WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.120 Let me give you a bit of a warning. I'm a little tired this morning, so I thought I would get a cup of tea. 00:00:07.020 --> 00:00:09.900 You know, tea's supposed to kind of help wake you up, kind of like coffee. 00:00:12.120 --> 00:00:21.879 Sounds right. Do I look like a tea drinker, though, first of all. I'm not really educated on tea much, but I picked up something because it said, you know, I've been drinking it. 00:00:21.879 --> 00:00:29.460 It's been tasting good. But guess what? It's the kind of tea that makes you tired instead of, wait, cozy chamomile. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.500 Deceived by the cozy part, I thought, man, I want to feel cozy. So I drank that. 00:00:36.560 --> 00:00:43.380 So if I take a dive in the middle of this, like, that's what's going on. So just coffee from now on for me. 00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:50.539 Anyway, Luke 15. We've been working our way through some of the parables of Jesus. 00:00:50.539 --> 00:00:59.079 We took a break from going through the book of Daniel. And today we're going to embark and look at two different parables. 00:00:59.079 --> 00:01:09.819 From Luke 15. There are three altogether. But as you're aware, the third one is lengthy and deserves a lot more attention than just one Sunday morning. 00:01:10.739 --> 00:01:18.420 But just a background. Luke's gospel, the primary audience was non-Jews. 00:01:18.420 --> 00:01:24.819 It was for mainly focused toward Gentiles. Luke was a physician. Luke was a historian. 00:01:24.819 --> 00:01:30.239 And he wrote this gospel as a historical account of the life of Jesus. 00:01:30.799 --> 00:01:35.619 And later on wrote Acts. But in his mind is a Gentile audience. 00:01:35.780 --> 00:01:39.899 Those who, by a lot of people, were seen as outsiders of the covenant. 00:01:40.539 --> 00:01:45.479 And to kind of show God's love and God's grace towards all people. 00:01:45.480 --> 00:01:52.560 And so throughout the book of Luke, there's been a few times, even before where we are now, 00:01:52.620 --> 00:01:55.520 where it says that Jesus set his face toward Jerusalem. 00:01:56.040 --> 00:02:04.060 So he's kind of making his last journey toward the city of Jerusalem where he will die on the cross. 00:02:04.820 --> 00:02:08.439 And so heavy stuff on his mind, obviously. 00:02:08.439 --> 00:02:15.259 So we will just begin reading in chapter 15, verse 1. 00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:17.060 It says, 00:02:17.060 --> 00:02:21.879 Now the tax collectors and sinners were drawing near to him. 00:02:22.539 --> 00:02:26.060 And the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, 00:02:26.840 --> 00:02:29.860 This man receives sinners and eats with them. 00:02:30.740 --> 00:02:32.400 So he told them a parable. 00:02:32.400 --> 00:02:38.680 What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, 00:02:38.740 --> 00:02:44.640 does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? 00:02:46.020 --> 00:02:50.319 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 00:02:51.659 --> 00:02:55.680 And when he comes home, he calls together all his friends and his neighbors, 00:02:55.819 --> 00:02:56.599 saying to them, 00:02:56.680 --> 00:03:01.159 Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost. 00:03:01.159 --> 00:03:09.859 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents 00:03:09.859 --> 00:03:14.240 than the ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. 00:03:15.319 --> 00:03:18.900 Or what woman, having ten silver coins, 00:03:19.519 --> 00:03:22.500 if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, 00:03:23.240 --> 00:03:26.800 and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 00:03:26.800 --> 00:03:30.700 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends, her neighbors, 00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:35.640 saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost. 00:03:36.500 --> 00:03:44.320 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents. 00:03:45.500 --> 00:03:46.860 Let's join me in a word of prayer. 00:03:46.860 --> 00:03:50.940 Lord, we lift up this time together. 00:03:51.060 --> 00:03:54.840 I pray that we would worship through our listening, through our hearing, 00:03:55.180 --> 00:03:58.420 and then later by our obeying, by your grace. 