1-2, CHRIST RECEIVES SINFUL MEN

A.       Vs 1, Those who were considered to be social and religious outcasts by the Pharisees and Scribes– tax collectors, and sinners– drew near to Jesus.

1. Some came out of curiosity, but many came craving life and peace. 

2. They approached not with the body only, but also with the heart.

B.       Vs 2, Luke 15 was spoken in answer to the murmuring of the Pharisees and scribes.  If there are those who are going to gripe and complain when the truly needy come near, it’s the religious crowd.

1. They murmured against Jesus for doing what the Son of man came to earth to do: “to seek and to save that which was lost.”

2. Their accusation was true.  “This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them....”   The New Testament testifies to this fact:

a. He will receive the rich– Joseph of Arimathea.

b. He will receive the poor– Lazarus the beggar.

c. He will receive the physicians– Luke.

d. He will receive soldiers– the Roman centurion.

e. He will receive fishermen– Peter, James, and John.

f. He will receive extortioners– Zacchaeus.

g. He will receive thieves– the dying thief on the cross.

h. He will receive adulterers– the woman taken in adultery.

I. He will receive murderers– Saul of Tarsus.

j. He will receive business people– Lydia.

k. He will receive families– Mary, Martha, and Lazarus of Bethany.

3. He will receive all who come to Him in faith (Jn 6:37).

4. He invites the hungry and thirsty to come to Him (Jn 6:35, 7:37).

 

II.       VSS 3-7, THE LOST SHEEP

A.       Vs 3, In answer to the murmuring of the scribes and Pharisees, He speaks a parable.

B.       Vs 4, The shepherd in this parable is the Great Shepherd, the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. “If He lose one of them...”

a. The lost one draws upon the heart strings of the shepherd.  This should draw at our hearts (II Cor 4:3, But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:).

b. He desires to save the lost sheep, those without Christ.

2. He leaves, “the ninety and nine....”

a. The Shepherd seeks His lost sheep as if it is the only one He possesses (Gal 2:20).  That’s how He sought you, individually.

b. He seeks the sheep not because of its value only but because of His love.  He is moved by compassion.

1- In Luke 15, He seeks the lost sheep.

2- In John 10, He dies for His sheep (Jn 10:11, 14-15).

3. He goes after the lost until He finds it.  The Shepherd left His home to come after His sheep.

a. There is not turning back; He will accomplish His purpose.  Christ is determined to save lost sheep.

b. He went all the way to the cross to save the lost.

None of the ransomed ever knew

How deep were the waters crossed.

Nor how dark was the night that the Lord went through

Ere He found His sheep that was lost....

c. Jesus endured the cross knowing that His blood would atone for the lost sheep (Heb 12:2).  The rich became the poor for us (II Cor 8:9).

C.      Vs 5, The shepherd rejoices when He finds His lost sheep.  His heart is glad!

1. What a wonderful moment when the weary sinner finds himself alone with the gentle shepherd.

2. What a wonderful moment when the sinner feels the mighty hands of the Shepherd raising him to His love, compassionate bosom.

3. At this moment, the sheep is everything to the Shepherd, and the Shepherd is everything to the sheep.  Each rejoicing in each other, and nothing else matters.

4. “He layeth it on His shoulders.”

a. The weary, aimless wanderer has found a place of rest on the shoulders of Him who came to seek and to save.

b. The sheep must do but one thing– Rest on Him who was willing and able to save.

c. The shoulders of the Shepherd are a place of strength and safety.  The government of the world rests upon them.  Surely, they are strong enough and broad enough for the weary soul (Mt 11:28).

D.      Vs 6, Jesus left heaven’s glory to come to “seek and to save that which was lost.”

1. He left behind the angelic host: those that kept their first estate: those who ceaselessly serve God before His throne.

2. When He came home, He said to them: “Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.”

a. Not “my sheep.”

1- His by gift (Jn 6:37, “All that the Father giveth....”

2- His by purchase (I Pt 1:18-20; Acts 20:28).

3- His by election or choice (II Thes 2:13-14).

E.       Vs 7, Why should unfallen angels rejoice over repenting sinners?

1. Repenting sinners represent the reward of the Shepherd’s compassion, love, and sacrifice.

2. In the salvation of repentant sinners, Christ is satisfied (IS 53:11).  And if Christ is satisfied, the angels of heaven rejoice.

III.      VSS 8-10, THE LOST COIN

A.       Vs 8, Not only were men who would understand the story of the Shepherd listening to Jesus, there were also women attentively drinking in every word.  So Jesus gives a picture that the women will understand.

1. The loss.

a. A silver coin, one coin out of ten; yet it is valuable to the woman– Holy Spirit.  Lost means it is unprofitable (Rom 3:12), out of divine circulation.

b. Probably it went on her headdress.  Like losing a stone from a wedding ring.

c. Lost in the dirt; lost in the dark.  Dark enough to need a light.  That’s where we were: lost in the dirt and dark.

2. Lost where?

a. In the house.

b. Those who attend church; yet lost.  Those close to us; even in our homes lost.

c. We need to diligently seek them.

3. The Search:

a. By light– the illumination of God’s Word.  Psa 119:130: “The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding to the simple.”

b. By sweeping– picture of conviction of the Holy Spirit.

c. Diligent search and persistence– “till she find it.”  Heart intent on recovery of the coin.

d. This verse represents the interest of the Holy Spirit in seeking the lost.  “She sought diligently until she found it.  The Holy Spirit seeks the elect until they are found.  He convicts all who hear the word but keeps after the elect until he wins them: (Taylor 16).

e. We need to emphasize seeking.  Go out into the highways and hedges.

B.       Vs 9, The result of search.

1. The lost coin is found.

2. Joy– rejoicing over the found coin.

3. The woman pictures the Holy Spirit whose ministry is to make sure that each one who belongs to the Bridegroom will be present for the wedding.  Every coin will be in place.