The Parable Series - The Lost Trinity

The Parable Series - The Lost Trinity
Introduction to a Search for Something More

Many individuals find themselves on a quest for something beyond their immediate experiences, yearning for a sense of community grounded in principles of truth and love. The Founded in Truth Fellowship aims to be such a place, a spiritual home centered around the worship of Jesus Christ. In this teaching, Matthew Vander Els introduces a message titled "The Lost Trinity," suggesting that its focus might diverge from conventional interpretations of the Trinity. The discourse begins with a reading from the Book of Isaiah, chapter 25, a passage described as particularly meaningful. The intention is to dissect the prophecy, noting its emotional and thematic shifts to gain a deeper understanding.

Exploring Isaiah 25: A Prophecy of Hope and Restoration

Isaiah 25 opens with expressions of praise and exaltation to God for His wondrous deeds and long-established, reliable plans. The prophecy speaks of the Lord transforming fortified cities into ruins, signifying the downfall of oppressors. This act of divine intervention leads to glorification by strong peoples and fear among ruthless nations. God is depicted as a refuge and stronghold for the poor and needy in times of distress, offering shelter from storms and shade from intense heat, particularly against the aggression of the ruthless.

A pivotal element of this chapter is the vision of a future feast on a mountain, prepared by the Lord of hosts for all nations. This banquet will feature rich food and well-aged wine, symbolizing abundance and celebration. Furthermore, the prophecy foretells the swallowing up of the covering or shroud that envelops all peoples, interpreted as a veil of mourning associated with death. This signifies God's ultimate victory over death, accompanied by the wiping away of tears from all faces and the removal of the reproach of His people from the earth, a promise declared by the Lord Himself. In that day, it will be proclaimed, "Behold, this is our God; we have waited for Him, that He might save us." The faithful are called to be glad and rejoice in His salvation. The prophecy also includes the trampling down of Moab, an enemy of God's people, and the humbling of pride and fortifications.

Luke 15: The Heart of the Lost Trinity

The teaching then shifts to Luke chapter 15, which encapsulates the core of "The Lost Trinity" message. This chapter recounts the gathering of tax collectors and sinners around Jesus, prompting grumbling from the Pharisees and scribes who questioned His association with such individuals. Luke's Gospel is presented as having a specific focus on demonstrating Jesus's inclusive love, reaching out to the outcasts, the unclean, the poor, the needy, and even the Gentiles, offering them the peace of God. This theme is illustrated through various accounts in Luke, such as the sinful woman anointing Jesus's feet at Simon the Pharisee's house (Luke 7), where Jesus declares her forgiveness and salvation despite the Pharisee's disapproval. Another example is Levi the tax collector hosting a banquet for Jesus (Luke 5). Even at Pharisaic banquets (Luke 14), Jesus challenged the hosts to invite the poor, crippled, lame, and blind, highlighting God's inclusive kingdom. The speaker notes Jesus's recurring involvement with meals and banquets, even after his resurrection when he asked his disciples for something to eat (Luke 24:40).

The Parables of the Lost in Luke 15

In response to the Pharisees' grumbling, Jesus tells three parables, which the speaker collectively refers to as the "Lost Trinity."

• The Parable of the Lost Sheep: Jesus asks, "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn't he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?" This question is framed to make the Pharisees, metaphorically shepherds, uncomfortable, as shepherds in that era were often viewed negatively. The shepherd's joy upon finding the lost sheep highlights God's joy when He finds someone who was lost. While this parable often encourages outreach to non-believers, it also prompts reflection on whether individuals within a community are being unintentionally ignored or lost.
• The Parable of the Lost Coin: "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn't she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.'" This parable, involving a smaller number and a woman (potentially carrying social implications), further emphasizes God's relentless effort and the joy in finding what was lost. Like the shepherd, the woman shares her joy with her community. This illustrates God's persistent longing for reconciliation with those who are lost, likened to searching with a candle and broom until they are found, followed by divine rejoicing.
• The Parable of the Prodigal Son (or Prodigal Father): This longest of Jesus's parables tells of a man with two sons. The younger son asks for his inheritance, squanders it in a distant land, and eventually returns home in destitution. The father, filled with compassion, runs to him, embraces him, and throws a lavish celebration, symbolizing God's unconditional love and acceptance of returning sinners. The elder son, who remained obedient and hardworking, becomes angry at the father's extravagant grace towards his wayward brother. He felt unappreciated despite his faithfulness. The father reminds him, "My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours," highlighting that the elder son had access to the father's blessings all along. The parable ends without explicitly stating whether the elder son joins the celebration, leaving the audience to ponder their own response. The speaker suggests that the parable is not just about a prodigal son but also a "prodigal father," characterized by reckless and extravagant love. Both sons are presented as having a distorted understanding of their father's love and their own identity. The younger son doubted his worthiness to be called a son, while the elder son believed his father's love was earned through his service. The father's actions reveal that his love is freely given based on sonship, not performance.

Application for Everyday Life

• Embrace Inclusive Love: Like Jesus, strive to include those who are marginalized or considered outcasts in your community and show them God's love.
• Seek the Lost: Be proactive in reaching out to those who may be drifting away or feeling disconnected, both within and outside your immediate circles.
• Rejoice in Reconciliation: Share in the joy when someone who was lost is found, mirroring God's own rejoicing.
• Examine Your Identity in God: Reflect on whether you are operating under a false identity, either feeling unworthy of God's love or believing you must earn it through works.
• Understand God's Extravagant Love: Recognize that God's love is not limited or conditional but is reckless and extravagant, freely offered to all.
• Challenge Preconceived Notions of God: Be open to how God's plans and prophecies might unfold in ways that differ from your expectations.
• Foster Community: Intentionally connect with all members of your community, ensuring no one feels overlooked or excluded.
• Practice Forgiveness and Compassion: Extend grace and compassion to others, just as the father in the prodigal son parable did.

Conclusion: The Reckless Love of the Father

The parables in Luke 15, the "Lost Trinity," collectively illustrate the profound and relentless love of God. They reveal a Father who actively seeks out the lost, rejoices in their return, and offers unconditional love and acceptance. Ultimately, the message emphasizes that all are invited to God's banquet of mercy and restoration, regardless of their past or present circumstances. The core of Jesus's teaching, as reflected in these parables, is the extravagant and radical nature of the Father's love for humanity.

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