The God Who Forgives: The Lost Coin, Lost Sheep, Lost Son
Luke 15 CEB
15 All the tax collectors and sinners were gathering around Jesus to listen to him. 2 The Pharisees and legal experts were grumbling, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
3 Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose someone among you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them. Wouldn’t he leave the other ninety-nine in the pasture and search for the lost one until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he is thrilled and places it on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who changes both heart and life than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need to change their hearts and lives.
8 “Or what woman, if she owns ten silver coins and loses one of them, won’t light a lamp and sweep the house, searching her home carefully until she finds it? 9 When she finds it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Celebrate with me because I’ve found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, joy breaks out in the presence of God’s angels over one sinner who changes both heart and life.”
11 Jesus said, “A certain man had two sons. 12 The younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the inheritance.’ Then the father divided his estate between them. 13 Soon afterward, the younger son gathered everything together and took a trip to a land far away. There, he wasted his wealth through extravagant living.
14 “When he had used up his resources, a severe food shortage arose in that country and he began to be in need. 15 He hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He longed to eat his fill from what the pigs ate, but no one gave him anything. 17 When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired hands have more than enough food, but I’m starving to death! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I no longer deserve to be called your son. Take me on as one of your hired hands.” ’ 20 So he got up and went to his father.
“While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion. His father ran to him, hugged him, and kissed him. 21 Then his son said, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and put it on him! Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet! 23 Fetch the fattened calf and slaughter it. We must celebrate with feasting 24 because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field. Coming in from the field, he approached the house and heard music and dancing. 26 He called one of the servants and asked what was going on. 27 The servant replied, ‘Your brother has arrived, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he received his son back safe and sound.’ 28 Then the older son was furious and didn’t want to enter in, but his father came out and begged him. 29 He answered his father, ‘Look, I’ve served you all these years, and I never disobeyed your instruction. Yet you’ve never given me as much as a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours returned, after gobbling up your estate on prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ 31 Then his father said, ‘Son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. 32 But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive. He was lost and is found.’”
This Sunday’s service can be viewed on our Facebook page @ Sunday, March 30, 2025
Hello NewDay Friends!
This week we will be Celebrating Communion together. I encourage you to allow time to prepare for Communion this Sunday. Sit with the sobering reminder of what our sin cost Jesus during this Lenten season. Be filled with JOY and Gratitude for His love for you. Reflect on this amazing love, and also ways His love is drawing you closer to Him. Our forgiveness and freedom from sin is so awesome and words seem inadequate for the gift of salvation from God to us. Receive this gift again, thanking Jesus for His forgiveness, and Resurrection power at work in our lives.
This is the 4th week of Lent. Our sermon text is from Luke 15, where we explore the parable of the Lost Son. This is one of my favorite passages in Scripture. Even though it may be familiar, there are always new parts to this parable that I notice. I notice anew the 2 sons: there is outward sin and inward sin, which we often don't acknowledge. Outward behavior like the younger son's in the story is much easier to judge and condemn, and have more obvious consequences than the older brother's inward anger, self righteousness and unforgiveness.
I notice the posture of the Father, His actions towards both sons in the story, and His equal and unwavering love for them. I am reminded of the grief and loss we experience with sin- brokenness in family relationships, choices that have terrible consequences for us, and also the never ending love and care God the Father extends, as He is portrayed as the father in the parable. He is always waiting, always expectant of our return, and always celebrating the return of His children.
We will unpack this more together on Sunday. As always, I am looking forward to being with you all.
In Christ, Pastor Kari
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