Luke 15

Luke 15:1-7 - Parable of the lost sheep

• Luke 15:4 - Pharisees would have likely held a dim view of the Jewish shepherds because they would often be ceremonially unclean, either from caring for sick or dying animals or tending their flocks on the Sabbath.

Luke 15:8-10 - Parable of the lost coin

• Luke 15:8 - Like a shepherd (Luke 15:4), a woman would be a similarly discounted person to the Pharisees.

Luke 15:11-32 - Parable of the prodigal son

• Luke 15:13 - It’s interesting to note that the father does not try to stop the son from his foolish decisions. This parallels how God allows us free will even though it can take us away from Him.
• Luke 15:15 - For a Jewish boy, feeding swine would just about be the worst possible job.
• Luke 15:22-24 - The father restored his status immediately. There is no fussing, no probation period. See Ephesians 2:1-10.
• Luke 15:32 - The older brother did not understand this had to do with mercy and not merit.

Introduction

• Psalms 127:3

Mothers are a great source of tender, merciful love.

• I Thessalonians 2:7
• The Oneida Community
  • Tried to abolish marriage (“free love” or “complex marriage”) and adopt the “rules of heaven” (where there is no marriage).
  • The experiment failed after thirty years.
• Philippians 2:4 - Mothers look our for the needs of others.
• Matthew 15:21

The rest of us should value and encourage mothers.

• Proverbs 31:25-31
• Ephesians 6:2 - Honor your father and mother.
• Galatians 4:4
• Mark 6:1-3

Mothers, look to the Bible for wisdom.

• Colossians 3:16
• II Timothy 1:5 - How many people did Timothy end up teaching?
• II Timothy 3:14-15
• Proverbs 29:15
• Proverbs 31:1, 3, 5, 8, 26
• The greatest thing mothers can do is teach their children God’s word.
• Proverbs 1:8; 6:20

Avoid cliques that discourage or do harm.

• Matthew 7:12
• Matthew 22:39
• Luke 10:36-37
• James 2:1-8
• Look for people to include - not exclude.
• Romans 12:9-18

Just being part of a group is not sinful.

• Psalms 135:4 - God didn’t do anything wrong by creating this group of people.
• Mark 3:13-14 - Jesus selected the twelve apostles. He did nothing wrong by selecting this special group.

Let’s learn to appreciate other people and learn from our differences.

• Acts 11:19
• Matthew 13:53-58 - Those in Jesus’ hometown would have had everything in common with Him, yet they were offended at Him.
• Acts 2:9-11, 46-47

We must teach and study the Bible. (Let’s not compromise the gospel so we can fill the pews.)

• Acts 15:35; 13:1
• Acts 18:1-4, 8, 11
• I Corinthians 4:17
• I Corinthians 14:26
• Acts 20:17, 28, 32
• Throughout the New Testament, the building itself was never the focus.

Introduction

• Acts 10:1-4 - God was listening to the prayers of Cornelius!

When I am in trouble

• Psalms 34:15-19
• Jonah 2:1-2, 7-10 - “There are no atheists in foxholes and rubber rafts.”
• II Chronicles 20:3-4, 12 - Jehoshaphat was afraid and sought the Lord. The nation saw that example and followed.

When I am blessed

• Luke 17:12-19 - One of the healed lepers returned to thank and praise God.
• Luke 6:35
• Deuteronomy 6:11-12
• I Thessalonians 5:16-18

When I am confused

• James 1:5
• II Timothy 3:17
• Psalms 25:1-5 - “Make me know your ways, O Lord”

When I am tempted

• Matthew 6:13
• Matthew 26:41
• Psalms 141:3
• Hebrews 4:15-16
• I Corinthians 10:13

When I am thinking of others

• James 5:13-16
• Psalms 23:5; Hebrews 1:9
• I Timothy 2:1-4
• Ephesians 6:18-19
• Job 42:10

Luke 14

• Luke 14:1 - They were laying in wait to try to trap Jesus in any small thing they would consider a mistake.
• Luke 14:6 - See Luke 6:1-5; 13:10-17. They showed more care for their animals on the Sabbath than for this woman.
• Luke 14:10-11 - See Proverbs 25:6. We must eliminate this prideful attitude.
• Luke 14:12-14 - Humble yourself!
• Luke 14:15-24 - Jesus came to the Jews first, but then brought His message to everyone. Likewise, we should try to share the gospel with everyone without pre-judging how we think they will react.
• Luke 14:27 - Compare Luke 9:23; Romans 6:1-11. This is a radical new way of dealing with sin. See Galatians 2:20; 5:24. We must die to sin.