<< Previous | Index | Next >>"THE PARABLES OF JESUS" The Lost Coin (Lk 15:8-10) INTRODUCTION 1. Our previous lesson introduced the context in which this parable is found... a. The tax collectors and sinners had drawn near to hear Jesus - Lk 15:1 b. The Pharisees and scribes were murmuring because Jesus would receive them and eat with them - Lk 15:2 c. In response, Jesus told three parables as recorded in Luke 15... 1) "The Lost Sheep" - Lk 15:3-7 2) "The Lost Coin" - Lk 15:8-10 3) "The Prodigal Son" - Lk 15:11-32 3. As noted in the previous lesson... a. These three parables have the same central theme: "The Father's yearning love for the lost" (Hendriksen) b. They also reveal what our own attitude should be toward the lost [In this lesson, we shall consider the parable of "The Lost Coin" (Lk 15:8-10). Let's begin by reading the parable and then taking a closer look...] I. THE PARABLE ANALYZED A. AS TOLD BY JESUS... 1. Any woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin... a. Will light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she finds it b. Upon finding it will call her friends and neighbors together to rejoice with her 2. In similar fashion, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents - Lk 15:8-10 B. SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION... 1. The silver coin, like the Roman denarius, was equivalent to a day's wage 2. The home of the poorer classes was usually small, with dirt floors and few windows 3. Finding a lost coin in a dark and dusty place would not be easy C. WHAT THE PARABLE MEANS... 1. William Hendriksen, in his commentary, relates some interesting "explanations" a. That the woman symbolizes the Holy Spirit, supposedly because... 1) The Son was symbolized in the parable of "Lost Sheep" 2) The Father would be featured in the parable of "The Prodigal Son" -- Therefore having the woman represent the Spirit would complete the trinity b. That the lamp represents the gospel c. That the broom signifies the Law 2. But Hendriksen discounts such imaginative allegorizing (as I do too) a. As with most parables, there is only one point, just one central lesson b. And Jesus' own explanation makes it clear what the parable is designed to teach 3. This parable reinforces the main point in the previous parable... a. That there will be "more joy in heaven" over one sinner who repents - Lk 15:7 b. Here, the expression is "more joy in the presence of the angels of God" - Lk 15:10 1) Does this mean to say that angels rejoice when a sinner repents? a) They certainly take a deep interest in our salvation - 1 Pe 1:10-12; He 1:13-14; Mt 18:10 b) They have been, and will be, involved in carrying out God's plan of salvation - Lk 2:10-14; Mt 25:31; 2 Th 1:7-9 2) But note that Jesus said "in the presence of the angels"... a) The joy described is in their presence, not in them per se b) Who is in their presence? God! c) He Who dwells in the presence of angles will greatly rejoice! - cf. Ezek 18:23,32; 33:11; Zeph 3:17; 2 Pe 3:9 [Again, this parable's theme is similar to the others in this chapter: "The Father's yearning love for the lost". Such love is evident by the joy "in heaven" and "in the presence of angels" when just one sinner repents. Now for a few thoughts concerning...] II. THE PARABLE APPLIED A. WHAT OUR ATTITUDE SHOULD BE TOWARD THE LOST... 1. There are four different attitudes one can assume toward the lost: a. Hate them (self-righteous individuals may have this attitude) b. Regard them with indifference (some Christians have this attitude) c. Welcome them when they come to you (the Pharisees and scribes considered Jesus guilty of this one) d. Seek them 2. From the first two parables and the setting which precipitated their telling, we learn... a. Jesus not only "welcomed" them (option "c") b. He "sought" them! (option "d") - e.g., Lk 19:10 (cf. v.5); Jn 10:16 -- So our attitude should be one of both welcoming and seeking those who are lost! B. WHAT OUR ATTITUDE SHOULD BE TOWARD THE PENITENT... 1. Both parables ("The Lost Sheep" and "The Lost Coin") describe the heavenly joy when a sinner repents - Lk 15:7,10 2. What is our attitude when a sinner repents? a. Are we indifferent? ("Ho hum, so what...") b. Are we skeptical? ("I wonder if they really repented") c. Are we judgmental? ("Shame on them for sinning in the first place!") d. Or are we full of joy? ("That's wonderful! Praise be to God!") -- When a soul repents, it should be an occasion of great joy! - e.g., 2 Co 7:4-9 CONCLUSION 1. The parable of "The Lost Coin" should serve to remind us that... a. God not only welcomes sinners, He goes out of His way to save them! b. God rejoices when sinners repent 2. It is important that we posses these same attitudes toward the lost... a. First, and foremost, because we are to imitate our Father and our Savior - Ep 5:1-2 b. Secondly, Jesus felt it important enough to tell two parables that are virtually identical 1) Perhaps for sake of emphasis 2) Perhaps one to strike home to the men ("The Lost Sheep"), and the other to drive the point home to the women ("The Lost Coin") c. But also, because Jesus went on to tell another parable that will make the point even stronger! -- That parable is "The Prodigal Son", which we hope to consider in our next study. But if you are in need of repentance, why not answer the call of the Father who is seeking you today? He calls you through the gospel (2 Th 2:14), and He is calling you into His kingdom and glory (1 Th 2:12). There will be joy in heaven, and in our own hearts as well!<< Previous | Index | Next >>
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