Luke 15

CHAPTER: LUKE 15

Pharisees didn’t like the company Jesus kept verse 1- 2

Then drew near to HIM all the publicans and sinners for to hear HIM

and the Pharisees and scribes murmured – saying

This man receives sinners – and eats with them

Parable of lost sheep verse 3- 7

And HE spoke this parable to them – saying

What man of you – having an hundred sheep

IF he lose one of them does not

leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness

and go after that which is lost

until he find it?

And when he has found it – he lays it on his shoulders – rejoicing

and when he comes home

he calls together his friends and neighbors

saying unto them –Rejoice with me

for I have found my sheep

which was lost

I say unto you

that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents

MORE THAN over ninety and nine just persons

which need no repentance

Parable of lost coin verse 8- 10

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver

IF she lose one piece

does not light a candle – and sweep the house

and seek diligently till she find it?

And when she has found it – she calls her friends

and her neighbors together

saying

Rejoice with me – for I have found the piece

which I had lost

Likewise – I say unto you

there is joy in the presence of the angels of God

over ONE SINNER that repents

Parable of Prodigal son: Younger son verse 11- 24

And HE said

A certain man had two sons

and the younger of them said to his father

Father – give me the portion of goods that falls to me

and he divided unto them his living

and not many days after the younger son

gathered all together

and took his journey into a far country

and there wasted his substance

with riotous living

And when he had spent all there

arose a mighty famine in that land

and he began to be in want

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country

and he sent him into his fields to feed swine

and he would fain have filled his belly

with the husks that the swine did eat

and no man gave to him

And when he came to himself – he said

How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough

and to spare and I perish with hunger?

I will arise and go to my father and will say to him – Father

I have sinned against heaven – and before you

and am no more worthy to be called your son

make me as one of your hired servants

And he arose – and came to his father

BUT when he was yet a great way off – his father saw him

and had compassion – and ran – and fell on his neck

and kissed him

And the son said unto him – Father – I have sinned against heaven

and in your sight – and am no more worthy to be called your son

BUT the father said to his servants

Bring forth the best robe – and put it on him

and put a ring on his hand – and shoes on his feet

bring hither the fatted calf – and kill it

and let us eat and be merry

FOR this my son was dead – and is alive again

he was lost – and is found

And they began to be merry

Parable of Prodigal son: Older brother verse 25- 30

NOW his elder son was in the field – and as he came

and drew nigh to the house he heard music and dancing

and he called one of the servants

and asked what these things meant

And he said to him – Your brother is come

and your father has killed the fatted calf

BECAUSE he has received him safe and sound

And he (elder son) was angry – and would not go in

THEREFORE came his father out – and entreated him

And he (elder son) answering said to his father

LO – these many years do I serve you

neither transgressed I at any time your commandments

AND yet you never gave me a kid

that I might make merry with my friends

BUT as soon as this your son was come

which hath devoured your living with harlots

you hast killed for him the fatted calf

Parable of Prodigal son: Father verse 31- 32

And he (father) said unto him

Son – you are ever with me – and all that I have is yours

It was meet that we should make merry – and be glad

FOR this your brother was dead – and is alive again

and was lost – and is found

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receives sinner, and eats with them. (1234 “murmured” [diagogguzo] means always used of many indignantly complaining, to grumble, or to mutter)

DEVOTION: One of their chief complaints against the LORD was that HE was not politically correct. Luke the author of this book and the book of Acts makes this point regularly. He is a doctor and they are noted for giving detailed reports on what is happening in their patient’s lives.

Here we find again that he thinks it is very important that those who want to be followers of Jesus Christ should not worry about the company they keep, as long as, they are doing it to honor the LORD. We should be witnesses to those who are at local city missions. We should be witnessing to those we meet on the street. We should be inviting those who visit our churches to our house or out to eat to show them that you and the church you attend cares about them.

