The Lost Sheep (2)

Jesus is calling out the individuals who have settled for a watered-down version of Christianity. Coming into the church building twice a week won't save you. Jesus calls people to repent (180 turn) follow him.

Begin to learn from Him on your own!

Deny yourself daily (kill sin).

Jesus is a good shepherd!

We get distracted.

We get confused.

We walk away.

When you go missing, God notices.

Luke 15:4 NASB95

“What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?

Jesus is a good shepherd because he comes after us when we wander away from Him. He doesn’t just cut his losses and move on.

Have you ever gotten lost? If you did, how did you feel?

Ezekiel 34:11-16 - God says through Ezekiel 600 years before Christ that a shepherd would come to Israel.

Isa 53:6, 56:8 - God says through Isaiah 400 years before Christ that "others will be gathered". That's us!

John 10:11, 14 - John records in AD 85 that Jesus called Himself 'the good shepherd.'

Luke 15:1 - Jesus goes after the tax collectors and the sinners the lost sheep. It was always worth his time!

Luke 5:32 - Time and time again we see Jesus living his life in this manner. His compassion for the lost sheep is shown by his actions. (Luke 19:10)

Luke 15:2 - The Pharisees (a section of Judaism that had gotten hung up on outward appearances of faith, they missed Jesus! They were so obsessed with looking like good people, that they judged Jesus' inclusive ministry.

Jesus is completely God and completely man! He has 2 natures. The Pharisees only saw Jesus as man, so what did they think of His words?

But is Jesus only man? (No, He claimed to be fully God! HANDS, and was obviously fully man because he was)

So who's right in this situation? Jesus is!

John 14:6 - Jesus is the truth! SO what he says goes, even if it ruins judgmental church people's fun.

Jesus is choosing to invest time in the tax collectors and sinners. He's choosing to allow 'others' (Isa 56:8) to be a part of his flock. Not just Jews! The Pharisees were kinda racist...

Luke 15:4-7 - You might be thinking wouldn't a bad shepherd leave 99 unattended to go after the 1? Being a shepherd is a job, so any person who took pride in their work would go an get the sheep. Jesus is saying that a GOOD shepherd is one that keeps 100 percent of the flock safe. He also draws near to those who are repenting. (James 4:6) The Pharisees sees the value in the ninety-nine, while Jesus sees the value in the one sinner who is repenting. (Luke 3:8)

Romans 8:38–39 NASB95

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

APPLICATION: If for the first time, repent. If not, keep with repentance! God each time we repent, draws near to us, picks us up and carries us while rejoicing along with the entirety of heaven!

Don't be the 99, be the 1. Don't let Jesus be a a passionless routine, humble yourself and repent of your sin. Don't ever leave that posture!