Restoring the "Imago Dei"
by Rev. Kirby Williams
Jesus tells a parable of the joy in heaven when sinners are restored to the Image of God.
Text: Luke 15:8-10
Date: 05/26/2024, the Combined service.
Series: "Luke: Thy Kingdom Come" Part 151
Description:
Jesus tells a second parable about the joy of restoration. This time a woman loses a silver coin and diligently searches for it until she finds it. Just as in the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus subsequently applies the parable to the souls of the elect-- the very ones He came to seek, and to save, and to restore to their Master. We will find beautiful symbolism in the fall of the coin into the dust, the light lit to find it, the sweeping of the room, and the rejoicing of the angels of God once found. Furthermore, we will ask the question: "Restored to what?" Our answer will concentrate on the restoration to the "Imago Dei" or the "Image of God". We will analyze this deep subject and realize that in our fallen state humans still reflect the image of God, although horribly marred and tarnished by our sin. We will celebrate the Son who came to change all this, and the Spirit whose regenerative work in the soul and sanctifying work through the church, restores what was lost in the Fall to make relationship with the Father possible. For Jesus did not just come to atone for our sins, but to wrap us in His perfect righteousness, and thereby restore the "Imago Dei".
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I. Introduction
A. The importance of the "Imago Dei", Gen. 1:27.
B. The corruption of the "Imago Dei", Gen. 3:5,23-24.
C. The "Imago Dei" in a fallen world.
II. Exposition of the text, Luke 15:8-10.
A. Context
B. Revisiting the parable of the lost sheep, Luke 15:1-7.
1. Setting the scene, vs. 1-3.
a. Tax collectors and sinners, vs. 1, Luke 14:33, Heb. 1:3.
b. Pharisees and scribes, vs. 2.
i. Jesus fulfilling His calling.
ii. The Pharisees abrogating theirs, Ezek. 34:4-6,10.
2. The parable of the lost sheep, vs. 4-7.
C. The parable of the lost coin, Luke 15:8-10.
1. Two parables of sovereign grace, John 15:16, 6:44, 17:6; Eph. 1:4.
2. The lost coin, vs. 8-10.
a. The search for the lost coin, vs. 8.
i. Identifying the seeker.
ii. Identifying the coin.
iii. The diligent search.
1) The fall into the dust.
a) The fall of humanity, Gen. 3:17-19.
b) The absolute "lostness" of the coin, Eph. 2:1; Luke 12:19.
2) The need for Light.
3) Sweeping the house clean.
4) Pure grace.
iv. The necessary outcome.
b. The rejoicing, vs. 9.
i. Revisiting the poetry of the parable.
ii. Restored to its owner, Rev. 3:5; John 17:6, 10:28-29; Rom. 8:38-39.
c. The application, vs. 10.
i. Identifying the rejoicers, Luke 12:8-9; Rev. 19:6-8.
ii. The necessity of repentance.
III. Application
IV. Conclusion
