THE SURPRISE OF GRACE (2 OF 3)
Scripture: Luke 15:11-22
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The Surprise of Grace (2 of 3)
Series: Prodigal
Dave Gustavsen
Luke 15:11-22
Last week we started a series called ''Prodigal,'' based on Luke chapter fifteen. And the whole thing starts with an accusation. Jesus is out teaching in public, and gathered around him are tax-collectors and sinners: the most despised, undesirable people in that society. The kind of people who would never show up for synagogue. But they're listening intently as Jesus teaches. Over to the side, watching this happen, are the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Totally opposite kind of people: religious, responsible, respected. Do you remember how they reacted to this crowd around Jesus? They couldn't believe it! And they muttered, ''This man welcomes sinners, and even eats with them.''
So in response to the muttering, Jesus started telling stories. And last week we looked at the first two stories: a shepherd who loses one of his sheep, and a woman who loses one of her coins. In both cases, the person who loses something is devastated; they aggressively go after what they've lost, and when they find it, they throw a party! And after both stories, Jesus says, ''In the same way, there is rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents.'' See, parables are all about using earthly examples to teach spiritual truths. So just like we humans are brokenhearted when we lose something valuable, so is God! Just like we go after what we've lost, so does God! And just like, when we find the lost thing we celebrate, so does God. See, the way we view God matters a lot, and Jesus is showing us how God feels about lost people: he's passionate about finding them and bringing them home.
And then...Jesus tells one last story. And as powerful as the first two were, the last one takes it to a whole other level. Because it's not about losing an animal or an inanimate object; this one is about a father who loses his son. Do you know what it feels like to have someone you love push away from God and may ...
Series: Prodigal
Dave Gustavsen
Luke 15:11-22
Last week we started a series called ''Prodigal,'' based on Luke chapter fifteen. And the whole thing starts with an accusation. Jesus is out teaching in public, and gathered around him are tax-collectors and sinners: the most despised, undesirable people in that society. The kind of people who would never show up for synagogue. But they're listening intently as Jesus teaches. Over to the side, watching this happen, are the Pharisees and teachers of the law. Totally opposite kind of people: religious, responsible, respected. Do you remember how they reacted to this crowd around Jesus? They couldn't believe it! And they muttered, ''This man welcomes sinners, and even eats with them.''
So in response to the muttering, Jesus started telling stories. And last week we looked at the first two stories: a shepherd who loses one of his sheep, and a woman who loses one of her coins. In both cases, the person who loses something is devastated; they aggressively go after what they've lost, and when they find it, they throw a party! And after both stories, Jesus says, ''In the same way, there is rejoicing in heaven when one sinner repents.'' See, parables are all about using earthly examples to teach spiritual truths. So just like we humans are brokenhearted when we lose something valuable, so is God! Just like we go after what we've lost, so does God! And just like, when we find the lost thing we celebrate, so does God. See, the way we view God matters a lot, and Jesus is showing us how God feels about lost people: he's passionate about finding them and bringing them home.
And then...Jesus tells one last story. And as powerful as the first two were, the last one takes it to a whole other level. Because it's not about losing an animal or an inanimate object; this one is about a father who loses his son. Do you know what it feels like to have someone you love push away from God and may ...
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