Don't Miss The Party

Rev. Joseph M. Comage

Word of Life Ministry

2 October 2005

Hasson Street Christian Church

DON’T MISS THE PARTY

Luke 15:7

7 "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.

Luke 15:10

10 "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

Have you ever had someone give you a surprise birthday party. They know what is about to happen and they are filled with joy and excitement. They know what you do not know. They have seen what you have not seen. They have seen the cake, they know about all the decorations and they will do all they can to make sure you don’t miss the celebration. What a shame it would be if you missed your party.

The host of heaven has prepared a party for you. Jesus will be there, the angels will be there and all the residents of the city will be there.

Why is there such a celebration going on in heaven? Jesus in Luke 15 gives us three examples of times of joy and celebration.

Each story speaks of something lost and of something found.

A SHEPHERD FINDS A LOST SHEEP

Luke 15:4-6

4 "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?

5 "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

6 "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!’

7 "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.

JESUS HAS PREPARED A PARTY FOR YOU.

A HOUSEWIFE FINDS HER LOST COIN

Luke 15:8-9

8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?

9 "And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ’Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’

WHAT MAY BE A SMALL THING TO YOU IS NOT SMALL IN THE EYES OF GOD.

A FATHER FINDS HIS LOST SON

Luke 15:20-24

20 "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.

21 "And the son said to him, ’Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

22 "But the father said to his servants, ’Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.

23 ’And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;

24 ’for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

THERE WAS A PARTY GOING ON UP IN HERE.

THE SHEPHARD WAS REJOICING OVER FINDING HIS LOST SHEEP.

THE HOUSEWIFE WAS REJOICING OVER FINDING HER LOST COIN.

THE FATHER WAS REJOICING OVER THE RETURN OF HIS SON.

All of this does not compare to the joy that Jesus has when one lost soul is found. No moment can compare to the moment of your salvation.

Why does heaven rejoice? It is because heaven knows that one day you’ll be coming home to live forever.

When we get ready to attend a party down here, we go all out.

We clean up, dress up and step out.

Well there ain’t no party like a Holy Ghost Party because a Holy Ghost Party don’t quit.

When you accept Christ there is a party going on just because of you. A birthday celebration because you have been born again.

When you get saved, you also get dressed up.

We get washed in the blood of the lamb. The blood washes away everything that is not of God and we take off the old man and put on the new man.

We walk into the party clothed in righteousness because He has made us new.

Jesus is the happiest when the lost our found. When a soul is saved and consents to be dressed in righteousness.

HOW DO WE EXPLAIN SUCH JOY?

We are not talking about a nation of people or even a city of souls. There is joy over just one soul being saved.