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What was God up to when Jesus was born? Text: John 3 In the Beginning… Adam & Eve: Were created by God in the flesh (Gen. 2:23) Were filled with the Spirit (Gen. 2:7) And became sinners (Gen. 3:6) THE IMPACT OF SIN IS DEATH, BOTH SPIRITUALLY AND PHYSICALLY At the Incarnation… The WORD was God and became flesh for our sake. (John 1:14) Jesus restored the model of spiritual and physical unity as God had originally intended To the individual… Jesus explained the life God inten

Text: Luke 16:1-15 The Occasion The conversation is still likely taking place at the home of a Pharisee Jesus addresses his disciples concerning the accumulation and use of wealth The Parable of the Unrighteous Servant A man was a poor property manager He was fired, but required to report on the accounts he managed He renegotiates the accounts to gain favor with the debtors His master praises his shrewd behavior Understanding the Text It seems strange that Jesus

Text: Luke 15:11-32 - The Prodigal – Irresponsible, squanderer, wasteful, useless Prodigal: characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure – LAVISH: a prodigal feast., recklessly spending: the prodigal son yielding abundantly: LUXURIANT —often used of nature: it has been so prodigal of her bounty The Occasion A dinner at the home of the Pharisee The Pharisees grumble about Jesus Jesus shares three parables: The Lost Sheep: Every ‘one’ is important The Lost Coin: Eve

Text: Luke 15:1-10 In Search of… The Occasion Jesus was spending time with tax collectors and sinners The Pharisees and Scribes were critical The Motivation of Mankind Compelling Comparative Competitiveness (Survival of the Fittest) vs. The Significance of the ‘One’ A Lesson of the Lost Sheep The IMPORTANCE of every individual The superior joy in heaven for one who understands