This document provides a summary of the lesson for May 23, 2015. It discusses how Jesus came to seek and save the lost, as represented by the lost sheep, lost coin, and prodigal son. It examines how the lost may be unaware of their lost state, like the coin, and need to be taught. It also discusses the parable of the rich man and Lazarus, emphasizing that during life people decide their eternal destiny and probationary time offers God's grace. The stories of blind Bartimaeus and Zacchaeus are presented as examples of Jesus seeking and saving the lost. The document encourages teachers to seek to save souls for Christ like he did.

1. Lesson 8 for May 23, 2015

2. “FortheSonofManhascometoseekandto
savethatwhichwaslost.”(Luke19:10)
TO SEEK
The lost sheep
The lost coin
The lost son
TO SAVE
Missed
opportunities
The rich man and
Lazarus
Taken
opportunities
Bartimaeus
Zacchaeus

3. “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?” (Luke 15:4)
The sheep may be aware that she is lost,
but she is unable to save herself.
Who does the sheep represent?
That sheep represents those who
understand that they are far away from
God, but don’t know how to find Him.
They need the Shepherd to come to
their rescue and to show them the way
of Salvation.
We are instruments in the hands of God
to find people and to bring them to
Jesus’ embrace.

4. “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?” (Luke 15:8)
The woman knows she lost a coin.
Nevertheless, the coin doesn’t know
she’s lost.
Who does that coin represent?
That coin represents those who are lost
because of their sins but aren’t aware of
that. They are far away from God, but
they don’t know.
Jesus cares even for those who remain
indifferent to His love.
He wants us to diligently seek
those people. They need to be
taught about their need, so they
can become aware of their
situation and come to Salvation.

5. THE FLIGHT (v. 11-12)
He didn’t
understand
the loving
protection of
the Law of
God (including
its limits and
restrictions).
Therefore, he
decided to
live a life of
“freedom”
without
restrictions
and far from
God’s love.
THE DISAPPOINTMENT (v. 13-16)
He lived a
profligate live. He
experienced the
illusion of sin’s
pleasures… until
he harvested the
bitter fruits of it.
THE REFLECTION (v. 17)
He realized God had
everything, but he had
nothing. The Holy Spirit
doesn’t reproach us in
those low moments, but
makes us reflect on the
decisions we made. He
invites us to come back
to the arms of the
loving God.
THE RETURN
(v. 18-20)
He trusted “his” father’s
love and forgiveness.
He confessed his sin.
He accepted his
unworthiness (sincere
repentance).
He proclaimed his desire
to live with God again
and he did so.
The parable of the “prodigal” son in Luke 15:11-32 is the story of a
father (God) and his lost sons. One of them ran away from the father.
The other one lived with him but didn’t actually know him.
THE YOUNGER SON THE FATHER THE OLDER SON

6. THE WAIT (v. 20-21)
The wait began when the
son left. The father waiting
for his son to come back is
the clearest image of God’s
character.
THE JOY (v. 22-24)
God and His angels
celebrate every soul that
comes back to Him. Every
repentant person fills
Heaven with joy.
BEING LOST WITHOUT KNOWING IT (v. 25-32)
Can you live with God but keep Him away from your heart at the same
time?
Can you trust so much your own justice that you don’t accept God’s love
and justice for you and for others?
Can you hate so much a sinner that you don’t want God to forgive him?
Can you come in God’s home? Can you humbly join the party for the
repentant sinner? Come in, we are waiting for you.
THE YOUNGER SON THE FATHER The OLDER SON
THE YOUNGER SON THE FATHER THE OLDER SON

7. Receiving goods
Forgetting God
Being buried
Being condemned
Receiving evil
Trusting God
“Their works follow them.”
(Revelation 14:13)
Being saved

8. “In the parable of the rich man and Lazarus,
Christ shows that in this life men decide their
eternal destiny. During probationary time the
grace of GOD is offered to every soul.
But if men waste their
opportunities in self-pleasing,
they cut themselves off
from everlasting life.
No after probation will be
granted them.
By their own choice they
have fixed an impassable
gulf between them and their God.”
E.G.W. (Christ’s Object Lessons, cp. 21, pg. 260)

9. A blind beggar stood by the entrance of
Jericho. He begged to maintain himself.
Nevertheless, his soul longed for spiritual
maintenance. Only the Messiah—the Son of
David—could give him that.
He didn’t let anyone get him to be quiet
when he heard Jesus was passing by. He
vehemently asked for an audience with his
Savior.
“And he cried out, saying, ‘Jesus, Son
of David, have mercy on me!’” (Luke 18:38)
“All who feel their need of Christ
as did blind Bartimeus, and who
will be as earnest and determined
as he was, will, like him, receive
the blessing which they crave.”
E.G.W. (Sons and Daughters of God, April 29)

10. “Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, ‘Look,
Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have
taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I
restore fourfold.’” (Luke 19:8)
Both Zacchaeus’ and Bartimaeus’ story are
examples of how Jesus came “to seek and to
save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)
1. Zacchaeus was curious to see Jesus.
2. No one was willing to show him Jesus.
3. He sought Jesus by his own.
4. Jesus didn’t tease him when he saw him.
On the contrary, He invited Himself to
have dinner at his place.
5. Jesus invited him to accept the salvation
as they were having dinner.
6. Zacchaeus accepted and acted accordingly.
“And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has
come to this house, because he also is a son of
Abraham.’” (Luke 19:9)

11. “Are you indeed an instructor in the ways of God? If
you are a converted teacher, you will be able to win, not
drive, to attract, not repulse, the souls for whom Christ
has died. You will guard and care for the sheep and lambs
of Christ’s fold. If they stray, you will not leave them to
perish, but will go forth to seek and to save that which is
lost. All heaven will be ready to aid you in this good work.
The angels will aid you in your effort to find the key to the
heart of the most incorrigible and unruly. You will receive
special grace and strength through Christ, who is able to
supply you from His immeasurable fullness. You will then
be qualified to be a laborer together with God, one with
Christ in your effort to save the lost, and the result of
your labor of love will be seen not only in time, but
through all eternity.” E.G.W. (Counsels on Sabbath School Work, cp. 6, pg. 175)