Seeking the Lost!

Luke 15:1-7

Good Morning Church, today we were supposed to be starting our new series titled Bless This Home, in which Pat and I will be going through the Beatitudes and speaking directly to the family dynamic and what it looks like to build a Godly Household. However, those plans have changed and although we will still be doing that series it will be delayed by at least one more week. Instead today we are going to be going over my favorite parable which is that of the lost sheep. So if you have your bibles with you please turn to Luke 15 and we will be reading through verses 1-7 together.

Luke 15:1–7 ESV

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” So he told them this parable: “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Let’s pray

As we get started today I want you think about the last time that you lost something really valuable? I want you to think about how that made you feel? And what you did and went through to find it again? Finally, think of how you felt when you actually did find it.

I can tell you that after spending over 7 years in the military setting, nothing quite makes your heart race than when you misplace a piece of military equipment. There is always a joke of not being that guy.... those who served knows exactly what I am talking about. Now, everyone loses things from time to time, in the military this is no different, however, there are definitely certain items that should never be left out of your sight and as such should not get lost. These are sensitive items such as your weapon system, gas mask, NVG’s (night vision googles) you get the point. Every time that you sign these out and you go on a trip there is always a briefing on how important it is to keep these by your side, do not leave them unattended and always ensure that you do not misplace or lose them. Now this sounds like common sense I know, and for some you might be thinking how in the world could anyone lose such an item. Yet, without fail, every time we went on a trip or had a range day someone would lose one of these items. For that individual the whole world stops, nothing matters other than trying to find it before higher-ups find out and if higher-ups do find out, at least finding it in a manageable period of time so repercussions are at least mild. The extent that an individual will go through to find these items is great and even as team members we will leave no stone unturned to recover these types of items and when they are found there is a great sigh of relief knowing that you have not only found something of value but have found something that if lost will bring about great consequence.

In this passage that we are going over today, Jesus is also speaking about something that has become lost and how it felt for their owners to find it again. He is using a form of storytelling that is known as a parable, a form that was used often by Jesus, and is intended to uncover and make known the deep realities of the Kingdom of Heaven for His listeners. And the main point that He is trying to get across, which happens to be our main point today as well, is that people matter. Even the ones that seem “lost” the ones that seem too far gone. What Jesus is doing through this type of story telling is showing those ancient listeners as well as those who are going to read and listen to it throughout all of the ages is that Every life matters in the Kingdom of God, and there is a “great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents.”

Now this is not a new message, this is not singular to this set of stories/parables, in fact this is the common message that is threaded throughout the entirety of the Gospel, in fact even the most known and recited scripture probably of all times John 3:16 ““For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” reiterates this point and tells us that God Loves the WHOLE World and that the mission of Christ was to come and save, reach, and redeem all of creation.... At least all those who will respond and receive the free gift that He has to offer.

Notice, unlike what some sermons and teachings feel like, this message does not say “some of the world,” or “the nicest parts of the world,” No it says He loved it all! He loves everyone.. And because of that great love that God has for His creation He sent His son to trade His life so that we may have eternal life.

Seriously, take a moment and just reflect on how immeasurable of a gift that is.

But let’s jump into this scripture real quick and we read right off the back in Luke 15: 1-2 “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.” You may have heard it said that Jesus was a “friend of sinners,” and this is precisely the thing that the Pharisees and the teachers were so upset about. The NIV actually employs a phrase friend of sinner to describe Jesus, which I think does a good job at summarizing how those who would be viewing it from the religious eye would have viewed things. Why? Jesus was spending so much time at dinner parties with sinners that the religious elites call Him a “glutton and drunkard.” Matthew 11:19. But the truth is, you share meals with the people you like. You invite your friends to dinner parties, and so it makes sense that the Jewish leaders would’ve called Jesus a friend of sinners, because that’s exactly what He was, and to be honest still is.

You see Jesus did what they would not, Jesus did what most of us do not. He welcomed them. He invited himself over to their homes for dinner. He spent time with those that the Jewish leaders wouldn’t even want to be seen talking to. Jesus knew that they needed a friend, and so He spent time with them, because that’s what you do with your friends.

But Jesus also knew something else about all of these people. He knew that they needed a savior. He knew that they were sick in their sin, dead in their trespasses, and without Him would spend eternity separated from Him in Hell. So out of love Jesus came to seek them out and share the good news of the Kingdom with them.

In the following chapter, even though we will be only going over one of these parables, Jesus spends time telling the Jewish leaders stories of people who lost valuable things and the lengths they’d go to in order to find them again.

Which brings us to our story of the Lost Sheep.

