Parables of Christ - Part 18

The Lost Sheep

The Audio Version of today’s note

The House of Bread · Voice Note For 20241021 - The Lost Sheep - Parables Of Christ - Part 18

Luke 15:1-10 KJV

[1] Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. [2] And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. [3] And he spake this parable unto them, saying, [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? [5] And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. [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. [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. [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? [9] And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. [10] Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.

Note for 20241021

This morning's scripture is more than what it may appear at first. For many here, these are very well known parables, but there are still those that may not have heard of it yet. There is a lesson, right in the face value of the reading of it; but do not neglect why Christ spoke these to begin with. This started with a murmuring of Christ receiving sinners. Let us bring another parable close to this one...

Luke 18:9-14 KJV

[9] And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: [10] Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. [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. [12] I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. [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. [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.

Today, I want to confess something to you brothers and sisters. I am well aware that it is believers that read here what GOD gives me to feed His sheep. In fact, I know too of all those that receive the Word and never have time for it. I even know of the inner-murmuring of, "it is too long, too much, I cannot keep up. It's overwhelming." I even know of the thoughts of, "God will understand, I don't have time for this." I even know that some will read here today, who haven't read in a long time, just as I know that there will be those that read this here for the first time. Some people are willfully lost, while others are searching for a voice they can trust. Can you be considered a "lost-sheep" found? How grand it would be to hear the lambs, for I speak to a silent audience.

Here is another confession: I trust your salvation to the LORD, as much as I trust the LORD for mine. I bring my testimony, so GOD may use it as He pleases. In a like manner, I ask you to forward this on to some of your friends and family, even if you yourself do not always have the time to read all of it. Share it forward, and trust the Lord that it will reach those that it must, even if it is just one word or sentence that someone had to hear, to make a choice he/she may have been struggling with. The LORD will present to Himself a pure bride. He will complete in us what He has started.

Does that mean that we become hypocrites? Surely, these scriptures warn against that. I am simply asking you to pass it on, so those that may want or need it can find it.

Do you know how many have left their places of gathering because of being hurt? They are like these lost sheep Christ spoke of in the scripture, waiting in the wilderness to hear the call of their Shepherd. Do not deny them that. If you are not fully ready, don't let that prevent the call to come back home to escape others. This is indeed a call back home. This is an alarm to come back in, for the wolves are out; yes, the lion is on the prowl to tear all that he finds unprotected. The unrepented are ready too, for a harvest that may start soon; if not started already, and we can just not see it yet.

Now! Let us test ourselves, less we become lost too. Have we got the Shepherd in view? Can we see our fellow sheep? Or, have we become like that lost coin, stuck somewhere, no one will think to look? Do we appease ourselves with repetitive words of, "I'm okay. I'm okay," while feeling all alone in this world. You know getting lost is always preceded with thoughts like that. You think to yourself, "it's not so bad, I can get out of this." That is until you are really lost in a strange place, without an idea what is North or where East is. Have you got the Shepherd in view, because if you have Jesus in sight, you are not lost, even if you are in the wilderness. He is the Way back Home to GOD our Father, our Creator.

Do not get so lost, that you do not recognize repentance when you see it. Don't forget who Christ died for, sinners like you and me. When you out in the wilderness proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, you are not lost... You are on task. Dare I say, you can get lost in a group of people, when you have lost sight of Christ.

So, whosoever you find that is still lost, help them home. Even if that person is you, just come to the Lord in the humility of this publican the Pharisees dismissed, and call on the Name of GOD. Call out to your Shepherd, He will find you.

Shalom.

The House of Bread

Verse of The Day

(YouVersion - Expanded from verse 24)

Luke 6:27-28 KJV

[27] But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, [28] bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.