Bible Study - Language of Faith (2) - Lost - Luke 15:11-24 - March 8, 2020

Bible Study – Language of Faith (2) – Lost – March 8, 2020


This is lesson two (2) in our series entitled “Holy Vocabulary: Unpacking the Language of Faith.”


Our focus scripture is Luke 15:11-14, 17-24.


Without CHRIST, we are hopelessly lost.


Have you ever been physically lost? Our young son and I went with his scout troop spelunking or cave exploring many years ago. We had an experienced spelunker to guide us in what he called a “as near a wild cave” or a cave that had not been thoroughly mapped. We went into that cave first and then later that day we went into a second cave that had been mapped. 

We spent the night in the second cave.


Before the trip our guide told us that we had to be prepared by having at least two sources of light. Our guide said he would have at least three sources of light.


The first cave was the “near wild cave.” It was located behind a person’s house trailer in the mountains. The guide had cautioned us that there could be copperheads hibernating at the entrance since it was winter. We approached the entrance with caution.


Thinking about an entrance to a cave, my thoughts were there would be an opening for us to walk through. No, it was an opening ground level between large rocks. We had to crawl through the opening pulling our small backpacks containing our two sources of light, water and snacks. The entrance was an opening between the rocks created, over time, by water running from the outside to the inside creating the cave.


Each of us had to wear a hardhat with a battery powered light source, like you see miners wearing.  


When we entered the first cave, we descended a make-shift ladder made by those who had explored this wild cave. They had used two small pine trees they had cut and brought into the cave. They had nailed 2 by 4’s from one tree to the other creating the make-shift steps of the ladder.   


Once we maneuvered into the cave our guide instructed us about the importance of staying together and the importance of our light sources. He had a back-up light source that miners used many years ago which used calcium carbide plus water to give off a flammable gas (acetylene) which had to be ignited. The guide said you could always find water in a cave.

After we had maneuvered our way past a waterfall and to the back of the cave, our guide asked us to extinguish our light sources and to put our hand in front of our eyes. Yes, we thought we could see our hand until our eyes adjusted to the total darkness and our brains finally quit imaging, we could see. We experienced total darkness. The guide instructed us to stomp our feet. We could hear an echo. He said that there were hollow chambers beneath our feet. Those who were mapping this cave thought these chambers would fill with water during the rainy season.


As we were working our way back toward the entrance of the cave via a different route, I recall scaling around a wall with jagged rocks about 15 feet below us. There was a scout a few feet in front of me and another scout a few feet behind me. We had to maneuver around a right angle turn on the wall of the cave. When the scout in front of me went around the corner, I lost the benefit of his light. Of course, my light provided the light I needed. I thought to myself, “this would not be a good time to lose my light.” But the inevitable happened, my light source went out. I was momentarily in the dark until the person behind me came closer and his light gave me the needed light for me to scale around the corner. I was able to get my light source back on.  


This was a valuable lesson. There are times in our journey through life when our light may grow dim or we may think it is out, there are others whose light remains strong and can help us through the dark or dim times in our lives. Some of the dark times in our lives are the result of our choices. In those times, where do we turn? Certainly, GOD never leaves us or forsakes us. HE is with us 24/7 but our attitude toward HIM may block HIM. Stubbornness is a sin. 


The parable our LORD told reveals where every person can turn in the dark times in our lives.


Have you heard of the video “The Prodigal GOD?” It is a narration of this parable. I know our Baptist Network in Spartanburg has a copy. It is well worth watching. Let’s explore!


Let’s read Luke 15:11-14:

The Parable of the Lost Son – JESUS was teaching the scribes and Pharisees. The tax collectors and sinners were approaching this group to listen to JESUS. The scribes and Pharisees thought they walked in the light of truth but many failed to see JESUS as the promised Messiah. The tax collectors and sinners were seeking truth and salvation.

¹¹ He (JESUS) also said: “A man had two sons. ¹² The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’ So he (their father) distributed the assets^[d] to them. ¹³ Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he had and traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.^[e]

¹⁵ Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to eat his fill from^[f] the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything.

Since the parable identified that “a man had two sons” the parable is not complete until we hear about the needs and attitudes of both sons. Both sons were lost and in need of salvation.