Our responsibility today is to be Biblically correct and act like Jesus. The Holy Spirit will guide us. The LORD will give us strength to do the witnessing you are assigned to do. The Father will bless you for your obedience.

Those around you might not understand. In fact, some people you think are good Christians might even tell you to stop. Listen to the LORD when you are given direction to witness to someone that most people would think you shouldn’t witness to them.

CHALLENGE: Our responsibility is to work with sinners to give them the message of hope. When was the last time you eat with someone who needed Christ as their Savior?

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repents. (5479 “joy” [chara] means gladness, state of rejoicing, happiness, delight, or cheerfulness.)

DEVOTION: We have an audience. We know that God is omnipresent and so HE knows what is going on around the world. We know that Jesus is omnipresent and HE is interceding for all those who are believers. We know that the Holy Spirit is omnipresent and HE is guiding believers in their attitudes and actions. HE is also correcting those who need correcting, so that, their service improves.

Now we understand that the angels are watching what is going on here on earth. They are not omnipresent. They can only be in one place at one time but they have the ability to watch what is happening. They have a party every time someone becomes a believer. They don’t have omniscience to know who is going to be saved. Only the Godhead have omniscience. They knew before the foundation of the world who would be saved.

We don’t know who is going to become a believer before it happens. Our responsibility is to witness to those who give us an opportunity to tell them about Jesus. Sometime we miss opportunities when we are not following the Holy Spirit’s lead. That causes us to commit the sin of omission against the Holy Spirit.

When someone becomes a true believer there should be happiness with excitement in the life of the one leading them to the LORD and also for all those who have been praying for the individual to become a follower of the LORD.

CHALLENGE: Are we full of excitement when someone comes to know the LORD or do we treat it with a ho-hum attitude. The angels don’t, neither should we!

__________________________________________________

: 17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! (4052 “have enough to spare” [perisseuo] means abound, to be abundant or plentiful, exist in large quantities, more than enough, to have an overabundance, abounding, or to exceed a fixed number of measure.)

DEVOTION: Some people are stubborn. There are people who have a good life and then think that there is something better out there. There are children who are raised in a good Christian home and given a good education and have had a good church to attend all of their life but still are not satisfied.

They think that the grass is greener away from the LORD. They think that they need to shed all the beliefs of their parents and some of their friend and go and see what the world is really like.

This young man found out that those who were his friends when things are going well were not his friends when his money ran out. They left him high and dry. He had to hit bottom before he realized that he had a good life before he tried this other lifestyle.

He finally came to himself or understood what was really going on and wanted to return to his family and their lifestyle. The great part of the story is that the father was willing to restore him after all he did to him. Some Christian fathers don’t feel the same way. It is wrong. Our arms should always be open to the return of a child that has gone astray.

I had a seminary professor who was mad at his son because of his unbelief and was not going to leave him a penny in his will. It was hard to listen to him as it seemed that he didn’t want to leave the door open to a repentant son if that ever happened.

Our attitude shows to our children and to those who attend our church.

CHALLENGE: Is our attitude a one of love in Christ or one of bitterness toward someone who has hurt us in the past? The older brother had the bitterness.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

: 29 And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. (3928 “transgressed” [parerchomai] means to go past, pass by, moving forward, or disobey.

DEVOTION: This chapter is dealing with the self-righteous Pharisees that were following Jesus. HE gave them a number of parables to explain why HE was reaching out to sinner and not to them. They thought they were in a good relationship with God when in reality they were not.

This final story of Jesus dealt with two sons. The younger went out and wasted his inheritance. After the inheritance was gone, he ended up feeding swine. After he came to himself, he realized that a servant in his father’s house had it better than him. He headed home to become a servant.

The father welcomed him back home and gave him a party. In the previous parables Jesus told of how the angels in heaven rejoiced over one sinner repenting. This story has the same truth. Here the younger son was repenting and yet the self-righteous older brother was not happy.

