The Mission of Jesus

Memory Text/Luke 19:10 (NKJV) For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that
which was lost.
Q1: If this is Jesus mission statement, what are the two main objectives of His
mission?

1. First to seek and then to save that which was lost.

Q2: What would be included in that which was lost?

1. First and foremost, the human race.
2. What we lost when Adam sinned, Jesus came to regain.
1 Corinthians 15:22 (NKJV)
22
For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.
Romans 5:19 (NKJV)
19
For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one
Mans obedience
many will be made righteous.
3. So Jesus came to seek and to save a lost humanity.
4. Was anything else affected by the curse when Adam sinned?
5. Paul writes:
Romans 8:21-22 (NKJV)
21
because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption
into the glorious liberty of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole
creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.
6. Sin has ruined everything.
7. We are born with sinful natures needing to be redeemed.
8. The whole creation has been thrown out of whack with thorns and weeds and
pestilence and famine and earthquakes and violence and fangs and tornadoes and
hurricanes and disease and death.
Q3: Religion is usually thought of as man seeking God. How has God taken the
initiative in seeking us?
1. From Eden lost in Genesis to Eden restored in Revelation, the Bible tells us that God
takes the initiative in the story of Redemption.
2. Without the word of God, we would be clueless.
3. We would not realize that we were lost nor how to be saved.
4. From the beginning, God had a plan for saving man if he should sin.
5. Jesus was slain from the foundation of the world.
6. When Adam sinned, who came looking for Him?
7. Who dealt with Adam and Eves sin by offering sacrifices for them and making them
garments of skin?
8. Who pronounced a curse upon His creation to show us that the result of sin is death,
destruction and decay?
9. Who promised that someday the Seed of the woman would crush the serpents head?
10. How do we know all these things? How do we know that Eden was lost and that Gods
plan is to restore it someday?
11. How do we know the story of redemption?
12. God has given us His Word, the Bible, inspired scripture, His self-revelation, His plan,
His portrait, His love letter to us.
13. Through the word of God, we can be assured of the love of God and the Grace of God.
14. Heres what the Bible says about God taking the initiative:
John (NKJV)
16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
15. This is the essence of God seeking us.
Lost
Q1: What three parables about the lost does Jesus tell in Luke 15?
1. The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.
Q2: How do these three parables reflect different classes of lost people?
1. The lost sheep knew it was lost but didnt know how to find its way back home.
2. This represents people who recognize that they are lost but do not understand the
gospel of how to be saved.

3. The lost coin didnt know it was lost and didnt know how to find its way back to its
owner.
4. This represents people who dont care if theyre lost and dont want to be saved.
5. It also represents those who think theyre right with God by their good works and dont
know that they need a Savior.
6. The lost son knew he was lost and knew the way back home.
7. This represents people who know they are lost and know the gospel is the only way to
be saved.
Q3: Which two lost things needed a seeker to find them?
1. The lost sheep needed a seeker because it didnt know the way back home.
2. In the same way lost people who dont know the gospel need someone to share it with
them.
3. The lost coin needed a seeker because it didnt know it was lost and didnt know how to
find its owner.
4. In the same way, lost people who dont care that theyre lost need someone to share
with them Gods plan for a better life.
Q4: Why didnt the father go seeking for his son?
1. His son knew that he was lost and knew the way back home.
2. The son didnt need anyone to tell him he was lost or show him the way home.
3. The last thing he wanted was to go home.
4. He was in a state of rebellion against his father and his rules.
5. He wanted to be as far away from his father as possible so he could live it up without
feeling guilty.
6. It would have been useless for his father to search for him.
7. Love cannot be forced.
8. All the father could do was hope that he would come to his senses and come back
home.
9. How does this relate to lost people?
10. Some people know they are lost and they also know the gospel of how to be saved.
11. For them, they dont need anyone to tell them theyre sinners or that Jesus is the only
Savior.
12. God simply continues His goodness towards them in hopes that they will repent and
come home.
[Personal testimony]
Rejoicing
Q1: What happens in each parable when the lost is found and what does that
represent? (Luke 15:7,10)
1. In each parable, when the lost is found, there is great rejoicing.
2. Jesus doesnt leave us wondering about the application of these parables.
3. The point of each parable is that there is joy in heaven over one lost sinner who
repents.
4. It reminds me of the course of the song by Ponder and Harp:
Theres only one thing that were sure about,
That can make the angels jump and shout,
Its when a sinner makes the Lord his choice,
Thats when the angels rejoice.
Q2: What happened that prompted Jesus to tell these parables? (Luke 15:1-2)
1. Jesus told these three parables in response to the Pharisees that complained that Jesus
receives sinners and eats with them.
2. So we have two classes of people listening to these parables: sinners and Pharisees.
Q3: How are these two classes of people represented in these three parables?
1. The sinners are represented by the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son.
2. The Pharisees are represented by the ninety-nine just persons who need no
repentance.
3. They are represented by the lost coin in that they did not know they were lost nor how
to be saved.

