No One Left Behind

No One Left Behind - Matthew 18:10-14

Matthew 18:10–14 NKJV

10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost. 12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Prayer

Let’s have a word of prayer. Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your Word today. Lord I ask that You open our hearts and minds to receive the message You have for us. In this moment, I don’t want to be selfish- but open my heart to think about others! In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

Confession of Faith

I am not moved by what I see or by what I feel. I am moved by what I believe. I believe the WORD of God! The victory is mine! I have it now! I can see it through the eyes of my faith! In Jesus' Name!

Sermon Introduction

Question! Do you know someone who is feeling - broken, lost or unloved ! Have you ever been in a season where you feel, broken or lost!

Not sure who - I am talking to - maybe even today you feel like you’re wandering in the wilderness with no sense of direction.

Keeping it real - their are lot’s of us - feeling like we don’t know what to do next!Life happens!

Maybe you had a setback, a mistake, or a serious injury that left you feeling broken beyond recovery. I think today with so many people trying to live up to the hopes and dreams of things the see on social media - where is the love? The reality is there are people in their 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80’s who have never felt real love I mean folks who are popular, smart, have a lot of money that you cannot seem to get the acceptance and affection your heart, so , spirit and your soul needs regardless of what you do. We don’t like to talk about- we don’t want to admit it- some of us even hid these emotions from ourselves. More often than we would admit, these emotions abound.

Life throws us into circumstances when we feel alone, abandoned, or as though we simply do not belong.

There are folks in this room, folks around us who are fighting secret sins that will cause you or me to feel apart from God and others. Maybe the regret and shame from previous sins that still follow you and or me every day weigh us down. Today, when we lose loved ones, the pain of broken relationships, or the words people say to you that cause you to feel undeserving of love. there are folks right now, caught in jobs that drains their spirit or there are people today who have to make significant life decision and have no idea which path to follow! You can be in the midst of people, you cn, you may identify with feeling lost. It’s like being in the middle of a dense forest, where every path seems uncertain, and you’re not sure if you’ll ever find your way out.

Lean In:

today - people have to deal with the aftermath of folks are battling the fallout from an addiction, or people in our community are dealing with chronic condition that seems to saps their happiness and strength! That will leave you feeling broken!

It's like having a broken piece of pottery with such deep flaws that you wonders whether if you will ever feel whole again . Here is whats amazing. hear is the good news! The good news news is that Jesus sees you! The good news is that He is familiar with your suffering, he knows about your challenges, and is keenly aware of things that worry you! And He loves you more than you could possibly believe or conceive. You are not lost. You are not too far gone. Furthermore, you are most definitely not unloved. This is what Jesus was telling us in the text! You cannot believe how much Jesus loves those of us who feel lost, those of us who feel damaged, and those of us who feel unloved. The bible says the Good Shepherd will leave the ninety-nine to look for the one. Thank God, because the one was me! I am talking to someone - Jesus is reaching out to you with wide arms, eager to pull you back into His loving embrace, regardless of how far you have gone, how damaged you feel, or how unloved you believe you to be.

Matthew 18:10 NLT

10 “Beware that you don’t look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that in heaven their angels are always in the presence of my heavenly Father.

Matthew 18:10 - "See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven."

Jesus begins this passage with a warning not to despise "these little ones." In this context, "little ones" refers not just to children but to all who are vulnerable, weak, and perhaps even lost in their sin. The angels, who always behold the face of God, are charged with protecting and watching over them. This shows how precious they are in God's sight.

Think about how society often overlooks or neglects those who are poor, disabled, or struggling with mental health issues. In workplaces, churches, and communities, some people might be marginalized because they don’t fit into certain social or economic categories. Jesus is reminding us that every person is precious in God’s sight, and we must not look down on them.

Their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven": This part of the verse highlights the special protection and care that God provides for these "little ones." The mention of angels here has often been interpreted to mean that there are heavenly beings assigned to watch over and protect God’s children. These angels "always see the face of my Father," which signifies that they are constantly in God’s presence, able to intercede on behalf of those they protect.