00:03:58.520 --> 00:04:00.400 What we hear from your word today, 00:04:01.240 --> 00:04:05.080 just work in and through me to communicate the meaning and the application 00:04:05.080 --> 00:04:07.620 in a way that would be pleasing to you. 00:04:08.420 --> 00:04:10.000 Yeah, in Jesus' name, amen. 00:04:10.000 --> 00:04:10.120 Amen. 00:04:11.319 --> 00:04:14.280 So, just a little bit of the background, the introduction. 00:04:14.979 --> 00:04:17.720 This is not an unfamiliar passage for a lot of you. 00:04:18.480 --> 00:04:24.439 But first, just kind of notice that Jesus is hanging around some unruly company. 00:04:25.639 --> 00:04:30.379 In ancient Palestine, tax collectors were representatives of the Roman authorities. 00:04:30.600 --> 00:04:32.000 They were seen as outcasts. 00:04:32.600 --> 00:04:35.000 They were seen as traitors to the nation. 00:04:35.000 --> 00:04:42.459 They often used their authority to extort and take more money than they should from their own people, 00:04:42.980 --> 00:04:46.620 not just to pay their own, but also to kind of layer their own pockets. 00:04:47.439 --> 00:04:51.560 It was so bad that even most Jews didn't hang out with tax collectors, 00:04:51.639 --> 00:04:55.500 not just the religious elite, but they were just seen as scumbags of society, 00:04:56.199 --> 00:04:56.959 just traitors. 00:04:57.199 --> 00:04:58.279 That's how they were viewed. 00:04:59.220 --> 00:05:01.480 And Jesus has already kind of taken an aim at that 00:05:01.480 --> 00:05:06.439 because he has called a tax collector to be among his disciples already. 00:05:07.120 --> 00:05:09.780 So, he's kind of developing that stigma. 00:05:10.819 --> 00:05:13.860 Then it says that he was around sinners 00:05:13.860 --> 00:05:18.420 and all associated along with tax collectors. 00:05:19.140 --> 00:05:21.360 At least in the way it's being used here, 00:05:21.500 --> 00:05:26.740 it's just kind of implying to anyone who didn't follow or abide by the Mosaic law, 00:05:26.740 --> 00:05:31.100 people that didn't really take that kind of life very seriously. 00:05:31.980 --> 00:05:36.300 And so they were associated as outsiders in a lot of ways. 00:05:37.319 --> 00:05:42.800 The Pharisees would have regarded the sinners as anyone who doesn't care about the law as they interpret it. 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:46.960 And it seemed to reflect a commonly understood meaning 00:05:46.960 --> 00:05:49.620 that people were guilty of public sin, 00:05:49.620 --> 00:05:56.139 but also just disinterested, disengaged from religious life as the Pharisees would have it. 00:05:56.139 --> 00:06:03.039 And so it was culturally unacceptable for Jesus to keep with such company. 00:06:03.759 --> 00:06:05.539 He receives and welcomes sinners. 00:06:06.240 --> 00:06:10.399 If you read just in the last verse of chapter 14, 00:06:11.240 --> 00:06:11.819 Jesus says, 00:06:12.019 --> 00:06:14.759 Those who have ears to hear, let them hear. 00:06:15.719 --> 00:06:18.800 So, he knows people are listening in, 00:06:18.959 --> 00:06:21.219 particularly the religious elite. 00:06:22.120 --> 00:06:25.339 And so he welcomes sinners who have ears to hear. 00:06:25.339 --> 00:06:28.759 His concern is for the outsider, the outcast of society. 00:06:29.779 --> 00:06:31.579 So that's the unruly company, 00:06:31.739 --> 00:06:34.439 but also you notice there's the religious leaders who are there, 00:06:34.519 --> 00:06:37.419 the scribes and the Pharisees in verse 2. 00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:41.699 And they're looking on at this with great disgust. 00:06:42.839 --> 00:06:46.539 Pharisees means separated ones. 00:06:46.540 --> 00:06:49.879 So if you want to think about it that way, 00:06:49.980 --> 00:06:54.000 they really saw themselves as extra holy. 00:06:54.420 --> 00:06:57.900 They were the most influential of three major Jewish sects 00:06:57.900 --> 00:07:00.580 and a highly influential group. 00:07:01.400 --> 00:07:04.780 And they were known for their meticulous observance of the law, 00:07:04.879 --> 00:07:07.360 but they also had added on a lot of extra laws, 00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:08.540 extra biblical laws, 00:07:08.540 --> 00:07:13.360 laws in order to attain righteousness before God and God's favor. 00:07:14.180 --> 00:07:16.700 They also believed that if they were righteous enough, 00:07:16.760 --> 00:07:20.860 they could possibly obtain resurrection from the dead. 00:07:21.740 --> 00:07:26.340 And so, a very religious, strict group looking on. 00:07:26.960 --> 00:07:29.640 And the scribes are obviously those who copied the scripture, 00:07:29.900 --> 00:07:30.640 copied the law, 00:07:31.000 --> 00:07:32.640 and passed it on. 00:07:32.639 --> 00:07:36.699 So both honorable professions in the eyes of culture. 00:07:37.259 --> 00:07:43.099 It says they watched this spectacle of Jesus being with tax collectors and sinners. 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:44.860 It says they grumbled. 00:07:45.639 --> 00:07:46.899 They murmured. 00:07:47.180 --> 00:07:52.039 They indignantly complained among themselves. 00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:54.680 They don't like what they see. 00:07:54.879 --> 00:07:57.039 Jesus is not abiding by their rules, 00:07:57.740 --> 00:08:01.099 not behaving in their mind as a rabbi ought to behave. 00:08:01.100 --> 00:08:05.000 So what are they muttering about? 00:08:06.340 --> 00:08:09.920 Highly agitated because he receives sinners and eats with them. 00:08:10.340 --> 00:08:12.640 So not just that he came in contact with them, 00:08:12.660 --> 00:08:14.180 but he actually was eating with them. 00:08:14.360 --> 00:08:18.460 So it's not just like they're just grabbing a meal together real quick. 00:08:18.580 --> 00:08:21.500 It's like sharing a meal at that time 00:08:21.500 --> 00:08:27.460 meant sort of a way of expressing covenant friendship with someone. 00:08:28.160 --> 00:08:29.520 And he's there with them. 00:08:29.519 --> 00:08:32.079 He's associating with them. 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:33.620 Extended friendship. 00:08:34.699 --> 00:08:37.919 And they saw these people as ritually unclean. 00:08:38.579 --> 00:08:39.779 And their thinking was, 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:41.019 we are high up here. 00:08:41.139 --> 00:08:42.379 They are way down here. 00:08:42.960 --> 00:08:46.100 We can't mix with them or else they will pollute us. 00:08:46.199 --> 00:08:48.120 They will corrupt us. 00:08:48.960 --> 00:08:49.980 In this society, 00:08:50.840 --> 00:08:53.860 such people were known as people of the land. 00:08:53.960 --> 00:08:55.120 That's what they were referred to. 00:08:55.120 --> 00:08:57.500 So the people of dirt, 00:08:57.740 --> 00:09:00.379 kind of at the bottom of society. 00:09:00.539 --> 00:09:00.960 Peasants, 00:09:01.120 --> 00:09:02.560 unknown to God 00:09:02.560 --> 00:09:04.940 and unknown to his ways. 00:09:05.440 --> 00:09:08.580 So there was even a rabbinical teaching. 00:09:08.679 --> 00:09:08.960 So again, 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:10.259 this is extra biblical, 00:09:10.460 --> 00:09:11.860 not written in the law of Moses. 00:09:12.580 --> 00:09:14.220 But to the Pharisees, 00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:15.279 this is what it said. 00:09:15.279 --> 00:09:18.240 Let not a man associate with the wicked, 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:22.079 not even to bring him closer to the law. 00:09:23.360 --> 00:09:24.639 And how bad is that? 00:09:25.179 --> 00:09:27.539 So Jesus is doing the opposite. 00:09:27.959 --> 00:09:32.959 He could cleanse the leper rather than being made unclean by the leper. 00:09:32.960 --> 00:09:35.120 And so when he's around sinners, 00:09:35.280 --> 00:09:36.379 they don't affect him. 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:38.700 He affects them. 00:09:39.379 --> 00:09:41.700 So he is not defiled by them. 00:09:42.379 --> 00:09:44.540 So Jesus knows that this is what they're thinking. 00:09:44.700 --> 00:09:46.259 He hears them muttering among themselves. 00:09:46.780 --> 00:09:51.400 And just like our Lord took a time to tell a parable, 00:09:51.960 --> 00:09:52.420 parable, 00:09:52.560 --> 00:09:56.160 simple story to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. 00:09:57.040 --> 00:10:00.860 And the intended receivers are the religious leaders. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:01.980 Other people are listening, 00:10:01.980 --> 00:10:02.600 of course, 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:06.360 but he's making a point to them particularly. 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:08.279 And he tells a parable. 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:12.139 Let me just think about his genius as a teacher. 00:10:13.320 --> 00:10:15.379 Men love sheep. 00:10:16.139 --> 00:10:16.500 Women, 00:10:16.879 --> 00:10:17.320 coins. 00:10:18.220 --> 00:10:20.920 Fathers love sons. 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:22.420 That's like what he's thinking. 