Luke 15:1-2 (NLT)
Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach. [2] This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such despicable people—even eating with them!
A Disreputable Bunch
Tax collectors and other notorious sinners
– Bad reputations
– Living a sinful existence
Pharisees and teachers of the law
– Great reputations
– Also living a sinful existence
• Allowed religious piety to take precedent over the needs of people
How Dare You...
The religious leaders were critical
– Jesus was not adhering to their rules
– These were not “their” type of people
– He even went to their homes and ate with them
Have we changed that much?
– That music is the devil’s music
– You shouldn’t come to church dressed like that
– You shouldn’t spend too much time with non-Christians...they’ll rub off on you
Luke 15:3-4 (NLT)
So Jesus used this illustration: [4] "If you had one hundred sheep, and one of them strayed away and was lost in the wilderness, wouldn’t you leave the ninety-nine others to go and search for the lost one until you found it?
It’s A Jungle Out There
The danger is not in the sheep pen
– The shepherd knows that those in the pen are secure – John 10:28-29
John 10:28-29 (NLT)
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them away from me, [29] for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. So no one can take them from me.
It’s A Jungle Out There
The danger is not in the sheep pen
– The shepherd knows that those in the pen are secure – John 10:28-29
The shepherd places high value on the lost sheep
– He even puts his life on the line – John 10:11
John 10:11 (NLT)
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
It’s A Jungle Out There
The danger is not in the sheep pen
– The shepherd knows that those in the pen are secure – John 10:28-29
The shepherd places high value on the lost sheep
– He even puts his life on the line – John 10:11
The danger is eternal separation from the Shepherd and Spiritual death
– God wants none to perish – 2 Peter 3:9
2 Peter 3:9 (NLT)
The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish, so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.
A Searching Shepherd
God searches out those who are separated from Him
– Diligently seeks
– To rescue them – Luke 19:10, John 3:17
Luke 19:10 (NLT)
And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost."
John 3:17 (NLT)
God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but to save it.
A Searching Shepherd
God searches out those who are separated from Him
– Diligently seeks
– To rescue them – Luke 19:10, John 3:17
Jesus doesn’t wait for you to find Him
– He comes looking for you
– To extend mercy and grace
– To give you life
Luke 15:5-7 (NLT)
And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders. [6] When you arrived, you would call together your friends and neighbors to rejoice with you because your lost sheep was found. [7] In the same way, heaven will be happier over one lost sinner who returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away!
Heaven Rejoices
God’s extraordinary love is displayed
– The life of each person is of great value to God
– This love is displayed in Jesus – John 3:16
John 3:16 (NLT)
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
Luke 15:8-10 (NLT)
"Or suppose a woman has ten valuable silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and look in every corner of the house and sweep every nook and cranny until she finds it? [9] And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors to rejoice with her because she has found her lost coin. [10] In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents."
The Value of a Life
God spares no effort to reach those who are lost
– Divine appointments
– Influential people
– Heavenly touches
Heaven celebrates the life of everyone who has found life in Christ
The Church...Called to Search
There are many desperately awaiting the message of God’s love
– Someone must go and tell – Romans 10:14
Romans 10:14 (NLT)
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
The Church...Called to Search
There are many desperately awaiting the message of God’s love
– Someone must go and tell – Romans 10:14
The church has been called to “Go”
– There is no greater calling - Matthew 28:19
Mathew 28:19 (NLT)
Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
The Church...Called to Search
There are many desperately awaiting the message of God’s love
– Someone must go and tell – Romans 10:14
The church has been called to “Go”
– There is no greater calling - Matthew 28:19
It’s time to search and celebrate!!!
**Powerpoint available upon request
