LOST

Notes from a sermon heard on 12 May 2013

Luke 15 verses 1 – 7

The subject of Luke’s gospel chapter 15 would be LOST.  In Luke’s gospel chapter 15 we find 3 sections – a lost sheep, a piece of lost silver and then a lost son.   Look tonight at the lost sheep but not concentrating on the sheep itself but the loving shepherd.  We want to contrast that to John chapters 10 and 11 where it talks about the Good Shepherd and what he says about himself – “the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”  We see Christ as he comes into this world, as he walks along the laneways of the towns and villages, see him on the middle cross dieing for you and I.  4 specific thoughts:

A thoughtful endeavour.  The people are gathered together in chapter 15 verse 1.  They are drawn to the Lord.  Something special about this man.  The way he preaches and teaches.  He can draw men and women to himself.  He brought publicans and sinners to hear him.  Read there of the Pharisees in verse 2 came and murmured.  They didn’t like what he said.  They didn’t like people praising him, bowing at his feet.  Just as the old scribes tried to hinder people coming to the Lord so too will the devil do all in his power to hinder you coming to Christ.  Maybe you have already realised that you are not ready for heaven and home.  Are you willing and ready to do something about it?  Are you longing to make Jesus Saviour and Lord as your own?  If so you will be in a fierce battle because the devil will do all to rob you of the good seed of the word of God.  He will do all to hinder you to come to Christ.  Has God been opening your heart to the claims of salvation, that your soul is standing in the balance?  You need to do something about it.  This man was tired and weary.  He couldn’t rest until he found that one sheep that was lost.  Jesus cannot rest until he has found you.  He has you on his heart and mind.  The only thought he had on his heart was that the little sheep is on the mountainside.  Spiritually speaking the day is far spent.  The night time of judgment is coming on this old earth.  The devil and the demons of hell roam the streets of this world seeking to devour whom he may.  We can point you to the one who came into the world to seek and to save the world.  That on the cross he might die for you and me.  The devil tempted Jesus to come up to the pinnacle, the highest point to prove who he was.  “Every kingdom of the world I will give to you if you bow down and worship me.”  The old devil was defeated on that day on the mountain.  The only thing on Jesus’ mind that day was your soul and mine.  In the Garden of Gethsemane, in the darkness of the night Jesus comes to his father and says “nevertheless not my will but thine be done.”  Are you concerned about that soul of yours?  The mind of the Lord is what Paul paints for us in Philippians 2.  He did not strive to seek himself equal with God, “he made himself of no reputation and took upon him the form of a servant.”  The shepherd had one sheep on his mind.  God had one thing on his mind and soul – you.  Jesus wept over Jerusalem one day and said “how often would I have gathered you as a hen does gather her chicks.”  He went into the market place and started to plead with men and women to come to him but they didn’t come.  How many times has God spoken to you about your need of salvation?  Has he reached into that heart of yours?  Have you turned your back on God and said no to the Lord?  On his heart and mind tonight is your precious soul.  Christ looked at those who had hammered the nails into his hands on the cross and prayed “Father forgive them for they know not what they do.”  The devil had blinded them.  How many times has he to pray for you as you walk away from his offer of mercy?

His tireless efforts.  He began to look for this sheep which was lost.  He put actions to his thoughts.  He wants to find this sheep.  Almost can imagine the shepherd, picture him as he goes out to find it, going back over all his ground, seeking for this little sheep.  The Lord doesn’t give up on us.  He didn’t give up on his journey to the cross.  Throughout his life he was tireless in his efforts.  Think of John 4 and the encounter with the woman at the well.  “Jesus must needs go through Samaria.”  Why?  There is a woman who needed to be saved.  She was living a sinful, wreckless life.  Just to save her soul he would have come into the world just to save her.  He has come into the world just for you.  As he approaches this area he was weary and tired and hungry.  He rested on the well.  The woman comes out, lost in her sin yet the Lord doesn’t say just give me a breather.  He begins to speak to this woman.  He has time for her.  He has time for you tonight.  When Jesus came into one of the villages parents wanted the children to be touched and blessed by him.  The disciples thought differently.  They tried to turn them away but Jesus said “forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10 verse 14)  If you have a moment to give to Christ he will meet you there.  In Luke 14 and the parable of the feast we see the sufficiency of the feast and the scope of the feast.  The man had a son getting married so he sent out invitations “come for all things are now ready.”  Everyone he sent out an invitation to wouldn’t come to the feast.  They turned their backs on it.  There is a invitation that goes out today for the gospel – “come and receive Christ as Saviour.”  As we read of this feast we know the feast is a picture of the nation of Israel who turned their back on the Lord.  “He came unto his own and his own received him not.”  The gospel was then opened up to you and I.  The servants were to go out to those who were invited, then to go out into the cities and villages to bring in the lame, the halt and the blind.  They were go to everyone and everywhere while there is still time.  There is a tireless effort going out tonight to bring men and women into the kingdom of God.  There is a tireless effort made for your soul.  He has you on his mind.  He has come in search of you.

A triumphant experience.  When he found the lamb in verse 5 he laid it on his shoulders.  The shepherd searched until he found the lost lamb.  A tireless effort took the Lord to the cross where you and I are saved.  I see the devil rubbing his hands with glee.  He feels he has unleashed his master plan to get rid of Christ.  He gets the nation of Israel to reject Christ.  All the religious leaders build up a case against Christ then Judas Iscariot receives a few silver coins to betray the Lord.  The devil seems to be in control then when he gets the opportunity to enter into the soul of Judas.  He only has to tell Pilate your friends will turn against you if you don’t reject this man.  Psalm 22 every demon in hell gathering around the cross then Jesus cries triumphantly “it is finished”.  The great plan of God’s salvation is completed and the devil is defeated for all eternity.  The Lord Jesus spoiled the principalities.  He delivered us from the powers of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of his son.  Maybe like the sheep you think you are safe, everything is well but you are lost.  With the next breath you have you could drop into the depths of hell for all eternity.  Thank God he triumphed at the cross of Calvary to save your soul.

A thankful expression.  The lamb was put on his shoulders and he went home telling his neighbours “come and rejoice with me this lamb was lost but now is found.”  All heaven awaits for your decision tonight.  If you were to come to Christ all heaven will sing over the sinner coming in repentance tonight.  Will you come tonight?