The People Around Jesus
(Prodigal God I)

Pastor: Liam Conley
Date: 12 September 2010
Notes by: Robert Grandin
Scripture: Luke 15:1-31

Prodigal: recklessly extravagant, having spent everything.

Look at the obvious ``lostness'' as well as the non-obvious. Redefine lostness:

• Pharisees not rebuked for their actions, but rather for their attitudes (e.g., and emphasis on table company). This is like the older brother in the parable.
• 2 kinds of lostness: The older brother represents those who focus on the rules, and the younger brother represents those who rebel.
• Judgement is addictive like alcohol.
• Tip: remember we are all lost and in need of saving.

Identifying lostness:

• The 3 parables in Luke 15 intended to be read together.
• Redefines sin.
• Sheep: lost through foolishness (unintentional)...sheep are stupid animals.
• Coin: lost through carelessness, due to someone's actions (a coin doesn't wander off like sheep). This is thoughlessness of the caretakers (poor role models).
• Son: willfullness. He knew the correct actions but chose to ignore them.
• Tip: be on guard against knee-jerk judgement.

The solution to lostness is to consider ``bounded-set'' vs. ``centered-set'' faith. Bounded-set faith is when we define someone to either be ``in'' or ``out''. Centered-set is when the focus is on motion, whether someone is moving towards Jesus or away.