Stop And Smell The Sheep

1. Shrek, the Lost Sheep

Maybe you’ve heard the story of the sheep in New Zealand named Shrek. He had escaped and evaded capture and shearing for six years. When he was finally discovered in his high mountain cave by Ann Scanlan, he was almost unrecognizable as a sheep. The first thing she did was to pin back his wool so that he could see to walk.

People were so interested in Shrek’s return, the owner kept him in a pen for weeks so that reporters could broadcast this amazing return of the lost sheep. Then, on live television, world champion sheep-shearer Peter Casserly shaved off six years’ worth of matted wool.

2. Luke 15.1-7

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that 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 his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

3. Sheep and Shepherds

a) Sheep have an identifiable odor

b) Shepherds smell like their sheep because they are with the sheep

c) Lynn Anderson’s Book – “They Smell Like Sheep”

d) In the church world, sheep & shepherds may smell like grief or injury or illness or remorse or victory

e) Hopefully all have the aroma of Christ

I. The Sheep Viewing the Sheep – 15.1-2

Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

A. An Honest Arrival – to HEAR Him

1. Tax Collectors and Sinners honestly recognizing their need to do what is right

2. Parable of the Tax Collector and Pharisee – Luke 18.9-14

B. An Arrogant Appraisal – Pharisees and Scribes

1. Questionable characters – didn’t come to hear or minister but to criticize and judge

2. Application – It is easy to come to worship with a questionable, critical attitude:

a. See people with sinful backgrounds – verbally abusive; pregnant before marriage; angry in a meeting; a preacher with clay feet and conclude “I deserve a better church than this. I deserve a more spiritual congregation with which to worship.”

b. Or, come to worship with a critical spirit – nitpick the song leader, preacher, shepherds, special videos, Gene’s Little Friends . . . BTW, if you come with that kind of attitude you can almost be sure that you did not worship God

c. A problem in getting to know our fellow worshipers is learning frailties and weaknesses

i. Instead of encouraging one another in spite of shortcomings

ii. We allow Satan to lead us into criticism and conflict

iii. There’s a little Pharisee and Sadducee in all of us as we compare ourselves to others

C. Awareness for Our Point of View

1. Matthew 7.1-2

2. Ecclesiastes 5.1-3

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words.

II. The Shepherd Viewing the Sheep – 15.3-7

3 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that 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 his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

A. Sheep Need Leaders

1. Not very Bright – Generally cannot take care of themselves

2. Not Courageous – Afraid – “your rod and staff, they comfort me” Psalm 23.4b