Not Done With Them
Sermon Notes
Just because you've stopped EXPECTING doesn't mean God's stopped WORKING.
[Luke 15:1-2] Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. [2] This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people--even eating with them!
[Luke 15:10 NLT] In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God's angels when even one sinner repents."
God doesn't confuse someone's LOCATION with their VALUE.
[Luke 15:11-13] To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: "A man had two sons. [12] The younger son told his father, 'I want my share of your estate now before you die.' So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. [13] "A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living.
[Luke 15:17-20] "When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, 'At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! [18] I will go home to my father and say, "Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, [19] and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant."' [20] "So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
Grace is God making a way HOME.
[Luke 15:21-24] His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.' [22] "But his father said to the servants, 'Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. [23] And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, [24] for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.' So the party began.
All of Heaven CELEBRATES when we are FOUND.
[Luke 19:10] For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost."
Lost things MATTER to God.
[2 Peter 3:9] The Lord isn't really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.
My job is to LOVE them; God's job is to CHANGE them.
[Luke 15:28-32] "The older brother was angry and wouldn't go in. His father came out and begged him, [29] but he replied, 'All these years I've slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. [30] Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!' [31] "His father said to him, 'Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. [32] We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!'"
If God's GRACE hadn't found us, we'd all be LOST.
[Romans 5:8] But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Discussion Questions
Icebreaker: What is your favorite part of Fall?
Read Josh 4:6-7 and discuss what stands out to you.
Share about a time you lost something.
Why do you think sinners were comfortable around Jesus?
How can you show love to someone far from God this week?
Is there anything this group can pray for?
Want to join a Thrive Group? Click Here!