Seeking the Lost – Luke 15:1-10
The Barna Research Group is a survey and polling organization that seeks to keep their finger on the religious & spiritual pulse of the American people. Just two weeks ago, they revealed the latest statistics on American’s attitudes relative to Christianity.
For those born between 1984 and 2002, the number of people who do not worship anywhere is 48%. For those between 1965-1983, the statistic is 40%. For those between 1946-1964, the number is 35%. Finally, for those born before 1945, the number is 28%. So, the younger an adult is, the more unlikely it is that he or she goes to worship anywhere.
So, I want to encourage us – in the middle of our busy schedules – not to forget the role we have as God’s children to share God’s message with our family and friends who are not Christian. Let’s begin with Luke 15:1-10.
THE SETTING – 15:1-2:
Luke 15 is best known as the chapter with the lost coin, the lost sheep, and the lost boy. We are quite familiar, especially, with the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Yet, the focus in this chapter and these parables is not exactly evangelism.
We take a look at the first two verses for the context of these parables. Tax collectors and sinners were coming to Jesus. But it was not a good thing in the eyes of the religious leaders. Luke writes that they “began to grumble,” complaining that “This man receives and eats with them.”
That word “grumbling” sets the stage for the parables that follow. The point of the parables is to contrast the proper attitude toward saving the lost with the improper attitude toward saving the lost.
THE PARABLE OF THE LOST SHEEP – 15:3-7:
Notice the attitude which this shepherd had when he found his lost sheep – he laid it on his shoulders “rejoicing.” That is the proper attitude to have, in contrast with the grumbling of the scribes and Pharisees.
Then he calls his friends and neighbors, saying, “Rejoice” with me. Then Jesus tells the Pharisees and scribes that there will be “more joy” in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. That’s the real point of the parable.
THE PARABLE OF THE LOST COIN – 15:8-10:
In the same way, we observe that when this woman lost her coin and then made careful search, she found it. She, too, called her neighbors and friends, saying, “Rejoice with me!” Jesus tells these Pharisees and scribes that there is actually “joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
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Putting these parables in their proper context actually helps us to better understand the parable of the prodigal son. The point of the parable is to draw home the contrast between the loving, forgiving, accepting attitude of the father with the self-centered attitude of the older boy. That’s the “joy in heaven” over one sinner who repents.
We may have overlooked the impact of verse 32 in the overall context of the parable: “We had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.”
The love of Christ is what compels us to try to save the lost (2 Cor. 5:14). God’s love motivates Him to seek the lost. Our love for God motivates us to seek the lost.
Now, in practical terms, how should we go about doing that?
1. Who do you know is lost?
2. Pray for them, by name.
3. Love them.
4. Build trust.
5. Find out where the person is, spiritually.
6. Direct conversations into a spiritual direction.
7. Seek a good transition point to divert the conversation.
8. You want to cultivate interest and curiosity.
9. Continue to pray, listen, meditate and think through your approach.
There are a lot of souls out there dying unprepared to answer for their sins. You can be the instrument that saves them from hell.
–Paul Holland