In fact, the older brother was mad. Here was a brother who had done everything wrong and he was getting a party. He thought it was very wrong of his father to give such a bad brother a party. His father tried to tell him that he loved him but the thoughts of this brother were that his father didn’t really love him.

One of the other thoughts that we learn about the older brother is that he thought he was perfect in his relationship with his father. He had never disobeyed him. He was the perfect son. He thought he deserved a party for being good.

As we read this chapter, we see that the LORD used three parables to teach the Pharisees and religious leaders a lesson. What was the lesson? It was that HE had come to reach those who knew that they were sinners. HE came to reach those who were rejected by the religious leaders as TOO BAD to reach. The Pharisees looked at themselves as perfect in God’s eyes. Jesus informed them that they were not perfect. HE informed them that heaven rejoices over someone who realizes that they are a sinner and need help rather than over those who think they are perfect and don’t need to repent. All need to repent of their sins.

Only those who realize they are sinners can!!! There are some in our churches who think that they are perfect in God’s eyes. Even after we chose to follow the LORD there is need for confession of sin to keep our fellowship with the Father in good standing.

Remember that those who are followers who don’t confess or examine their lives are stricken with weakness, sickness and premature death. Those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ who seem to be living in sin and getting away with it, might not have ever really been followers of Christ. Those whom the LORD loves HE chastens.

CHALLENGE: Watch how you look at other people. Sometimes we can think we are better than other Christians. Sometimes we can think we deserve heaven while others do not. It is only by GRACE that we are SAVED!

________________________________________________________________________

DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

Angel’s rejoicing verse 7, 10

__________________________________________________________________

DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

God verse 10

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

Parable of lost sheep verse 3-7

Parable of lost coin verse 8- 10

Parable of lost son verse 11- 32

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Angels of God verse 10

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Friends verse 6, 9

Neighbors verse 6, 9

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Sinner verse 1, 2, 7, 10

Murmur verse 2

Wasted substance verse 13

Riotous living verse 13

Sinned verse 18, 21

Anger verse 28

Transgressed verse 29

Harlots verse 30

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Rejoice verse 5, 9

Joy verse 7, 10

Repentance verse 7, 10

Just verse 7

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Publicans verse 1

Pharisees verse 2

Scribes verse 2

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

Heaven verse 7, 18, 21

__________________________________________________________________

DONATIONS:

Remember that all donations to Small Church Ministries are greatly appreciated. The treasurer will send a receipt, at the end of the year unless otherwise requested. Please be sure to make check out to “Small Church Ministries.” The address for the treasurer is P.O. Box 604, East Amherst, New York 14051. A second way to give to the ministry is through PayPal on the website: www.smallchurchministries.org. Also, if you can support this ministry through your local church please use that method. Thank you.

_______________________________________________________________

QUOTES regarding passage

b. The lost coin (15:8–10)

8–10 This parable is clearly linked to the preceding one, and the opening words are comparable (see comment on “suppose” at v. 4). The “coins” (v. 8) are drachmas (see NIV mg. on their value). They may have formed part of the woman’s headdress, which, being part of her dowry, she constantly wore (Jeremias, Parables of Jesus, p. 134; cf. Marshall, Gospel of Luke, p. 603). Whether or not that is the case here, the mention of ten coins implies that they were all she had. “A lamp” was needed because the house would have had at best a few small windows or only a low doorway. She would “sweep” the hard earthen floor to find the coin by the sound of its clinking. As in v. 6, the extent of joy expressed is striking (v. 9). Considering the neighborly feelings in a small village, this is understandable, especially if the coin represented a tenth of the woman’s sayings. Moreover, Jesus’ final comment (v. 10) reinforces the point. “In the presence of the angels of God” is, like “in heaven” (v. 7), a reverential reference to God. This parable, like that of the lost sheep, justifies Jesus welcome of sinners (v. 2). (Liefeld, W. L. (1984). Luke. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 982). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

____________________________________________________________________

People are lost not only the way sheep are lost but also the way coins are lost, through a sudden fall. In this parable, a woman had ten silver coins. She lost one. She lit a lamp to find it. The coin was lost through no fault of its own but through forces over which it had no control. It came under the influence of the power of gravity, and it was gone, lost in the darkness and dirt. The likeness of the king stamped upon it became defiled. Worse still, it had no awareness of being lost.

