We need to be reminded about what really is God’s Work

We need to be reminded about what really is We need to be reminded about what really is God’s WorkGod’s Work

This chapter begins with a snapshot of an This chapter begins with a snapshot of an ugly attitude. ugly attitude. (Luke 15:1-2)(Luke 15:1-2)


(Luke 15:1-2 NKJV)(Luke 15:1-2 NKJV) Then all the tax Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. {2} And the Pharisees and to hear Him. {2} And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”receives sinners and eats with them.”


Somehow the Pharisees in all of their study Somehow the Pharisees in all of their study and religious experience had missed the and religious experience had missed the true nature and work of the Lord.true nature and work of the Lord.



Jesus now tells three parables: the lost Jesus now tells three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.



Jesus now tells three parables: the lost Jesus now tells three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.

Here we see a moving, vivid picture of the Here we see a moving, vivid picture of the human and divine side of conversion.human and divine side of conversion.


On the one hand we see the foolish On the one hand we see the foolish “reasoning” of one in sin and the terrible “reasoning” of one in sin and the terrible consequences. consequences. (Isa 48:22)(Isa 48:22)


(Isa 48:22 NKJV)(Isa 48:22 NKJV) “There is no peace,” “There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.”says the LORD, “for the wicked.”


On the other hand we see how people come On the other hand we see how people come back to the Lord in an acceptable way. They back to the Lord in an acceptable way. They do not just slip back in.do not just slip back in.


Above all we see the deep concern and the Above all we see the deep concern and the warm welcome of God to the sinner who warm welcome of God to the sinner who returned. returned.

The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13)The Digression of the Sinner (Lk 15:11-13)

(Luke 15:10-13 NKJV)(Luke 15:10-13 NKJV) “Likewise, I say “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who angels of God over one sinner who repents.” {11} Then He said: “A certain repents.” {11} Then He said: “A certain man had two sons. {12} “And the younger man had two sons. {12} “And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he the portion of goods that falls to me.’ So he divided to them his livelihood. divided to them his livelihood.


{13} “And not many days after, the {13} “And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, younger son gathered all together, journeyed to a far country, and there wasted journeyed to a far country, and there wasted his possessions with prodigal living.his possessions with prodigal living.


The demand for independence.The demand for independence.


The demand for independence.The demand for independence. The son got tired of restraint, even though it The son got tired of restraint, even though it

leads to security and plenty.leads to security and plenty.


The demand for independence.The demand for independence. The son got tired of restraint, even though it The son got tired of restraint, even though it

leads to security and plenty.leads to security and plenty. God’s commands are always for our good. God’s commands are always for our good.

(Deut 10:13)(Deut 10:13)


(Deut 10:13 NKJV)(Deut 10:13 NKJV) “and to keep the “and to keep the commandments of the LORD and His commandments of the LORD and His statutes which I command you today for statutes which I command you today for your good?your good?


Why love our enemies?Why love our enemies? (Matt 5:46) (Matt 5:46)


(Mat 5:46 NKJV)(Mat 5:46 NKJV) “For if you love those “For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?not even the tax collectors do the same?


Why give?Why give? (2 Cor 8:9) (2 Cor 8:9)


(2 Cor 8:9 NKJV)(2 Cor 8:9 NKJV) For you know the grace For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.become rich.


Discontent.Discontent.


Discontent.Discontent. Satan likes to promote the idea that you are Satan likes to promote the idea that you are

being left out.being left out.


Ex. “All my life I have been doing what Ex. “All my life I have been doing what others wanted”. “It’s my right!”, I others wanted”. “It’s my right!”, I deserve it!.” This is the spirit described deserve it!.” This is the spirit described here.here.


Worldly joy.Worldly joy.


Ex. “All my life I have been doing what Ex. “All my life I have been doing what others wanted”. “It’s my right!”, I others wanted”. “It’s my right!”, I deserve it!.” This is the spirit described deserve it!.” This is the spirit described here.here.

Worldly joy.Worldly joy. The Bible admits that sin has it’s pleasures. The Bible admits that sin has it’s pleasures.

(Heb 11:25; 2 Pet 2:13)(Heb 11:25; 2 Pet 2:13)


(Heb 11:25 NKJV)(Heb 11:25 NKJV) choosing rather to choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin,


(2 Pet 2:13 NKJV)(2 Pet 2:13 NKJV) and will receive the and will receive the wages of unrighteousness, as those who wages of unrighteousness, as those who count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. count it pleasure to carouse in the daytime. They are spots and blemishes, carousing in They are spots and blemishes, carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with their own deceptions while they feast with you,you,


Several have told me, especially when Several have told me, especially when depressed, that going out and getting depressed, that going out and getting drunk give you a high and a relief. The drunk give you a high and a relief. The same it true of fornication.same it true of fornication.


