Our Doors are Open
Luke 15:1-10
National Back to Church Preparation Message
September 4, 2011
Morning Service
(Adapted from the National Back to Church Sunday sermon resources)
When was the last time you had to search for something? People misplace things every day. We lose our keys. We forget where we park our car. We even feel like we might lose our minds. When something important goes missing, we make a search for it. We often do not give up until we find what we are looking for.
Jesus was on a great search:
He came to seek and save that which was lost
He went from village to village preaching the good news
He had compassion on people because they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd
Jesus said: I have come that they might have life and have it to the fullest
Jesus understands something that the modern church seems to have forgotten. The missing are what matters. If you have your Bibles with you, please open them to Luke 15:1-10.
1 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." 3 Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ’Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 8 "Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ’Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." Luke 15:1-10
Before Jesus speaks a single word, the Pharisees and teachers of the Law criticize His behavior. The religious leaders were too busy condemning people instead of reaching people. There was an entire segment of society that was neglected by the religious. These people were those that Jesus reached and revealed His love.
One thing to keep in mind, every single one of these “sinners” were once part of Jewish faith. Every person could be classified as de-churched. These people were missing from the faith community and the religious leadership had no problem with it.
Both of these parables have a familiar quality to them. Both have been preached as examples for increased evangelism to lost people. Both parables highlight the importance of the missing.
Notice the pattern to the parables
1. Something goes missing
2. A search is conducted
3. A celebration is enjoyed
When Jesus speaks these words, He does so in the context of a society that was filled with people who walked away from their faith. These people were viewed as outcasts and rejects. Our society is filled with people who have walked away from the church.
How many of you know someone who used to attend church? The number of de-churched in the United States is climbing each year and this is a harvest field that we need to start tapping into.
Jesus is speaking about the de-churched of His day when he speaks of the lost sheep and the lost coin. The term sheep is always used in reference to the people of God. The coin was found in the house. House was a reference to being in the presence of God. Jesus is talking about people who belonged to God but had left an active faith.
Why does Jesus tell these stories?
Jesus is communicating compassion for people
Jesus made it His mission to reach out to the people who were the missing. Part of our mission should be to reach the “missing”. We cannot afford to forget that what is missing is what matters.
Jesus crowns unlikely heroes
The heroes of the story are not what the audience would expect. The hero of a shepherd and a woman were highly unexpected by the religious leaders of the day.
Shepherd: Shepherds were seen as second class citizens of the day. They were common laborers and viewed nearly on the same level as slaves. Shepherds were often uneducated and viewed as unimportant.
Women: Women had no rights during the days of Jesus. Women were often viewed as third class citizens and may even have been considered property. Women were definitely seen as being lower than shepherds.
Why does Jesus make these two the heroes?
The point is simple, the shepherd and the woman were concerned about the missing. Jesus was basically telling the crowds that day that if even shepherds and women had concern for the missing, everyone should.
There was incredible concern for the things that had been entrusted to them – sheep and coins. Even one missing caused an all out search. Jesus is simply saying that the missing matter more than anything else.
The missing matter so much that they are the point of the story. The church exists not for the members but for the missing. The missing are people, they are souls and they matter to the heart of God. Our number one goal is to open our doors to the missing from the family of God.
How would it feel to have friends and family sitting down the pew with you? How would it feel to see some accept Christ or rededicate their lives? It could happen all because you extended an invitation.
Only 2 percent of church members invite a unchurched person to church. 98% of church-goers never extend an invitation in a given year." - Dr Thom Rainer, The Unchurched Next Door
62 percent, is not actively looking, but is open to the idea of attending church regularly again
There are people you know, people you encounter that fall into these categories. Many are just waiting to be asked to join you for church.
What would happen if we all prayed for people we know who don’t go to church? What would happen if we took the time to invite someone on Monday? What would happen if we invited our neighbors on Tuesday?
The Lord’s house would be full! It can happen. How would it make you feel to see it as a reality? How would it make God feel to see it happen? We have an opportunity to touch the heart of Jesus. We have an opportunity to impact eternity. Will we really let the opportunity slip by us?
Conclusion
On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made their first flight of an airplane at Kitty Hawk NC. On their 5th attempt, the plane under the control of Orville, embarked on a 12 second flight.
Wilbur rushed to the local telegraph office and sent the following message – WE HAVE FLOWN FOR 12 SECONDS - WE WILL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS!
Upon receiving the telegram their sister, Katherine went to the newspaper office, told the editor of her brother’s new flying machine, and informed him, they would be home for Christmas, if he would like to set up an interview.
He told her that was nice, and he would be sure to put something in the paper regarding the boys.
On December 19th, the local paper placed the following headline on the 6th page of the paper: “WRIGHT BROTHERS HOME FOR CHRISTMAS” (SermonIllustrations.com)
The sad reality is that the editor of the newspaper is a lot like the modern church, missing the opportunity. We have a missing opportunity that we need to be taking advantage of. We need to seize the opportunity to tap some of our available potential.
1. Show concern
One of the biggest areas of concern that we have is for the spiritual well being of others. Do those who are outside the church concern us? Do they matter enough for us to extend an invitation?
2. Take some action
Talk is cheap because anyone can talk but few actually do something. God moves when we act on His behalf. God blessed our efforts for His kingdom.
3. Equip yourself for success
We have provided resources for the congregation to extend invitations. There are oversized postcards to either mail or give to someone. There are doorhangers that we will distribute through neighborhoods. If you would like some to pass out, there are plenty to go around. There are still stacks of business cards for use for anyone who wants them. If we run out, we can create more. The resources are here for you to make the most of each week. The time has come to stop settling for just going to church. Now is the time to rise up and be the church.