This parable is actually arguably one of the more well known passages of scripture, and it describes a shepherd who leaves his flock to find a single lost lamb. Now, while this parable isn’t as culturally relevant today as it was a couple thousand years ago, the lesson is just as powerful.

So Jesus begins the lesson by appealing to their common sensibilities, “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?” Well of course they would, and they know as much as it’s likely a very familiar occurence. Now, I don’t know how much you know about sheep but they’re not the smartest animal out there and they are know to wander off all the time and as such need to be brought to the flock. So Jesus continued, “And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulder’s, rejoicing, and brings it home?” Again, the answer would be yes, and they would have to know it’s true. And finally, “Wouldn't you call your friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me for I have found my sheep that was lost.” I don’t know about you but I probably would. A the very least there would be a social media post with a picture of the lamb to let everybody know how happy we are to have found it. Heck, maybe your a hashtagger and so you might even have the hashtag #mylambisback!

“Just so,” Jesus says, “I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.”

So why does Jesus befriend the sinner? Why does He spend copious amounts of time around dinner tables with the marginalized and outcast in society?

Luke 5:31-32 tells us.

Luke 5:31–32 ESV

And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Jesus does it all because they matter. The sick, the orphan, the widow, the blind, the lame, the mute, the deaf.... Let’s get more modern with it the gay, the transgender, the drug addict, the alcoholic, the homeless, the prostitute, they all matter. Jesus preaches and teaches continuously that everyone matters when it comes to the Kingdom of God. That in fact, there is great rejoicing when even one sinner makes their way home.

You see this reality highlights the problem with the Pharisees and other leaders of Jesus’ day… they were so concerned with themselves and their groups that they’d forgotten how important every individual life is to the Maker of heaven and earth. Maybe, it’s because they’d misplaced or buried passages like Psalm 139 which talks about the care that God takes in forming every single human life.

Psalm 139:13–14 ESV

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.

Maybe they’re missing, and maybe we’re missing what’s truly valuable to God.

The point of this parable and really all three of the parables in this section, and the truth that we need to hear today as well, is this.... Everyone matters in the Kingdom of God, even sinners and tax collectors.

Even the people that we don’t like, or the people that have hurt us and done us wrong. They matter to God, they are valuable to Him, the angels in heaven rejoice when they repent, and we as believers, as disciples, as the church are called to be His hands and feet extended out to them with love, compassion, and open arms.

So while it’s easy to make this passage about those evil Pharisees, it’s also just as much a warning to us. The intention of scripture is not just ancient narrative retelling the story of a Jewish Rabbi, but is also a tool designed by God to speak to His people throughout all the ages and as such we find in this parable that Jesus is challenging us to look out beyond ourselves and see those on the outside. He’s challenging us to invite them in, over for dinner, and into “our” spaces. He’s challenging us to consider how we treat the valuable things in our lives and reconsider what is truly valuable in the eyes of the one in whom we claim to be in relationship with. Because everyone matters in the Kingdom of God.... you know a couple of months ago I was taking a course at Emmanuel Christian Seminary, and in that course we read a book that really challenged me in this way, and the take away point that really stuck with me after this course was our viewpoint of individuals, the challenge that this author gave the reader and I think aligns with this parable is do you truly view people as the Beloved of God? Do you truly view people all people as being created in His image, with a purpose, will, and calling, and if so are you doing what is necessary to show them love, grace, and outstretched arms? Or are you building walls and becoming a hindrance from people coming to Christ?

So as we start closing out this service and as the worship team starts making their way to the stage I want to leave us all with a challenge. I want us all this week to evaluate our own priorities. What is valuable to us? And do those things align themselves with what God sees as truly valuable? If there is a disconnect between the two, pray that God would bridge the divide. Pray that He would give us eyes to see like He does. And with those eyes, pray that He would give us the courage to act like He would act.

Jesus was called a “friend of sinners” because he treated them like friends. He spent time with them, He ate with them, He listened to them. These are all great examples of how to treat people, how to make them feel welcomed and like friends.

Take time this coming week to think about and identify the people in your life that may feel like outsiders. Invite them in, spend time with them, and listen to them. this is what Jesus did, and this is what He’s asking us to do as well.

And through it all, keep this in mind:

Everyone matters in the Kingdom of God.... even the sinners and tax collectors… Even you and I… Heaven rejoices over every life returned to God.

And maybe you’re here today and you have not responded to the free gift of Christ’s salvation. Maybe you feel as though you’re unworthy, undesirable, and less than… Maybe you have wandered off the beaten path and are lost wondering how to get back home.... This is your opportunity to come forward and we will pray with you, we will rejoice with you, and we will walk alongside you as you start your faith journey. No matter what the reason the altar is open and this is your time to come forward for prayer....