Several have told me, especially when Several have told me, especially when depressed, that going out and getting depressed, that going out and getting drunk give you a high and a relief. The drunk give you a high and a relief. The same it true of fornication.same it true of fornication.

The peer pressure on our young is great. The peer pressure on our young is great. They will think you are crazy not to. The They will think you are crazy not to. The young cannot see death, plus “everyone else young cannot see death, plus “everyone else is doing it”. is doing it”. (1 Pt 4:4)(1 Pt 4:4)


(1 Pet 4:4 NKJV)(1 Pet 4:4 NKJV) In regard to these, they In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you.speaking evil of you.


The wasting of one’s substance.The wasting of one’s substance.


The wasting of one’s substance.The wasting of one’s substance. When you lose your sense of responsibility When you lose your sense of responsibility

to God everything else will soon follow. to God everything else will soon follow.


This son was not aware or seemed to care This son was not aware or seemed to care that he was throwing it all away. (Ex. I have that he was throwing it all away. (Ex. I have seen both men and women throw away their seen both men and women throw away their family, job and eventually their lives.)family, job and eventually their lives.)


This son was not aware or seemed to care This son was not aware or seemed to care that he was throwing it all away. (Ex. I have that he was throwing it all away. (Ex. I have seen both men and women throw away their seen both men and women throw away their family, job and eventually their lives.)family, job and eventually their lives.)

God has made us to do His will and be busy God has made us to do His will and be busy in it. in it. (Ecc 12:13; Jas 1:17)(Ecc 12:13; Jas 1:17)


(Eccl 12:13 NKJV)(Eccl 12:13 NKJV) Let us hear the Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all.man’s all.


(James 1:17 NKJV)(James 1:17 NKJV) Every good gift and Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.there is no variation or shadow of turning.


What are true riches? Do not throw this What are true riches? Do not throw this away. away. (Luke 12:21(Luke 12:21))


(Luke 12:21 NKJV) (Luke 12:21 NKJV) “So is he who lays up “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”God.”


The hypnotic effect of sin.The hypnotic effect of sin.


The hypnotic effect of sin.The hypnotic effect of sin. Sin gives you a power of control that does Sin gives you a power of control that does

not exist! “I can quit anytime.” They are not exist! “I can quit anytime.” They are underestimating several things.underestimating several things.


The power of habit The power of habit - When you are doing - When you are doing anything long enough, you feel anything long enough, you feel compelled to continue. “An act often compelled to continue. “An act often repeated hardens into a habit, and a habit repeated hardens into a habit, and a habit long continued petrifies into character.” long continued petrifies into character.”


Ex. “I still have to fight because it is so Ex. “I still have to fight because it is so much a part of me.”much a part of me.”


Ex. “I still have to fight because it is so Ex. “I still have to fight because it is so much a part of me.”much a part of me.”

The demands of sin. (Luke 15:14-16)The demands of sin. (Luke 15:14-16)


(Luke 15:14-16 NKJV)(Luke 15:14-16 NKJV) “But when he had “But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. {15} “Then land, and he began to be in want. {15} “Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. {16} “And he would gladly to feed swine. {16} “And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.swine ate, and no one gave him anything.


You will find yourself doing things you You will find yourself doing things you never dreamed of. never dreamed of. (John 8:34(John 8:34))


(John 8:34 NKJV)(John 8:34 NKJV) Jesus answered them, Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. (Ex. Drugs, commits sin is a slave of sin. (Ex. Drugs, fornication …. High becomes hard to keep.)fornication …. High becomes hard to keep.)


(Ex. Drugs, fornication …. High becomes (Ex. Drugs, fornication …. High becomes hard to keep.)hard to keep.)


(Ex. Drugs, fornication …. High becomes (Ex. Drugs, fornication …. High becomes hard to keep.)hard to keep.)

Soon you cannot have the same high, then Soon you cannot have the same high, then comes the famine. There is no more comes the famine. There is no more fulfillment and satisfaction but cold hard fulfillment and satisfaction but cold hard reality. What then?reality. What then?


““No man would give to him.” - There are No man would give to him.” - There are no rewards for Satan, he does not care. no rewards for Satan, he does not care.


““No man would give to him.” - There are No man would give to him.” - There are no rewards for Satan, he does not care. no rewards for Satan, he does not care.

