15 July 2007
"Sweep The House 2"
Luke 15:8-10
U.S. Army Chaplain (MAJ) Ken Harris
First Baptist of Pacific Grove
Pacific Grove, CA
BIG IDEA: Believers are not just “out there” away from God; some are “Lost” in God’s House (where you don’t expect to find LOST SOULS).
REFERENCES: Luke 15:1-7 (Parable of The Lost Sheep); Luke 15:8-10 (Parable of the Lost Coin): These two are called Twin Stories; Matthew 17:24 (a “double drachma” is mentioned as the annual head tax paid into the temple treasury by every male); Matthew 3:12 MSG (God making a clean sweep of their lives); Luke 3:17 MSG (God making a clean sweep of their lives); Isaiah 14:23 (Isaiah’s prediction of God “sweeping Babylon with the broom of destruction …); Genesis 2:18-25 (First Marriage: God carries Eve to Adam); Acts 2:4-47 (The Day of Pentecost and Peter’s Preaching); Ec. 1:9 (The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun).;
Matthews 28:19 (Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:);
I. ANNOUNCE THE PERICOPE: Luke 15: 8-10
II. READ THE PERICOPE: Luke 15:8-10
III. READ THE TEXT: Luke 15:8 (Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she finds it?)
IV. PURPOSE: To motivate the hearers to affirm to others that, AT THIS MINUTE, the “ONE COIN” that is lost (or in danger) IN THE HOUSE is more valuable than the other nine.
V. SERMONIC THEME: “Sweep The House 2”
INTRODUCTION: Good Morning Pastor Nance and all of you that make-up this Historical First Baptist Congregation. I am indeed aware of your place in Monterey County History, and I salute you for your efforts in this community and in America.
To God Be The Glory! I am honored that you have asked me to speak on this “The Lord’s Day”.
And I’ve stopped-by here to succinctly share with you that every since Jesus’ proclamation of the Great Commission in Matthews 28:19 ….
(Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: )
… Men and Women of God have been interested in not only REACHING AND TEACHING the “lost sinners of the world “, but also in “FINDING” THE LOST. Consequently, within the last 20 years, Mega-churches have been BORN and suddenly topics regarding CHURCH GROWTH have resurfaced.
With the onslaught of ministries that are budding fast around the country, it behooves “pastors” and churches everywhere to re-examine …. and in some cases re-define and re-design what CHURCH GROWTH means; And how CHRUCH GROWTH looks in their community of faith.
*******************TAKE 5 BEATS********************
MOVE 1: As avid readers, I’m sure that you’re aware that Pastors (like Rev. Rick Warren … of THE SADDLEBACK CHURCH and Orange County CA along with Bishop TD Jakes … of Dallas Texas and THE POTTER’S HOUSE) are on the cutting-edge of CHURCH GROWTH and Evangelism in The 21st Century.
a. So, I’ve stopped-by here to remind you (my First Baptist Brothers and Sisters) that although it’s important that our membership increase and the church … collectively … learn to contextualize its message, and EVANGELIZE OUTSIDE THE GATE OF THE CHURCH;
b. It’s ALSO IMPERATIVE THAT EVANGELISM OCCURS WITHIN OUR GATES AND INSIDE OUR HOMES … AND INSIDE OUR CHURCHES.
c. In the Parable of the Lost Coin … Jesus is concerned about the “ONE”.
d. In fact, if the truth is to be reveal today; Let it be known throughout the streets of Pacific Groves and the Counties of Monterey …
e. … that in a sense this morning … the ONE THAT IS LOST, OR IN DANGER, IS MORE VALUABLE THAN THE OTHER NINE.
*******************TAKE 5 BEATS*****************
MOVE 2: Because Jesus Cares!
a. He is concerned about THOSE THAT ARE LOST AND ARE ALREADY APART OF OUR various MINISTRIES.
b. Jesus is concerned ABOUT THE LOST, IN THE HOUSE, …. WHERE YOU DON’T EXPECT TO FIND LOST THINGS.
c. Therefore, He reminds us, today, that LOST SINNERS ARE NOT JUST OUT THERE (in the four corners of the earth);
d. BUT, LOST SINNERS ARE SITTING IN OUR CHOIR STANDS. LOST SINNERS ARE SERVING ON OUR DEACON AND USHER BOARDS.
e. LOST SINNERS ARE PREACHING FROM OUR PULPITS … AND TEACHING IN OUR BIBLE STUDIES.
f. My brothers and sisters … LOST sinners aren’t just “out there” anymore; but they’re IN HERE too!
g. And, we have to FIND THEM! Because they’re not telling us where they are … neither are they telling us WHO they are!
