2. Complained against Jesus “This man receives sinners and eats with them” 2

3. 3  The lost sheep, Luke 15:3-7  The compassion of God  The lost coin, Luke 15:8-10  The value of one soul  The lost son, Luke 15:11-32  Man’s response to God’s mercy

4. 4 The Lost Sheep Luke 15:3-7 God seeks the lost, Matt. 18:10-14 So must we, Matt. 9:9-13 (Acts 10:34-35) Avoid self-righteousness, Lk. 18:9; Isa. 65:5 Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents and is saved

5. 5 The Lost Coin Luke 15:8-10 God sent His Son to find lost souls, Jno. 3:16; Lk. 19:10 Souls are worth our effort to try to save, 1 Cor. 9:19-23 Christian who wanders from God, Jas. 5:19-20 Value motivates effort, Lk. 15:1; Gal. 6:1

6. 6 The Lost Son Luke 15:11-32 Sinful waste and ingratitude of God’s blessings, 15:11-16 Gospel inheritance, Acts 26:18; Eph. 1:11 Sin is wasteful: Neglectful sin, Heb. 2:1-3 Willful sin, Heb. 10:29

7. 7 The Younger Son Luke 15:13-21 Sinner must change his heart and life in order to be forgiven Did not value blessings, 15:13 Self-indulgent, 15:13-14 “Came to himself” (repented), 15:14-17 (Acts 8:19-24) No longer demanding (15:12), he humbly offers himself as a servant Godly sorrow, 2 Cor. 7:10

8. 8 The Younger Son Luke 15:13-21 He went back to his father (action of faith) His sin had separated them, Isa. 59:1-2 Full repentance changes everything! (“I am not worthy”) Sinner must go back to God to be forgiven, 15:20a; Matt. 11:28-30

9. 9 The Father Luke 15:20-24 God in mercy is ready to forgive Father had done everything for his son, 15:12 Father did not harden his heart against his son Saw his son’s condition and had compassion, 15:20; Eph. 2:4-5

10. 10 The Father Luke 15:20-24 Mercy: Pity that moves to overcome distress Prompted by love, he forgave his repentant son – Great joy! We can do no less as children of God, Lk. 6:36 (Matt. 5:7) Mercy does not ignore, overlook or endorse sin Mercy urges God’s remedy for sin, Jude 20-23 (22)

11. 11 The Older Son Luke 15:25-32 Unforgiving heart Anger (orge): Outburst of rage Self-centered, not focused on lost brother and his restoration Misjudges, 15:28-31 Keep a heart ready to forgive, Col. 3:12-13 Like God, Psa. 86:5; 130:7-8 So we will rejoice when sinners repent, Lk. 23:34

12. All of us have sinned and need God’s mercy, Rom. 3:23 All of us must be humble, repent and go to God, Acts 2:37-38, 41 None of us dare resist heaven’s joy over a sinner’s salvation! Keep a heart of forgiveness so when a sinner seeks your mercy you will give it! 12