The woman, however, knew that it was lost. Perhaps it was a piece of silver that she had saved from her meager means, or perhaps it was part of her dowry. Her sense of loss was real. She searched diligently until she found it. This all reminds us of the Holy Spirit’s work in this world. He first lights the lamp (2 Cor. 4:6), which represents God’s Word (Ps. 119:105), and it dispels the darkness in which people live. The Holy Spirit “sweeps the house,” searching diligently for the lost coin.

The parable concludes with joy when the woman recovers the lost coin and restores it to its place. Jesus said, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth” (15:10). (Phillips, J. (2009). Exploring the Gospel of Luke: An Expository Commentary (Lk 15:8–10). Kregel Publications; WORDsearch Corp)

________________________________________________________________

These two parables help us understand something of what it means to be lost. To begin with, it means being out of place. Sheep belong with the flock, coins belong on the chain, and lost sinners belong in fellowship with God. But to be lost also means being out of service. A lost sheep is of no value to the shepherd, a lost coin has no value to the owner, and a lost sinner cannot experience the enriching fulfillment God has for him in Jesus Christ.

But to turn this around, to be “found” (saved) means that you are back in place (reconciled to God), back in service (life has a purpose), and out of danger. No wonder the shepherd and the woman rejoiced and invited their friends to rejoice with them!

It is easy for us today to read these two parables and take their message for granted, but the people who first heard them must have been shocked. Jesus was saying that God actually searches for lost sinners! No wonder the scribes and Pharisees were offended, for there was no place in their legalistic theology for a God like that. They had forgotten that God had sought out Adam and Eve when they had sinned and hidden from God (Gen. 3:8–9). In spite of their supposed knowledge of Scripture, the scribes and Pharisees forgot that God was like a father who pitied his wayward children (Ps. 103:8–14).

There are few joys that match the joy of finding the lost and bringing them to the Saviour. “The church has nothing to do but to save souls,” said John Wesley, the founder of Methodism. “Therefore, spend and be spent in this work.” (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 234). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

________________________________________________________________

In this we see the activity of the Spirit of God working through His people. We have our part in seeking for the lost. It is the light of the Word that reveals their true condition and enables us to find them. The Lord Jesus said, “Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” “Joy in the presence of the angels.” Notice He does not say what some people seem to think He says. He does not say, “There is joy among the angels,” although I am sure they do rejoice; but that is not what He says; He says, “In the presence of the angels.” Who then are in the presence of the angels? All the redeemed who are absent from the body and present with the Lord—they are in the presence of the angels. Our Lord Jesus says to them, “Rejoice with Me; for I have found that which was lost.” In heaven, where they know so well the worth of a soul, all rejoice when one is saved. (Ironside, H. A. (1947). Addresses on the Gospel of Luke. (pp. 490–491). Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers.)

______________________________________________________________

This parable (as appeareth by the conclusion of it) is of the same import with the other, and needs no further explication. By both these parables our blessed Lord lets the Pharisees know the end he aimed at in conversing with publicans and sinners, viz. In order to their repentance and conversion, than which nothing could be more grateful and well-pleasing to that God who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that they should turn from their wickedness and live. (Poole, M. (1853). Annotations upon the Holy Bible (Vol. 3, p. 245). New York: Robert Carter and Brothers.)

