The Value of One

Who’s Your One?

The Value of One

Luke 15:1-32

With three short stories, Jesus gives us a glimpse into the heart of God.

The Setting

Jesus treated “sinners” differently than many of the religious folks of His day did.

Jesus stood powerfully and consistently against Sin

He reached out lovingly toward the Sinner

Three Common Themes

1. Something of great Value was lost

People matter to God!

2. That which was lost was worth the Effort of an all out search

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10)

We are called to be part of God’s search and rescue team

3. Retrievals result in Rejoicing

There is rejoicing in heaven when one person repents of their sin and trusts Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord

Three Distinctives of the Third Parable

1. Rebellion (11-16)

The younger son wanted to be Free, but he ended up Enslaved and Impoverished

2. Repentance (17-19)

He recognized his own Foolishness and then he remembered his father’s Goodness

“Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.” (Psalm 51:4)

3. Reconciliation and Rejoicing (20-24)

In the far country, the young son learned about Misery

At his father’s home, he learned about Mercy

Problem: Why didn’t anyone search for the son?

Notice some things about the older son:

• He was Self-Righteous (29)

• He had the spirit of a hired hand, not the spirit of a Son (30-32)

• He was the only one who missed the Joy

• The father Reached Out to him (28)

It is possible to hang out at the Father’s House, and not have the Father’s Heart

God the Father invites us to come to Him to share His home and to share His heart

Who’s Your One Challenge

By God’s Enabling Grace I Will:

1. Identify one person in my relational network to pray for and seek to share the gospel with over the next 12 months.

2. Work through the 30 Day Who’s Your One Devotional Prayer Guide to help focus my prayers for my one.

3. Encourage other Christ followers in my life to pray for and seek to share the gospel with their “one” during the next 12 months.