48 sermon' topics for church growth

Outline of the Gospel of Luke

1. Introduction, address to Theophilus (1:1-4)

2. The angel's message to Zechariah (1:5-25)

3. Annunciation (1:26-38)

4. The Visitation of the Virgin Mary to Elizabeth. Hymn to Mary (1:39-56)

5. The Birth of John the Baptist (1:57-80)

6. The Nativity of Jesus Christ (2:1-20)

7. Circumcision and the Presentation (2:21-40)

8. 12-year-old Jesus in the Temple (2:41-52)

9. The Sermon of John the Baptist (3:1-20)

10. The Baptism of the Lord (3:21, 22)

11. Genealogy of Christ (3:23-38)

12. The Temptation of the Lord by the Devil (4:1-14)

13. Sermon in Galilee (4:15-44)

14. The Calling of the Apostles (5:1-11)

15. Miracles. Preaching in Galilee and the surrounding lands (5:12 – 6:19)

16. Sermon on the Mount (6:20-49)

17. Healings (7:1-17)

18. The Baptist sends disciples to Jesus (7:18-35)

19. Miracles and Parables (7:36 – 9:27)

20. Transfiguration of the Lord (9:28-36)

21. Jesus goes from Galilee to Judea. Parables and miracles (9:36 – 11:36)

22. Rebuke of the Pharisees (11:37 – 12:12)

23. New miracles, parables and preaching (12:13 – 19:27)

24. The Lord's Entry into Jerusalem (19:28-48)

25. Preaching in Jerusalem (20:1 – 21:4)

26. Jesus' predictions about the destruction of Jerusalem and the end of the world (21:5-38)

27. The Last Supper (22:1-38)

28. The Gethsemane struggle, arrest and trial (22:39-71)

29. Christ before Pilate (23:1-25)

30. Crucifixion and burial (23:26-56)

31. Appearances of the Risen Christ (24:1-49)

32. Ascension (24:50-53)

Our passage is in section 23: New miracles, parables and preaching. One of the signs of the coming Messiah in the Old Testament is the fact that He will speak to people in parables.

Our passage presents three main parables of Jesus Christ, which speak about the purpose of His coming – to find and save the lost souls of people.

1 Then all the publicans and sinners came to Him to listen to Him.

2 But the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

3 But he spoke this parable to them:

4 Which of you, having a hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after that which is lost until he finds it?

5 And when he has found it, he will lay it on his shoulders with joy.

6 And when he comes home, he calls his friends and neighbors together and says to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.”

7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

8 Or what woman, having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece of silver, does not light a candle, and sweep the house, and search diligently until she finds it?

9 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I lost.”

10 So I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

11 He also said, “A certain man had two sons;

12 And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of the estate that falleth to me. And the father divided the estate between them.

13 And not many days after, the younger son gathered all together, and went into a far country, and there squandered his substance in dissolute living.

14 Now when he had spent all, a great famine arose in that land, and he began to be in need;

15 And he went and joined himself to one of the inhabitants of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine;

16 And he would have fain filled his belly with the husks that the swine ate, but no one gave him any.

17 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!

18 I will arise and go to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you.”

19 And I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired servants.

20 He arose and went to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.

21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.

22 And the father said unto his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it upon him, and put a ring upon his hand, and shoes upon his feet:

23 And bring the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat and be merry.

24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to rejoice.

25 Now his eldest son was in the field; and as he returned, when he drew nigh to the house, he heard singing and rejoicing;

26 And he called one of the servants and asked, What is this?

27 He said to him, “Your brother is come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.”

28 He became angry and would not go in. But his father came out and called him.

29 But he answered and said to his father, “Behold, these many years I have served you, and have never transgressed your commandment, yet you have never given me even a kid of the goats, that I might rejoice with my friends;

30 And when this son of yours came, who had squandered his substance with harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.

31 And he said unto him, My son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.

32 But it was meet that we should rejoice and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found. (Luke 15:1-32)

I Publicans and sinners approached Jesus to listen to Him

And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured against Him

B Jesus told them parables

C About the lost drachma and the lost sheep

II Jesus tells the parable of the prodigal son

A son asks his father for an inheritance

B He took his share and went to a distant country and spent it all

C I found a man in that country and began to serve him.

D he was sent to herd pigs

E was ready to eat pig food, but no one gave it to him

F, having come to his senses, remembered that even mercenaries lived well with his father