00:10:23.779 --> 00:10:27.379 And so a real simple outline. 00:10:28.159 --> 00:10:29.820 And then we'll get into some more application. 00:10:29.820 --> 00:10:31.120 But number one, 00:10:31.280 --> 00:10:32.280 something lost. 00:10:33.280 --> 00:10:35.660 Number two will be something is found. 00:10:36.700 --> 00:10:37.580 And number three, 00:10:38.460 --> 00:10:40.160 the rejoicing that results. 00:10:40.960 --> 00:10:42.300 So something lost. 00:10:42.299 --> 00:10:44.039 So the first parable, 00:10:44.039 --> 00:10:47.719 he tells about a sheep that is lost from a flock, 00:10:47.859 --> 00:10:48.740 one out of 99. 00:10:49.859 --> 00:10:50.079 And, 00:10:50.179 --> 00:10:50.679 you know, 00:10:51.679 --> 00:10:54.719 pastors are quick to start making jokes about sheep at this point, 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:56.479 to get people to laugh. 00:10:56.559 --> 00:10:57.359 But then you realize, 00:10:57.899 --> 00:10:58.699 that's me. 00:10:58.700 --> 00:11:02.020 So maybe we shouldn't joke about that so much. 00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:04.120 But yeah, 00:11:04.259 --> 00:11:07.100 sheep are not intelligent. 00:11:07.980 --> 00:11:09.400 They are prey animals. 00:11:09.540 --> 00:11:10.600 They are defenseless. 00:11:10.740 --> 00:11:12.759 They are dependent on the shepherd to lead them, 00:11:13.400 --> 00:11:13.879 feed them, 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:14.720 protect them. 00:11:15.800 --> 00:11:16.560 I don't know. 00:11:16.640 --> 00:11:18.360 Most of you probably really haven't been around sheep, 00:11:18.360 --> 00:11:23.560 but I have quite a bit with all my trips to Ireland and Scotland. 00:11:23.800 --> 00:11:24.039 And like, 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:25.399 they don't camouflage well. 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:26.519 They don't hide well. 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:28.139 They are ridiculous. 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:31.080 I've had friends that own some, 00:11:31.240 --> 00:11:31.700 you know, 00:11:31.779 --> 00:11:32.159 flocks, 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:37.360 and I've gone out to help them find some ones that were just not in the main group. 00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:38.720 And I found one of them like, 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:40.300 just on his back, 00:11:40.340 --> 00:11:40.899 like a turtle. 00:11:41.139 --> 00:11:41.519 I couldn't, 00:11:43.659 --> 00:11:44.120 and just, 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:45.120 you know, 00:11:46.080 --> 00:11:47.019 filthy. 00:11:47.820 --> 00:11:51.060 Found another one with his head stuck through a fence and his horns were just not, 00:11:51.960 --> 00:11:54.899 so you had to pull him and then twist him and then shove his head through. 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:55.460 Just, 00:11:55.879 --> 00:11:57.240 just ridiculous animals. 00:11:57.740 --> 00:11:57.980 But, 00:11:58.340 --> 00:11:59.700 they are prey animals. 00:11:59.879 --> 00:12:00.740 They don't hide well, 00:12:00.860 --> 00:12:02.980 but they were still a good source of not just food, 00:12:03.139 --> 00:12:04.240 but commerce, 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:04.980 trade, 00:12:05.980 --> 00:12:07.340 financial gain for, 00:12:07.360 --> 00:12:08.680 people who owned a good herd. 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:10.480 And shepherds, 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:12.000 so they didn't call this man a shepherd, 00:12:12.120 --> 00:12:12.840 but it's implied. 00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:14.440 So, 00:12:14.620 --> 00:12:16.039 if he was hired by a master, 00:12:16.159 --> 00:12:17.820 every sheep had to be accounted for. 00:12:17.879 --> 00:12:18.840 And if he lost one, 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:19.940 it would come out of his pay, 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:21.600 more than likely. 00:12:22.500 --> 00:12:23.740 But if it was his own sheep, 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:24.700 you might be thinking like, 00:12:25.480 --> 00:12:25.659 you know, 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:27.360 how lazy and spoiled we are today. 