Lost Sheep and Coins
Luke 15
February 15th, 2009
INTRODUCTION
Last week news reports carried the story of 150 ice fishermen that were trapped on an ice floe when it broke away for the shoreline.
Members of the US Coast Guard walked across the frozen Lake Erie as they attempt to reach stranded fishermen. Coast Guard spokesman Chief Petty Officer Robert Lanier said rescuers lowered baskets onto the ice from helicopters, and people were lifted to safety. Others boarded air boats that glided across the floe on Lake Erie, the southernmost of the Great Lakes in eastern North America. By late afternoon on Saturday 134 people had been plucked from the ice.
Public opinion on the story included some unique perspectives.
These guys were crazy
They deserved their fate.
They should have pay for their rescue.
They should be just left out there to teach them a lesson.
As I heard the stories, I didn’t relate to the fishermen or those who were condemning them. I was relating to the USCG men. In 1976 when I graduated High school I joined the USCG. Why? Because the idea of performing search and rescue operations seemed glamorous and exciting to me.
Look at this recruiting motto. USCG: More than 1,000,000 Lives saved since 1790.
The Search and Rescue Team mission motto: "This we do so others may live."
If you are in the USCG, you don’t care why a person is in trouble you are responding because of your commitment to the Rescue Mission. .
T.S. It’s interesting though, when we think of our mission, the Call, few of us think of it with the same type of excitement or commitment. In Luke 15, Jesus helps us understand the heart of God when it comes to the lost.
Turn with me once again to these Lost Parables.
Luke 15:3-10
The Lost Sheep
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ’Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 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.
The Lost Coin
8 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ’Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
P.S. THE SET UP FOR UNDERSTANDING GOD’S HEART FOR THE LOST IS THE NATURE OF THE RESCUE.
Recuing the Lost requires an Active Search
3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home.
Reflected in priorities
4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?
- The owner assumed responsibility for the lost -- He knew one was missing
- The owner assumed the hardship of the search -- He knew he should respond
Appl: In your mind who is se responsible to reach the lost.
The pastor?
The church?
The person next to you?
Yours? Jesus made this a personal responsibility.
Reflected in focus
go after the lost sheep until he finds it?
Didn’t stay and call, he went and searched.
We’ve got a Sheltie named Rocky. When we put him out relieve himself we simply open the door and let him out. Later we open the door and call House Rocky house and assume he will come back. Most of the time he does. We have mistakenly believed that if we just open the doors of the church and call “Lost! Church!” and that will come wandering in. 90% of out reach efforts look like this.
We plan and event, send invitations, advertise, hang up a poster, and expect that they will come. Jesus tells the story of the owner leaving the 99 and going in search of 1.
Appl: How do you view outreach? Is it something that you are actively going and doing? Or do you just see it as some thing that you do opening the doors of the church, calling “Hey you lost people, come in”?
Reflected in investment
5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home.
- Personally investing in the lost sheep’s fate.
- Personally assuming the burden of the rescue.
ILL: Imagine finding an adorable little puppy on your doorstep in the middle of a harsh cold winter night. So you allow him into your home, maybe you put him in your garage or your laundry room. And that’s it. That’s all you do.
No water
No food
No care
No place to relieve himself
No attention.
What would happened? I can hear that little dog whining and barking. I can see it urinating on the floor, I hear it scratching at the door. But I let it in. It should be fine now. Right. Picture you laundry room 3 days later, 7 days later. Eventually you will have a dead puppy, which has made a mess of your rescue effort. Jesus pictures the owner not just finding the lost sheep, but intimately become involved with bringing him home.
Appl: How do you view your involvement in the Rescue? Jesus envisioned an active involved search and rescue.
Recuing the Lost involves a Strategic Search
8 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?
Creating an opportunity for success.
Does she not light a lamp
Creating opportunities to succeed by establishing relationships, building friendships, inviting neighbors over, doing lunches.
Where? Neighborhoods, workplace, associations,
Appl: When is the last time you specifically sought to create an opportunity to success is reaching the lost?
Removing hindrances to success
Sweep the house
Removing hindrances by not making issues about stuff, talking about life not church, sharing Jesus not preaching.
Sweeping the house may mean letting go of old ideas. -- Revival meetings, crusades, Door to Door Evangelism.
Appl: how ready are you to embrace new means to reach the lost? How ready are you to get out of your comfort zone
Persisting relentlessly until success
Search carefully until she finds it
Repeated efforts, ongoing attempts, alter strategies, keep trying. Search and search and search.
Rescuing the Lost inspires other searchers
After losing his crew in a fatal crash, legendary Rescue Swimmer, Ben Randall (Kevin Costner), is sent to teach at “A” School, an elite training program for Coast Guard Rescue Swimmers. Wrestling with the loss of his crew members, he throws himself into teaching, turning the program upside down with his unorthodox training methods. While there, he encounters a young, cocky swim champ, Jake Fischer (Ashton Kutcher), who is driven to be the best. During training, Randall helps mold Jake’s character, combining his raw talent with the heart and dedication required of a Rescue Swimmer.
Upon graduation, Jake follows Randall to Kodiak, Alaska, where they face the inherent dangers of the Bering Sea. In his initial solo rescue, Jake learns firsthand from Randall, the true meaning of heroism and sacrifice, echoing the Swimmer’s motto...”So Others May Live!”
Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ’Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’
9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ’Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’
Appl: Since it is apparent that Rescuing the lost is inspiring,
Share your stories
Celebrate your endeavors
Know God’s Smile
SUMMARY:
In Jesus first two lost parables he teaches us three very important things about the great rescue of lost people he is engaged in.
T.S. Together they help us understand god’s heart for the lost .
Recuing the Lost requires an Active Search
Recuing the Lost involves an Strategic Search
Rescuing the Lost Inspires other Searchers
CHALLENGE:
Do you need to recommit yourself to the search? Have you bee disengaged from he rescue?
Pray with me.
Father, it is often too easy to ignore my role in the great rescue and the search for lost people that matter so much to you. May your spirit fill me with everything I need to take my place in the search. By your grace I will endeavor fulfill my role as a seeker of the lost, in the Jesus name. Amen
