Hanging With The Wrong Crowd

(Elab = Elaborate point)

(Trans = Transition)

Luke 15:1-7

15:1 Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.

2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them."

3 So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

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.

(Intro) The life of Jesus is to some a lesson in contradiction. For them, our Lord’s Life simply is filled with messages that on the surface seem to conflict with one another. For example, how can one really love their enemies, or do good to them that treat them with evil intentions? (Elab – It seems that His message is contradictory)

Often times Jesus found himself contradicting the religious leaders of His day. They were saying one thing, but then along would come Jesus and challenge them to go beyond there self-imposed limitations. (Elab – This is God’s pattern, to take us beyond our self imposed limits.)

The Church of today has sadly seemed to retreat to the thinking that it is contradictory to go after or associate ourselves with those who are not like us. (Elab – This is evidenced by the seemingly closed secret society some of us have created and maintained)

Yet our Lord was just the opposite, He was so into saving the lost that he was accused of hanging with the wrong crowd. (Elab)

(Trans) It is true that many of us are hanging with the wrong crowd, but the problem is that our purpose is not the same as our Lord’s. Jesus hung out with sinners for one reason only – to get them saved. His goal was and is to impact their lives with His life-changing message. He was a friend to sinners in that He was and is determined to see them saved. (Elab)

The Pharisees of yesterday and the Pharisees of today share the same common thought process – the church is no place for sinners. But on the contrary, the church, in order to change lives, must be a hospital that seeks those who need healing. (Elab)

Notice the response of Jesus to their criticism: (the Parable of the Lost Sheep)

(Elab – purpose of parables)

What they said:

2 And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, "This Man receives sinners and eats with them."

This parable teaches us:

I. God is Diligent in His Effort to Reach the Lost

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?

A. God does not rest on His laurels. (Elab)

B. He is concerned about every one of His sheep. (Elab)

C. He does not rest until the lost is found. (Elab)

II. God Is Willing to Comfort the Lost Soul

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

A. Notice the place of comfort – on His shoulders. (Elab)

B. This is the state of grace for the soul found, to be carried by God from a point of weakness to a point of strength. (Elab)

III. God Shares His Joy Openly

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.

A. Imagine the joy of the man who had found his lost sheep, then try to imagine the joy of our Lord when one, just one – just you and I, come to know Him as our Savior! (Elab – What celebration in heaven that must be!)

(Elab - You and I are important to God! You can be found and carried! God is still hanging with the wrong crowd to find you!)

(Elab – We as a people must hang with the so-called wrong people to save the lost!)

Consider the lengths to which Paul was willing to go in order to save souls!

1 Corinthians 9:19-23