00:12:27.440 --> 00:12:28.139 You might just think, 00:12:29.159 --> 00:12:30.080 I've got 99, 00:12:30.399 --> 00:12:30.639 like, 00:12:31.220 --> 00:12:32.460 who cares about the one? 00:12:33.379 --> 00:12:33.740 Well, 00:12:33.820 --> 00:12:35.120 if you think that way for too long, 00:12:35.120 --> 00:12:36.620 you're not going to have a flock for too long, 00:12:36.680 --> 00:12:37.320 because that happens. 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:38.100 All the time. 00:12:38.180 --> 00:12:39.600 You're going to have a small flock 00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:40.620 very, 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:41.300 very soon. 00:12:41.680 --> 00:12:41.940 So, 00:12:42.779 --> 00:12:44.200 you have to go after them, 00:12:44.360 --> 00:12:44.860 because 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:47.379 you hold the attitude for too long, 00:12:47.440 --> 00:12:47.980 they'll be killed, 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:48.539 they'll be eaten, 00:12:48.639 --> 00:12:49.500 they'll freeze to death, 00:12:49.560 --> 00:12:50.180 they'll starve, 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:51.700 on and on. 00:12:51.860 --> 00:12:52.139 So, 00:12:52.860 --> 00:12:53.240 he 00:12:53.240 --> 00:12:54.600 leaves, 00:12:54.680 --> 00:12:54.860 right? 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:57.060 He cares for that one lost sheep. 00:12:57.139 --> 00:12:58.180 He leaves in 99, 00:12:58.340 --> 00:12:59.320 in the open country, 00:13:00.039 --> 00:13:01.639 and goes after the one that's lost. 00:13:01.639 --> 00:13:02.000 And, 00:13:02.000 --> 00:13:06.519 it's depicting kind of like a long and rigorous search over a wide area, 00:13:06.679 --> 00:13:12.559 combing the surrounding fields and hillsides to find the lost sheep. 00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:12.919 So, 00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:14.980 that's this broad search, 00:13:15.720 --> 00:13:17.000 kind of exhausting too. 00:13:17.000 --> 00:13:18.240 So, 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:18.519 then, 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:22.460 you get to the parable of the woman who lost the coins. 00:13:23.559 --> 00:13:23.879 And, 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:30.539 it's this idea of losing almost a 10 days wage for a laborer, 00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:31.539 something that is, 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:34.960 might be referred to as her dowry coin, 00:13:35.080 --> 00:13:37.340 something that she might take with her when she gets married, 00:13:37.340 --> 00:13:39.840 into her new marriage. 00:13:40.420 --> 00:13:40.820 And, 00:13:40.899 --> 00:13:43.580 it's just very shameful and careless to lose them. 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:43.899 So, 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:45.240 the image here, 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:47.379 not of like a woman who's fixated about money, 00:13:47.460 --> 00:13:48.340 it's just more of like, 00:13:48.800 --> 00:13:52.399 this is something precious and important to her that she wishes to hold on to, 00:13:53.060 --> 00:13:54.040 to take into, 00:13:54.320 --> 00:13:54.759 possibly, 00:13:55.000 --> 00:13:55.259 again, 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:57.340 sort of like a marriage setting. 00:13:58.019 --> 00:13:58.220 And, 00:13:58.259 --> 00:14:01.500 it would just be shameful to lose something like that. 00:14:02.320 --> 00:14:02.800 And so, 00:14:03.560 --> 00:14:05.780 the search isn't so much far and wide, 00:14:05.779 --> 00:14:06.459 but as we, 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:07.679 as we read, 00:14:07.759 --> 00:14:07.959 right, 00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:08.319 she, 00:14:08.399 --> 00:14:10.600 diligently, 00:14:11.079 --> 00:14:12.740 looks for it. 00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:14.480 And so, 00:14:14.579 --> 00:14:16.899 her search is more thorough and diligent. 00:14:17.059 --> 00:14:18.620 She turns on a light to look, 00:14:18.839 --> 00:14:19.639 or turns on a lamp, 00:14:19.699 --> 00:14:20.039 excuse me. 00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:21.559 You don't turn on a lamp, 00:14:21.659 --> 00:14:21.819 do you? 00:14:21.839 --> 00:14:22.500 You light a lamp. 00:14:22.959 --> 00:14:23.279 But, 00:14:23.620 --> 00:14:25.939 it's a diligent and thorough search. 