The Lost Sheep

LIMAVADY INDEPENDENT METHODIST CHURCH

NOTES FROM DRIVE-IN MISSION TUESDAY 8 JUNE 2021 DEAN CASKEY

LUKE 15 VERSES 1 - 7

This is a well known passage all about the lost sheep.  This sheep had been carefree just a few hours before.  Maybe you are carefree today, not caring for your soul.  What does it mean to be lost?  How easy is it to get lost?  What happens when we get lost?  What are the dangers of being lost?  "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God."  The emphasis is on the word "all".  Verse 1 "all the publicans and sinners".  Who was gathered at this particular meeting? The publicans and sinners and then in verse 2 we also read that the Pharisees and scribes were present.  Why were they there?  Some were there to listen, others to cause trouble, to murmur and argue with Jesus' words.  Why are you here tonight?  Because you were invited?  Because you wanted to hear the gospel?  You feel that you have to be here on this particular day under the presence of Jesus perhaps?  What were they going to hear?  The need of their soul salvation.  The offer in verse 1.  

The obstruction.  Jesus' words were not confined to a building, the synagogue or temple of that day.  They were not confined to places where certain people were allowed to hear him.  It was in the open air.  The publicans and sinners were there to hear Jesus.  The Pharisees and scribes were there to murmur.  When Jesus started to speak there were those who started to murmur.  Once the gospel message is proclaimed there will be those who will start to speak against it.  Maybe you are unsaved tonight.  Maybe you are listening to the message.  Maybe there is a voice telling you not to listen.  Maybe there are excuses going on in your head that keep you away from salvation.  The publicans drew near.  They wanted to hear.  The Pharisees and scribes instead of wanting to listen were more keen to say "we have heard enough".  They were maybe even trying to keep others away.  Maybe you are afraid of what people might say.  It is time to step out, put the obstruction behind you.

The outsiders - verse 2 "The Pharisees and scribes murmured saying this man receiveth sinners and eateth with them."  They failed to see they were also sinners.  It was easy to take this moral high ground.  They were openly in need of the gospel message.  They felt he was not for them.  Maybe there is someone here.  You can say that the gospel message is not for you, not something you need.  You are a good person, certainly not like those sinners who need the gospel message.  These men were saying Jesus welcomed sinners but failed to understand they were sinners themselves.  It didn't matter that they were religious, that they studied the scriptures themselves, as good living as they possibly could be.  They were still sinners too.  It doesn't matter if you attend church every Sunday, if you haven't come to Jesus and acknowledged he has died for your sins you are still a sinner.

The observation - verse 4 "if he lost one of them."  Jesus turns their attention to a parable of a little sheep.  This farmer had 100 sheep.  It might not have been easy to count them and realise one was missing as he put them into the sheep fold.  He could have said 'I have enough to keep me busy'.  The love he had for one sheep.  It is the same love Jesus has.  He came down to this earth, he lived and died, was buried and rose again.  Just to save your sin.  The sheep was now lost.  It had to realise that first of all.  It was alright when it was in the flock but now it was separated.  It was lost.  Do you realise you are lost tonight?  Do you realise you are not on your way to heaven?  If Jesus was to come or call you would not be on your way to heaven.  The sheep didn't realise he was in danger.  He was in the wilderness, he was not somewhere safe.  A wandering sheep.  There were many dangers for this sheep.  There are many things that will keep you from Jesus.  Jesus himself warned that if you die in your sins you will be lost for all eternity.  This sheep didn't realise he needed help.  The sheep couldn't do anything in its own strength.  Maybe he had fallen down some rock face.  He quickly realised he had to do something very important.  The sheep had to cry out to be heard.  Unsaved soul you need to realise that in your unsaved state you are lost, are in danger.  As Peter walked across the water to Jesus he began to sink under the waves.  He cried out to the Lord to save him.  The sheep could only cry out, hoping that it would be heard and be lifted out of the danger.

The organisation - verse 4.  A great search was made.  The shepherd realised there was one missing.  He searched high and low for the sheep.  It was a widespread search.  He didn't concentrate in one area but searched every part.  All the potential places he could think of.  It was exhausting.  It was extensive.  Nothing was too much trouble even though he had 99 others at home.  The shepherd still searched for that one lost sheep.  The search has already started for you when Jesus went to the cross.  He is passing your way today.  The sheep called out for all it was worth and the shepherd heard it.

The objective - verses 6 and 7.  The great objective of this search was to find the sheep.  There was joy in the family when the sheep was found.  The sheep was safe.  The search was over.  In verse 7 we read there is great rejoicing in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.  That lost sheep could be you tonight.  There could be joy in your family tonight but more than that - joy in heaven when you get saved.  Maybe you have known you are lost.  Maybe you have come to the point where you understand what Jesus means to you.  You realise Jesus is passing by and there is nothing you can do for yourself.  It is only the shepherd that can find you.  All you can do is cry out for him to save you.  "Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out."