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              Bible Study by
             Abouna Arsanios
                 Luke 15

1. lost sheep - the shepherd (Christ)
                calls shepherds to rejoice

2. lost coin - the woman (Church) calls
               her friends and neighbors

3. lost son - the father (Heavenly Father)
            - the lost son returned; that
              was smart
            - the at-home son ... is he ok
              ... could he be the one who
              is lost???

purpose of this parable
  to show
    how to repent
    our nature
    how God waits on us

younger son
  who is he
  what does he want
    wants to break from father
    wants his inheritance now

v. 12 - he gives him the inheritance
      - why!
  “Ես եմ բարի հովիւը. կը ճանչնամ
    իմիններս ու կը ճանչցուիմ իմիններէս։”
  “I am the good shepherd, and know my
    sheep, and am known of mine.”
  (John 10:14)

what is this “far country”
  nobody knows me there
  - I hide, freely do whatever I want,
    fulfill lusts
  - I am self-centered, ego-centric, far
    from my self, my home
  - I left my own senses

what do I find in that country
 hunger, thirst, loneliness, desolation

what is this severe famine
  he wanted to fill himself with
    everything; but he lost everything;
    this is a rule not an exception
  jesus said
    whoever finds himself lose himself
    whoever elevates himself goes down
    learn from me for I am of humble heart

    “Come to Me, all you who labor and are
    heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
    “Take My yoke upon you and learn from
    Me, for I am gentle and lowly in
    heart, and you will find rest for your
    souls. “For My yoke is easy and My
    burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
 
who is the citizen of the far country
  representative of the prince of the
  world

what are the fields of feeding the swine
  servant and slave of defilement

what are the pods
  lustful desires

nothing in this world fully satisfies
  only the triune God
    can fill every corner of my life

what are the steps of repentance
 1. v. 17 to come to oneself
    - not just feel guilty
      - guilt is just a starting point
      - guilt is a helpful first step
        to be free of guilt
      - I must not abide in guilt
      - I must not wallow in guilt
    - he recognized his abased condition
      - I am:      My father’s servants:
        ------     ---------------------
        isolated   are together (1 body)
        hungry     are filled
        ashamed    feel great
    - he compared his reality to the
      great picture of God’s people
 2. he arose; went to his Father
 3. he confessed before his Father

again, v 17-19, he:
  - confesses guilt to himself
  - confesses guilt before father & heaven
  - admits exactly the sin & the situation
    (inheritance=son)
  - asks for change “make me one of your
    hired servants”

so let me:
  - stop feeding pigs (abomination of
    desolation)
  - acknowledge “I have to go to my
    father”

timing
  this is a decision
    that should NOT BE POSTPONED
  when I realize my guilt
    I have to take the step
    NOW
    NOT TOMORROW
  if you wait
    YOU WILL LOSE

repentance
  = metanoia
  = change direction
  = essence of christianity

christianity = experiencing change
  not just a group of doctrines
  not just accepting certian things
  it should be a daily life of change
  to return to
    the image I lost in the beginning
    that God gave me

notes to self:
  the steps of repentance in general
    1. come back to your senses (v. 17)
    2. come back to your neighbor
    3. come back to your father
      a. natural father (body, dust)
      b. spiritual father (wisdom, water)
      c. Heavenly Father (spirit, chrism)