Speaker: Pastor Neil Lindwall

Additional Resources: Extra readings can be found on this page and appear indented like this. Extra study materials can be found here.

(NIV) Luke 14:1–6 One Sabbath, when Jesus went to eat in the house of a prominent Pharisee, he was being carefully watched. 2 There in front of him was a man suffering from abnormal swelling of his body. 3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they remained silent. So taking hold of the man, he healed him and sent him on his way. 5 Then he asked them, “If one of you has a child or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not immediately pull it out?” 6 And they had nothing to say.

(ESV) Luke 14:2 And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy.

Dropsy = ὑδρωπικός hudrōpikŏs, hoo-dro-pik-os'; from a compound of G5204 and a derivative of G3700 (as if looking watery); to be "dropsical":—have the dropsy. – Strong’s definitions.

Prominent = 758 árxōn (from 757/árxō, "rule, take precedence") – properly, a preeminent ruler (chief); a commander having authority (influence) over people in a particular jurisdiction. – NASEC dictionary.

(NIV) Luke 15:1–2 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”  

Grace Is Attractive to the Humble. 

Growth Is Threatening to the Prideful.  

(NIV) Luke 15:3–4 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  

The Seeker Loves The Lost.  

(NIV) Luke 15:5–6 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’

The Seeker Is Unashamed of the Lost.  

(NIV) Luke 15:7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 

LOOK UP, THE SEEKER IS HERE

You Are Never Too Dirty to Be Carried.  

The Church is a Search Party, Not a Country Club.