4. They are represented by the older son who would not celebrate the return of his
younger brother but complained bitterly against him.
The Father
Q1: How does Jesus picture the father in this story?
1. Anxious for his son to return. Looking at the horizon hoping to see him.
2. Overjoyed when he sees his son returning.
3. Anxious to forgive, to receive, to accept, to love, to rejoice over his repentant son.

Q2: What is unusual about the running father?

1. In our western culture, men of any age can run without embarrassment.
2. However, in the mid-east and far-east, it is a dishonor if an older person has to run.
3. People in positions of authority did not go out to meet anyone.
4. They waited for others to come to them.
5. Here Jesus stands His own culture on its head.
6. He has the father not only going out to meet the son but running to him.
Q3: How did the father welcome his repentant son?
1. He looked for him, he ran to him, he threw his arms around him, he kissed him.
2. He heard his sons confession, but cut off the last part where he asked to be made like
one of his servants.
3. He ordered the best robe, sandals for his feet, and the ring of son-ship.
4. He threw a party and butchered the fatted calf.
Q4: What does this tell us about God?
1. Our heavenly Father treats us the same way.
2. He is overjoyed when we come home.
3. He runs to greet us and hug us and kiss us.
4. He hears our confession but refuses to make us servants rather than sons.
5. He welcomes us home and treats us as though we had not sinned.
6. He rejoices with us that we were dead but are now alive.
How will it End?
Q1: Which son does the father go and seek? (Luke 15:28)
1. What does this tell you about God?
2. Hes seeking to save the Pharisees too.
3. Remember Jesus conversation with the Pharisee Nicodemus?
4. John chapter 3; one of the most important chapters in the Bible.
5. He tells Nicodemus he must be born again.
6. He points to the cross: As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness
7. He gives him the gospel in a nutshell: For God so loved the world
8. Jesus is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance, even
Pharisees.
9. Here the father has to seek the older son who was lost and didnt know it.
10. He was lost in his self-righteousness, his dependence upon his own good works for
standing with his father, and his hatred of his brother.
Q2: What was the complaint that the older son had against his father? (Luke 15:2930)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

His complaint was that his father had been unfair.

He didnt give the younger brother what he deserved.
For what he had done, the younger brother deserved a good beating.
He deserved to be put out of the family.
He deserved to be treated as a slave instead of a son.
In fact, he deserved to get just what the prodigal asked for in his confession:
Luke 15:19 (NKJV)
19
and I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired
servants.
7. Instead of getting what he deserved, the younger son got what he didnt deserve:
8. Forgiveness, restoration to full son-ship, the best robe, full authority, a ring, sandals,
the fatted calf, a big party.
9. Justice is getting what you deserve.
10. Mercy is not getting what you deserve.
11. Grace is getting what you dont deserve.

