Rev. Joseph M. Comage
Word of Life Ministry
2 October 2005
Hasson Street Christian Church
DON’T MISS THE PARTY
Luke 15:7
7 "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
Luke 15:10
10 "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
Have you ever had someone give you a surprise birthday party. They know what is about to happen and they are filled with joy and excitement. They know what you do not know. They have seen what you have not seen. They have seen the cake, they know about all the decorations and they will do all they can to make sure you don’t miss the celebration. What a shame it would be if you missed your party.
The host of heaven has prepared a party for you. Jesus will be there, the angels will be there and all the residents of the city will be there.
Why is there such a celebration going on in heaven? Jesus in Luke 15 gives us three examples of times of joy and celebration.
Each story speaks of something lost and of something found.
A SHEPHERD FINDS A LOST SHEEP
Luke 15:4-6
4 "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it?
5 "And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6 "And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ’Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’
7 "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.
JESUS HAS PREPARED A PARTY FOR YOU.
A HOUSEWIFE FINDS HER LOST COIN
Luke 15:8-9
8 "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?
9 "And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ’Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’
WHAT MAY BE A SMALL THING TO YOU IS NOT SMALL IN THE EYES OF GOD.
A FATHER FINDS HIS LOST SON
Luke 15:20-24
20 "And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.
21 "And the son said to him, ’Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
22 "But the father said to his servants, ’Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.
23 ’And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry;
24 ’for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.
THERE WAS A PARTY GOING ON UP IN HERE.
THE SHEPHARD WAS REJOICING OVER FINDING HIS LOST SHEEP.
THE HOUSEWIFE WAS REJOICING OVER FINDING HER LOST COIN.
THE FATHER WAS REJOICING OVER THE RETURN OF HIS SON.
All of this does not compare to the joy that Jesus has when one lost soul is found. No moment can compare to the moment of your salvation.
Why does heaven rejoice? It is because heaven knows that one day you’ll be coming home to live forever.
When we get ready to attend a party down here, we go all out.
We clean up, dress up and step out.
Well there ain’t no party like a Holy Ghost Party because a Holy Ghost Party don’t quit.
When you accept Christ there is a party going on just because of you. A birthday celebration because you have been born again.
When you get saved, you also get dressed up.
We get washed in the blood of the lamb. The blood washes away everything that is not of God and we take off the old man and put on the new man.
We walk into the party clothed in righteousness because He has made us new.
Jesus is the happiest when the lost our found. When a soul is saved and consents to be dressed in righteousness.
HOW DO WE EXPLAIN SUCH JOY?
We are not talking about a nation of people or even a city of souls. There is joy over just one soul being saved.
How could one person create this much excitement?
Can you imagine that your action would have such an impact on heaven.
We can live for a hundred years and feel that no one has paid any attention to us.
But Jesus is watching and through one single act you can impact all of heaven.
When we become obedience to the Lord, it pulls the ropes to the bells of heaven and starts the angel choir into full song.
When a child calls and says yes Lord, I make you my all and all.
Jesus hears.
When you weep in the midnight hour and your tears flow.
Jesus sees you.
You’re the one in a hundred that was lost and your celebration is set in motion.
Heaven does not throw a party over your other achievements.
Graduation from school is a great achievement but heaven does not throw a party.
Marriage is a special time in our life but heaven does not throw a party .
Getting a raise on the job is a great stepping stone to a better life financially but heaven does not throw a party.
Heaven throws a party when the one that was lost is found. The heart of Jesus is touched when a soul is saved.
What do we do when a soul is saved? Do we feel like dancing all over the church and singing celebrate – celebrate today… .
We need to celebrate.
WHY DO THE ANGELS REJOICE?
Maybe because they have seen the table set in your honor and heard the choir rehearse a song written just for you.
Maybe because they can’t wait to see your face when you arrive.
Better yet they just can’t wait to see you. Of all the blessing in heaven, one of the greatest will be you.
You are a work of art, a one of a kind. You will at last be a completed work and you will have a heart like His.
You will love with perfect love.
You will praise with total praise.
Your heart will be pure, your words will be like jewels, your thoughts will be like treasures.
YOU WILL BE LIKE JESUS.
GUILTLESS. FEARLESS. JOYOUS. TIRELESSLY WORSHIPING.
YOU WILL BE LIKE HIM.
EVERY SIN WILL BE GONE AND FEAR WILL BE A THING OF THE PAST.
It is no wonder that the angels rejoice when one sinner repents; they know that another one of God’s works of art will soon be completed.
They know what heaven holds.
But there is another reason that heaven rejoices and that is we are saved from hell.
WHAT ARE WE SAVED FROM?
We are saved from the Horror of Hell.
In hell there is no forgiveness, there is no hope, there are no acts of kindness.
There are no more words of love.
No more songs sung to His praise and no more deeds done in His name.
In hell there is no one to comfort you and no music to soothe you.
Hell knows only one sound and that is the sound of gnashing of teeth.
In hell there is nothing but moaning and thoughts of missed opportunity.
What those in hell would give for one more chance.
WHAT EVER YOU DO DON’T MISS THE PARTY.
THERE AIN’T NO PARTY LIKE A HOLY GHOST PARTY BECAUSE A HOLY GHOST PARTY DON’T QUIT.
