11-12-17 Kevin Goins The Parable of the Lost at Church

“The Parable of the Lost at Church”  Luke 15:11-32

Two Sundays ago we looked at the first of three parables in Luke chapter fifteen. That first parable makes clear that our God is one who is delighted when the lost come home to him. But before we get the idea that the lost are always out there somewhere, far beyond the walls of the church, Jesus ends Luke chapter fifteen with a parable to remind us that there are lost people at church – not just visiting, but being intimately involved in the life and work of the church.

I Contrary to popular opinion, this is _____ the parable of the prodigal son.

A. First, if this was the parable of the prodigal son, then it would have ended with v__________ _____.

B. Second, this can’t be the parable of the prodigal son because the c_________ of Luke chapter fifteen will not allow that.

C. Third, this can’t be the parable of the prodigal son because if it is it does not a____ a__________ to the first two parables.

II If this parable is about the lost at church, w_______ does it tell us about them?

A. First, it tells us that the lost at church do not l_______ l_______.

1. There are two things about the older brother that would make him a p________ c__________ as a member for any church.

a. Number one: he was f____________ in the F________ house.

b. Number two: he was not only faithful at being ___ the father’s house, he worked h______ in the father’s house.

2. So, for both these reasons, the lost at church may not l______ lost.

B. The second thing this parable teaches us is that despite their i____________ appearance, the lost at church have a real p________: they are ________.

III The first evidence that the older brother was lost is that he did not have a r______________ with the Father.

A. Two reasons Jesus did call, and still calls, disciples:

1. To b___ w_____ him
2. To s_______ him.

B. Do we think of Christians first as people who d___ God’s w______?