Plymouth Church and the Parable of the Lost Coin

The sermon is based on the Parable of the Lost Coin recorded in Luke 15. This is the middle of three stories about being "lost": sheep, coin, and a son. The end of the story is the same -- rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who is found. But most modern day Christians don't find themselves in this story. Should we examine ourselves asking the question, "Are there times when I'm separated from God?" "Separation from God"-- that's one definition of the word "sin". Sin, we may say, is a matter of degree-- some "sins" are not as bad as others-- some separations are but by a step-- and some as broad as the Grand Canyon. I think that we have to admire the Apostle Paul even more for his openness to young Timothy in that portion of the second letter in which Paul openly confesses that he is "chief" among all sinners. Paul still remembered that he had been lost-- separated from God-- and that Christ had "found" him-- restored him to the Father. And Paul was still rejoicing over that.

There's a story about a Court appointed lawyer who was to serve as defense counsel for a man who had been accused of criminal trespass. The lawyer probed his client about his background-- and of course, needed to know if the man had any previous charges or arrests. Much to his dismay, the attorney was told, "Yes sir, quite a few". The thorough attorney then asked, "Any felonies?" His client responded rather indignantly, "No sir, I specialize in misdemeanors." When we take a moment to acknowledge that we are sinners-- is some way or another-- at some time or another-- separated from God's will, we rather tend to think of ourselves as that client. We specialize in misdemeanors, not in felonies, -- in small sins, not large ones.

My studies of Church history exposed me to the names of many of the Popes over the centuries. I recall musing about one of them who selected the name "Innocent the First", and wondered if the Bishops would have looked at him quite the same if he had chosen the name, "Not Guilty the First". They might have asked, "Don't you mean "Innocent", your holiness. He could have responded, "I'm not Innocent"-- I'm Not Guilty." That's us. We're not innocent; we are just not guilty. We're not perfect, but our sins are really not that serious in our estimation. We specialize in misdemeanors, not felonies. But, if we're really going to believe that there is rejoicing in heaven when a sinner repents, when the gap of separation between us and God is closed, we have to view sin as a more serious matter than most of us presently do. We are constantly called by our faith to keep striving to find and be our best self in the service of God. When our best self emerges, that's cause for rejoicing in heaven! The parable teaches the God doesn't give up on us -- and we shouldn't either! Please join us for the "rest of the story" at 9:45 Sunday morning. Of course Pastor Riggs always welcomes email questions and comments at riggsaw@earthlink.net