1. Luke 15:1-2
1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.”

2. 25 Now great multitudes went with Him.
Context - Luke 14:25
25 Now great multitudes went with Him.
This group seems to spring from a larger gathering.

3. Context - Luke 14:25
This is a group who has heard His teaching on being a disciple and has responded by coming near to hear more of Jesus' teaching.
They appear to have their hearts right with God; they appear repentant.

4. Context - Luke 14:25
... and the Pharisees and scribes don't appear to like the company Jesus is keeping.

5. Loss, diligent search, finds Loss, careful search, finds
Lost Sheep
4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
Loss, diligent search, finds
Lost Coin
8 “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?
Loss, careful search, finds

6. Lost, search, found, calls others to party, joy
5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’
Lost, search, found, calls others to party, joy
9 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!’
Lost, search, found, calls others to party, joy

7. Just like the party on earth, great joy among many over repentance
7 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Just like the party on earth, great joy among many over repentance
10 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Just like the party on earth, great joy among many over repentance

8. A partial summary
In the first two parables, one of the main points is that the joy we feel at finding something of great value is the same joy the Father feels at a person's repentance.

9. Lost, found, joy among many over repentance.
The Prodigal Son
23 And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; 24 for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
Lost, found, joy among many over repentance.

10. The Prodigal Son
In the first two parables, the Shepherd and the Woman finding the sheep and coin is compared to a sinner coming to repentance, being "lost" and then "found".

11. The Prodigal Son
In both cases there is a diligent search and joy when that which was lost is found.

12. The Prodigal Son
In addition, in all three parables, the value of what was lost is made clear.

13. All three insist on a party to celebrate!
The Prodigal Son
The Shepherd leaves the other sheep and searches until he finds, the woman lights a lamp and sweeps the whole house, and the father runs to his son, falls on his neck, kisses him and gives him gifts to display his love.
All three insist on a party to celebrate!

14. The Prodigal Son
Like the first two parables, in this third parable, the Prodigal's son repentance is compared to coming to life again, to being lost and now being found (vv. 24, 32)
However...

15. The Prodigal Son
Where is the search?

16. The Prodigal Son
It's not there!

17. But what IS there is the Father's love and his value of his son!
The Prodigal Son
But what IS there is the Father's love and his value of his son!
So, why no search?

18. The Prodigal Son
If we know the father loves and values the son, can there be any other possible answer?

19. Because it's not the best way to handle the situation.
The Prodigal Son
Because it's not the best way to handle the situation.
It's not the most loving.
It's not the most effective.

20. The son's story is different than the first two.
The Prodigal Son
The son's story is different than the first two.
The first two seem to both be in proximity to the Shepherd and the Woman.

21. The son "gathered all together" and "journeyed to a far country".
The Prodigal Son
The son "gathered all together" and "journeyed to a far country".
And the father let's him go.
No search.
But much concern.

22. So, why does the father just let him go? Why no search?
The Prodigal Son
So, why does the father just let him go? Why no search?

23. Some possible answers
Free will

24. Some situations are simply different than others.
Some possible answers
Some situations are simply different than others.
They are far away from us.
It's their choice.
And it is counter-productive to try to "fix" them.

25. If you are "away" or are considering leaving
God will let you go.
But know this...

26. If you are "away" or are considering leaving
There will be loss,
both now and in eternity.

27. Bring them back as soon as possible Order situations to do so
We should ask God to...
Bring them back as soon as possible
Order situations to do so
Show them mercy

28. Try to manipulate them or their situations.
We should not...
Try to manipulate them or their situations.
(It doesn't mean we can't take advantage of obvious opportunities)
and...
Do NOT act like the older brother!

29. We should
Let them know we love them
Feel free to draw necessary lines with being afraid of doing what is right
And finally...

30. Always let them know they can come home!

31. And when they do...
Party!!!!