Rev. David Holwick Adapted from J. Ramsey Michaels,
First Baptist Church "Servant and Son," pp. 214-221
West Lafayette, Ohio
September 7, 1988 Bible study
Luke 15
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I. The Lost Sheep.
A. Normal parable.
B. Hearers called to identify with it.
1) Standard reaction to an emergency.
2) Normal reaction of joy at end.
C. Application to God.
1) Learn how God feels about sinners.
a) God's reckless love for us.
2) We should share the shepherd's perspective.
II. The Lost Coin.
A. Similar to above.
B. Hearers identify with woman.
1) Share feelings of anxiety and joy. (lost checkbook)
2) Identify with seeking one, not the lost one.
III. The Lost Son.
A. Differs from above two.
1) Story more fully developed.
a) Straight-forward narrative opening, not question.
b) Characters are fleshed-out.
2) Gets more directly at issue of repentance.
a) Repentance is more than being "found."
b) The lost son takes initiative in returning, in a way
that a coin or sheep cannot.
c) Father is a more passive figure.
1> He waits, then welcomes him back.
3) Older brother is counterpart to generalized "friends."
a) Whole subplot for him.
b) Serves as an equivalent to "rejoice with me."
1> Older son is invited to share his father's
perspective on the lost son's return.
c) Hearers are invited to look at things from his
perspective.
IV. Application.
A. Different responses of Jesus.
1) Jesus often took active role in seeking sinners.
2) Sometimes he had to be passive.
a) Syro-Phoenician woman.
b) Centurion.
c) Hemorrhaging woman.
B. Different roles of forgiven.
1) Sometimes found.
a) Fellowship with tax collectors.
2) Sometimes sought, expressed in concrete acts.
a) Fruit of repentance, John the Baptist.
C. Forgiveness is often both at once.
1) Forgiveness as joyful celebration.
2) Promise of Zacchaeus.
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