For The Saints & Sinners

INTRO:

Thank and Honor Ps Matt and Jill

Friends & Family

SCRIPTURE:

We see Jesus spending time with a community of people who would be considered an outcast and ends up sharing a parable for everyone to hear.

Luke 15:1–7 NLT

1 Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. 2 This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such sinful people—even eating with them! 3 So Jesus told them this story: 4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!

TITLE:

For The Saints & Sinners

The truth is that we have all fallen short of the glory of God. But at the same time we are going to talk about what’s required and what it looks like to be a saint or in other words a believer in Christ.

“The word Saint in the greek, literally means “sacred, physically pure; holy.” In the context of New Testament passages, saints are those who belong to the body of Christ, saved by grace through faith.”

PRAYER:

STORY:

Have you even been in a situation that required urgency?

Some of you have heard the story of me asking Mallory to be my girlfriend but the story that you haven’t heard is how I proposed.

I had a make believe picnic packed…Cause I was too nervous to actually pack any food.

And that morning I quickly discover that the weather forecast is now working against me. It went from clear skies to like 100% chance of rain.

Take about urgency...

*WHERE THERE IS URGENCY THERE IS PURSUIT.* There is a willingness to pursue whatever it is that’s needed to achieve the desired outcome.

Context:

*We pick up in this story in Luke 15 and Jesus explaining to the Tax collectors and the notorious sinners the caring nature of God. This would have also been impactful for the Pharisees and scribes (religious leaders) to hear as well. The Pharisees and Scribes were already upset by who Jesus was spending time with. The sinners and tax collectors. But he begins to explain this parable in such a way that would hopefully help the Pharisees put their feet in the shoes(Birkenstocks) of a shepherd.

Because once you realize the importance of the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep then you will realize the importance of pursuing the one over the ninety nine. And hopefully you would join in on the celebration of a lost sheep coming home! Not to mention realizing in a brand new way how the our Heavenly Father truly loves each of us deeply. *

9-10mins

POINTS:

I want to elaborate on the three different perspectives shown in Luke 15, and how they relate to us.

POINT 1

God is the shepherd that pursues us

Because he is the good shepherd

This is the shepherd’s perspective

lets go back to to Luke 15:4-5

Luke 15:4–5 NLT

4 “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders.

The main focus of this parable is God’s mercy to a broken world. This passage is good news for humanity. God pursues us by witnessing his goodness. And because we know the full story, he further’s this point by giving his son Jesus for us.

But in this passage he leaves the 99 to seek the lost sheep. He is the good shepherd and we are the sheep in this story.

And no matter how hard we try to deny it at times we don’t always make the best decisions in life…

As sheep we are helpless without a shepherd. Shepherds help sheep stay on track. They bring protection, they guide sheep to green pastures to eat and streams to drink.

The God in whom we serve is a good shepherd. One of many reasons why is because he...

SEEKS & SAVES

We see it in Luke 15 but this also goes all the way back to the beginning of creation in Genesis chapter 3. Moments after eating the forbidden fruit. God speaks...

Genesis 3:8–9 ESV

8 And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden. 9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?”

Here we see the creator of the universe pursing His creation. God is calling out his children which is an opportunity for reconciliation.

He did not come only to save but to seek the lost as well.

Luke 19:10 ESV

10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Story:

Smith Wigglesworth was an amazing individual. He was a British evangelist and faith healer who was influential during the early Pentecostal movement. During his lifetime, he reportedly raised 14 people from the dead and he’s also responsible for countless miracles taking place.

“While he was riding in a passenger train, a brief stop allowed a man to board and enter the car that Smith Wigglesworth was sitting in. The man walked by Wigglesworth and cried out, “You convict me of sin!””

He had not spoken a word to the new passenger, but the power of the Holy Spirit within Wigglesworth convinced this man that there was a better way to live life. Doing it with Jesus.

God was pursing this man through another man living for Jesus.

Which leads me into my next point…God pursues us and we have the opportunity to support what God’s pursuit by sharing this life changing message.

POINT 2

We are a part of the rescue mission

This is the 99’s perspective

This parable in Luke 15, we see a picture of God seeking the lost sheep. That sounds a lot like an active pursuit not passiveness. And the truth is as the 99, we have been invited to be a apart of the rescue mission!

Jesus tells His followers in Matthew

Matthew 28:19–20 NLT

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

One thing that has always struck me about this verse is the way in which it’s written. It starts off with “Go”…Go is not a suggestion it is an expectation. It’s a command made by Jesus to His followers. To go, to baptize, and to teach. EXPLAIN MORE>>>

Challenge:

***Are we looking for the opportunity to share? Are we available for people that may not know Jesus? Or are we too worried about how someone will react or what they will think?***

*SENT PICTURE TO CHRIS F*

The Missionary’s Adventures by Jean-George Vibert

Here he draws a contrast between the inspired and modest missionary and the clergy (Bishop and Cardinals) in the midst of their comforts. The cardinals lounging on the sofa and purple-robed bishop savoring his tea are indifferent to the monk's account of his mission and to the wound he received carrying it out. Ribera's terrifying Martyrdom of Saint Bartholomew (Museo del Prado, Madrid), on the wall in this luxurious interior, adds a harsh note of irony to the scene below it.

Bartholomew: Was one of the 12 disciples. Scholars believe he was a missionary. And his missionary efforts actually resulted in his martyrdom.

*****

Remember, the moment you were filled with hope and let that fuel you to share your testimony.

Remember we are a part of the rescue mission.

22mins

POINT 3

We are never too far gone to experience God’s love

Speaking to the perspective of the lost sheep

Good news that love is available for anyone who calls on the name of the Lord through repentance.

I’ve had multiple people talk me after inviting them to church and they say, listen if I step a foot into that church building I’m afraid the building will burn down. And I immediately tell them, that could not be further from the truth.

*As a church we believe you can come as you are, but we believe in faith that you won’t stay as you are.*

Because we trust as each person makes the decision to come your life will forever change. Not because we have gifted musicians or an amazing parking team(which is true, we have a dream team that love people with excellence) It’s that through your time in God’s house that God would speak directly to you. HOLY SPIRIT WILL MINISTER TO YOU.

For the one that decides to believe look what’s available...

Romans 8:35–39 NLT

35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, “For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.”) 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. 38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God’s love is a love that no one or no thing can dismantle the moment you decide to follow him.

not even sin separate us, why? Because he is the antidote to sin because Jesus paid the price for our sin by giving his life on the cross. God demonstrates his love for us that while we were still sinners Christ died.

Nothing has to hold us back from accepting the invitation of being in a personal relationship with Jesus.

And he does not wish for anyone to perish but for all who call on the name of the Lord to be saved.

2 Peter 3:9 NLT

9 The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent.

27 min

STORY: John

Earlier this year I went to Texas to visit one of my best friends. and it was a great time seeing him..I had a good friend of mine meet us from Scotland. And on the way back one of the worst airport experiences that I have ever been through took place....I’m not going to say the airlines because that would be messed up but it American Airlines. I arrive to my gate early to find out that my flight has been delayed. 6 delays later I am frustrated to say the least. Finally we start boarding and I end up sitting next to this young dude. Its funny because I noticed him before we got on the flight and immediately felt God was nudging me to talk with him. He ends up sitting right next to me on the flight.

Now I have to be honest what Chris wanted to do was to keep his air pods in and sit in frustration. But God had a different plan. We end having small talk and eventually he asks what I do for a living. (Here we go God) I told him “I’m actually a pastor.” I pretty sure he said, and I quote “No..BEEP.”

Eventually he begins opening up his life to me about work, church, and his relationship.and I noticed that throughout the convo he kept making comments that led me to believe his eternity was in question.

I proceeded to tell him that if you are unsure on where you’ll spend eternity you can surrender everything over to him at any point. Its as simple as confessing that Jesus is lord and having that decision to follow him. If you want I could lead you in that prayer when we get off the plane. He said I’d love to. We went back to talking and then he interrupted the convo and asked can we pray that prayer right now?!

There were moments in our conversation where this guy felt guilt and shame and God gave me the opportunity to show him that God loves him no matter how many times he’s fallen short. But my encouragement to him was as he stays focused on him and keep Him first we become for like him in the process. God was pursing him and he was given encouragement on how to pursue Him more in his life.

CONCLUSION:

Altar Call:

My question for you today is do you sense God’s pursuit? Do you feel God speaking to you through the Holy Spirit? Because the truth today is that we not only have access to a God that saves, but he also seeks after his children he dearly loves.

John 10:11 NLT

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep.