Christ’s Attitude Toward Sinners

TEXT: Luke 15:1-2

INTRODUCTION:

A. DURING HIS LIFE, JESUS ATTRACTED SINNERS. WHY?

1. Their need.

2. He offers hope.

B. THE REACTION OF THE RELIGIOUS LEADERS WAS NEGATIVE.

C. WHAT WAS HIS PURPOSE? ( Luke 5:29-32 ).

D. IN THIS LIGHT, JESUS GIVES THREE PARABLES IN Luke 15.

I. THE LOST SHEEP ( vs. 3-7 ).

A. ONE WHO IS DRAWN AWAY BY WEAKNESS.

B. WEAKNESS MAY BE IGNORANCE OR CARNALITY ( Col. 2:8; 1 Cor. 3:1-3 ).

1. Brings to mind the constant conflict ( Gal. 5:16f. ).

2. Even Paul was subject to this kind of warfare ( Rom. 7:21-23 ).

3. Christ is there if we fall ( Rom. 8:1-4 ).

4. Weakness is no excuse for sinning ( Rom. 6:1-2 ).

5. The disposition must be to not sin ( 1 John 1:6-9 ).

II. THE LOST COIN ( vs. 8-10 ).

A. ONE WHO IS LED OR DRIVEN AWAY – THE WOMAN LOST THE COIN.

1. By ungodly Christians ( 1 Cor. 5:1-6 ).

2. By overbearing, unmerciful Christians ( 2 Cor. 2:5-7 ).

3. By disinterested brethren ( Heb. 3:12-13; 13:17 ).

4. By false brethren ( Acts 20:29-30 ).

B. HEED THIS WARNING ( Matt. 18:5-6 ).

INTERLUDE: WHAT IS TO BE DONE IN THESE TWO CASES?

A. WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PARABLES? ( vs. 4, 8 ).

B. LOOK AT THES PASSAGES ( Heb. 3;12-13; Gal. 6:1 ).

III. THE PRODIGAL SON ( vs. 11-31 ).

A. HE IS THE REBEL – THE INGRATE.

B. HEBREWS DEALS WITH SUCH:

1. Hardened ( 3:12-13 ).

2. Impossible to renew ( 4:4-8 ).

3. No more sacrifice ( 10:26-31 ).

C. CAN SUCH A PERSON COME BACK? LOOK AT THE PRODIGAL.

D. WHAT MUST HE DO FIRST? ( Luke 15:17-21 ).

E. WHAT CAN WE DO IN THE MEANTIME? ( 2 Thess. 3;14-15 ).

IV. ONE THING IS CONSISTENT IN ALL THESE PARABLES.

A. THE ATTITUDE OF THOSE WHO REMAINED FAITHFUL.

B. ANXIOUSLY HOPED FOR THE RETURN OF THE SINNER.

C. ALL FELT JOY AT HIS RETURN ( Luke 15:5-7, 9-10, 20 ).

CONCLUSION:

A. PERHAPS YOU ARE ONE OF THESE FALLEN SAINTS TODAY ( 1 John 1:6-9 ).

B. PERHAPS YOU ARE NOT EVEN IN CHRIST.