The Lost Coin By Michael Reed Luke 15:8-10 (Click Here To Listen)

These three parables have the same central theme: "The Father's yearning love for the lost"  They also reveal what our own attitude should be toward the lost. In this lesson, we shall consider the parable of "The Lost Coin" (Lk 15:8-10). Let's begin by reading the parable and then taking a closer look.
Luke 15:8-10
"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.' 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." NIV

Getting Ready To Grow by Michael Reed (Click Here To Listen)

For churches to grow, they must look beyond their evangelistic efforts.  For the mortality rate of new converts is often high, unless a congregation is prepared to assimilate and nurture new converts, any success in evangelism may be short-lived.     To have real, enduring growth, we must get ready to grow!

A Place For God's Children By Michael Reed (Click Here To Listen)

It would seem that from the time we are born upon this earth, we begin to find our place. We seek food,  comfort, closeness, and let all of those around us know when such is not received. This is something that God included in His masterful plan of creation. The same is true when we are spiritually "born of water and of the Spirit" (John 3:5).  Just as God provided a place for us at physical birth, He does the same when we are born "through the word of God which lives and abides forever" (1 Pet. 1:23). God, without a doubt, provides a place for His children! What are some of these places?

The Lost Sheep by Michael Reed, Luke 15:1-7 (Click Here To Listen)

In the fifteenth chapter of Luke, we find three more parables that reveal the great love of our Father in heaven;   "The Lost Sheep"  Lk 15:1-7, "The Lost Coin" Lk 15:8-10, and "The Prodigal Son" Lk 15:11-32.  These three parables, were told on the same occasion, in response to murmuring by Pharisees and scribes. Having the same central theme: "The Father's yearning love for the lost". These parables were designed, though not just to tell us about the Father's love for the lost. But what should be our attitude toward the lost as well!

Add To Your Faith by Michael Reed, 2 Peter 1:1-11 (Click Here To Listen)

 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

The Great Supper by Michael Reed Luke 14:15-24 (Click Here To Listen)

 Again, Jesus is eating at the house of one of the rulers of  the Pharisees, along with a number of lawyers and Pharisees - Lk 14:1-6.  He had just told the parable of "Taking The Lowest Place" - Lk 14:7-11.   He then tells His host that when he has a dinner or a supper, that he ought to invite those who cannot repay him Lk 14:12-14.  Jesus' comments prompt a response from one who heard Him - Lk 14:15 "Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!" This saying was likely precipitated by Jesus' reference to the being repaid at the resurrection of the just - cf. Lk 14:14.  It is this comment by the other guest that prompts Jesus to tell another parable.

"The Nature of Faith" by Michael Reed, (Click Here To Listen)

What is faith?  What does it mean to believe?
Some Christians think it means blind acceptance: "You've just got to believe."
Some skeptics agree: "Faith is believing in something without good reasons to do so."
Both are mistaken; such ignorance of the nature of faith leads to shallowness of faith among Christians and prejudice against faith among skeptics. To avoid misunderstanding the nature of faith, especially the nature of Christian faith, this study will examine both.

Taking The Lowest Place By Michael Reed Luke 14:7-11 (Click Here To Listen)

Jesus tells another parable, the setting is a wedding feast, a common social event in those days - Lk 14:8.  Jesus warns against sitting down in the best place - Lk 14:8b-9. Someone more honorable may have been invited.   When they arrive, the host will ask you to move. With shame you will have to move to the lowest place (likely the only place left!)  Instead, He counsels them to sit in the lowest place - Lk 14:10. That way, the host will come along and say "Friend, go up higher" so instead of shame, brought about trying to sit in the best place, you will receive glory among those who sit at the table with you.  Jesus then concludes with this maxim:  "For whoever exalts himself will be abased, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." - Lk 14:11