Jesus Taught Great Lessons through Parables (Matthew 13:34-35)
Introduction:
1. As Jesus fulfilled His ministry, His primary work was teaching and preaching (Matthew 9:35). 2. According to Matthew 13:34-35, Jesus used parables as He taught. 3. By doing so He fulfilled a prophecy found in Psalm 78:2. 4. This brings us to an important principle that we want to emphasize -- "Jesus taught great lessons through parables." 5. In our lesson we are examining 3 of the Lord's parables in Luke 15 that illustrate how finding a lost soul produces joy in heaven. 6. Let us first consider . . . Discussion: I. THE SETTING FOR THESE PARABLES (LUKE 15:1-2)
A. Vs.1 informs us that lost people approached Jesus to hear what He had to say. 1. Jesus came to save sinners (Luke 5:27-32; 19:10). a. Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). b. Jesus came to reconcile us to God (Ephesians 2:16). 2. Many publicans and sinners repented and became followers of Christ. B. Vs.2 shows us how the Pharisees and scribes felt -- they murmured. C. This situation led Jesus to present 3 parables to illustrate how there is joy in heaven when a sinner is saved. D. With this information before us, let us turn our attention to . . . II. THE 3 PARABLES
A. (Luke 15:3-7) A man rejoiced when he found his lost sheep. 1. Not only did the man rejoice, but he called his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him. 2. Jesus revealed the main point of His parable in vs.7. B. (Luke 15:8-10) A woman rejoiced when she found her lost piece of silver. 1. Not only did the woman rejoice, but she called her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her. 2. Jesus revealed the main point of His parable in vs.10. C. (Luke 15:11-32) A father rejoiced when his lost son was found. 1. Not only did the father rejoice, but he wanted others to rejoice with him, including his older son. 2. This parable has 3 main characters. a. The father of the 2 sons represents God. b. The youngest son who left his home but later returned represents the publicans and sinners. c. The oldest son who resented his younger brother represents the Pharisees and the scribes who murmured against the Lord. 3. If the oldest son was concerned about his father's feelings he would have been looking for his lost brother. a. He would have been like the shepherd who searched for his list sheep. b. He would have been like the woman who searched for her lost piece of silver. 4. Knowing that there is joy in heaven when a soul is saved should motivate us to do what we can to lead others to the Lord. Conclusion:
1. Jesus certainly taught great lessons through parables. 2. Let us always remember the lesson He taught in Luke 15:7, 10. 3. In closing, let us also be reminded that joy is experienced in another way when a soul is saved (Acts 8:35-39).