Judas found this out. Judas found this out. (Matt 27:1-5)(Matt 27:1-5)


(Mat 27:1-5 NKJV)(Mat 27:1-5 NKJV) When morning came, When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. plotted against Jesus to put Him to death. {2} And when they had bound Him, they {2} And when they had bound Him, they led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius led Him away and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate the governor. Pilate the governor.


{3} Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had {3} Then Judas, His betrayer, seeing that He had been condemned, was remorseful and brought been condemned, was remorseful and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, {4} saying, “I have sinned by priests and elders, {4} saying, “I have sinned by betraying innocent blood.” And they said, betraying innocent blood.” And they said, “What is that to us? You see to it!” {5} Then he “What is that to us? You see to it!” {5} Then he threw down the pieces of silver in the temple threw down the pieces of silver in the temple and departed, and went and hanged himself.and departed, and went and hanged himself.


This is all headed to a point where one This is all headed to a point where one becomes unable to escape. becomes unable to escape. (Eph 4:19; 2 Pt 2:14; 1 Tim 4:2)(Eph 4:19; 2 Pt 2:14; 1 Tim 4:2)


(Eph 4:19 NKJV)(Eph 4:19 NKJV) who, being past feeling, who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.work all uncleanness with greediness.


(1 Tim 4:2 NKJV)(1 Tim 4:2 NKJV) speaking lies in speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron,seared with a hot iron,


(2 Pet 2:14 NKJV)(2 Pet 2:14 NKJV) having eyes full of having eyes full of adultery and that cannot cease from sin, adultery and that cannot cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children.accursed children.

The Process and Fruits of Repentance The Process and Fruits of Repentance (Luke 15:17-19)(Luke 15:17-19)

(Luke 15:17-19 NKJV)(Luke 15:17-19 NKJV) “But when he came to “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! {18} ‘I will arise and and I perish with hunger! {18} ‘I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, have sinned against heaven and before you, {19} “and I am no longer worthy to be called {19} “and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’servants.”’


An honest reflection upon one’s life.An honest reflection upon one’s life.


An honest reflection upon one’s life.An honest reflection upon one’s life. This is very hard to do. Many rationalize, This is very hard to do. Many rationalize,

blame others, and loose their conscience.blame others, and loose their conscience.



blame others, and loose their conscience.blame others, and loose their conscience. Can you see your own sin?Can you see your own sin?



blame others, and loose their conscience.blame others, and loose their conscience. Can you see your own sin?Can you see your own sin? A refection upon the goodness of the A refection upon the goodness of the

Father. Father. (Rom 2:4)(Rom 2:4)


(Rom 2:4 NKJV)(Rom 2:4 NKJV) Or do you despise the Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?goodness of God leads you to repentance?


Look at your own sins and ingratitude and Look at your own sins and ingratitude and know God will take you back.know God will take you back.


Look at your own sins and ingratitude and Look at your own sins and ingratitude and know God will take you back.know God will take you back.

This Godly sorrow will lead to repentance.This Godly sorrow will lead to repentance. (2 Cor 7:10)(2 Cor 7:10)


(2 Cor 7:10 NKJV)(2 Cor 7:10 NKJV) For godly sorrow For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.world produces death.


This repentance is not a comparison to This repentance is not a comparison to others nor a selective repentance.others nor a selective repentance.

The Forgiveness of the Father The Forgiveness of the Father (Luke 15:20-24)(Luke 15:20-24)

(Luke 15:20-24 NKJV)(Luke 15:20-24 NKJV) “And he arose and “And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. {21} “And the son said to and kissed him. {21} “And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ to be called your son.’


{22} “But the father said to his servants, {22} “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. {23} ‘And bring the fatted calf here his feet. {23} ‘And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; {24} and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; {24} ‘for this my son was dead and is alive ‘for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.began to be merry.


The father saw him a “great way off”. He The father saw him a “great way off”. He then ran to him.then ran to him.


The Lord is waiting and seeking youThe Lord is waiting and seeking you. . (Jonah 4:10-11; Acts 17:27; Rev 3:20)(Jonah 4:10-11; Acts 17:27; Rev 3:20)


(Jonah 4:10-11 NKJV)(Jonah 4:10-11 NKJV) But the LORD said, But the LORD said, “You have had pity on the plant for which you “You have had pity on the plant for which you have not labored, nor made it grow, which came have not labored, nor made it grow, which came up in a night and perished in a night. {11} “And up in a night and perished in a night. {11} “And should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in should I not pity Nineveh, that great city, in which are more than one hundred and twenty which are more than one hundred and twenty thousand persons who cannot discern between thousand persons who cannot discern between their right hand and their left; and much their right hand and their left; and much livestock?”livestock?”


