Feb 22 Divine Service

And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’

Luke 15:5-6

Where are we in the Bible? 

The 15th chapter of Luke contains three parables: The Parable of the Lost Sheep, The Parable of the Lost Coin, and the Parable of the Lost Son. Jesus tells these parables in response to the Pharisees and scribes taking offense to His kindness toward sinners. There are consistencies throughout each one, and also differences. In all three parables, something or someone is lost, but how they are lost differs. The sheep is lost because it wandered away (slowly lost); the coin is simply overlooked (temporarily lost); and the prodigal son chooses to separate himself (purposefully lost). In all three parables, what was lost is found, twice as a result of seeking (sheep and coin), and once through self-awareness (prodigal son).

Repentance is Jesus’ main lesson with each parable, and communal rejoicing is the consistent response. This rejoicing is expressed in the 5th and 6th verses of Luke 15. The consistencies throughout the parables serve as inspiration for the structure of the sermon which follows.

What are the key themes based on the Bible verse

1. The inevitability of being lost

2. The grace in being found

3. The call to communal rejoicing

Foundational readings:

Scripture  Luke 15 | Catechism 3.4.8.6, 12.1.8.5

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February sermon theme article click here to read

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