JESUS' TEACHINGS - PARABLES

 

                                                 24: THE LOST SHEEP

                                                    Matthew 18:10-14,  Luke 15:-7

In this passage in Luke 15, how Jesus and His Father celebrate with the angels in Heaven, when people REPENT OF THEIR SINS AND FOLLOW AFTER HIM.

"I say to you likewise, there will be more joy in Heaven over ONE SINNER WHO REPENTS than over ninety nine just persons who need no repentance."                                                                                                                           Luke 15:7 (NKJV)

"They rejoice with JOY unspeakable and full of GLORY over one sinner who repents." Charles Spurgeon  

This needs to be something we need to learn about, just as the shepherd celebrates when he finds his sheep; and the angels celebrate in heaven over those who repent, we need to get excited when our family and friends, or any new people come to a relationship with Jesus Christ in the our Church. 

We need to be "radiant" and "full of cheer", spending time with them whose names are "now written in the book of life" with us. 

"Rejoice with me, for I have found my SHEEP which was LOST!" Luke 15:6 (MSG)

                                            

                                                25.  THE LOST COINS

                                                    Read Luke 15:8-10

      "Likewise, I say to you,  THERE IS JOY IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ANGELS OF GOD, OVER ONE SINNER WHO REPENTS." Luke 15:10 (NKJV)         

In theis second Parable, Jesus agains tells how God seeks after those who are lost, just like the woman did with her coin, and she CELEBRATES with her neighbours and friends when she found it, just as God did with the angels in Heaven, over the "sinners who repent".   

Just like the shepherd searched  all over the whole pasture, leaving behind his other "99 sheep", looking for ONE LOST SHEEP,  the woman swept her whole house for just ONE LOST COIN.   

"And when she found it, she calls her friends and neighbours together, saying, "REJOICE WITH ME, for I have found the piece which I lost!" Luke 15:9 (NKJV)

We too are challenged to seek the LOST, because in the eyes of God and Jesus, His Son,  His LOVE, MERCY, GRACE and SALVATION, show us great "VALUE AND WORTH" in their 'KINGDOM".   

                                                      26. THE LOST SON
                                                       Read Luke 15: 11-32 

"GOD LOVES YOU passionately, wholeheartedly and unconditionally.  It is never too late tio TURN TO GOD. He will ACCEPT YOU and EMBRACE YOU. Jesus will tell us another parable about a father and his lost son, because HE CARES DESPERATELY about the LOST. GOD'S LOVE is extroadinary and goes on beyond anything you could accept or imagine." Nicky Gumble

Go on an read this next PARABLE!

                                               

 Probably the greatest story ever told is that of the LOST SON and the LOVING FATHER. The youngest son requests his inheritance from his father - an "ourageous request" in Middle Eastern culture. Yet in an act of "extrodinary love" his father gave it to him, along with his FREEDOM, and his son LEFT HIM. 

Many people today have experienced this loss of a family member. The son went away and "wasted all his money". He ending up "empty inside", feeding the pigs. Turning to God, he came to his senses and decided to return home. He would tell his father he would work for him as a servant. 

"At home, even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here am I dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against both Heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant." Luke 15:18&19 (NLT)

It appears the father had been "watching and waiting" for him. Each day, he came outside, in the hope that his son would return. He had never "forgotten him". 

"His heart was pounding as he ran out, emracing him and kissed him."                                                                                                                         Luke 15:20 (MSG)

This is how GOD RECEIVES US! His son had prepared a "speech of repentance"m but his father treated him as an "honoured guest" and planned a "lavished celebration party". Doesn't this remind you of the celebration in Heaven in previous parables, when GOD'S CHILDREN HAD REPENTED.

Yet his older brother was not happy! He did not come to the party! He was "sulking"! Why? 

* He didn't accept his father's FORGIVENESS of his brother. Had he ever thrown him a party?

* He was jealous of his father putting his arm around his brother.  Had he ever done this to him?

"Son, you don't understand. You have been with me all the time, and everything that is mine is yours, but this is a WONDERFUL TIME and we had to CELEBRATE. This brother of yours was dead but NOW HE IS ALIVE! He was lost, but HE IS FOUND!" Luke 15:31&32 (MSG)

This is one of the greatest PARABLES - the greatest passages in Luke. Jesus talks a lot about "PARTYS" and "CELEBRATIONS". Each story speaks about something LOST - the LOST SHEEP, THE LOST COIN and THE LOST SON. And each of the people: the SHEPHERD, the WOMAN and the FATHER FOUND what they had LOST. Then there was CELEBRATION AND HAPPINESS! 

"The Holy Bible, New King  James Version", 1982, Thomas Nelson

"The Holy Bible, New Living Translations", 2015, Tyndale House Publishers

""The Message - The Bible Commentary Language Copyright", 2018, Eugene H Peterson, Navigation Press/Tyndale House Publishers

"The Parable of the Lost Sheep - Jesus Shares te Parable of the Lost Sheep", 2914,                                                                                                                            Superbook''

"A Lost Coin - Parable of the Lost Coin - Kids Song", 2025, Bible Fun Sing a Long/                                                                                                                                                 You Tube

"The Prodigal Book -- Parable Kids Bible - Episode 12, Season 2," 2025, Superbook

"How Deep the Father's Love", Stuart Townsend, (Composer/Singer), 1995, Thankyou Music/Capital (CMG)/Integrity Music

"GUMBLE, Nicky & Pippa, "Commentary - the Bible in One Year: Parable: 3 Lost Sheep, Coin ands Son" - 2009/2025, Alpha International/You Version