God Pursues SinnersGod Pursues Sinners

Luke 15:1-10Luke 15:1-10

Luke 14:33

So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.

What kind of people follow?

Luke 15:1-2

1 Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, “This man receives sinners and eats with them.”

“Let a man never associate with a wicked person, not even for the purpose of bringing him near the Torah.” –

Rabbinical Saying

Luke 15:3-43 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?

Isaiah 53:6a All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way…

How to get the sheep home?• Option #1 – Give the Sheep a Map

– Religious Maps… Do things to get back to God.– Secular Maps… Do things to reach potential.– Problem #1 – Sheep don’t read maps…– Problem #2 – Sheep resent being told they are

lost…

• Option #2 – Enter the Shepherd…

Luke 15:3-43 So he told them this parable: 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it?

Luke 15:5-75 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 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 tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

Luke 15:8-10

8 “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Isaiah 53:4-6

4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Responding to the Gospel

• Lost Sheep – Let the Shepherd bring you home.– Take a Bible and The Story as you leave…– Call out to the Shepherd now (Romans 10:13)…

• Rescued Sheep – Be about your Father’s business.– Sheep live in gospel centered communities.– Order your life around will of the Father for His glory

and your joy.