Lost Sheep

Welcome

Intro

Let me tell you it is good to be home! There are things that only seven days in a 2nd world country can make you appreciate. Things like on demand hot water, Air Conditioning, Water from the Tap, and food safety practices.

However, there are moments that can only be captured when you put yourself in a place to be used by God.

This is the first trip that I have taken where I allowed the People there to determine where I go. I told them I wanted at least three days in the region around Sapasoa but other than that God use me how you see fit.

Michelle went early to be there for the celebration of life for James. To be there with Shaaron our beloved friend and interpreter. Shaaron’s relationship to this church predates my ministry here. She was Pastor David’s interpreter when he would go to Peru.

So here is how the trip went.

I landed with no sleep in Tarapoto at 9:30 am and after freshening up went to the church service. Then took a short nap before preaching Sunday night service. It was awesome.

Then Monday was a refresh day.

Tuesday we had lunch with Jaunita and David…..

Wednesday I Spoke at a Men’s Group to about 30 Men.

Thursday I travel 3 hours into the mountainous farming region to Sapasoa and Piscuyachu

Friday I spoke in the tiny village of Shema

Saturday I spent the day at Pastor Sixtos and Mayras house and spoke that night at their Church. Drove 3 hours back and then Spoke Sunday Morning in Tarapoto.

It was such a busy trip but it was such a blessing to be Sent and Used.

Thank You Church for Sending Me….

Now I am going to tie this into today’s message.

Body

Turn with me to Matthew 18:10-14

Matthew 18:10–14 CSB

10 “See to it that you don’t despise one of these little ones, because I tell you that in heaven their angels continually view the face of my Father in heaven. 12 What do you think? If someone has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go and search for the stray? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over that sheep more than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. 14 In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones perish.

Last Week Pastor Rustan opened this chapter beautifully last week.

I wanted to add to a little of what he said as I dive into this small section.

Jesus is warning us about snares and traps….

The only Kosher way of hunting is to set snares and traps because any animal that is to be eaten can never suffer in it’s death. The same is true about any animal that is Sacrificed. God is real big on this suffering thing…….

So as we move through this Jesus basically is telling us that if we are going to be Citizens of the Kingdom we have to beware of the traps and snares and we also should not set traps or snares.

Boy do we like to set traps and snares………

1. The Snare of Seeking to Be Elevated

2. Setting traps for young believers

3. The traps and snares that we set for ourselves

4. What does God do when a Sheep disappears and is caught in a snare or trap………..

Jesus is systematically working through this with the disciples………… In Turn we can learn from this…..

So great is the Kingdom and following the Way or Teaching of Jesus that we must do what ever we can to not get snared or cause others to be snared……

It’s a trap, it’s all a trap………..

Under Stand this you do not want to be the Lost Sheep…….

I am not the Shephard being spoken about in this scripture…..

I can be used by the Shephard to retrieve a lost Sheep……….

But So Can You………

This is the beauty of God.

Matthew 18:12 CSB

12 What do you think? If someone has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go and search for the stray?

This is talking about a Human Shephard.

Matthew 18:13 CSB

13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over that sheep more than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray.

Now look at your Heavenly Father

Matthew 18:14 CSB

14 In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones perish.

God cares more about His Children than a Shephard cares about Sheep………

God sees you and cares about you……..

Do what ever you must to keep from getting caught in the traps of Sin……

But if you get caught….Remember your God does not leave you or forsake you, Sends a search party……..

But don’t use that as an excuse to keep on sinning…………

And Stop living your life Offended…….I believe Offense is the most destructive of all sins.

How many sheep out there are caught in the trap of Offense……..

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