(Acts 17:27 NKJV)(Acts 17:27 NKJV) “so that they should “so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us;not far from each one of us;


(Rev 3:20 NKJV)(Rev 3:20 NKJV) “Behold, I stand at the “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.and dine with him, and he with Me.


What if your own children left the Lord?What if your own children left the Lord?


The love of God exceeds anything we The love of God exceeds anything we would have for our own child. Why did would have for our own child. Why did Jesus not come down from the cross? Jesus not come down from the cross? (Rom 5:6-8)(Rom 5:6-8)


(Rom 5:6-8 NKJV)(Rom 5:6-8 NKJV) For when we were still For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. {7} For scarcely for a the ungodly. {7} For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to a good man someone would even dare to die. {8} But God demonstrates His own die. {8} But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.sinners, Christ died for us.


Remember what Jesus said the angels do? Remember what Jesus said the angels do? (Luke 15:10(Luke 15:10))


(Luke 15:10 NKJV)(Luke 15:10 NKJV) “Likewise, I say to “Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who angels of God over one sinner who repents.”repents.”


God will forgive and receive you God will forgive and receive you completely back into His fellowshipcompletely back into His fellowship. . (Rom 4:7-8)(Rom 4:7-8)


(Rom 4:7-8 NKJV)(Rom 4:7-8 NKJV) “Blessed are those “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose lawless deeds are forgiven, And whose sins are covered; {8} Blessed is the whose sins are covered; {8} Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin.”sin.”

The Blindness of the Elder Son. The Blindness of the Elder Son. (Luke 15:25-32)(Luke 15:25-32)

(Luke 15:25-32 NKJV)(Luke 15:25-32 NKJV) “Now his older son “Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. near to the house, he heard music and dancing. {26} “So he called one of the servants and {26} “So he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant. {27} “And he asked what these things meant. {27} “And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and because he has received him safe and sound, because he has received him safe and sound, your father has killed the fatted calf.’ your father has killed the fatted calf.’


{28} “But he was angry and would not go in. {28} “But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him. {29} “So he answered and said to with him. {29} “So he answered and said to his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been his father, ‘Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends. make merry with my friends.


{30} ‘But as soon as this son of yours came, {30} ‘But as soon as this son of yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with who has devoured your livelihood with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.’ {31} “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are {31} “And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. always with me, and all that I have is yours. {32} ‘It was right that we should make merry {32} ‘It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.’”alive again, and was lost and is found.’”


Who does the elder son represent? Who does the elder son represent? (Luke 18:9)(Luke 18:9)


(Luke 18:9 NKJV)(Luke 18:9 NKJV) Also He spoke this Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised that they were righteous, and despised others:others:


Some of the hardest hearts I have seen has Some of the hardest hearts I have seen has come from those: “raised in the church”.come from those: “raised in the church”.


The spirit of the Pharisee is to make one’s The spirit of the Pharisee is to make one’s own “political end” the focus of their own “political end” the focus of their “righteousness”. “righteousness”. (John 5:44)(John 5:44)


(John 5:44 NKJV)(John 5:44 NKJV) “How can you believe, “How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?only God?


This son fought the work of the father.This son fought the work of the father.


Everyone has an influence, where do you Everyone has an influence, where do you stand? stand? (Matt 23:13, 15(Matt 23:13, 15))


(Mat 23:13 NKJV)(Mat 23:13 NKJV) “But woe to you, “But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.allow those who are entering to go in.


(Mat 23:15 NKJV)(Mat 23:15 NKJV) “Woe to you, scribes “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel land and sea to win one proselyte, and when land and sea to win one proselyte, and when he is won, you make him twice as much a he is won, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.son of hell as yourselves.


Even in this he thought of himself as Even in this he thought of himself as serving the father!serving the father!



This son did not have the heart of the father.This son did not have the heart of the father.



This son did not have the heart of the father.This son did not have the heart of the father. Does those who are lost cause you concern?Does those who are lost cause you concern?


Do you rejoice when one is forgiven? Do you rejoice when one is forgiven? (Ex. Church struggles)(Ex. Church struggles)


Do you rejoice when one is forgiven? Do you rejoice when one is forgiven? (Ex. Church struggles)(Ex. Church struggles)

Conclusion:Conclusion: Everyone is in this parable. Everyone is in this parable. Where are you?Where are you?

We need to be reminded about what really is God’s Work

Documents

Transcript of We need to be reminded about what really is God’s Work