Who Have You Been Eating With?

Who Have You

Been Eating With?

Luke 15:1-7

July 11, 2004

Luke 15:1 (NLT)

Tax collectors and other notorious sinners often came to listen to Jesus teach.

Who’s The Target Audience?

 Jesus’ audience was made up of tax collectors and “sinners”

– They were hungry for the message

– The needed the message

– They are the reason behind the message

*Luke 19:10

Luke 19:10 (NLT)

And I, the Son of Man, have come to seek and save those like him who are lost."

Luke 15:2 (NLT)

This made the Pharisees and teachers of religious law complain that he was associating with such despicable people—even eating with them!

Who Are You

Spending Time With?

 Jesus was known to regularly associate…even eat with these known “sinners.” – Luke 19:5

– Meeting people where they are

– Lost people do not spend their time in church!!!

Luke 19:5 (NLT)

When Jesus came by, he looked up at Zacchaeus and called him by name. "Zacchaeus!" he said. "Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today."

Who Are You

Spending Time With?

 Jesus was known to regularly associate…even eat with these known “sinners.” – Luke 19:5

– Meeting people where they are

– Lost people do not spend their time in church!!!

 Building relationships builds the Kingdom of God!!!

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?

Our Focus – Lost Sheep

 God has a place for everyone

– We have been given the responsibility of sharing this message – Romans 10:14-15

• Requires that we go out from our “home pasture”

Romans 10:14-15 (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? [15] And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Our Focus – Lost Sheep

 God has a place for everyone

– We have been given the responsibility of sharing this message – Romans 10:14-15

• Requires that we go out from our “home pasture”

 The search is not complete until the lost sheep are found

Luke 15:5 (NLT)

And then you would joyfully carry it home on your shoulders.

Carrying The Load

 Out of love we carry the burden for others – Hebrews 10:24

– Prayer

– Service

– Sacrifice

Hebrews 10:24 (NLT)

Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds.

Carrying The Load

 Out of love we carry the burden for others – Hebrews 10:24

– Prayer

– Service

– Sacrifice

 The burdens of lost sheep

– Fear

– Regret

– Worry

– Bitterness

Luke 15:6-7 (NLT)

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!

What Are You

Celebrating These Days?

 Changed lives are cause for celebration – Acts 16:34

– There is no greater reason for celebration

Acts 16:34 (NLT)

Then he brought them into his house and set a meal before them. He and his entire household rejoiced because they all believed in God.

What Are You

Celebrating These Days?

 Changed lives are cause for celebration – Acts 16:34

– There is no greater reason for celebration

 Heaven celebrates over the lives of those who have put their faith in Jesus

**Powerpoint available on request