30th Mar 26 | 13:54
Studies by Book
Luke 15 8-10 To seek and to save the lost - part II The lost coin 04 An approved worker
📖 Luke 15:8-10
08Feb2020 - *An approved worker* - _Luke 15:8-10_ - Bible reading: _I Timothy 4:12-16_
_Luke 15:8 “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?_
We began with God, who had made all things well and complete and then we read that one coin was lost. This relates to man being lost. The whole of creation too is languishing because man is not fulfilling his responsibility of a regent/viceroy of God’s creation. God’s heart is breaking over His creation and He is on the task of seeking to bring man and all of creation back into a relationship with Him.
As much as Jesus is the light, He has made us, His disciples to be lights in the world. Just as the woman lit the lamp, sought for the lost coin by sweeping the house and searched carefully, we too need to be doing the work of seeking and saving the lost, with much care.
We see an example of this kind of diligence with which, Dr Luke reached out to Theophilus. _Luke 1:3-4 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, (4) that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed._
Luke wrote two books that have found their way into the New Testament canon and these are the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of Apostles. These two books were written to one person, Theophilus. Consider the diligence that this conveys to us. Was it rewarding for Luke to pay such attention to detail, for just one person? The result is clear for all of us to see. For 2000 years already, thousands upon thousands have come to Jesus because of these two books. It proves, without a shred of doubt, the benefit of diligence in doing the task of seeking and saving the lost.
Our diligence comes from the character and nature of God. _Psalm 40:5 Many, O LORD my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered._
Paul encourages Timothy to be diligent in the task of shepherding the flock at Ephesus. _II Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. I Timothy 4:12-16 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (13) Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (14) Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. (15) Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. (16) Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you._
The prophets were to be diligent workers but they were not. _Ezekiel 22:28 Her prophets plastered them with untempered mortar, seeing false visions, and divining lies for them, saying, 'Thus says the Lord GOD,' when the LORD had not spoken._
This was what caused people to go astray. _Ezekiel 22:29-30 The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger._
God is searching for men and women of diligence, workers who need not be ashamed. _(30) So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one._
*Thought to ponder*
```Will you put your hand up…to be counted in the numbers of workers, who need not be ashamed?```