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Luke

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God Searches Out the Lost

Luke 15:3-7

Sheep are a good metaphor for people.  They like to be with others, willing to follow a dominant leader but also like to make sure they can get away on their own.  They are easily frightened and hate going through narrow gaps.  They like going up but are frightened to go down.  Therefore, when they are out on the hillside, they can easily wander off, clamber up a steep bank, and not be able to get down again.  At that point, they are lost; away from the safety of the shepherd they are vulnerable to predators, and unable to take any initiative to help themselves.  

Into the Light

Luke 15:8-10

Luke put the three 'lost' parables together in this chapter (lost sheep, coin and son), but they all have one meaning.  People who are away from fellowship with God, because of their sin and rebellion, are lost: they do not know where they are and cannot work out how to get anywhere (John 3:19).  They need help!  In the parable of the coin, the inanimate silver object is incapable of helping itself.  

Arrogant Greed

Luke 15:11-12

This story told by Jesus, often known as the parable of the prodigal son, is the climax of a series of three stories which illustrate the problem of being far from God, and its solution.  The lost sheep (Luke 15:1-7) was a foolish wanderer, incapable of finding a way home; the lost coin (Luke 15:8-10) was totally dependent on somebody turning on a light and searching for it.  Despite the obsessive pity of the religious leaders of the day, none could save themselves from soul-darkness by their own good works (Ephesians 2:8-9).  That is why Jesus came to search out those who did not know how

Sin Spoils

Luke 15:13-16

The younger son had left home.  He became a prodigal, taking and recklessly spending his inheritance money, believing he could create a better life for himself away from his father (Luke 15:11-13).  But, as with all self-indulgent impulses, he had no long-term plan and the money drained away quickly as he immersed himself in pleasure.  He had no thought of providing for the future, nor did he have any contingency reserve.  He was so self-obsessed he had no idea that his dreams could all be swept away (Luke 17:26-29) and that the economic downturn of a failed harvest would leave him without

Reality which Leads to Repentance

Luke 15:17-19

Repentance is not a natural or comfortable human reaction.

Repentance Leads to Restoration

Luke 15:20-24

Repentance always takes you back to where you sinned, so that you can admit that it was wrong and determine not to follow that path again.  In Jesus' story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) the once-foolish young man had decided to repent, but knew he had to return to his father's house to deliver his confession and seek his mercy. But his father was already waiting for his return.  Seeing him in the distance the old man ran to greet him, driven by love. Wrapped in parental embrace, the prodigal admitted his sin against God and his father.

Religious Pride Rejects Repentance

Luke 15:25-32

The parable of the 'prodigal son' (Luke 15:11-32) is now overshadowed by the grumpy 'loyal son'.  Of the two lads, the younger chose to waste his father's inheritance while the older son remained working on the farm.  But his reaction to his younger brother's return was anger and contempt.  He was intensely jealous of the extravagance of the love which was showered on the one who did not deserve it (1 John 3:1).  

Wise Investment

Luke 16:1-9

This parable is meant to be shocking.  But it has been often misinterpreted!  It is not saying that believers in Jesus should defraud their employers or use their influence with customers to protect their own interests!  Jesus was talking to His disciples.  They had already left their employments and trusted Jesus to provide for their needs (Luke 18:28-30).  However, they still had to care for their families (1 Corinthians 9:5).  As trainee leaders of the Early Church they would need to continue Jesus' teaching about the purpose of money and what really matters (1 Timothy 6:17-19).  So, Jes

Start Small

Luke 16:10-12

How do you know that somebody can be trusted?  Usually, you look to see if there is any evidence of trustworthiness.  Those who have been reliable, honest, effective and productive in other matters may also be able to manage your business.  That is the basis of business references; if the applicant for your job has a glowing testimonial from a previous employer, then you may be encouraged to appoint the person.

Worship and Money

Luke 16:13-15

'Worship' is an interesting English word.  It is all about the 'worth' or value that is given to a person or object.  If we worship, it is because we consider the thing or person to be of such precious value that we choose to alter our lifestyle to make room for it to control the rest of our lives.  In that sense, we may 'worship' possessions, friends, ideas, or even ourselves in varying degrees.  What interests God is whether we worship Him above all else: when we don't, those objects of worship become idols - false gods.  The only true God can never take second place to any idol, or even

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