00:14:26.679 --> 00:14:26.879 And, 00:14:26.959 --> 00:14:27.240 I know, 00:14:27.459 --> 00:14:27.699 again, 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:30.519 this would be a point where you just make a lot of jokes about things you've lost, 00:14:30.679 --> 00:14:31.699 but don't have time to do that. 00:14:32.220 --> 00:14:32.419 But, 00:14:32.439 --> 00:14:33.059 I've lost keys, 00:14:33.159 --> 00:14:33.699 lost wallet, 00:14:34.439 --> 00:14:35.019 kind of do it, 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:35.720 do it frequently. 00:14:36.579 --> 00:14:36.980 Sometimes, 00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:37.220 like, 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:39.299 I think my wallet just grows legs and walks away, 00:14:39.360 --> 00:14:41.159 and I don't know where it is at all. 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:43.199 I have a map that says, 00:14:43.279 --> 00:14:43.600 keys, 00:14:43.779 --> 00:14:44.139 phone, 00:14:44.839 --> 00:14:45.259 wallet, 00:14:45.539 --> 00:14:45.759 right, 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:47.480 walking out of my door to help me remember. 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:48.579 So, 00:14:48.699 --> 00:14:48.839 yeah, 00:14:48.839 --> 00:14:50.179 we lose a lot of things, 00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:52.539 but it can make you feel embarrassed, 00:14:53.199 --> 00:14:53.759 shameful, 00:14:54.299 --> 00:14:57.059 and even panic with fear a little bit, 00:14:57.120 --> 00:14:59.120 if it's something very serious that you need. 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:00.319 So, 00:15:01.039 --> 00:15:02.199 something is lost. 00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:03.920 Secondly, 00:15:04.580 --> 00:15:05.740 something is found. 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:06.080 So, 00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:07.860 the man's searching paid off, 00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:09.200 as we read, 00:15:09.899 --> 00:15:11.100 and when he has found it, 00:15:11.139 --> 00:15:11.799 he lays, 00:15:12.019 --> 00:15:12.480 right, 00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:13.960 the sheep on his shoulders, 00:15:14.080 --> 00:15:14.940 in verse 5, 00:15:15.060 --> 00:15:15.820 rejoicing. 00:15:16.779 --> 00:15:18.419 A picture of a loving, 00:15:19.460 --> 00:15:20.200 caring shepherd. 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:23.580 The sheep is too weak to return on its own, 00:15:23.680 --> 00:15:25.480 so he throws it over his shoulders. 00:15:26.160 --> 00:15:27.320 He's probably injured, 00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:28.120 dehydrated, 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:28.860 scared, 00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:33.200 and he takes it back to save pasture, 00:15:33.300 --> 00:15:34.379 to be with the rest of the flock, 00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.440 and he's rejoicing. 00:15:35.580 --> 00:15:36.060 He isn't like, 00:15:36.680 --> 00:15:36.980 you know, 00:15:37.120 --> 00:15:37.519 cussing, 00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:39.220 as he's like taking the sheep back, 00:15:39.279 --> 00:15:42.600 but he's like happy that he found this lost sheep. 00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:44.019 And so, 00:15:44.100 --> 00:15:44.580 for the woman, 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:45.379 it's the same thing. 00:15:45.440 --> 00:15:47.519 When she finds the coin, 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:48.779 she is very happy. 00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:50.800 She is overflowing with joy. 00:15:51.460 --> 00:15:52.759 Her money is intact, 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:54.019 and she's not going to be embarrassed, 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:55.360 or ashamed anymore. 00:15:56.159 --> 00:15:56.620 And so, 00:15:57.419 --> 00:15:58.820 that leads to the third point, 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:01.759 just the rejoicing that results. 00:16:02.779 --> 00:16:04.800 When the man brings the sheep back, 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:08.159 he shares the joy with his friends and his neighbors. 00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:10.580 And you see that in verse 6. 