******************TAKE 5 BEATS********************
MOVE 3: Now, I submit to you this morning that …. in order to find those that are LOST, IN THE HOUSE, we need to LET OUR LIGHT SHINE AND START UTILIZING … OUR BROOMS OF COMPASSION AND FELLOWSHIP.
a. In order to FIND THE LOST in the house, we need to IMMEDIATELY … SWEEP … our areas of responsibility … with a loving attitude!
b. For don’t you remember … the Bible declares that God is Love. For it says in 1 John 4:8: He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
c. And the HEART of GOD … and His love for humanity is never more self- evident than it is in the account of the FIRST MARRIAGE.
d. For who can ever forget the story of the First Marriage in the Garden of Eden, between Adam and Eve and the symbolism therein?
e. What man doesn’t get chills down his spines when he sees (in his sanctified imagination) God carrying Eve to Adam in Genesis 2:18-25?
f. Or What Woman doesn’t get weak in her knees …
g. when she thinks of the idea of God, himself, having a NEED to BE SO PERSONALLY involved in her WEDDING, and WHO SHE MARRIES, that HE personally GIVES HER TO HER HUSBAND? Wow!
********************TAKE 5 BEATS**********************
MOVE 4: Now, my brothers and sisters, throughout scriptures – the heart and love of God is often exemplified through the illustrations of “marriage,” the “wedding ceremony,” and the “wedding parties”.
a. Jesus first miracle, of turning water into wine, was conducted at a Wedding Party in Cana of Galilee in John 2:9-12.
b. And who can ever forget the Wedding Party, in Matthews 25:1-13, where we first learn of the 5 Wise Virgins and the 5 Foolish Virgins?
c. Scholars that have studied Jewish Marriages tells us that the Parable of the Maidens, at the Wedding in Matthew 25:1-13, was dear to the early church.
d. Therefore, they found great comfort in that particular parable.
e. Not to mention, the fact that everybody loves a wedding.
f. In fact, Jesus, himself, said in effect that the joy of a wedding (in Matthew 22:2 NIV) is the proper sign of the kingdom of God.
*******************TAKE 5 BEATS*******************
MOVE 5: Now, although many (in our society) still value the institution of Marriage; most would agree that overall, it appears that our society has little appreciation for the marriage institution.
a. This … I believe … is largely seen in the statistical data that more than half of American Marriages end in divorce.
b. This wasn’t the case during the First Century.
c. Though they weren’t without their problem - marriages (during the First Century) were arranged.
d. And, unlike today, the entire community embraced the Wedding Ceremony.
e. The bride, the groom and the guests were excused from certain religious duties and responsibilities because of a wedding ceremony.
f. Even the Scribes were excused from studying scriptures in order to participate in a Jewish Wedding.
g. A Wedding was a more important duty and privilege (Matthew 22:1-14).
h. Everyone was excited about a wedding. The neighbor’s daughters, like all girls in the First Century, were eager to be present at a wedding.
*****************TAKE 5 BEATS*********************
MOVE 6: One of the highpoints of the wedding came when the bridegroom took the bride from her father’s house to her new home, ….
a. usually in a litter, and everyone in attendance followed them there with music playing in the background, and plenty of cheers and laughter.
b. Weddings and Marriage Ceremonies were embrace by the entire community.
c. The story of the 10 virgins (or neighbor daughters) – 5 of which were wise and 5 were foolish - spoke volumes to the early Christians.
d. Because they understood the importance of NOT MISSING the WEDDING FEAST; and the importance of being PREPARED and in attendance at the entire event.
e. The highest point of the wedding, in the First Century, came during the final exchange of the DOWRY & The Kessef (or the ten pieces of silver) during the wedding feast …
f. … which exemplified the love of the bride and groom being set into motion.
g. The dowry was the GIFT of money, goods, or estate that the woman contributed to the wedding, to be paid by the father from the household account;
h. While the SILVER COINS called “KESSEF” WERE GIVEN TO THE BRIDE AS A TOKEN OF GROOM’S LOVE.
*****************TAKE 5 BEATS*********************
MOVE 7: Similar to today’s wedding band, it was customary for a married Jewish woman to wear 10 Silver Coins Woven into an elaborate piece of jewelry over the veil as a headpiece or headdress.
a. This was worn as an expression OF THE GROOM’S LOVE and commitment to his NEW BRIDE.
b. Because silver coins were considered valuable gifts,…
c. Which is especially TRUE for the lady, in our text this afternoon, who LOST ONE SILVER COIN in the parable of the lost coin.
d. For you see the 10 Silver Coins were tokens of love which belonged to her, and no one could take ONE OF THE SILVER COINS from her, not even to pay a debt.
e. But, then (in our text today) no one had to take one. The woman MANAGED TO somehow MISPLACED … A VALUABLE COIN… IN THE HOUSE.
