The Lost Coin

“Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

(Slide-Off)

The Lost Coin

Lost at Home

Have you ever lost something really important at home?

“I know it is here somewhere”

Or have you ever been lost?

How about your keys? Or your phone? Your eye glasses?

Or your phone?

The the search begins.

And goes on and on.

and often will involve other people in the home.

But nothing is found.

So a new search begins that will systematically and diligently look high and low in each room, one by one.

Lights are turned on.

The search commences.

And goes on and on.

Until finally, the cry goes out “There it is”. “I knew it was here”.

Then finally the cry goes out “There it is”. “I knew it was here”.

And rejoicing follows.

(Slide

(Slide-On)

Lost and Found

The parable of The Lost Coin is a story about loosing something of great value at home.

Maybe we still are that Lost Coin?

Unfortunately there are many lost coins who attend church.

We are all lost coins until Jesus found us!

Let’s be clear, the bible says we all need to be found!

Whether we know we are lost or not.

We also have here an invitation to each person that has been found, to unite with Jesus, in the search for the lost coin.

And the Parable of the Lost Coin teaches us that the search starts at home!

Because our religion has to start at home amongst those who know us best.

We read it earlier.

Three Parables about Lost and Found

It is in .

The second of three parables.

This Parable is only found in .

The Lost Sheep

The Lost Coin

The Lost Son

The first parable is about The Lost Sheep.

We looked at it two weeks ago.

The one sheep wandered off from the flock into the local countryside.

It was lost and could not find its way home.

The second parable is The Lost Coin.

The woman has lost one silver coin at home.

The third parable is The Lost Son

One son has gone off, with his share of the inheritance and is lost in a far away country.

Today, is all about the lost coin at home.

That is in two weeks time.

Remember we must not over interpret every detail in a Parable but try to focus on the main and plain spiritual truths.

But I think it fair to say,

That which is lost can be in our local community, it can be far away AND, as our parable for today shows us, it can even be in our own homes.

In this parable the lost coin was at home.

The call to join Jesus in diligently looking for that which is Lost is local, it can be far away, BUT it always starts in our own homes!

The call to Mission starts at home.

Then to our local communities and far away in other countries.

Bottom line, We are called to be a Missional Church and Missional People, wherever life takes us in the Lord’s providence.

price. But the Father is coming.

The one sheep wandered off on its own, it soon was so lost, it could not find its way home, for sin can so easily entice and entangle us. We are trapped before we know it.

The one coin is lost, we do not know how, but it is lost, for sin can darken our hearts and minds, so that we are so self deceived. We do not even know we are lost. But the woman is coming..

The one son wilfully and deliberately walks away from his Father, for the sinful pastures of the world, the flesh and the evil one, can be so deceiving to the naive. But they reap a terrible price. But the Father is coming.

Again, these things are mere signposts leading us to what is really important in the Parables.

The Value of the One

Decreasing Numbers

It is interesting to note the decreasing numbers in these three parables of .

The parable of The Lost Sheep has the one sheep wandering off from the flock of 100.

The parable of The Lost Coin has the one coin lost from the 10.

The parable of The Lost Son has one of the two sons lost far away.

We should not read too much into the numbers.

But say in passing, it is interesting how Jesus tells and varies these parables.

He is truly a master story teller.

But such things are mere signposts leading us to what is really important.

Getting Lost is easy

It is also interesting to see how easily we can get lost.

But what does “Lost” mean in these parables?

It means to be estranged from God.

To have a broken relationship with God.

Or no relationship with God.

To be Found is the opposite of that.

The one sheep wandered off from the flock on its own.

It soon was lost.

Totally lost.

It could not find its way home.

For sin can so easily entice and entangle us.

We are trapped before we know it.

And our relationship with the Lord is broken.

The one coin is lost, we do not know how, but it is lost and covered in dust.

The lost coin does not even know it is lost.

The lost coin has no sense of its true condition.

It is unconscious and unconcerned.

It is estranged from God and does not know or care.

Mrs White writes,

“The lost coin represents those who are lost in trespasses and sins, but who have no sense of their condition. They are estranged from God, but they know it not. Their souls are in peril, but they are unconscious and unconcerned.”

The Lost Coin represents so many today!

For sin can darken our hearts and minds, so that we are self deceived.

We do not even know we are lost.

But it is a terrible condition to be in, maybe the worst of all.

Then there is the one son, who wilfully and deliberately walks away from his Father, with his share of the family wealth,

We will look at this more is a couple of weeks.

For the sinful pastures of a far country.

For the pleasures of this world, for the the lust of the flesh and for all the evil one can offer.

We will look at this more is a couple of weeks.

can be so deceiving to the naive. But they will reap a terrible price.

