"Looking"

January 19, 2024 FBC Baxley

am service

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Welcome radio and online guests…

*It’s ok if you’re broken, unfaithful, lost, we are too and we are here seeking God’s will and way and plan.

We are all prodigals here…

Some rescued….Some Not..

All Loved…

*Acts 4:12 (repeat)

*John 3:16

“Looking?”

Luke 15:1-7

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 

2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “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? 

5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 

6 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.’ 

7 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.

-Pray

Three Points:

1-The Search Initiated

2-The Sheep Retrieved

3-The Satisfaction Shared

Opening Illustration

In 2006, a three-year-old boy named Kenneth White went missing from his rural Virginia home. 

His frantic family called in rescue teams, who scoured the area for hours. 

As night fell, temperatures dropped, and hope began to fade. 

But then, a volunteer searcher named Kim Denny—who refused to give up—heard a faint sound in the woods. 

Following that sound, she found Kenneth huddled beneath a tree, cold and scared but alive. Her persistence saved his life.

This story of relentless searching shows us the heart of God and the calling of the church.

Just like Kim searched for Kenneth, God calls His people to pursue the lost with urgency, love, and determination. 

In Luke 15:1-7, Jesus reveals this through the parable of the lost sheep.

-Introduction to the Text

In Luke 15, Jesus is criticized by the Pharisees and scribes for welcoming sinners and eating with them. 

In response, He tells a series of parables, starting with the story of the shepherd who leaves ninety-nine sheep to find one that is lost. 

This parable illustrates God’s heart for the lost and sets the example for His church to follow.

1. The Search Initiated

(V.4)

“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?” (v. 4)

Compassionate Recognition: The Greek word for "lost" is ἄπολυμι (“apolymi”), which means to destroy, perish, or be utterly lost. 

It conveys the dire condition of the sheep and the urgent need for rescue. 

Like the shepherd… the church must recognize the spiritual peril of those who are separated from God.

Intentional Pursuit: The phrase "go after" in Greek is πορεύομαι (“poreuomai”), meaning to travel or journey. 

The shepherd’s pursuit was not casual but required effort and intention. 

This reflects God’s proactive love for sinners and calls us to actively engage in evangelism.

The Shepherd’s Knowledge: Shepherds in ancient times were intimately familiar with their flocks. They knew each sheep by sight, sound, and personality. 

They could identify an individual sheep’s bleat in the midst of a hundred others. 

This level of care demonstrates the depth of God’s awareness and love for each person.

Persistent Effort: The phrase “until he finds it” highlights the shepherd’s determination. 

He didn’t give up, just as God’s grace relentlessly pursues us. 

As Francis Thompson wrote in The Hound of Heaven,

"I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;

I fled Him, down the arches of the years..."

God’s love is tireless, and so must our search for the lost be.

"Still with unhurrying chase,

And unperturbéd pace,

Deliberate speed, majestic instancy,

They beat—and a Voice beat

More instant than the Feet..."

These words show us the deliberate and patient pursuit of God for each soul, mirroring the shepherd’s unwavering focus.

2. The Sheep Retrieved

“And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.” (v. 5)

Tender Care: The Greek verb for "lays" is εἰτίθημι (“epitithēmi”), meaning to place upon or impose. 

This word suggests a deliberate and caring action. 

The shepherd didn’t drag the sheep but gently placed it on his shoulders.

Physical Demands: Carrying a full-grown sheep was no small task. 

A typical sheep could weigh 50-70 pounds. The shepherd’s willingness to bear this burden reflects Christ’s sacrificial love for us, carrying our sins and burdens upon Himself.

Joyful Restoration: The word "rejoicing" comes from the Greek χαίρω (“chairō”), which means to be glad or delight greatly. 

The shepherd’s joy wasn’t just personal; it was shared. 

His delight in recovering the sheep mirrors heaven’s joy over one sinner who repents (v. 7).

Church’s Role: Like the shepherd, we’re called to restore the lost with love and celebrate their return. 

Too often, churches critique rather than celebrate those who come back to faith. Let’s change that narrative.

3. The Satisfaction Shared

“Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” (v. 6)

Shared Joy: The Greek word for "rejoice" here is συνχαίρω (“synchairō”), which means to rejoice together or share in joy. 

The shepherd invited others to join in his celebration. 

The church should be a community that magnifies salvation stories with shared excitement.

Shepherding Collaboration: In the ancient Near East, shepherds often worked in groups, combining their flocks and sharing responsibilities. 

This points to the collective joy and mutual support when a lost soul is found.

Heavenly Celebration: Jesus reminds us that there’s “more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance” (v. 7). 

The Greek word for "repents" is μετανοέω (“metanoeō”), meaning to change one’s mind or turn around. 

This emphasizes the immense value heaven places on individual repentance.

Mission-Minded Rejoicing: Our gatherings should mirror this heavenly joy. 

Are our programs, prayers, and priorities focused on celebrating the lost being found? 

Let us magnify our purpose in the world by celebrating salvation as central to our mission.

Closing Applications

-Be Intentional in Seeking the Lost

Create opportunities to connect with unbelievers in your community. 

Whether through outreach events, personal invitations, or acts of service, be deliberate in pursuing those who are far from God.

-Show Compassionate Love

Reflect the shepherd’s tenderness in how you approach the lost. Avoid judgment and offer grace, knowing that God’s love is what ultimately draws people to Him.

-Celebrate Salvations

Rejoice when someone turns to Christ! Share testimonies, throw celebrations, and make salvation the highlight of church life, just as it is in heaven.

Conclusion

The parable of the lost sheep reveals the heart of God and the purpose/mission of His church: to seek and save the lost. 

As Francis Thompson wrote in The Hound of Heaven, God relentlessly pursues us with His love. 

Let us reflect that love by initiating the search, retrieving the sheep, and sharing the satisfaction. 

May our church be known as a community that never stops looking for the lost, bringing joy to heaven and hope to earth.

In the words of Francis Thompson…

 > "Ah, fondest, blindest, weakest,

 > I am He Whom thou seekest!"

These closing words of the poem remind us that God’s love ultimately fulfills our deepest needs. Let us join His pursuit with unwavering commitment.

PRAY

-Church…are you constantly looking? You will not find the one out of 99 if you are not looking and paying attention…

-lost sheep… Are you looking for the shepherd??

Jesus said: “Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” Rev. 3:20

Invitation

“Are you born again?”

Is your name written in the Lambs Book of Life?

“Have you surrendered/repented to Jesus?