Often, in a family with two sons there is rivalry. According to Jewish law where there was more than one son, the eldest son knew, at the death of his father, he would inherit two thirds of their father’s estate. Why? Simply the eldest son was responsible for taking care of his father, if he was disabled or his mother at the death of his father and the family if there were younger siblings. The remaining one third would go to the second son. (What about daughters? Numbers 25:4b-7:

“Since he had no son, give us property among our father’s brothers.”

⁵ Moses brought their case before the Lord, ⁶ and the Lord answered him, ⁷ “What Zelophehad’s daughters say is correct. You are to give them hereditary property among their father’s brothers and transfer their father’s inheritance to them.

According to Jewish law, in this parable, two-thirds of the estate was allocated to the elder brother but remained under the control of the father.

We learn that “The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate I have coming to me.’” Such a request was an insult to his father and showed disrespect. Normally, this portion would be distributed to him at his father’s death and in essence, such a request was like telling his father, “I wish you were dead!” So, his father granted the younger son’s request and gave him his inheritance.

Likely, after the younger son received his inheritance, he converted any physical assists e.g. land, cattle, grains, etc. into some form of cash e.g. gold or silver. Thus, the statement, “not many days later.”

After, the younger son had what he needed to support himself, he left home. Where did he go? He went as far away from home as he could. He likely went to Gentile territory. He wanted to distance himself from his Jewish heritage and to get away from home. This included getting away from GOD. He had enough of being under the authority of his older brother and his father. Enough is enough! Wow! How many young folks are making such decisions as I write this? Unfortunately, many. So, what happens to the young man in this story?

He “traveled to a distant country, where he squandered his estate in foolish living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.^[e]

The word “squandered” means to “scatter” and it carries the idea of throwing your money up into the air and the wind scattering it.

Life’s journey has a way of teaching us a lesson or lessons. We read that the so-called good life went south quickly, “¹⁴ After he had spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he had nothing.^[e]

So, what does a young Jewish lad do? Did he think, “Ok, I can still do this. I will show that I can be resourceful and get through this.” So, what does he do?

¹⁵ Then he went to work for one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to eat his fill from^[f] the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything.

Feeding pigs was an ultimate indignity for a Jewish lad. But after all, one has to do what one has to do, right? In our day, some sell drugs, go into prostitution, steal and many more enslaving things to earn money rather than returning home. (I know, some have an abusive home life. My prayer is that healing will come to our homes through faith in JESUS.) May this parable lead you to make the right decision where you can turn for help. Placing your faith in JESUS, as your Savior, is a beginning. Ask JESUS to lead and guide you to the path HE wants you to take. My prayer is for you to have the strength and courage to take that step of faith now. Call the Salvation Army for help. 800-728-7825.

The young Jewish lad was in dire circumstances “¹⁶ He longed to eat his fill from^[f] the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one would give him anything.” Even the Gentiles were against this young man. He was at the end of his ability to provide for himself. So, what is left for him to do? Then something very interesting took place -----

Let’s read Luke 15:17-19:

¹⁷ When he came to his senses,^[g] he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food, and here I am dying of hunger!^{[h] 18} I’ll get up, go to my father, and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. ¹⁹ I’m no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired workers.”’

What took place? “He came to his senses!” His thoughts turned to home and his father. My, my what a wonderful thought.

He began planning just what he would say to his father. He knew the heart of his father and he knew that his father had likely hired many who were down on their luck, so-to-speak. Yes, he would humble himself and place himself at the mercy of his father.

He knew his father’s heart. Do you know GOD’S Heart for you?

GOD longs for all to be in right relationship with HIM through faith in JESUS. Step one is, if you are not a Christian then place your faith and trust in JESUS as your Savior. This is all you have to do say, JESUS forgive me for my sins, I believe that YOU gave YOUR Life to pay for my sins, in full. I ask YOU to come into my life. Then thank HIM for coming into your life and making you HIS Son or Daughter through the miracle of Spiritual rebirth.

You are now a born-again Christian and you need to grow Spiritually. You need Spiritual nutrients – reading GOD’s Word, the Bible, praying (talking to GOD) ask HIM to lead you to the place where you can be fed Spiritually. Welcome my brother or sister into the Family of GOD.

For those who are Christians. First John 1:5-10 - ⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light, and there is absolutely no darkness in him. 6 If we say, “We have fellowship with him,” and yet we walk in darkness, we are lying and are not practicing the truth. 7 If we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. ⁸ If we say, “We have no sin,” we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. ⁹ If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. ¹⁰ If we say, “We have not sinned,” we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Yes, Christians sin. Confess any sin. Why, aren’t we saved? YES! Satan uses unconfessed sin like a whip and beats Christians down. Confession is agreeing with GOD and getting the things that we stumble over out of our way so that we will walk in the power of GOD through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

After a person makes a decision, he or she must take action. This young man had to take a step, the all important first step toward home.

Let’s read Luke 15:20-24:

²⁰ So he got up and went to his father. But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. ²¹ The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I’m no longer worthy to be called your son.’

²² “But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, ²⁴ because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So, they began to celebrate.

This young man put action to what he knew he had to do. He took those first steps toward home. He likely rehearsed exactly what he would say to his father over and over with each step he took.

But as any caring and loving father, guess what his father was doing? Was he about his daily chores? No! He was doing what loving parents do “But while the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.” His father was eagerly looking for the moment he would see his young son coming back home. Heartache turned to overwhelming joy when miracles of miracles took place. All this father’s eyes had to see was that precious instant, “that is my son coming back home!”

Did this father have an action plan in place? You bet! He ran to his son. He did not walk or stroll but he ran. In that day, no dignified person would run because he would have to gather up his robe to run. To this father getting to his son was more important than protocol. His father was not going to let his son opt out of returning. He wrapped himself around his son.

The father “was filled with compassion. He ran, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him.” An outward expression of eternal love.

The young son gave his speech but was his father listening? I think the father’s joy overwhelmed what his son was saying.

So, what quickly followed the father’s greeting, welcome and the son’s attempted confession ----

²² “But the father told his servants, ‘Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Then bring the fattened calf and slaughter it, and let’s celebrate with a feast, ²⁴ because this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found!’ So, they began to celebrate.

Instant and immediate restoration – QUICK!!! Don’t let him get away! The best robe was placed on him, ring on his finger and sandals on his feet – full and complete status of sonship restored. A calf had been fattened just for such a marvelous event. It is time to celebrate.

What a wonderful picture of each of us who come to JESUS seeking HIS forgiveness and being welcomed into GOD’S Family as HIS Son or Daughter with all the rights and privileges of being GOD’S Child. When a person accepts JESUS as his or her Savior or rededicates his or her life to JESUS, what happens in Heaven? It is party time!

Just a few verses before this parable is another Parable JESUS was teaching regarding a lost coin. The coin was found and there was great joy over the coin being found but how much more are you worth than a coin as JESUS expressed in Luke 15:7:

⁷ I tell you, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who don’t need repentance.

Keep in mind that eye has not seen nor ear heard nor the mind conceived that which GOD has prepare for HIS Children that love HIM. Awesome!

But someone may say, “well I have been a Christian but I have sinned and turned my back on JESUS. You are the very one HE is waiting for. HE is watching and waiting for you. Return home now!

Was the younger brother the only one lost in this parable? No!

There are many people who identify with the older brother. Some, may think, “Gee I stayed home and took care of mother, dad and my siblings and that younger brother or sister went off and had a good time, crawled back home and the welcome mat was tossed out for him or her. Has mom or dad ever done that for me! No! Let’s read on ----

Let’s read Luke 15:25-32:

²⁵ “Now his older son was in the field; as he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. ²⁶ So he summoned one of the servants, questioning what these things meant. ²⁷ ‘Your brother is here,’ he told him, ‘and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’^[i]

²⁸ “Then he became angry and didn’t want to go in. So, his father came out and pleaded with him. ²⁹ But he replied to his father, ‘Look, I have been slaving many years for you, and I have never disobeyed your orders, yet you never gave me a goat so that I could celebrate with my friends. ³⁰ But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your assets^[j] with prostitutes, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’

³¹ “‘Son,’^[k] he said to him, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. ³² But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’”

The older brother needed an attitude and heart adjustment. What was the older brother’s attitude toward his father? Was the older brother serving with a joyful heart or just going through the motions? Was he jealous, unforgiving, selfish and self-righteous? Was he in right relationship with his father? Was he in right relationship with GOD?

What is our attitude toward GOD? John 3:16-17 reveals GOD’S attitude toward every person who has been, is and will ever be:

¹⁶ For God loved the world in this way:^[e] He gave^[f] his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

GOD loves you. Will you embrace HIS love by accepting JESUS as your personal SAVIOR or if you are a Christian returning to HIM? Easter is coming. JESUS has risen! JESUS is the light of the world! Blessings!!!