The Blessing of Mission

Luke 15:1-10

Mission Parables (Exposition of Luke 15:1-10)

The Pharisees & Scribes complain, Jesus associates with sinners

Tax Collectors and Sinners:

Tax Collectors were outcasts - collaborators with the enemy, traitors of the people of God.

“Sinners” a catchall for people who had a notorious reputation; thieves, drunkards, prostitutes, anyone else who did not conform to the religious community’s norms.

They would not have attended the temple nor the synagogues and showed no interest in following God.

They were coming to hear Jesus’ teaching, and he received them. Knowing their criticism, Jesus tell them a series of parables.

The Lost Sheep

Which one of you, having 100 sheep…

The lost sheep: straying from the fold, isolated, in danger, being vulnerable to predators and dangers in the wilderness, a lost sheep could easily get hurt, injured, or even die if not found by the shepherd. We’re not told how the sheep is lost, only that it is.

Does the shepherd abandon the 99?

Kenneth Bailey, “It is the shepherd’s willingness to go after the one that gives the ninety-nine their real security.” If he’s willing to let one get lost and die - none of them really matter.

Where were they left? The open country.

A shepherd pastures his little flock of a hundred sheep in one of those wide uncultivated plains which fringe portions of the land of promise. This is what we must understand by “the wilderness.”

When the Shepherd finds the sheep, he brings it home

Placing the lost sheep on shoulders, because it would have been unable to get home on its own.

Rejoicing: Calling friends and neighbors - to celebrate finding what was lost

The Lost Coin -

The Drachma - Wedding Coins - these weren’t just any coins. They were part of a semedi, a beautiful headdress a woman would be given by her betrothed, or as a dowry from her mother.

To lose one of the ten coins was traumatic, like losing your wedding ring today. It simply would not do to wear it with a coin missing. To lose one of the coins would be to ruin the necklace and embarrass the woman. To lose a coin is like losing your identity.

Light, Sweep, Search

Dark homes - no windows - light the lamps

Dirt floors - packed down, but would have cracks, loose dirt, easily hiding a small coin

Searching diligently - careful, attending looking -

Did you look, or did you “mom look?”

Rejoicing: Great joy before the angels.

1 Peter talks about how the angels longed to the salvation of the lost, now it brings them joy

Two stories that define Jesus’ mission: seeking and saving the lost.

We are the lost he has come to save

All have sinned and like sheep have gone astray. Like lost sheep, sin cuts us off, casts us out, makes us lose our identity

Apart from Christ, we are lost. Wandering in the wasteland, we fall into sin and starve for lack of spiritual food. We cannot find our way back to God on our own; all we can do is to wait for Jesus to come and find us. If he does not save us, we will surely be destroyed.

The sheep and the coin are absolutely dependent upon being found, they are helpless, unable to come to him.

He comes to us and carries us, our burden, upon himself

The incarnation - God is with us, to save us.

We are unable to come to him, but he brings us back. Jesus had to do more than simply bring the sheep home; he also had to suffer the punishment for our sin.

Isaiah describes the agonies of the crucifixion, when our Savior “poured out his soul to death … and bore the sin of many” (Isa. 53:12).

He does so with rejoicing - Here we catch a glimpse of the joy that Jesus has in bringing us to God. The Bible says that “for the joy that was set before him” Jesus “endured the cross, despising the shame” (Heb. 12:2).

There is great joy in heaven over the sinner who repents

The righteous who need no repentance - Jesus is not saying that some do not need repentance, only that some do not know they need repentance.

So when Jesus talked about “righteous persons who need no repentance,” he was taking a jab at the Pharisees, who were so sure of their own righteousness that they did not even think they needed to repent.

Only one thing that brings joy to God, to heaven. Many things delight God, only salvation of the sinner brings joy.

The Blessing of Christian Mission: Joy

Defining Joy - Joy is rooted in being at peace with God.

True joy is not dependent on circumstances but is rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Unlike fleeting happiness that comes from external experiences, the joy of knowing Christ is deep and enduring because it is based on His unchanging nature and the salvation He provides.

Joy in Knowing Christ and Being Used By Him

To know who He is, what He’s done, and how He cares for you

Personal Relationship with Christ: Jesus invites us into an intimate relationship with Him (John 15:4-5). Abiding in Him fills our hearts with peace and joy, regardless of life’s trials.

Forgiveness and Grace: In Christ, we experience the joy of forgiveness, knowing that our sins are washed away (Ps 32:1-2). This assurance brings freedom and gratitude.

Eternal Hope: The knowledge that we have eternal life in Christ (John 10:28) gives us a joy that sustains us even in suffering (Rom 5:3-5).

Knowing that I am an instrument in the redeemer’s hands, to be used by him for his purposes, for his glory.

Sharing the Gospel: When we share the good news of salvation, we experience the joy of being vessels of God’s love and truth (Isa 52:7).

Joy in Seeing Others Come to Salvation

Knowing him you will want to make Him known. Good News is meant to be shared with others.

There is immense joy in leading others to Christ, as we participate in God’s mission.

3 Jn 4 “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.”

Witnessing Transformation: Seeing someone come to Christ and witnessing their changed life is one of the greatest joys for a believer (2 Cor. 5:17). Joy in seeing others set free from bondage, find peace, be filled with hope.

Eternal Impact: Bringing others to salvation has everlasting significance, as it secures their place in God’s kingdom (Dan 12:3).

Joy in the Working of the Body

God designed His Church to function as one body with many members (1 Cor 12:12-27). When believers work together in unity, it brings joy to the entire body.

Fellowship and Encouragement: Gathering with fellow believers strengthens our faith and brings joy through shared love and encouragement (Heb 10:24-25).

Serving with Purpose: Each member has unique gifts to contribute (Rom 12:4-8). When we serve together, we experience the joy of fulfilling our God-given purpose.

Ephesians 4:16 “the whole body, joined and held together… when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”

A Foretaste of Heaven: The unity and love within the Church reflect the eternal joy we will experience in God’s presence (Rev 7:9-10).

Joy is not dependent on our measures of success, but in the work itself

Acts 5 - They counted it joy that they could suffer for Christ, because they were being identified with Christ.

Strive to Enter the Joy

Repent and Believe - Discipleship

Repentance is turning from sin and to Christ - but know that he is near to you, he has come to you, and he is calls you to repent.

Jesus wants us to share the joy only he can bring. We share our shepherd’s joy when we admit that we have gone astray and need him to come and find us. We share his joy when we accept being found and ask him to carry us back home, and even more when we celebrate our salvation.

Stand Together as the Church - Fellowship

We share in Christ’s joy as we love the fold and stand with those whom he has saved.

Proclaim the Good News

We share the shepherd’s joy by having his heart for lost sheep. We share his joy by joining his quest to seek and to save people who are lost.