The Lost Sheep Series

INTRODUCTION:

Luke chapter 15 is what I like to call “God’s Lost and Found Chapter”. It is not three separate parables but rather one parable (v. 3) with three parts. Jesus uses three illustrations in this chapter to answer the Scribes’ and Pharisees’ accusation that He associated with publicans and sinners. Jesus doesn’t deny this but rather confirms it by giving them three examples of His love for those who are unlovable and unworthy. What He’s actually doing is using this opportunity to once again state His mission of coming “to call, not the righteous, but sinners to repentance”. The three illustrations He uses to do that are of a lost SHEEP, lost SILVER and a lost SON. This morning I want to begin this series by looking at the first illustration, that of THE LOST SHEEP.

BODY:

I. THE SHEEP—4

A. We are sheep

B. Sheep sometimes wander away from the fold—Is. 53:6

C. Lost sheep have no place to rest—Je. 50:6

D. We are in need of a shepherd—1 Pt. 2:25

II. THE SEARCH—4

A. The shepherd leaves his flock to go find the lost sheep.

B. Christ, as the Good Shepherd, searches for lost sheep.

C. That was His whole purpose in coming—Lk. 19:10

D. He loves us like we were His only sheep

III. THE SUPPORT—5

A. The shepherd took the sheep in his arms and carried it.

B. Jesus will take us in His arms and carry us to safety

C. He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us

IV. THE SALTATION—5b-6

A. “Saltation” = “Leaping, Dancing, Rejoicing”

B. The shepherd rejoiced

C. The friends and neighbors rejoiced

V. THE SALVATION—7

A. “Joy shall be in heaven”

B. Not the angels—they don’t know the joy of salvation

C. The redeemed in heaven rejoice over a sinner that repents---a lost sheep that comes home!

CONCLUSION:

Are you a lost sheep today? The Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, is searching for you and will take you up in His arms and carry you home to the safety of the sheepfold. Put your faith and trust in the Good Shepherd today.