Lesson 8 for May 23, 2015

“Fo

r th

e S

on

of

Man

has

co

me

to

se

ek

and

to

sa

ve t

hat

wh

ich

was

lost

.”(L

uke

19

:10

)

TO SEEK

The lost sheep

The lost coin

The lost son

TO SAVE

Missed opportunities

The rich man and Lazarus

Taken opportunities

Bartimaeus

Zacchaeus

“What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if

he loses one of them, does not leave the

ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the

one which is lost until he finds it?” (Luke 15:4)

The sheep may be aware that she is lost,

but she is unable to save herself.

Who does the sheep represent?

That sheep represents those who

understand that they are far away from

God, but don’t know how to find Him.

They need the Shepherd to come to

their rescue and to show them the way

of Salvation.

We are instruments in the hands of God

to find people and to bring them to

Jesus’ embrace.

“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?” (Luke 15:8)

The woman knows she lost a coin.

Nevertheless, the coin doesn’t know

she’s lost.

Who does that coin represent?

That coin represents those who are lost

because of their sins but aren’t aware of

that. They are far away from God, but

they don’t know.

Jesus cares even for those who remain

indifferent to His love.

He wants us to diligently seek

those people. They need to be

taught about their need, so they

can become aware of their

situation and come to Salvation.

THE FLIGHT (v. 11-12)

He didn’t understand the loving protection of the Law of God (including its limits and restrictions). Therefore, he decided to live a life of “freedom” without restrictions and far from God’s love.

THE DISAPPOINTMENT (v. 13-16)

He lived a profligate live. He experienced the illusion of sin’s pleasures… until he harvested the bitter fruits of it.

THE REFLECTION (v. 17)

He realized God had everything, but he had nothing. The Holy Spirit doesn’t reproach us in those low moments, but makes us reflect on the decisions we made. He invites us to come back to the arms of the loving God.

THE RETURN (v. 18-20)

He trusted “his” father’s love and forgiveness.

He confessed his sin.

He accepted his unworthiness (sincere repentance).

He proclaimed his desire to live with God again and he did so.

The parable of the “prodigal” son in Luke 15:11-32 is the story of a father (God) and his lost sons. One of them ran away from the father. The other one lived with him but didn’t actually know him.

THE YOUNGER SON THE FATHER THE OLDER SON

THE WAIT (v. 20-21)

The wait began when the son left. The father waiting for his son to come back is the clearest image of God’s character.

THE JOY (v. 22-24)

God and His angels celebrate every soul that comes back to Him. Every repentant person fills Heaven with joy.

BEING LOST WITHOUT KNOWING IT (v. 25-32)

Can you live with God but keep Him away from your heart at the same time?

Can you trust so much your own justice that you don’t accept God’s love and justice for you and for others?

Can you hate so much a sinner that you don’t want God to forgive him?

Can you come in God’s home? Can you humbly join the party for the repentant sinner? Come in, we are waiting for you.

THE YOUNGER SON THE FATHER The OLDER SON

THE YOUNGER SON THE FATHER THE OLDER SON

Receiving goods

Forgetting God

Being buried

Being condemned

Receiving evil

Trusting God

“Their works follow them.”(Revelation 14:13)

Being saved

“In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus,

Christ shows that in this life men decide their

eternal destiny. During probationary time the

grace of GOD is offered to every soul.

But if men waste their

opportunities in self-pleasing,

they cut themselves off

from everlasting life.

No after probation will be

granted them.

By their own choice they

have fixed an impassable

gulf between them and their God.”

E.G.W. (Christ’s Object Lessons, cp. 21, pg. 260)

A blind beggar stood by the entrance of

Jericho. He begged to maintain himself.

Nevertheless, his soul longed for spiritual

maintenance. Only the Messiah—the Son of

David—could give him that.

He didn’t let anyone get him to be quiet

when he heard Jesus was passing by. He

vehemently asked for an audience with his

Savior.

“And he cried out, saying, ‘Jesus, Son

of David, have mercy on me!’” (Luke 18:38)

“All who feel their need of Christ

as did blind Bartimeus, and who

will be as earnest and determined

as he was, will, like him, receive

the blessing which they crave.”

E.G.W. (Sons and Daughters of God, April 29)

“Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Look,

Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have

taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I

restore fourfold.’” (Luke 19:8)

Both Zacchaeus’ and Bartimaeus’ story are

examples of how Jesus came “to seek and to

save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

1. Zacchaeus was curious to see Jesus.

2. No one was willing to show him Jesus.

3. He sought Jesus by his own.

4. Jesus didn’t tease him when he saw him.

On the contrary, He invited Himself to

have dinner at his place.

5. Jesus invited him to accept the salvation

as they were having dinner.

6. Zacchaeus accepted and acted accordingly.

“And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has

come to this house, because he also is a son of

Abraham.’” (Luke 19:9)

“Are you indeed an instructor in the ways of God? If

you are a converted teacher, you will be able to win, not

drive, to attract, not repulse, the souls for whom Christ

has died. You will guard and care for the sheep and lambs

of Christ’s fold. If they stray, you will not leave them to

perish, but will go forth to seek and to save that which is

lost. All heaven will be ready to aid you in this good work.

The angels will aid you in your effort to find the key to the

heart of the most incorrigible and unruly. You will receive

special grace and strength through Christ, who is able to

supply you from His immeasurable fullness. You will then

be qualified to be a laborer together with God, one with

Christ in your effort to save the lost, and the result of

your labor of love will be seen not only in time, but

through all eternity.” E.G.W. (Counsels on Sabbath School Work, cp. 6, pg. 175)