Parable Of Lost Sheep (2)

Scripture

Luke 15:1–10 NIV

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Introduction

When we look at the Gospel of Luke we can determine that the main verse is Luke 19 -10 which says that the Son of Man

In this chapter 15 we see Jesus teaches 3 parables and all 3 are aimed to teach us the purpose of Jesus earthly mission - God's desire to save people spiritually so they can have an eternal relationship with him

In this scripture we can see 3 priorities of God that we can learn from

We Need to pursue those who are spiritually lost

Luke 15:4 NIV

4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

Now Jesus was a person who did things that the religious leader did not like. He associated himself with sinners. He will sit with them talk with them

It seems as though Jesus did not know his bible cause the Bible says not to be unequally yoked as some would say

How could you call yourself a man of God and be seen with sinners?

Jesus knew if you wanted to reach people you needed to go where they are.

Today even in churches today, we don't want people to see us with sinners cause - they are a bad influence, if I go around them I might be tempted to drink, I might lose my virginity if I go around them, I will lose my righteousness if I am around them so let me stay in my little bubble and not be contaminated by the people of this world.

One of the biggest teachings in the church today is about Holiness and righteousness etc but if it reaches to the point where I need to cut myself out from the rest of the world then something is wrong

Love the prostitute, love the Jiggolo, love the drunkard, love the unsaved person

How do people in your environment view you? Do they see love?

If you have all the gifts but no love.....

It was love that motivated the shepherd to go after the sheep

Every Soul Is Important To God

Imagine if you have a $100 in your wallet but when you check is only $99 - we will say well small thing

Unless you really greedy or something you will spend whole day looking for that $1

The shepherd had 100 but 1 was missing.

He wasn't satisfied knowing that 1 was missing. 1 of his sheep went missing

How would you feel if one of your sons or daughter went missing.

You would call the police call Ian Alleyne, call everybody

A shepherd could never be satisfied when 1 sheep is lost.

God and all of heaven rejoices when even one sinner turns from his or her own way and accepts Christ forgiveness (7)

This is what brings rejoicing to God

He who win souls is wise

Jesus died so people could live.

No amount of sacrifice or suffering is too great in helping to bring spiritually lost people to Jesus vs 4

To win souls is going to require sacrifice and suffering. To words we do not like to hear.

You going to sacrifice time, comfort levels, suffer rejection many times.

The paper boy doesn’t take it personally when people don’t like the news, and neither should we.

You might need to suffer in the sun

James 5:20 NIV

20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

The cost will be high but the price will be worth it

the fact that these are top priorities of God should make them top priorities of us as well

Seeing that we know the priorities of God how can we make this applicable in our lives

Application

1. Ask God to give us a heart of compassion for the lost. It begins in our heart. Give us a burden. Without a burden we would never do anything

Greg Laurie who is one of the greatest Evangelists right now who wins a lot of people for Christ spreaks about a burden.

Do you have a burden for lost people? Without this burden, everything else is irrelevant. And with it, God can use you mightily.

In Acts 8:5 “5 Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there.”

Philip had a burden for lost people. This was evidenced by the fact that he went to Samaria and preached Christ. That may not mean a lot to us, but it meant a lot to the Samaritans. You see, the Jews and the Samaritans were not very friendly.

There was a rift between them that had passed from generation to generation. Jews had no contact with Samaritans for the most part. Yet Philip, a Jew, went to Samaria and preached the gospel.

He went out of his comfort zone and proclaimed the Good News to the Samaritans. As a result, “there was great joy in that city”

Jesus was moved with compassion for lost people because he had a burden for them.

You might say it have no way I can preach and get people saved...... Thats not my gift

You can invite them on a Wednesday Night....

You always hearing Pastor Sanjay saying to come out on Thursday nights for the prayer meeting - Well Thursday we want to see you but on Wednesday if you cant make it no worries - send someone who doesn’t know Jesus

Wednesday nights are geared at people like them!!

It starts with a burden.

2. See sinners as lost souls who need a saviour and not as sinners. Remember once you were like them.

3. it is in the nature of a sheep to stray but it is the duty of the shepherd to save