LOST SHEEP

Scripture reading:

Psalm 23

1

Intro:When we read the parables of the lostsheep , and the lost coin we see more clearly the value God puts on each oneof us. God created us in his image, andcreated us to have purpose in this life. That purpose is to fear him and keep hiscommandments. Ecclesiastes 12:13

2

A parable is a story. Jesus tells us why he spoke in

parables when answered his disciples when they asked

him.

Mat 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him,

Why speakest thou unto them in parables?

3

Jesus answers the question:

Mat 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to

know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

Mat 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Mat 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.

Mat 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

4

One point for this lesson:

GODS love for the lost.

Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that

which was lost.

5

This parable Jesus spoke in response to the Pharisees.

Luke 15:1,2

Luk 15:1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and

sinners for to hear him.

Luk 15:2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured,

saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

6

Who were these people that came to hear Jesus?

The tax collectors were those who worked for the roman

government, the sinners were most likely jews wanting

to hear Jesus (common people).

The Pharisees and the scribes, most likely came to

hear Jesus to find fault, or find something which they

could accuse him.

7

The Pharisees were religious-political leaders in nt times.

The scribes recorded events, and decisions made. Some

of them were Pharisees. What is considered the woe

chapter Matthew 23:23-26 were Jesus sharpely rebukes

these people for their error. Gives you an idea of what

they were like.

8

Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Mat 23:24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.

Mat 23:25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess.

Mat 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.

9

These people really saw themselves as righteous, without

sin , able to judge others. They had no concern for the

welfare of others, moreover their concerns were self-

centered filthy lucre. They were`nt about to repent of

their sins, or to admitt they were sinful.

The account of the two men going to the temple to pray.

10

Luk 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the

other a publican.

Luk 18:11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee,

that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this

publican.

Luk 18:12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

Luk 18:13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his

eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a

sinner.

Luk 18:14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the

other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth

himself shall be exalted.

11

Jesus responds to these people:

Luk 15:3 And he spake this parable unto them, saying,

Luk 15:4 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?

Luk 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.

Luk 15:6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

12

In verse 4 , Jesus is making a statement in a question,

who is it that would losing something precious wouldn’t

search for it. As an example of this could be illustrated,

when you go shopping with your young child, and youre

looking at items to purchase, and the child wanders off.

What kind of effort are you going to give to find your

Child? Youre not going to stop looking til you find the

child.

13

Mat 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which

is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

The shepherd is confident the 99 are safe, maybe in

the sheepfold for protection. Why did the sheep leave

the fold in the first place?

Could it be the sheep was looking for something better

to eat? (Greener pasture)

14

Could it be the sheep just wandered because it wasn`t getting feed.

2Pe_2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;

Could it be the sheep were feed with something inferior, or unhealthy

Jer 23:1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD. Jer 23:2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD. Jer 23:3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase. Jer 23:4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.

15

Could it be a thief or a robber posing as a sheperd.

Joh 10:1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Joh 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Joh 10:3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

Joh 10:4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

Joh 10:5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

16

17

The good shepherd seeks the lost.

Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

Joh 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

Joh 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

Joh 10:14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep,and am known of mine.

18

The shepherd seeks until he finds the lost. And when

He finds the lost, verse 5 he gently, and tenderly reaches

his arms down to lift the lost up putting the lost sheep

around his shoulders. Rejoicing in finding the lost.

Notice he isn`t scolding or correcting the sheep with

a harsh voice.

Luk 15:5 And when he hath found it, he layethit on his shoulders, rejoicing.

19

When the shepherd returns home, he gathers all his

his friends and his neighbors together to rejoice with

him. This is the joy of the Lord.

Luk 15:6 And when he cometh home, he callethtogether his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.

20

When we are enabled by God the father thru Jesus

to give answer to the lost, let us not ever fail to go afterthem, like the good shepherd in this parable went afterthe lost sheep.

Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

THE LOST COIN

21

Luk 15:8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?

Luk 15:9 And when she hath found it, she callethher friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.

Luk 15:10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

22

One of teachers at work lost her engagement ring in

the science lab at school.She searched for it frantically on

her hands and knees, however see didn`t find it. It took

the cleaner to find it. It was lost in the vaccum cleaner,

and after opening the collection bag there was the ring,

shinning brightly. The cleaner took the ring to the teacher,

and the teacher was overwhelmed with tears of joy.

23

Mar 8:35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Mar 8:36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

Mar 8:37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

GODS SALVATION PLAN

24

HEAR The gospel 1corinthians 15:1-4

BELIEVE In God the father and Jesus the son

REPENT With Godly sorrow turn from sin

CONFESS Jesus Christ the son of GOD

BE BAPTIZED Immersed or buried in water

LIVE FAITHFULLY Stay obedient and overcome the

world

25

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO OBEY THE GOSPEL TODAY

PLEASE BE A CHRISTIAN TODAY, EVEN RIGHT NOW!

YOU MAY NEVER HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE.

IF WE CAN HELP WITH THE STEPS OF SALVATION

LET US KNOW, AND WE WILL ASSIST YOU.

26

THANKYOU! FOR LISTENING

27