Sermon Central
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Jesus Finds Lost Things! (The Lost Sheep) Series
Contributed by Tony Searles on Nov 28, 2017 (message contributor)
Summary: This is the first of a three part sermon series I preached during our Month of Missions emphasis. In this particular sermon we considered how the sheep represent people who wander away from God without even understanding what they are doing.
-Now, keep in mind that this was serious!
*It was their job to take GOOD care of the flock. No sheep left behind… ☺
-Plus, each of these sheep had value and purpose!
*They were accountable to the owners to answer for the loss…
After all, we can read in the Old Testament of when David was a shepherd boy and he actually risked life and limb protecting his flock…
-He fought a bear once and a lion before, protecting and keeping watch over the flock in his care.
-All because this was serious business!
Likewise…MISSIONS is serious business as well!
That is why Jesus came to this earth - to seek and to save the lost!
-Jesus went searching for the ONE lost sheep!
*That is you and that is me!
And that is the many multitudes who have yet to receive Christ!
In this parable, we find the shepherd leaving the 99 secure sheep behind to go find the 1 who was lost and wandering.
-Up and down the hills…
-Over rocks and in the crevices he would look…
-Near and far he would search for this one sheep who foolishly wandered off on his own…
This is a picture of a loving God who cares!
As much as the world may turn you off because of it’s sin and degenerate ways.
-Which cause some to REJECT the lost…
-Jesus still goes out to search for them, even at great cost, so that He can RECEIVE them back into his care and covering!
-To reconcile them back unto God!
Long story short, the great news is that the 1 lost sheep was found!!!
More than that, the Bible says that the shepherd REJOICED at finding the lost sheep!
Luke 15:5 - When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
POINT THREE: REJOICE
Listen to me friends…
After that foolish sheep was found, we don’t read that the shepherd scolded the sheep or stuck it with his staff.
He didn’t shout at the sheep about how much trouble he caused.
No…
Instead, he picks the tired sheep up and carries it home on his shoulders!
-Then this faithful shepherd celebrated and even REJOICED!
-That is what Jesus does when just 1 lost soul is found today as well!
That what Jesus reveals to us in this little parable…
I have to tell you that there was GREAT REJOICING in the heart of the shepherd when a lost sheep is found.
Luke 15:6 - And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!”
But that is just a fraction of REJOICING in comparison to the REJOICING that Jesus, and all of Heaven’s host will do when just ONE LOST SOUL comes back to Jesus!!!
Luke 15:7 - I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Church, I want to point out that God is not just happy to have the 99 secured within the sheep-gate - valuable as they are…
But God’s mind cannot break free of thinking about the 1 sheep that has foolishly wandered off…
-He just has to seek them out!