___________________________________________________________________

Ver. 10. Likewise I say unto you, &c.] As before, in ver. 7 there is joy in the presence of the angels of God; who are the friends and neighbours of Christ; see the note on ver. 6. over one sinner that repenteth; which they have knowledge of, either by immediate revelation from God, or by observation in the church where they attend: the reason of this joy is, because there is one rescued out of the hands of Satan and his angels, between whom and them, there is an implacable enmity; and because another subject is added to Christ’s kingdom, and by which it is enlarged, the prosperity of which they greatly desire; and because another heir is born in that family, to which they belong, and they have another social worshipper with them: and this joy is said to be in the presence of them; and so may design the joy of others, as of Father, Son, and Spirit, which is in their sight and knowledge; and also the joy there is among themselves. (Gill, J. (1809). An Exposition of the New Testament (Vol. 1, p. 642). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

________________________________________________________________

FROM MY READING:

1 Timothy 2
Public worship should include intercession for our nation’s leaders.
INSIGHT

Praying for our state, national, and world leaders is a biblical responsibility and should be a part of our regular public worship. The ultimate focus of our prayers for our country and its leaders is evangelism. Paul teaches that we are first to pray that “we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence” (v. 2). In a free and peaceful setting, our love for God should flow easily and, therefore, evangelism should be a natural result. God “desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (v. 4). Is this your greatest desire as well? (Quiet Walk)

____________________________________________________

GOD IS LOVE

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1 John 4:7-8
“God is love.” No one can answer against that; one trembles even to handle it; it cannot be analyzed. I simply want to point out that John does not say merely that God loves us or that God is loving. He goes beyond that. He says, “God is love.” God essentially is love; God’s nature is love; you cannot think of God without love.
Of course he has already told us that God is light in exactly the same way—that was the first pronouncement. “This then is the message….God is light” (1 John 1:5); and in exactly the same way “God is love” and God is spirit. This battles the imagination; it is something that is altogether beyond our comprehension, and yet we start with it.
Augustine and others deduce from this the doctrine of the Trinity. I think there may be a great deal in that; the very fact that God is love declares the Trinity—God the Father loves the Son, and the link is the person of the Holy Spirit. Ah! this high doctrine; it is beyond us. All I know is that God, in the very essence of His nature and being, is love, and you cannot think of God and must not think of Him except in terms of love. Everything that God is and does is colored by this; all God’s actions have this aspect of love in them and the aspect of light in the same way. That is how God always manifests Himself—light and love.
“Therefore, because that is the fundamental postulate, because that is so true of God,” John is saying, “that works itself out for us like this: Because God is love, we ought to love one another. For ‘love is of God.’” In other words, love is from God, love flows from God. It is as if John were turning to these people and saying, “God loves, and this love I am talking about is something that only comes from God—it is derived from Him.”
A Thought to Ponder: God, in the very essence of His nature and being, is love.

(From The Love of God, p. 43, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

________________________________________________________

Delight in the Law
“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” (Psalm 1:2)
Most Christians feel that God’s law is harsh and burdensome, and they rejoice that God’s grace has set them free from the law. The fact is, however, that the law should be a joy and delight to anyone who really loves the Lord. Even Paul, the great apostle of grace, said: “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man” (Romans 7:22). “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good” (Romans 7:12). David testified that “the law of the LORD is perfect, converting [or ‘restoring’] the soul” (Psalm 19:7).
The majestic 119th Psalm contains no less than 25 specific testimonies to the benefits of the law. For example: “Blessed [i.e., ‘happy’] are [those] who walk in the law of the LORD” (v. 1). “Great peace have they which love thy law” (v. 165). “Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law” (v. 18). “Thy law is my delight” (v. 77)
That God’s law was not set aside when Christ came is evident from the first mention of the law in the New Testament: Jesus said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law. . . . Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled” (Matthew 5:17-18). That the law was not for Jews only is suggested in its first mention in the Old Testament: “One law shall be to him that is homeborn, and unto the stranger that sojourneth among you” (Exodus 12:49).
The law cannot save, of course: “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). But “Christ . . . redeemed us from the curse of the law” (Galatians 3:13) when He died for our sins. His law (which now includes the entire Bible) is no more a burden but a delight—restoring the soul and bringing true success and great peace to those who love it.

(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)

_________________________________________________________

Old Testament WORDS for Today by Warren W. Wiersbe

When a local church in its worship and ministry imitates the world and seeks to please the world, instead of obeying the Scriptures and seeking to please God, it is “playing the harlot” and violating its love relationship with Christ. (p. 181)

__________________________________________________

At some point we began rushing through our daily devotions, criticizing the worship services, and even looking for excuses not to attend. (p. 181)

_________________________________________________________________

Treasures from the Greek New Testament by Kenneth S. Wuest

John 8: 51:

The word ‘thanatopsis” comes from two Greek words which together mean “seeing death.” Our Lore here presents the Christian view of death. …. The terrors of that awful thing called death, are not experienced by the one who puts his faith in the Lord Jesus. His attention will not be focused on death, nor will he feel its bitterness. …. We read in Hebrews 2:9 that Jesus tasted death for every man. That is, He not only died, but He experienced all the terror and bitterness of death in order that those who place their trust in Him as Savior, will not experience the terror and bitterness of it all. (p. 48-9)

________________________________________________________

DAILY HOPE

Today’s Scripture

Numbers 31-32

Wars must be fought so that peace might reign. Ulysses S. Grant stated, “I have never advocated war except as a means of peace.” This is spoken by one that had experienced all the trauma and agony of leading good men to death and killing other good men to regain peace in a land fractured by hate and misunderstanding.

Israel is now commanded to go to war against the Midianites and to destroy them for the wickedness they had committed in tempting Israel to worship false idols and commit immorality. This was a religious war with Phinehas the priest leading the army instead of Joshua. They were to take the holy articles and the trumpets that the priests used and the lead the troops into battle against those who opposed the Lord (31:6).

After destroying the Midianites, the Israelite army brought the spoils of victory to Moses and the people encamped in the plains by the Jordan (31:12). As the spoils were brought from the battle, Moses met them and was angered they had brought the women of Midian to the camp. His anger was due to the Midianite women having tempted Israel at Baal Peor. Moses commanded all nonvirgin women and males to be killed (31:17).

The Israelite men who had done battle were declared unclean and cleansing was needed before they could enter the camp. They were to wash and purify their garments and themselves. After that purification process was accomplished, the division of the plunder was undertaken by Moses. Shortly thereafter, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh approached Moses for permission to claim land east of the Jordan so these tribes could raise their cattle and sheep.

God pronounced judgment on the enemies of His chosen people. Simultaneously, He took the horror of warfare and used it to strengthen and encourage the people of Israel before they entered the land which had been promised. At times, God uses extremely bad circumstances to bring good to His people.

Persecution and suffering have been inflicted upon the church at different times to purge, cleanse, and declare her as a bride to Christ. Instead of looking at pain and difficulty as judgment, examine the situation and see if it might be God’s way of drawing someone closer to Himself.

In Expectant Hope, Pastor Miller

___________________________________________________________

We now have a Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.

______________________________________________________________

Pharisees didn’t like the company Jesus kept verse 1- 2

Then drew near to HIM all the publicans and sinners for to hear HIM

and the Pharisees and scribes murmured – saying

This man receives sinners – and eats with them

Parable of lost sheep verse 3- 7

And HE spoke this parable to them – saying

What man of you – having an hundred sheep

IF he lose one of them does not

leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness

and go after that which is lost

until he find it?

And when he has found it – he lays it on his shoulders – rejoicing

and when he comes home

he calls together his friends and neighbors

saying unto them –Rejoice with me

for I have found my sheep

which was lost

I say unto you

that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents

MORE THAN over ninety and nine just persons

which need no repentance

Parable of lost coin verse 8- 10

Either what woman having ten pieces of silver

IF she lose one piece

does not light a candle – and sweep the house

and seek diligently till she find it?

