Kingdom Incarnate Part 14
At Keys Vineyard Church, we are presenting a series called ‘Kingdom Incarnate,’ which we post here on Online Bible Institute.
We continue our series, ‘Kingdom Incarnate,’ which aims to teach us to see and know Jesus through the Gospels. Last week, we talked about generosity in Luke 12. This week, we will move into Luke 15 and discuss a celebration.
Luke 15:3-7 (NIV)
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
In Luke 15:3–7, Jesus shares the parable of the lost sheep to reveal the heart of God toward those who have strayed. He tells of a shepherd who, upon realizing one sheep is missing from his flock of one hundred, leaves the ninety-nine in open country to go and search for the lost one. When he finds it, he lifts it onto his shoulders with joy, returns home, and invites his friends and neighbors to join him in celebration. Jesus concludes the parable with this profound truth: there is greater rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous individuals who do not need to.
This parable is part of a trilogy in Luke 15 that illustrates the value of what is lost and the joy that comes with its restoration. Jesus, often seen celebrating with the outcasts—those considered unworthy by religious leaders—challenges the mindset of the Pharisees, who believed that righteousness could only be achieved through strict observance of the law. Through these stories, Jesus reveals a new reality: the Kingdom of God is coming not through rules but through God’s restoring work. It’s about heaven breaking into earth, initiating a new creation marked by mercy, grace, and joyful homecomings.
The parables of the lost coin and the lost son share a common theme: something valuable is lost, intensely sought after, and joyfully celebrated upon its recovery. In each case, the “lost” represents people—sinners—who are welcomed back into fellowship with God. The heavenly celebration reflects God’s immense joy over repentance and restoration.
The final story, the prodigal son, brings the message to a climax. The younger son’s journey into exile and his return mirror humanity’s spiritual exile and the path to restoration through repentance. The father’s response—running, embracing, and throwing a party—shows the extravagant grace of God. Meanwhile, the older brother, who resents the celebration, represents those who struggle with grace and prefer the supposed fairness of performance-based acceptance.
At its core, Luke 15 invites us to celebrate the transforming power of God’s love. It’s a call to embrace the party—the joy of restoration, the beauty of grace, and the new thing God is doing. Heaven rejoices when the lost are found, and so should we.
This weekend at Keys Vineyard Church, we will discuss all this and more, so be sure to join us in person or online.
Steve Lawes is a pastor at Keys Vineyard Church and also the founder of the Online Bible Institute Network.