f. From the look of things, the WOMAN ISN’T even sure what has happened.
g. All she knows is that when she went to sleep last night – all of her COINS were present and accounted for.
i. All 10 Coins were together – looking outwardly as good as ever …
*****************TAKE 5 BEATS********************
MOVE 8: Her children who regularly attend Worship, Vacation Bible Schools, and Sunday School were seemly saved.
a. Her husband who was in the church Choir (i.e., and serving on the deacon board) looked good on the outside.
b. But, today, ONE OF HER VALUABLES IS LOST.
c. And she’s not having it.
d. In the eagerness of her Search, She’s turning the HOUSE UPSIDE DOWN.
e. For the scriptures says, … “Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she finds it?- Luke 15:8
f. Likewise, the First thing This WOMAN does, before she ransack her home is light a candle.
g. For you see in the FIRST CENTURY homes, a lamp was necessary in order to do a SEARCH.
h. The homes were POORLY provided with windows.
************************TAKE 5 BEATS*****************
MOVE 9: WE ALL KNOW how difficult it is to find something in the DARK.
a. So, there’s a need to LIGHT THE CANDLE OF SCRIPTURE IN OUR HOMES.
b. For God’s Word should be our Christian Standard in our home and on our jobs. Whatever God says, GOES.
c. If God says that Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.
d. THEN WINE IS A MOCKER, STRONG DRINK IS RAGING AND WHOSOEVER IS DECEIVED THEREBY IS NOT WISE.
e. If God’s Word says in ( Ps 34:19 ) Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
f. Then BELIEVERS WILL HAVE MANY AFFLICTIONS, BUT THE LORD WILL DELIVER US OUT OF THEM ALL..
g. If God’s Word says, Weeping May endure for a night; but joy cometh in the morning … then WEEPING MAY ENDURE FOR A NIGHT BUT … JOY COMETH ….
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MOVE 10: My brothers and sisters … The WOMAN SWEPT HER HOUSE.
c. She wasn’t trying to FIRST find the lost in her neighbor’s house or in her neighbor’s church; she swept in her own area of responsibility.
d. For you see in the First Century, unlike our homes of today, the floor of the homes were ground/earth. They didn’t have the fancy tile and carpet that we have today in Monterey and Pacific Grove.
e. Therefore, in order to have something soft under one’s feet, it was customary to SPREAD STRAW.
f. So, if a coin fell in it; it would be rather difficult to find the coin (or the lost valuable) WITHOUT SWEEPING.
***********************TAKE 5 BEATS***************
MOVE 11: So, the Woman in our Text, took a broom and swept up all the straw in HER HOUSE.
a. … Which made it possible to SEE AND FIND “THE LOST COIN”.
b. Likewise, my brothers and sisters, we need to SWEEP-UP THE STRAW in our HOME/CHURCHES that is preventing US FROM SEEING WHERE OUR LOSS LOVE ONES ARE ;
c. WE NEED TO SWEEP-UP THE STRAW THAT IS PREVENTING OUR LOSS LOVE ONES FROM SEEING US AS WE ARE.
d. For We need to live TRANSPARENT LIVES IN OUR CHURCHES.
e. For don’t you remember … Pastor Peter says in 1 Peter 4:17:
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?
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MOVE 12: first Baptist … as members of the Body of Christ … We need to SWEEP-THE-HOUSE.
a. For it’s time to get rid of the CHRISTIAN FORSADE … that exist in many of our churches …
b. You know … the hypocrisy OF BEING ALL THAT … AND A BAG-OF-CHIPS.
c. When in reality … if we could … just for a moment … forget about who folk say we are …
d. … and just go to GOD … like the sinners we are … and ask for help …
e. I believe …. the lost in our COMMUNITIES … would respond to GOD TOO.
f. Finally, my brothers and my sisters, the WOMAN in our text today … LOOKED IN EVERY NOOK AND CRANNY UNTIL SHE FOUND WHAT WAS LOST.
g. In other words, she didn’t just look for THE LOST COIN in her free time. But her attitude was of such … that she wasn’t going to stop or quit SWEEPING until SHE found what she was looking for …
********************TAKE 5 BEATS*************
CELEBRATIONS: SO … SHE SWEPT THE HOUSE.
She went above AND BEYOND …
She made up in her mind … that she wasn’t going to sleep as usual.
She was going to be sure that if IT WAS IN THE HOUSE …
IT WAS GOING TO BE FOUND.
AND WHEN SHE FOUND … WHAT SHE WAS LOOKING FOR.
SHE SHOUTED FOR JOY …. AND SHE TOLD ALL ABOUT HER GOOD FORTUNES …
O THAT THEY MIGHT REJOICE WITH HER.