And when she has found it – she calls her friends

and her neighbors together

saying

Rejoice with me – for I have found the piece

which I had lost

Likewise – I say unto you

there is joy in the presence of the angels of God

over ONE SINNER that repents

Parable of Prodigal son: Younger son verse 11- 24

And HE said

A certain man had two sons

and the younger of them said to his father

Father – give me the portion of goods that falls to me

and he divided unto them his living

and not many days after the younger son

gathered all together

and took his journey into a far country

and there wasted his substance

with riotous living

And when he had spent all there

arose a mighty famine in that land

and he began to be in want

And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country

and he sent him into his fields to feed swine

and he would fain have filled his belly

with the husks that the swine did eat

and no man gave to him

And when he came to himself – he said

How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough

and to spare and I perish with hunger?

I will arise and go to my father and will say to him – Father

I have sinned against heaven – and before you

and am no more worthy to be called your son

make me as one of your hired servants

And he arose – and came to his father

BUT when he was yet a great way off – his father saw him

and had compassion – and ran – and fell on his neck

and kissed him

And the son said unto him – Father – I have sinned against heaven

and in your sight – and am no more worthy to be called your son

BUT the father said to his servants

Bring forth the best robe – and put it on him

and put a ring on his hand – and shoes on his feet

bring hither the fatted calf – and kill it

and let us eat and be merry

FOR this my son was dead – and is alive again

he was lost – and is found

And they began to be merry

Parable of Prodigal son: Older brother verse 25- 30

NOW his elder son was in the field – and as he came

and drew nigh to the house he heard music and dancing

and he called one of the servants

and asked what these things meant

And he said to him – Your brother is come

and your father has killed the fatted calf

BECAUSE he has received him safe and sound

And he (elder son) was angry – and would not go in

THEREFORE came his father out – and entreated him

And he (elder son) answering said to his father

LO – these many years do I serve you

neither transgressed I at any time your commandments

AND yet you never gave me a kid

that I might make merry with my friends

BUT as soon as this your son was come

which hath devoured your living with harlots

you hast killed for him the fatted calf

Parable of Prodigal son: Father verse 31- 32

And he (father) said unto him

Son – you are ever with me – and all that I have is yours

It was meet that we should make merry – and be glad

FOR this your brother was dead – and is alive again

and was lost – and is found

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

CHALLENGE: Our responsibility is to work with sinners to give them the message of hope. When was the last time you eat with someone who needed Christ as their Savior?

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

CHALLENGE: Are we full of excitement when someone comes to know the LORD or do we treat it with a ho-hum attitude. The angels don’t, neither should we!

__________________________________________________

They think that the grass is greener away from the LORD. They think that they need to shed all the beliefs of their parents and some of their friend and go and see what the world is really like.

Our attitude shows to our children and to those who attend our church.

CHALLENGE: Is our attitude a one of love in Christ or one of bitterness toward someone who has hurt us in the past? The older brother had the bitterness.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

This final story of Jesus dealt with two sons. The younger went out and wasted his inheritance. After the inheritance was gone he ended up feeding swine. After he came to himself he realized that a servant in his father’s house had it better than him. He headed home to become a servant.

As we read this chapter we see that the LORD used three parables to teach the Pharisees and religious leaders a lesson. What was the lesson? It was that HE had come to reach those who knew that they were sinners. HE came to reach those who were rejected by the religious leaders as TOO BAD to reach. The Pharisees looked at themselves as perfect in God’s eyes. Jesus informed them that they were not perfect. HE informed them that heaven rejoices over someone who realizes that they are a sinner and need help rather than over those who think they are perfect and don’t need to repent. All need to repent of their sins.

