Getting To Know God – Better! Getting To Know God – Better! (Series)(Series)

The Lost CoinThe Lost Coin

Luke 15:8-10Luke 15:8-10

THE SETTING OF THE STORY

“Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, ‘This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”“So He told them this parable…” Luke 2:1,2

Getting To Know God – Better!Getting To Know God – Better!

• What Is God Like?What Is God Like?• Who Does God Love?Who Does God Love?• What Difference Does This Make – To Me?What Difference Does This Make – To Me?

God In A BoxGod In A Box

THE SECOND STORYJESUS TOLD

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. (Luke 2:8-10)

I. WHAT IS GOD LIKE?

“Or, what WOMAN Having ten coins, if she loses one….”

GOD IS LIKE A WOMAN!!!!

II. WHO DOES GOD LOVE?II. WHO DOES GOD LOVE?

(LAST WEEK: GOD LOVES (LAST WEEK: GOD LOVES THOSE WHO INADVERTANLY THOSE WHO INADVERTANLY

WANDER! (LIKE A SHEEP)WANDER! (LIKE A SHEEP)

TODAY: GOD LOVES THOSE TODAY: GOD LOVES THOSE WHO ARE ABSOLUTELY WHO ARE ABSOLUTELY

HELPLESS (LIKE A LOST COIN)HELPLESS (LIKE A LOST COIN)

HOW CAN A COIN BECOME LOST?1. THROUGH NO FAULT OF IT’S OWN2. THROUGH DIFFERENT SCNEARIOS *NEGLECT FROM OTHERS

*CARELESSNESS OF OTHERS*UNINTENTIONALLY*ACCIDENTLY*CIRCUMSTANTIALLY

WHAT DOES LOSTNESS MEAN TO THE LOST COIN (those who are helpless)

1.They often go unnoticed by others2.They, if noticed, are often ignored by others3.Often stepped on4.Often pushed down5.Often kicked6.But always - helpless

HOW CAN SUCH A LOST COIN (representing the very helpless in life) EVER BE FOUND?

(HOW DOES GOD CARE ABOUT SUCH LOSTNESS?)

HOW DOES GOD CARE ABOUT THE HELPLESS?

1.THE WOMAN, FIRST, LIT A CANDLE!

“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the light of the world…” (Jn. 8:12)

HOW DOES GOD CARE ABOUT THE HELPLESS?

2.THE WOMAN, GOT INVOLVED WITH THE UPLEASANT TASK! “…SHE SWEPT THE HOUSE…” VS. 8

HOW DOES GOD CARE ABOUT THE HELPLESS?

3.THE WOMAN NEVER GAVE UP

“…and searched carefully UNTIL she found it.” vs. 8

HOW DOES GOD CARE ABOUT THE HELPLESS?

4.4.THE WOMAN CELEBRATED HER FIND!THE WOMAN CELEBRATED HER FIND!

““And when she had found it, she called together her And when she had found it, she called together her friends and neighbors saying, ‘Rejoice with me…” vs. 9friends and neighbors saying, ‘Rejoice with me…” vs. 9

TRUTH TO LIVE BY

1. BE CAREFUL ABOUT PUTTING GOD IN A BOX!HE MAY BE TOATALLY DIFFERENT THEN

YOU EVER IMAGINED

TRUTH TO LIVE BY

2.2. BE CAREFUL ABOUT DISMISSING CERTAIN BE CAREFUL ABOUT DISMISSING CERTAIN PEOPLE AS BEING THOSE WHO HAVE NO PEOPLE AS BEING THOSE WHO HAVE NO VALUEVALUE

(TO GOD, THEY ARE WORTH EVERYTHING!!)(TO GOD, THEY ARE WORTH EVERYTHING!!)

TRUTH TO LIVE BY

3. THERE IS NO-ONE SO LOST AND HELPLESS, 3. THERE IS NO-ONE SO LOST AND HELPLESS, SO IN THE DARK OR IN THE DIRT, THAT THEY SO IN THE DARK OR IN THE DIRT, THAT THEY CAN NOT BE FOUND BY THE GRACE OF GOD!CAN NOT BE FOUND BY THE GRACE OF GOD!

TRUTH TO LIVE BY

4. GOD DEPENDS ON US, HIS CHURCH, TO HAVE HIS HEART, BE HIS HANDS, AND HIS FEET AND CARE ABOUT THE HELPLESS – JUST AS HE DOES!