Again we say that Jesus is a masterful story teller.

Because the bottom line in all three Parables in the one of great value to the Lord is Lost.

And can rep

And again, these things are mere signposts leading us to what is really important in the Parables.

Because the bottom line is that in all three Parables, the object of great desire is Lost.

(Slide)

The Value of one Drachmas

Luke 15:8–10 NKJV

The woman in the parable of The Lost Coin starts with 10 Coins or 10 Drachmas (plural).

Drachmas are translated silver coins.

She looses one Drachman (singular).

This is the only time we find the GRK, Drachmas and Drachman, in the NT!

The standard unit of Roman currency was the silver denarius.

It is used elsewhere in the NT.

For example, in the parable of The Labourers.

(Slide)

Matthew 20:2 NKJV

Now when he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.

The Greek drachma is thought to have had the same value as the denarius, about a day’s wage

And is equivalent of a day’s wage for a labourer .

abouta day’s wage

We will not dwell on why Jesus here and only here, uses, Drachmas.

We will say once again that Jesus is a master story teller.

He keeps people interested with such details and variations.

Arose attention by use Drachma vs Denarius?

Again such things are signposts leading us to what is really important.

I believe what is really important in the bible is main and plain.

BTW, That is a guard for us.

You are sensible people, think about such things.

How to get Lost

The one sheep wandered off on its own, it soon was so lost, it could not find its way home, for sin can so easily entice and entangle us. We are trapped before we know it.

The one coin is lost, we do not know how, but it is lost, for sin can darken our hearts and minds, so that we are so self deceived. We do not even know we are lost. But the woman is coming..

Again, these things are mere signposts leading us to what is really important in the Parables.

(Slide-Off)

Plane Ride

Have you seen the” Interactive Maps” or the “In flight Maps” on planes these days ?

They are build into the entertainment TV.

Especially on long haul flights.

I like to follow them on plane rides, especially the long flights.

The view from the window vs in the plane!

Even better if you can listen in to the Pilot or the Cockpit.

Get to know your plane call sign and that can be very interesting.

The view from the window vs in the plane!

But these are all signposts along the way to the ultimate destination.

The real joy is when we reach that destination!

(Slide-On)

The Love of God

The diligent and careful search for that which is lost.

So lets us come to the ultimate destination in our reflections on the Parables of .

Here we will tarry awhile and think upon the supreme value of the one lost person to the Lord.

We are finally reached our destination of spiritual truth.

On the depth and breath of the Redeeming love of God for the one.

The signposts have carried us so far in our journey, now it is time by God’s grace to discover the hidden treasure.

For we are that One.

Found or Lost.

We are that One.

Romans 11:33 NKJV

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

We can be lost whether we are locally, unable to find our way back home, trapped and entangled by sin, but The Good Shepherd, He comes, He searches, He finds, He untangles us, He frees us and He carries us back to the flock.

We can be lost and not even know it, we can be content with life and yet far from God. Then The Good Woman comes, She lights her lamp, She carefully searches, and our true condition is discovered, and so The Good Woman finds that one lost coin.

We can live our life for pleasures, spending all we have for pleasure, till eventually we can despair of life itself, but The Good Father sees us, He sees our heart, He runs to the fire and He loves us with all he has, He loves and welcomes the one lost son returning home.

Here is where we will spend some time.

This is our destination today.

For this is the destination.

Here is the hidden treasure.

For in these 3 stories, in these 3 pictures, in these 3 parables, of , we see the length and breadth, we see the height and depth, of God’s redeeming love and action for the one that is lost and estranged from him, that he or she may be found!

And no amount of words can explain the love God has for the One!

God’s redeeming love for the one!

That He or She may come home

For that one that is lost.

(Slide-Off)

Les Mis or Les Miserables

Do you like the drama/musical Les Mis?

It was recently on BBC1, but no singing :(

Victor Hugo classic novel.

In CA, from whence we came last year, The local Schools would often put this on as a production, with some modifications.

A few years back we were in London and went to see it, with a revolving stage.

Then we fly back to CA only to discover our son’s local Adventist School was putting it on.

It was recently on BBC1, but no singing :(

Do you have a favorite song?

What about “Bring Him Home”?

I love that song.

Jean Valjean about Marius at the barricade

Every-time I hear that song it reminds me of God’s love for the Lost

Or Jesus praying for the us to the Father.

And God’s desire for that which is lost to be found.

He is young He's afraid Let him rest Heaven blessed. Bring him home Bring him home Bring him home.

And we who are found have an awesome role in that.

I assure you I am not going to break out into singing it.

But here are the words...

God on high Hear my prayer In my need You have always been there

He is young He's afraid Let him rest Heaven blessed. Bring him home Bring him home Bring him home.

