Introduction

Welcome, dear friends, to this sacred gathering where we come together to share in the Word of God, to find solace in His teachings, and to rejoice in His love. We are here to strengthen our faith, to deepen our understanding, and to celebrate His divine grace. We are here because we are lost and found in Him, because we are sinners saved by His mercy, and because we are His children, forever held in His loving arms.

Today, we will be contemplating on a beautiful passage from the Gospel of Luke, a passage that speaks of lost and found, of celebration and salvation. But before we dive into the Scripture, let us remember the words of Charles Spurgeon, who once said, "Lost, but saved, is the sinner's biography." How profound and how true! Even when we are lost, we are saved. Even when we wander away, we are found. That is the power of Christ's salvation.

Now, let us turn our hearts and minds to the Scripture. Luke 15:3-10 reads:

"Then Jesus told them this parable: '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? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 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.

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? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.'"

Celebrating Christ's Salvation

The beauty of the parables shared by Jesus in the Gospel of Luke is that they paint a vivid picture of the joy and celebration that comes with salvation. The shepherd who finds his lost sheep doesn't just breathe a sigh of relief and carry on with his life. No, he joyfully places the sheep on his shoulders, returns home, and invites his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him. The woman who finds her lost coin doesn't just put it back in her purse and forget about it. She lights up her house, calls her friends and neighbors, and shares her joy with them. These parables are not just about lost and found; they are about the celebration that follows salvation.

Now, let's look at the first aspect of this celebration. The shepherd and the woman in the parables did not keep their joy to themselves. They invited others to share in their happiness. This is a beautiful reflection of how our salvation should not be a private affair. When we experience the saving grace of Christ, it should be such a joyous occasion that we can't help but share it with others. We should be like the shepherd and the woman, calling our friends and neighbors and saying, "Rejoice with me!"

The second aspect of this celebration is the joy that comes from being found. The lost sheep and the lost coin were not just misplaced items. They were valuable possessions that were dearly missed. When they were found, it was a cause for celebration. Similarly, when we were lost in our sins, we were not just aimless wanderers. We were valuable children of God who were dearly missed. When we are found by Christ, it is a cause for celebration. We are not just saved; we are joyfully welcomed back into the family of God.

The third aspect of this celebration is the heavenly rejoicing that accompanies our repentance. Jesus tells us that there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. This is a powerful reminder that our repentance and salvation are not just personal victories; they are celestial celebrations. When we turn away from our sins and turn towards Christ, we are not just changing our lives; we are causing a heavenly celebration.

The fourth and final aspect of this celebration is the transformative power of Christ's salvation. The lost sheep was not just found; it was carried home on the shepherd's shoulders. The lost coin was not just found; it was the cause of a house-wide celebration. Similarly, when we are saved by Christ, we are not just forgiven; we are transformed. We are carried home on the shoulders of our Good Shepherd, and we become the cause of a heavenly celebration.

These four aspects of the celebration of Christ's salvation - the sharing of our joy, the joy of being found, the heavenly rejoicing, and the transformative power of salvation - are beautifully encapsulated in the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin. They remind us that our salvation is not just a personal achievement; it is a communal celebration, a heavenly rejoicing, and a transformative experience. So, let us not just be saved; let us celebrate our salvation. Let us not just be found; let us rejoice in being found. Let us not just repent; let us cause a heavenly celebration. And let us not just be transformed; let us be the cause of transformation.

Cultivating Celebration as a Spiritual Discipline

In the parable of the lost sheep, we see the shepherd leaving the ninety-nine to seek out the one that has strayed ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO