3. “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.
4. “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.
5. 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
6. 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 EL HIJO MAYOR
THE YOUNGER SON THE FATHER THE OLDER SON
8. “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 afterprobation
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)
9. 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.
“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)
“And he cried out, saying, ‘Jesus, Son of
David, have mercy on me!’” (Luke 18:38)
10. “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)
“And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation
has come to this house, because he also is
a son of Abraham.’” (Luke 19:9)
11. “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)