The only thing that can separate us from such redeeming love of God is our refusal to accept it.

For we are that One.

Found or Lost.

We are the One.

Romans 11:33 NKJV

Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

We are that One.

Found or Lost.

We are that One.

If you like I can see Jesus praying such to his Heavenly Father for each of us.

You see the lamp the woman lights in the Parable of the Lost Coin is the Spirit of God and the word of God.

The lamp the woman lights in the Parable of the Lost Coin is the Spirit of God and the Word of God.

It shines on us and reveals our true condition.

But God’s light is always an inviting light, not a shaming light.

And the light of the Lord is always an inviting light, not a shaming light.

It is a light that says “Bring Him or Her Home”

Andrew first found his brother Simon Peter

The lamp the woman lights in the Parable of the Lost Coin is the Spirit of God and the Word of God.

It shines on us and reveals our true condition.

And the light of the Lord is always an inviting light, not a shaming light.

The parable of The Lost Coin teaches us that our religion must start at home .

The apostle John records this about Andrew,

(Slide)

John 1:41 NKJV

He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated, the Christ).

Andrew’s example is an excellent pattern for us to follow.

Andrew did well to start with Peter, his brother.

And look what Peter becomes for the early church.

As soon as a person is found, he or she starts to co-labour with the Lord in finding others.

The parable of The Lost Coin teaches us the importance of this starting at home.

As one author puts it,

Morning and Evening Evening, February 19

Relationship has a very strong demand upon our first individual efforts

I wonder if our churches would be fuller if this pattern is followed.

With all due care and diligence.

As the woman searched carefully for the one lost coin.

We said when we started this series that the parables of Jesus will make us reflect and even make us uncomfortable.

Here is a truth that in some way may well make us uncomfortable.

Let us never give up praying firstly for those nearest and dearest.

So may the Lord give us his wisdom and his redeeming love in this matter.

The Lost is Found

Repent

Let me pose a question to close.

What is the difference between the one Found vs the one Lost?

It is what the bible calls Repentance.

(Slide)

Luke 15:10 NKJV

Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

It is what the bible calls Repentance.

It is one of those scary words.

To be honest it is mostly misunderstood, even by sincere Christians.

Yes it is to turn and go in a different direction, but it is so much more than that.

It is often seen as something we must do to earn the favour of God.

Repentance is as much a gift as the gift of Salvation itself.

Repentance is the work of God in us

It is also called being born again.

Three Examples of Repentance

We have in three examples of Repentance

Three really good examples!

The Lost Sheep is lost. It cannot find its way home.

The Good Shepherd takes the initiative

The Good Shpeherd is intentional in the search.

The Good Shepherd find the lost sheep.

And then the Good Shepherd carries the Lost Sheep home.

What is the role of the Sheep here?

To allow itself to be carried back home.

That is Repentance.

Allowing the Lord to carry us in His ways.

The Coin is lost at home. It does not even know it is Lost.

The Good Woman searches for it diligently.

The Good Woman shine a light on it exposing the true condition.

The Good Woman finds, dusts off and reunites the Lost Coin with the other 9.

What is the role of the Coin?

To allow the light of God to shine on it.

For as we allow the light of God’s word in our lives there will be a change.

That is Repentance

The Lost son is far away from home.

He knows he is lost and despairs of life itself.

He has spent and wasted his life on sin and pleasure.

He starts his journey back home.

Coming not as son, but to be a hired servant.

But the Good Father sees him.

And runs to Him and embraces him as His Son, not a servant

That which was lost and is now found.

What is the role of the Son?

Not to be a servant!

To accept the Father’s restoration to sonship

Then to act with the dignity that sonship bestows.

To honour the family name

Is this not best picture of Repentance?

The Return of Jesus

The unmerited favour of God.

Unmerited, Undeserved, contrary to what is deserved.

That is Repentance, to accept that gift and be restored in a right relationship with the Lord

Repentance and Rejoicing

The way this world was always meant to be.

The way the new heaven and the new earth will be, when the Kingdom of God, the Kingdom of Jesus is finally fully realised.

Why has Jesus not come again?

The bible is clear, Jesus is returning for his own very soon.

We are in the last of the last days.

But why not yet?

Because the Lord is still seeking those that are Lost, that they may be Found.

Jesus is still looking for his children.

For those of us Found, let us join Jesus in that.

For any here that are feeling estranged from the Lord, come home, the door is wide open.

Rejoicing

Romans 12:15 NKJV

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.

Romans 12:5 NKJV

so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Rom 12

During his life on earth Jesus met people where they were at, invited them to repent, to follow him daily, to be disciples and disciple-makers.

Why has Jesus not come yet

One reason only, we is still looking for his children.

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