Closer - "Closer To Sinners" - Luke 15 - Mike Maglish

LifeSpring Christian Church Sermons

Closer To Sinners
Luke 15
Mike Maglish

Part of Closer - A Study in Luke

April 14, 2024

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” —Luke 15:1-2

Jesus explains why he is close to sinners

THE LOST SHEEP

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. —Luke 15:3-7

1.Sinners are worth chasing after

THE LOST COIN

8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” —Luke 15:8-10

2.Sinners are valuable to God

THE LOST SON

11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. 14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. —Luke 15:11-16

—Luke 15:17-32

3.Repentant sinners receive grace

COMMON DENOMINATORS FROM THESE PARABLES

The ONE is missing
The ONE is found (or comes back)
EVERYONE throws a party

The Point:
Heaven throws a party when a sinner repents

LOST SHEEP

7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. —Luke 15:7

LOST COIN

10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” —Luke 15:10

LOST SON

18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.” —Luke 15:18-19

TAKEAWAY: Am I pointing or inviting?