A Day of Rejoicing

Introduction:

Luke 15 contains one of what must have been hundreds of discussions that took place between Jesus and the Pharisees. Jesus regularly challenged these spiritual leaders to evaluate themselves, their attitudes, and their approach to religion. Imagine the scene. Who is present? Who makes up the audience? What do you hear when Jesus speaks? Can you hear the hushed silence as Jesus directly answers and challenges the Pharisees?

I. The Pharisees point of view:

A.       They viewed Jesus as behaving at the height of presumption and arrogance.

1.        How could Jesus assert that the Father was in Him and was seeking and finding His lost sheep?

2.        Ezekiel 34:23-24 – the one prophesied here could not possibly be Jesus of Nazareth.

B.       How was Jesus the promised Messiah? The Savior?

1.        Nothing about Jesus fit their preconceived notions.

C.        To them, Jesus was speaking complete blasphemy.

II. A different point of view:

A.       Many had opposite reaction of Pharisees and scribes.  They would have reacted with worship and adoration.

1.        Many in the audience would have got it. They would have realized:

2.        Jesus was the love of God in seeking and finding what belonged to Him.

3.        Jesus was the arm of God reaching out to the lost

4.        Jesus was the shepherd – protecting the sheep in the wilderness – and carrying home, on His shoulder, those who were weak & wounded.

B.       These are two very distinct points of views.

1.        Just as Jesus called upon them to make a decision – so He does for us.

2.        John 14:6 - We can do only 1 of 2 things with this verse.

III. Three Applications

1.        Repentance.

1.        15:7 – repentance is in this parable.

                                                                    a.       Repentance is a change of heart as well as a change of direction.

2.        Note two things we learn here about repentance (15:4-6)

                                                                    a.       Jesus and the Father seek those who are lost and work to bring them to repentance.

                                                                    b.       We must repent.

3.        Luke 14:16-24 – we have been invited to the feast.

2.        God

1.        In these parables we see one sheep – out of a hundred (15:4) and one coin out of ten (15:8).

2.        God cares for individuals one at a time.

3.        The 99

1.        More joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over these 99.

2.        The 99 need an outward focus. (This was especially true for the Pharisees).

                                                                    a.       We want others to have what we have.

3.        14:23 – God wants His house filled. He is working for our spiritual victory.

Conclusion:

A.       John 14:6 – what will you do with this truth?

B.       Will you respond in a positive way?

C.        Open your heart and receive God’s invitation.