The Lost Sheep--yesterday's sermon--

One of my friend's that doesn't really go to my church, Millbrook Baptist, obviously didn't hear yesterday's sermon "God's Lost and Found: The Lost Sheep" (Eddie Leopard) and God has laid it on my heart to tell her about it. So here you go dear friend...

The Lost Sheep
Luke 15:1-7
1Now the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." 3So 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? 5And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep that was lost.' 7Just 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.

I. The Condition of the Sheep
*sheep--not very smart--a person without Jesus in their heart lacks spiritual wisdom
*sheep lack direction, they often leave their shepherd--a person without Jesus (or not fully following His will), will lose their way from God
*sheep are defenseless at the mercy of what comes along--a person without Christ lacks defense against the devil

II. The Compassion of the Shepherd  
*also check out: Psalm 23 & John 10 
*he leaves 99 sheep and goes after the one lost sheep--the good shepherd always goes after the lost sheep
*not about the value of the sheep, but the love of the shepherd


III. The Celebration of Salvation
*Luke 19:10: For the Son of the Man came to seek and save the lost.
*you don't find God--He finds you. He pursues you, seeks you, and searches for you.
*you obtain salvation when He finds you, and you accept Him--when you seek Him with your whole heart!

So basically, do not ever feel like God has given up on you, that He is mad or upset with you. Yes, He might be disappointed and sad in your actions, but He will always love you! You are His child and He is sitting and waiting on you to come back to Him. Start putting Him back in your life. He wants you.