How many of you collect something? I collect sports stuff. This is an old helmet. I collect eagles. This is one of them. When I was your age I collected baseball cards until my mother threw them all away. What do you collect? Have you ever collected anything?
Our children used to collect stuffed animals called beanie babies. Today I brought some to show to you. Comment on each one. Bu you know what? One of them is missing. . I know I had it when I got here this morning. Would you help me look for it? (Lead the children in a search for the lost toy. (Send a few to look by the baptistery) When they finds it have everyone applaud.
That reminds me of a lesson that Jesus taught. These people who all went to church were saying that Jesus was hanging out with people who were sinners. Well we all are. Sin is doing something wrong and all of us do. So he told them this parable: "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he rejoices. I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who turns their life over to Jesus. Luke 15:3-7
Then Jesus said to them, "In the same way, there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent."
The Bible teaches us that we are like sheep and sometimes we get away from God. That makes God very sad, but he never gives up on us. He keeps searching for us and calling to us. He even sent Jesus, his Son, to save those who are lost. I am glad that Jesus doesn’t give Aren't you glad that God doesn't give up on his lost sheep? I am, because when we get away from Him he always comes looking for us. And He will look until he finds us. And he does that because he loves us very much.
Dear Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd. We are thankful that you came to save those who are lost. Amen.