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:11.419 When he comes home, 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:14.100 he calls together his friends and his neighbors, 00:16:14.279 --> 00:16:14.860 saying to them, 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:16.139 rejoice with me, 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:18.820 for I have found the sheep that was lost. 00:16:19.539 --> 00:16:20.399 And so, 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:23.779 this is a picture of true joy. 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:26.679 Christ-centered joy is meant, 00:16:27.199 --> 00:16:29.899 designed to spill over onto other people. 00:16:30.939 --> 00:16:32.659 It's not meant to be hoarded. 00:16:33.679 --> 00:16:33.839 I mean, 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:35.579 think about some of the most joyful things 00:16:35.579 --> 00:16:36.579 that have happened in your life. 00:16:36.679 --> 00:16:37.319 Most of you, 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:39.100 unless you're very odd, 00:16:39.279 --> 00:16:41.279 like you like to let people know 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:44.980 about the joy that you are undergoing, 00:16:45.120 --> 00:16:47.439 especially the ones that are closest to you. 00:16:47.899 --> 00:16:48.199 So, 00:16:48.360 --> 00:16:52.759 that joy shared is a way to fulfilling it, 00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:53.200 right? 00:16:53.639 --> 00:16:54.360 You have to. 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:56.179 And with the coins, 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:56.679 it says, 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:57.899 when she had found it, 00:16:58.340 --> 00:16:59.779 she called together her friends, 00:16:59.860 --> 00:17:00.299 her neighbors, 00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:00.639 saying, 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:01.799 rejoice with me, 00:17:02.379 --> 00:17:04.920 for I have found the coin that I had lost. 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.500 Her joy, 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:07.140 likewise, 00:17:07.379 --> 00:17:07.859 has to be, 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:08.579 has to, 00:17:08.579 --> 00:17:08.879 you know, 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:10.359 overflow to other people 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:11.279 to be made full. 00:17:12.000 --> 00:17:13.740 Those are the closest to them. 00:17:14.700 --> 00:17:15.059 So, 00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:16.740 that's a simple outline. 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:17.539 Some of it was lost, 00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:18.400 some of it was found. 00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:20.960 And then there's rejoicing that takes place. 00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:22.140 So, 00:17:22.300 --> 00:17:23.700 the application of this, 00:17:24.940 --> 00:17:26.600 here's a few things for us. 00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:27.940 But one is, 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:30.519 Jesus is trying to get his audience to understand 00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:34.960 that God cares for sinners, 00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:39.180 unlike the religious leaders that were around him. 00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:44.600 He says that God Almighty cares deeply about the lost sinners. 00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:46.799 Jesus is telling, 00:17:46.939 --> 00:17:47.539 you know, 00:17:47.699 --> 00:17:50.179 about the attitude of our Heavenly Father 00:17:50.179 --> 00:17:52.259 towards those who repent. 00:17:52.939 --> 00:17:53.279 So, 00:17:53.439 --> 00:17:54.019 as you're aware, 00:17:54.219 --> 00:17:57.279 repent means to turn away from sin, 00:17:57.419 --> 00:17:58.299 turn to God. 00:17:58.379 --> 00:17:58.740 It means, 00:17:59.240 --> 00:17:59.819 really, 00:17:59.919 --> 00:18:01.459 a changing of one's mind 00:18:01.459 --> 00:18:03.139 toward sin. 00:18:03.859 --> 00:18:04.119 So, 00:18:04.199 --> 00:18:06.559 not that just you hate doing something, 00:18:06.659 --> 00:18:07.000 but now, 00:18:07.199 --> 00:18:07.419 I mean, 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:07.819 excuse me, 00:18:07.899 --> 00:18:09.519 like you don't hate just the consequences 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:11.000 of your actions, 00:18:11.039 --> 00:18:12.240 but you hate what you do. 00:18:12.240 --> 00:18:14.660 Like you hated the sin that you committed. 