The Lost Sheep

COLERAINE EVANGELICAL CHURCH

SERMON NOTES FROM TUESDAY 15 APRIL 2025 - MR JOHN WEIR

LUKE 15 VERSES 1 TO 7

The bible has much to say about sheep farmers. Did you know that there are 179 verses in the bible about sheep? The bible starts and ends with sheep. In Genesis 4 Abel was a keeper of sheep and in Revelation 18 verse 13 sheep are mentioned in the fall of Babylon. Abraham looked after sheep, David looked after sheep, Laban looked after sheep, Joel and Jeremiah mention sheep. Sheep were used in the sacrifice at the temple. Jesus talks of false prophets who are like wolves in sheeps clothing. Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd who gives himself for the sheep. In Luke 15 we read of the lost sheep. In this passage we read not only of the lost sheep but the lost piece of silver and the lost son. All 3 were found. Jesus used parables, simple language people could understand. In verse 1 we read of different types of people attracted to Jesus - publicans and sinners. Many people were around Jesus - tax collectors, demon possessed, outcasts of society. They wanted to hear Jesus. In verse 2 we hear what the Pharisees and scribes said of Jesus - "this man receiveth sinners and eateth with them." I am a sinner. I know my past. Just think - Jesus is the friend of sinners.

The plight of this sheep - verse 4 "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness and go after that which is lost, until he find it?" At the beginning there were 100 sheep and then disaster strikes. One goes missing. How did this sheep get lost? What happened? We are not told. Maybe it saw a hole in the hedge, an opening. Maybe something attracted it away. It was disaster for the sheep and the shepherd. Sheep have little sense of direction. Somehow it got lost. How did it feel? It cannot fend for itself, there would be the fear of attack. It could fall off a cliff. It could be attacked by wild beasts in the wilderness. It cannot defend itself. It is vulnerable. There is a great danger for this sheep of being lost. A terrible feeling. Think of young children getting lost in a shop or restaurant. What a terrible feeling. Maybe there is a lost sheep in this church tonight. Maybe your life is going in a direction you never intended to go. Maybe there are things you have done that you are ashamed of. You can come into the fold and family of God.  The bible describes people as lost sheep - "All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned every one to his own way and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all." "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." On this Easter week how many will think of the real meaning of Easter - the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. Some just think of it as a few days off work, they go to the bar for a few drinks or go off on holiday. How many will think of the Saviour? Sin separates us from God. Sin brings disgrace. John Newton cried out to the Lord to save him. He was a blasphemer and a heavy drinker. He said "Lord if you save me I will give my life to you" and he did. He wrote those amazing words 

Amazing grace how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me
I was once lost but now am found
Was blind but now I see

Without Christ we are nothing. We can do well in our business, go on holidays, get all our degrees but when you come to die how much of it will really matter? Wouldn't it be good to have a testimony for Christ after you die?

The pursuit of the sheep - verse 4 "What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness and go after that which is lost, until he find it?" The man leaves the 99 other sheep and goes to look for the one that was lost. This one sheep was valuable. Maybe everyone here are Christians but maybe there is just one lost sheep, still not a Christian. This meeting would be worth it all just for you if you were to come into the fold. Imagine how the shepherd felt when he realised the sheep was missed. It was so precious that he went after it. This is a picture of Christ looking and pleading for men. We read that Jesus was moved with compassion when he saw the multitudes but here he was interested in the one. Maybe he is searching for you tonight. Maybe his eye is on you. You feel a tug on your heart. Maybe you were in another night and all of a sudden you started to think more and more of salvation. It is amazing how the Lord searches for people and one person who has never heard the gospel before is moved to find Christ while other people who have heard it so many times before are never touched. The Lord can put obstacles and roadblocks in our way to stop us in our tracks. Maybe it is a gospel tract. Maybe a work colleague who is a Christian. He could speak through a faithful pastor. Maybe he has preached the gospel over the years. Did you know that there are some churches tonight that don't preach the gospel? Maybe it was a praying mother or father, a Sunday School teacher. Genuine people who loved the Lord. Maybe it is through an open coffin of a loved one. You see that coffin going down into the ground or you walk behind a coffin. Can I encourage you parents tonight - keep on praying for your children. Maybe you will be in heaven before they will be saved. A mission can be a roadblock. Someone once said to me "it was as if God was everywhere. I met a Christian. Someone invited me to church. The Lord was dealing with my heart." Picture the shepherd searching the ditches, walking the roads, determined to find the sheep. He was listening for its voice. God is patient with us, he goes after his people. What age are you tonight? Maybe you are not living for the Lord. Here is another opportunity. God is patient. The shepherd was determined to find this sheep. Jesus was determined to go to the cross, he never turned back. He loved you and I that he made the journey to the cross. Luke 22 verse 42 "Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine be done." The shepherd would look for the sheep until he finds it. There is a compassion that burns in men and women when they love Jesus Christ. They want to share the gospel with others because they are perishing. They want people to fall in love with Jesus. Looking until he finds the sheep. The Saviour went to the cross because he loves us. John Wesley was a man full of compassion for souls. One night he was robbed. The thief got money and some of his belongings. John Wesley shouted after that thief "I have something more to give you. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sins." Some years later as he was shaking hands at the door after morning service that thief said to him "I will always owe my life to you." John Wesley replied "not to me but the precious blood of Jesus Christ." He was the man who said "the world is my parish." Have you tried to bring anyone to the mission? Imagine if your loved ones died without knowing Christ. All because you never asked them to come and hear the gospel message. Maybe there are souls in your area just waiting to hear of Jesus. Maybe there is a woman at the well, a little Zacchaeus, an apostle Paul out there waiting for you to get alongside them. How much Jesus loved. How much he can take broken lives and put them back together again. 

The peace of this sheep - verse 5 "And when he had found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing." Picture the sheep - peace and contentment, happy. It has been found by the shepherd and is now rejoicing. He wants his neighbours to know. Picture him carrying the sheep home. The sheep has value again. Many of us believe we are of no value. Marred vessels. Scarred by our past and sins. Jesus gave us something worth living for. The devil will whisper to you that you are useless, too far gone. Jesus calls him a thief. He comes to kill, steal an destroy. "I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly." There are young people who are giving up on life because they feel they have no value. Jesus can do something with our lives only if we will let him have his way. 

The plight of the sheep, the pursuit of the sheep and the peace of the sheep. It doesn't matter your background. There is room at the cross for you.  Though millions have come, there is still room at the cross for you. The sheep know the voice of the shepherd. Today if you hear his voice do not harden your heart. "My sheep know my voice and I call them by name." Maybe you are hearing his voice tonight. Maybe he called you years ago and you left it without making a decision. If you are a lost sheep tonight I pray that you will come into the fold. Many Christians are like the prodigal son - in a far country. The Lord is waiting for you to come home.