12. The prodigal got grace when his older brother wanted to see him get justice.
Q3: What did the older brothers attitude toward justice and grace reveal about
himself?
1. It revealed that he was seeking to be rewarded for his good works rather than by the
grace of God.
2. He saw his relationship with his father as one based on justice rather than grace.
3. He told his father all the things he had done for him without getting any reward.
4. The father corrected him by saying:
Luke 15:31 (NKJV)
31
And he said to him, Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours.
5. Here is the fathers offer of grace to the older son.
6. Constant fellowship with the father (you are always with me) and an inheritance that
includes all that I have [the father speaking].
Q4: What does the older brother do with his fathers offer to join the party and
celebrate grace rather than exact revenge.
1. If someone begrudges grace and forgiveness to others, it is a sure sign that he himself
has never experienced grace and forgiveness.
2. We love because He first loved us.
3. We forgive because He has forgiven us an infinite debt.
4. We are gracious to others because God has been gracious to us.
5. Will the older brother confess his hatred, his lack of forgiveness, his desire for revenge
and go in to the party?
6. Jesus leaves the parable unfinished. He does so intentionally.
7. Its a challenge to the Pharisees to join the party and rejoice in the grace of God.
8. Its also a challenge to us.
9. Are we hoping to be rewarded for our good works?
10. Or are we celebrating the grace of God that can forgive both the externally rebellious
and the internally jealous, unforgiving, and ungrateful.
Rich Man and Lazarus
Recall the story of the rich man and Lazarus.
Q1: What was Jesus conclusion to the story? (Luke 16:31)
31
But he said to him, If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will
they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.
Q2: What do you think the main point of the parable is?
1. This is a parable.
2. It is the last of five parables in Luke 15 and 16 (Lost Sheep, Lost Coin, Prodigal Son,
Unrighteous Steward, and Rich Man and Lazarus)
3. The purpose of a parable is to teach one main point.
4. This was a common Jewish story that Jesus stood on its head.
5. Possible lessons from the parable are:
6. Riches in this life are not necessarily a sign of Gods favor.
7. Lack of riches in this life is not necessarily a sign of Gods disfavor.
8. There is no second chance in the life to come. Our destiny is fixed here.
9. A miraculous resurrection will not persuade those who reject the word of God.
10. In fact, Jesus did raise Lazarus from the dead, and the Pharisees wanted to kill Him.
11. Jesus Himself rose from the dead, and the Pharisees, by and large, did not believe.
Q3: In what ways is the rich man the flip side of the prodigal son?
1. The rich man never lost his wealth; the prodigal lost everything.
2. The rich man never came to his senses; the prodigal came to his senses when he came
to the end of his rope.
3. The rich man never repented; the prodigal repented, confessed, and asked forgiveness.
4. The rich man was lost and stayed lost; the prodigal was lost but ended up found.
5. The rich man was tormented; the prodigal was the center of a party.
6. The rich man represented the Pharisees; the prodigal represented the sinners.
Blind Bart
Q1: What did blind Bartimaeus do when he heard Jesus was passing by? (Luke 18:38)
1. He called upon Jesus to have mercy upon him.
Q2: What did he do when people told him to shut up?
1. He cried out all the more for Jesus to have mercy on him.
Q3: When Jesus confronted him, what did he ask for?
1. He asked that he might receive his sight.

Q4: How did he respond to his healing? (Luke 18:43)

1. He followed Jesus glorifying God.
Q5: How could we put ourselves in this story?
1. Scripture always has more meaning for us if we put ourselves in the picture.
2. We started our spiritual journey as poor beggars, seeing physically but spiritually blind
because of our sin.
3. Somehow we heard that Jesus was passing by and that He could open our spiritual eyes
by forgiving our sins and saving us from death.
4. We cried out to Him to have mercy on us.
5. We refused to let the devil silence our cries for help.
6. Based on our faith in Him, Jesus was able to forgive our sins and restore our spiritual
sight.
7. We now follow Him as His disciples and glorify God.
Zacchaeus
Q1: Who was Zacchaeus and why was he generally hated. (Luke 19:2)
1. Zacchaeus was not just a tax collector but a chief tax collector.
2. Tax collectors were hated; chief tax collectors were despised.
Q2: Why did Jesus pick Zacchaeus to eat with?
1. Luke records that everyone murmured or complained that He has gone to be a guest
with a man who is a sinner.
2. Jesus concludes the story of Zacchaeus with our memory text:
Luke 19:10 (NKJV)
10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
3. Jesus came to seek and to save lost sinners.
4. Thats what Zacchaeus was and thats what we are.
Q3: What important principle of forgiveness did Zacchaeus understand? (Luke 19:8)
1. Zacchaeus understood the principle of restitution.
2. He offers to repay four-fold for anything he has gained by fraud.
3. What principle should we follow if we have gained things dishonestly?
4. We need to ask Gods forgiveness, and we need to make things right with those we
have harmed, in so far as it is possible.
5. That means if we have stolen something, we need to return it or pay for it, and ask
forgiveness from those we have stolen.
6. Gods forgiveness does not absolve us of our obligation to repay what we have stolen.
[Personal testimony]
Summary
Jesus mission is well summarized in His words to Zacchaeus: The Son of Man
has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jesus illustrated His mission in four parables about things that were lost: a
sheep, a coin, a son, and an opportunity.
When the lost are found there is great rejoicing; so when one sinner repents,
there is great joy in heaven.
The parable of the prodigal son paints a beautiful portrait of Gods love, grace,
compassion, forgiveness, and acceptance.
The older brother was upset because the prodigal received grace rather than
justice; he got what he needed instead of what he deserved.
This brothers attitude indicated that he had not received his fathers grace;
instead he was trying to earn what his father would freely give him.
Jesus ends the parable with an invitation to the Pharisees, and us, to join the
party, to receive and celebrate the grace of God that forgives our sins whether
they are external like the prodigal or internal like the older brother.
How will the parable end for you? How many want to join the party and rejoice
that the grace of God is greater than all of our sin?