Have you lost anything of value lately? Jesus continues in His use of parables to shall us the most important thing to find.
Luke 15: The Parable of the Lost Sheep
1 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."
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 neighbours, 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.
The Parable of 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 neighbours, 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."
The Parable of the Prodigal 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.
17 "But when he came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger!
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."'
20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.
21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet.
23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate.
24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to celebrate.
25 "Now his older son was in the field, and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing.
26 And he called one of the servants and asked what these things meant.
27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and sound.'
28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him,
29 but he answered his father, 'Look, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command, yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might celebrate with my friends.
30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your property with prostitutes; you killed the fattened calf for him!'
31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.
32 It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
Luke 16: The Parable of the Dishonest Manager
1 He also said to the disciples, "There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions.
2 And he called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.'
3 And the manager said to himself, 'What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg.
4 I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.'
5 So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, 'How much do you owe my master?'
6 He said, 'A hundred measures of oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.'
7 Then he said to another, 'And how much do you owe?' He said, 'A hundred measures of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.'
8 The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.
9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.
10 "One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.
11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?
12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own?
13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."
The Law and the Kingdom of God
14 The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him.
15 And he said to them, "You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
16 "The Law and the Prophets were until John; since then the good news of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone forces his way into it.
17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one dot of the Law to become void.
Divorce and Remarriage
18 "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.
The Rich Man and Lazarus
19 "There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day.
20 And at his gate was laid a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores,
21 who desired to be fed with what fell from the rich man's table. Moreover, even the dogs came and licked his sores.
22 The poor man died and was carried by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried,
23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side.
24 And he called out, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the end of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'
25 But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that you in your lifetime received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner bad things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in anguish.
26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, in order that those who would pass from here to you may not be able, and none may cross from there to us.'
27 And he said, 'Then I beg you, father, to send him to my father's house---
28 for I have five brothers---so that he may warn them, lest they also come into this place of torment.'
29 But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.'
30 And he said, 'No, father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.'
31 He said to him, 'If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.'"
Things to think about…
1. Luke 15 looks at things that get lost, like the coin, the sheep and the son. Look at Luke 15:7, 9. It speaks about great joy being in heaven and among the angels over people who were lost and then repent of their sin and then are found. We express great joy when it happens, but it is interesting that this is not the focus in the passage. The focus of the joy found in heaven. Do you exhibit this characteristic of ‘joy’ in your daily walk, even over your own salvation? It is a characteristic of God and a fruit of the Spirit. May we constantly have joy whenever we meet, especially when someone receives Christ as their Lord.
2. Look at this parable of the lost son in his prodigal lifestyle, Luke 15:11-32. He thinks life is better outside, so he goes into the world and finds it is not the case, then returns to his father’s house. How often do we hear of young people thinking they would be better off out from under their parents’ roof, who then go out by themselves or with a few mates, only to find it expensive and disappointing. They then return because they were far better off at home. Christ used this analogy against the Pharisees, who represented the older brother, and the younger brother is represented by the tax collectors, publicans, and prostitutes of the day. But how many of us know people who once professed faith, but who then go back out into the world and never return to our Father’s house. Can you think of anyone right now? Offer up a prayer and ask the Father to draw them back by His Spirit.
3. The dishonest manager in Luke 16:1-13 is reflective of what the world is like and how the world acts in getting its message out – Jesus calls it shrewd. Jesus says the world acts more wisely/shrewdly than the sons of light when it acts according to its worldly agenda. We are called to use this world’s wealth and systems to influence people to consider Christ and the message of salvation. Where is your money going? You can’t serve God and money. Giving our resources to serve Christ extends His kingdom so others can spend eternity in Christ’s presence.
4. The rich man and Lazarus Luke 16:19-31 continued to live after they died. We must be careful not to over allegorise this story. Abraham after all is a real person not an allegory. The point being that the rich man and Lazarus lived in eternity at the opposite end and condition as they had lived on earth. Faith in Christ and obedience to His message of grace and salvation is the one thing needful. Christ’s message is profound in that someone did rise from the dead, the Lord Jesus Himself and yet people still didn’t believe. Miracles don’t save. We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, hallelujah!
Vision statement for CBC
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell groups are encouraged to do alpha training at church on Wednesday night 6:30pm.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for Tad as he prepares the celebration of life service for his brother Andrew.
2. Pray for the Kids Klub starting in Term 3 Fri 21st July.
3. Pray for alpha course starting 26th July Wed 6:30pm at Church. Invite non Christians.
4. Pray about Sunday’s message that it would change lives.
5. That those who are new to the church are encouraged and settle in well into the church.
6. That we be bold in our witnessing for Christ. Pray for a heart to see those around you saved.
7. Pray for Kids@church.
8. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
Praise Points
1. Andrew has gone to be with the Lord having passed on Saturday morning. He is free from pain and rejoicing with His Saviour around the throne.
2. Give thanks for Sally who has consistently been able to come to church with Richard.
3. Some encouraging signs of those wanting to consider who Jesus was.
4. Joy, peace and grace we see at CBC. Thankyou Lord
Announcements
1. Andrew Proszynski’s funeral will be held at Chuwar Baptist Church at 10am on Wed 19th July.
2. Alpha Course starting on Wed 26th July – 6:30pm – invite non Christians to this course.
3. Friday afternoon Kids Klub – starting third term Fri 21st July – 3pm (3:30pm start) - 5:30pm.
4. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Tune in again this week on our youtube page. Subscribe to the CBC channel Chuwar Baptist YouTube channel.
Catechism questions for July...
Q. 10. Where is God? A. God is everywhere..
Psalm 139:7-12; Acts 17:27-28; Jeremiah 23:23-24.
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” Jer 33:3