Psalm 91:11–12 NLT

11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. 12 They will hold you up with their hands so you won’t even hurt your foot on a stone.

Hebrews 1:14 NLT

14 Therefore, angels are only servants—spirits sent to care for people who will inherit salvation.

That’s why that hymn His Eye is on the Sparrow is so significant

the first verse says :

Why should I feel discouraged, Why should the shadows come, Why should my heart be lonely, And long for heav’n and home; When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is he; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me; His eye is on the sparrow, And I know he watches me

there is a quote from Howard Thurman, theologian and civil rights leader.

"In God’s eyes, the little ones are the big ones." —

Matthew 18:11 NKJV

11 For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

Jesus explicitly states His mission: to save the lost. This is the heart of the Gospel—Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. The mission of Jesus is deeply rooted in the idea that He came specifically for those who are lost in sin, those who have wandered far from God.

Luke 19:10 NKJV

10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Mark 2:17 NKJV

17 When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

See we making church all about the righteous! Jesus said if you righteous, if you are well, you don’t need a doctor, i am here for the sinners, i am here for the lost, i am here to be a friend to the friendless, i am here to bring back the one

Ok Now Lean In:

Matthew 18:12–13 NKJV

12 “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? 13 And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.

That was me!

Jesus uses the parable of the lost sheep to illustrate God’s relentless pursuit of those who have wandered away. The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to search for the one lost sheep. This action shows the value of even one lost soul.

Ezekiel 34:11–12 NKJV

11 ‘For thus says the Lord God: “Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. 12 As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day.

Isaiah 53:6 NKJV

6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.

Someone once told me a Friend is the person walking into the room, when everyone else is walking out f the room - shaking their head, or disgusted by what you have done! A friend is the one that walks in! What a friend we have in Jesus

What a friend we have in Jesus All our sins and griefs to bear And what a privilege to carry Everything to God in prayer

Oh, what peace we often forfeit Oh, what needless pain we bear All because we do not carry Everything to God in prayer

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere? We should never be discouraged Take it to the Lord in prayer

Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness Take it to the Lord in prayer

Jesus’ approach to the lost was always one of compassion rather than condemnation. Jesus went after those who were marginalized and ostracized! he offered them a message of hope, he offered them a message of forgiveness, and he offered them a new life.

His interactions with people like the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4) and the woman caught in adultery (John 8) show His deep compassion for those trapped in sin and His desire to offer them a way out.

I am almost Done

But Lean in

Luke 15:7 NLT

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!

The bible tells us that heaven, the dwelling place of God, is filled with joy when one sinner repents. This joy is not just a mild satisfaction; it is a celebration.

That word rejoicing or joy signifies an exuberant, overwhelming sense of happiness and delight. This tells us that God, along with all of heaven, deeply values the repentance of each individual. No One Left Behind

Repentance is the act of turning away from sin and returning to God. It’s not just about feeling sorry for wrongdoing but involves a complete change of heart and direction.

This act of repentance is what triggers joy in heaven, highlighting its importance in the eyes of God.

This is why we must work! we must he offered those who are lost a message of hope, we must he offered those who are lost the a message of forgiveness, and we must he offered those who tired of the old a new life in Jesus Christ.

Matthew 18:14 NKJV

14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

Jesus reveals the heart of God in this statement. The word "willing" here translates to God's deliberate desire or intention. It makes it clear that God does not want or plan for anyone to die, especially the "little ones." "Perish" means to be cut off from God forever, which is spiritual death.

Look at the person next to you and say : You Have A responsibility:

As followers of Christ, as Christians, as believers we are called to reflect this same heart of God in our lives. man we need to have a deep concern for those who are spiritually lost or struggling.

What does this mean? You should be active in reaching out to others, You and me, need to show the same concern and love for them as Jesus shows us on a daily basis his love and concern for you and me!

Don’t make this about you just being save, make sure that someone who is lost , can comeback, or someone who has never been in relationship with Jesus Christ can experience the true love of Christ

God Bless You and God keep you is my prayer