Outline Ten


The Lost Coin
(Luke 15:1-10)

 

Intro:

The three parables of the chapter all deal with something that is lost. Why did Jesus tell them? In response to the accusation of the Pharisees in (vs. 2).

 

I. Why Silver -

A lost sheep is easy to understand, as well as a lost son, but how does silver fit in the equation?

Silver pictures redemption (Ex. 30:11-16; Lev. 5:14-19). In Exodus you are told what the shekel of the Sanctuary is and in Leviticus we are told it is the basis for estimation of a trespass offering. So to lose the silver is to lose the ability of redemption.

II. Lost in the dust -

As demonstrated by he necessity of sweeping - the dust is a picture of the very nature of man: He was created from it and returns to it (1 Cor. 15:45-50). We are lost by nature.

A. The coin was altogether ignorant of being lost - The silver coin was not a living thing and had no consciousness of being lost or sought after. The money was quite content to lay on the floor in the dust.

B. The coin was lost but not forgotten - it's time to identify the woman who is the church. Is it not the church who should remember those that are lost?

C. The coin was lost, but not hopelessly - The woman had hopes of recovering it and therefore set about the work of finding it. Some would approach the subject in despair, while others, although being aware of the urgency, would be enthusiastic about the hunt.

D. Lost in the house - Many are under the impression that being born in America makes them a Christian; the house of America has a spiritual history but many are lost in the house!

Tocqueville of France, over 100 years ago visited America. Upon his return home he wrote "I sought for the greatness of America in her harbors and rivers, and fertile fields, and her mines and commerce. It is not there. Not until I went into the churches and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the greatness of her power. America is great because she is good; and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."

The coins are lost all around us!

III. The Coin Was Sought -

A. The coin was sought by its owner personally - She did not hire a professional coin finder. She did not hire a servant to sweep the house.

B. Seeking became her number one priority - all other business had to be set aside - meals meals to be fixed, water to be drawn, fires to be kindled, clothes to be mended; all had to take the back burner to the business at hand.

C. She lit a candle - light had to be shed on the operation. Next week there will be lost coins (items of great value) in the house - how critical it is to get as much light as possible on the situation.

D. She swept like mad - She stirred the dust, agitated it. There were probably some in the same house that objected to the commotion and stated that things were better off to allow the coin to remain lost and hope that it would turn up on its own.

E. She sought it continuously until it was found. Were your pleas and invitations rejected or laughed at - try again.

IV. Found - A Glorious moment

A. The woman herself found the coin. Why do we so often hear people say they want nothing to do with organized religion? Is it because it is the church that is stirring the dust and making them uncomfortable?

B. It was an occasion of great rejoicing - in all 3 parables.
 

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