________________________________________________________________________

DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

Angel’s rejoicing verse 7, 10

__________________________________________________________________

DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

God verse 10

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)

Parable of lost sheep verse 3-7

Parable of lost coin verse 8- 10

Parable of lost son verse 11- 32

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Angels of God verse 10

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Friends verse 6, 9

Neighbors verse 6, 9

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Sinner verse 1, 2, 7, 10

Murmur verse 2

Wasted substance verse 13

Riotous living verse 13

Sinned verse 18, 21

Anger verse 28

Transgressed verse 29

Harlots verse 30

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Rejoice verse 5, 9

Joy verse 7, 10

Repentance verse 7, 10

Just verse 7

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Publicans verse 1

Pharisees verse 2

Scribes verse 2

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

Heaven verse 7, 18, 21

__________________________________________________________________

DONATIONS:

_______________________________________________________________

QUOTES regarding passage

b. The lost coin (15:8–10)

8–10 This parable is clearly linked to the preceding one, and the opening words are comparable (see comment on “suppose” at v. 4). The “coins” (v. 8) are drachmas (see NIV mg. on their value). They may have formed part of the woman’s headdress, which, being part of her dowry, she constantly wore (Jeremias, Parables of Jesus, p. 134; cf. Marshall, Gospel of Luke, p. 603). Whether or not that is the case here, the mention of ten coins implies that they were all she had. “A lamp” was needed because the house would have had at best a few small windows or only a low doorway. She would “sweep” the hard earthen floor to find the coin by the sound of its clinking. As in v. 6, the extent of joy expressed is striking (v. 9). Considering the neighborly feelings in a small village, this is understandable, especially if the coin represented a tenth of the woman’s sayings. Moreover, Jesus’ final comment (v. 10) reinforces the point. “In the presence of the angels of God” is, like “in heaven” (v. 7), a reverential reference to God. This parable, like that of the lost sheep, justifies Jesus welcome of sinners (v. 2). (Liefeld, W. L. (1984). Luke. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Matthew, Mark, Luke (Vol. 8, p. 982). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

____________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

FROM MY READING:

1 Timothy 2
Public worship should include intercession for our nation’s leaders.
INSIGHT

_______________________________________________________

GOD IS LOVE

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
1 John 4:7-8
“God is love.” No one can answer against that; one trembles even to handle it; it cannot be analyzed. I simply want to point out that John does not say merely that God loves us or that God is loving. He goes beyond that. He says, “God is love.” God essentially is love; God’s nature is love; you cannot think of God without love.
Of course he has already told us that God is light in exactly the same way—that was the first pronouncement. “This then is the message….God is light” (1 John 1:5); and in exactly the same way “God is love” and God is spirit. This battles the imagination; it is something that is altogether beyond our comprehension, and yet we start with it.
Augustine and others deduce from this the doctrine of the Trinity. I think there may be a great deal in that; the very fact that God is love declares the Trinity—God the Father loves the Son, and the link is the person of the Holy Spirit. Ah! this high doctrine; it is beyond us. All I know is that God, in the very essence of His nature and being, is love, and you cannot think of God and must not think of Him except in terms of love. Everything that God is and does is colored by this; all God’s actions have this aspect of love in them and the aspect of light in the same way. That is how God always manifests Himself—light and love.
“Therefore, because that is the fundamental postulate, because that is so true of God,” John is saying, “that works itself out for us like this: Because God is love, we ought to love one another. For ‘love is of God.’” In other words, love is from God, love flows from God. It is as if John were turning to these people and saying, “God loves, and this love I am talking about is something that only comes from God—it is derived from Him.”
A Thought to Ponder: God, in the very essence of His nature and being, is love.

(From The Love of God, p. 43, by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

________________________________________________________

(HMM, The Institute for Creation Research)

_________________________________________________________

Old Testament WORDS for Today by Warren W. Wiersbe

__________________________________________________

At some point we began rushing through our daily devotions, criticizing the worship services, and even looking for excuses not to attend. (p. 181)

_________________________________________________________________

Treasures from the Greek New Testament by Kenneth S. Wuest

John 8: 51:

___________________________________________________________

We now have a Facebook page for Small Church Ministries – please invite others to join us on Facebook. Thank you. Look for the logo from the devotionals.

______________________________________________________________