Introduction

Greetings, beloved congregation. We come together today on this blessed day, bound by our shared faith, and united in our love for the Lord. We are here to reflect, to learn, to grow, and to be nourished by the Word of God. As we gather in this sacred space, let us remember that we are not alone in our spiritual quest. We are part of a larger community, a community of believers who are all seeking to understand and live out God's Gospel.

Today, we turn our hearts and minds to the book of Luke, specifically Luke 15:1-32. This passage, my friends, is a beacon of hope, a testament of God's unwavering love for the needy, a guide through the gospel, and a joyful celebration of redemption. It is a passage that resonates with the essence of our faith and our relationship with God.

Now, let's read the scripture in its entirety: "Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, 'This Man receives sinners and eats with them.' So He spoke this parable to them, saying: 'What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance...'" [Insert More As You Are Led]

Beloved, this passage is a reminder of our purpose and our mission as followers of Christ. It calls us to embrace the needy, to guide others through the gospel, and to rejoice in the journey of faith. As the great preacher, John Piper, once said, "You are God’s field. You are God’s building. God is giving the growth in his own field. " It is the Gospel that binds us, that guides us, that gives us joy.

God's Gospel for the Needy

In the heart of the scripture we read today, we find a profound truth. It's a truth that resonates with the very core of our faith. It's a truth that speaks of God's boundless love for those who are in need.

The shepherd in the parable, my friends, is a representation of our Lord. And the lost sheep? That lost sheep represents each and every one of us. We, who are often lost in the wilderness of life, are the needy ones. We are the ones in need of guidance, in need of love, in need of redemption.

Now, let's think about the shepherd's actions. He leaves the ninety-nine sheep in the wilderness to go after the one that is lost. He doesn't abandon the lost sheep. He doesn't give up on it. Instead, he goes out of his way to find it, to bring it back to the fold. This, dear friends, is a powerful testament of God's love for the needy.

God's love, as depicted in this parable, is not a passive love. It's an active, pursuing love. It's a love that seeks out the lost, the broken, the needy. It's a love that doesn't wait for us to find our way back to Him, but instead, comes to find us in our neediness.

This is the first aspect of God's Gospel for the needy that we need to understand. God's love for us is not dependent on our worthiness. It's not dependent on our righteousness. It's not dependent on our ability to find our way back to Him. Instead, it's dependent on His grace, His mercy, His relentless pursuit of us.

Now, let's consider another aspect of this parable. When the shepherd finds the lost sheep, he doesn't scold it. He doesn't punish it. Instead, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. This, dear friends, is a picture of God's grace.

God's grace, as depicted in this parable, is not a begrudging grace. It's a joyful, celebratory grace. It's a grace that rejoices in our return, that celebrates our redemption.

This is the second aspect of God's Gospel for the needy that we need to understand. God's grace towards us is not dependent on our ability to make amends. It's not dependent on our ability to earn His love. Instead, it's dependent on His joy, His celebration, His desire to lift us out of our neediness.

Now, let's consider yet another aspect of this parable. When the shepherd returns home with the lost sheep, he calls together his friends and neighbors. He invites them to rejoice with him. This, dear friends, is a picture of God's community.

God's community, as depicted in this parable, is an inclusive, welcoming community. It's a community that rejoices in our return, that celebrates our redemption. It's a community that invites others to share in the joy of our salvation.

This is the third aspect of God's Gospel for the needy that we need to understand. God's community is not dependent on our ability to fit in. It's not dependent on our ability to conform. Instead, it's dependent on His invitation, His welcome, His desire to share the joy of our salvation with others.

Finally, let's consider the last aspect of this parable. The shepherd says, "Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!" This, dear friends, is a picture of God's redemption.

God's redemption, as depicted in this parable, is not a begrudging redemption. It's a joyful, celebratory redemption. It's a redemption that rejoices in our return, that celebrates our salvation.

This is the final aspect of God's Gospel for the needy that we need to understand. God's redemption is not dependent on our ability to save ourselves. It's not dependent on our ability to earn His forgiveness. Instead, it's dependent on His joy, His celebration, His desire to transform us from needy to loved.

Guidance through the Gospel

The Gospel, as we know it, is more than just a collection of stories and teachings ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO