THE LOST: GOD SEEKS HIS LOST SHEEP
(Message by Tanny Keng)
1. The Lost
a) The parables of The Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son portray God as concerned about the lost, and willing and anxious that they be returned to Him.
b) The three parables about the lost being found illustrate the kindness and mercy of God. When those who are lost are found, there is much rejoicing in all the household of God (Luke 15:4-32).
2. God Seeks His Lost Sheep
a) The parable of the lost sheep.
Luke 15:4-7
“4 What man here, having a hundred sheep, and lost one of them, would not leave the 99 in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, delighted. 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 say to you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance.”
i) There is God's loving concern about every individual lost person, and his effort to bring the lost one back to him, even though the lost be only one percent of the fold. The Shepherd in this parable is acting as any self-respecting shepherd or sheep owner would and should. He is going out to seek the lost "until he finds it". He spares no effort. This is exactly what the Son of God did. He came to this world to seek and save the lost. (Luke 19:10, John 10:11-16).
ii) There is the rejoicing in all of heaven over the lost who was found, the one sinner who repents and comes back to God. Maybe, in real life, not quite so much fuss would be made of one sheep being found, but the parable is dramatizing an ideal shepherd's love for his sheep and his total commitment to them.
iii) The shepherd or sheep owner seems to somewhat neglect the good sheep who have not strayed. They are left in the wilderness while the shepherd seeks the lost. And again, when the lost sheep is found, a great song and dance is made of that sheep's homecoming; yet little notice seems to be taken of the righteous and faithful sheep. In the parable of the lost son, the second son complains about the song and dance made at the homecoming of the son who went astray. When the church is “neglected” because evangelistic effort is getting the focus and priority, the church should not complain.
The End ...
1. The Lost a) The parables of The Lost Sheep, the Lost Coin, and the Lost Son portray God as concerned about the lost, and willing and anxious that they be returned to Him.
b) The three parables about the lost being found illustrate the kindness and mercy of God. When those who are lost are found, there is much rejoicing in all the household of God (Luke 15:4-32).
2. God Seeks His Lost Sheep
a) The parable of the lost sheep.
Luke 15:4-7
“4 What man here, having a hundred sheep, and lost one of them, would not leave the 99 in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when finds it, he lays it on his shoulders, delighted. 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 say to you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance.”
i) There is God's loving concern about every individual lost person, and his effort to bring the lost one back to him, even though the lost be only one percent of the fold. The Shepherd in this parable is acting as any self-respecting shepherd or sheep owner would and should. He is going out to seek the lost "until he finds it". He spares no effort. This is exactly what the Son of God did. He came to this world to seek and save the lost. (Luke 19:10, John 10:11-16).
ii) There is the rejoicing in all of heaven over the lost who was found, the one sinner who repents and comes back to God. Maybe, in real life, not quite so much fuss would be made of one sheep being found, but the parable is dramatizing an ideal shepherd's love for his sheep and his total commitment to them.
iii) The shepherd or sheep owner seems to somewhat neglect the good sheep who have not strayed. They are left in the wilderness while the shepherd seeks the lost. And again, when the lost sheep is found, a great song and dance is made of that sheep's homecoming; yet little notice seems to be taken of the righteous and faithful sheep. In the parable of the lost son, the second son complains about the song and dance made at the homecoming of the son who went astray. When the church is “neglected” because evangelistic effort is getting the focus and priority, the church should not complain.
Comments
Post a Comment