00:18:15.140 --> 00:18:15.279 And, 00:18:15.380 --> 00:18:17.279 that change of mind 00:18:17.279 --> 00:18:19.900 leads to a change in action. 00:18:20.500 --> 00:18:20.960 And so, 00:18:21.180 --> 00:18:23.180 as we turn to God in faith, 00:18:23.660 --> 00:18:24.680 to save us. 00:18:25.339 --> 00:18:25.519 So, 00:18:25.620 --> 00:18:27.380 these are images of God's joy 00:18:27.380 --> 00:18:28.940 and the restoration of a sinner 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:29.920 through repentance. 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:32.819 And this is just very different in their mind, 00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:34.319 like God does not act this way. 00:18:34.519 --> 00:18:34.720 But, 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:35.960 Psalm 103, 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:36.779 as a father, 00:18:36.940 --> 00:18:38.079 shows compassion, 00:18:38.900 --> 00:18:39.579 compassion, 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:41.400 to his children. 00:18:41.400 --> 00:18:41.840 So, 00:18:41.920 --> 00:18:43.440 the Lord shows compassion 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:45.640 to those who fear him. 00:18:46.240 --> 00:18:47.740 For he knows our frame. 00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:51.040 He remembers that we are by dust. 00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:53.259 He takes pity on us. 00:18:53.300 --> 00:18:54.480 He knows that we are weak. 00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:55.440 So, 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:58.200 he has compassion for us. 00:18:59.320 --> 00:19:00.700 In Matthew 9, 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:03.580 very similar situation. 00:19:04.580 --> 00:19:04.980 But, 00:19:05.120 --> 00:19:05.820 Matthew 9, 00:19:05.860 --> 00:19:06.460 verse 11, 00:19:07.200 --> 00:19:09.160 the Pharisees saw what Jesus was doing. 00:19:09.780 --> 00:19:10.320 And they say, 00:19:10.319 --> 00:19:11.240 why does your teacher 00:19:11.240 --> 00:19:12.359 eat with tax collectors 00:19:12.359 --> 00:19:12.980 and sinners? 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.279 When he heard it, 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:15.720 he said, 00:19:15.919 --> 00:19:18.159 those who are well 00:19:18.159 --> 00:19:19.279 have no need 00:19:19.279 --> 00:19:20.200 of a physician. 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:22.519 But those who are sick, 00:19:23.740 --> 00:19:24.579 go and learn 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:25.539 what this means. 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:27.099 I desire mercy 00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:28.419 and not sacrifice. 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:30.740 For I came not to call 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.419 righteous, 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:32.220 the righteous, 00:19:32.419 --> 00:19:32.879 but sinners. 00:19:32.880 --> 00:19:34.280 And so, 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:35.400 he quotes from 00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:36.880 Hosea 6. 00:19:36.960 --> 00:19:37.180 He's like, 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:37.420 yeah, 00:19:37.520 --> 00:19:37.660 well, 00:19:37.820 --> 00:19:38.780 go read your scripture, 00:19:39.360 --> 00:19:39.760 basically. 00:19:39.880 --> 00:19:40.640 Go read your Bible 00:19:40.640 --> 00:19:42.600 and read this, 00:19:42.840 --> 00:19:43.420 where God says, 00:19:43.520 --> 00:19:44.760 I desire mercy 00:19:44.760 --> 00:19:47.460 and not sacrifice. 00:19:48.300 --> 00:19:49.340 That was the heart 00:19:49.340 --> 00:19:49.980 of the gospel, 00:19:50.140 --> 00:19:51.020 but that threatened 00:19:51.020 --> 00:19:52.300 their way of thinking 00:19:52.300 --> 00:19:54.300 and sacrifice, 00:19:54.400 --> 00:19:54.740 kind of, 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.280 all the different things 00:19:56.280 --> 00:19:56.700 that you do 00:19:56.700 --> 00:19:57.680 to observe the law, 00:19:57.760 --> 00:19:58.660 the religious law. 00:19:59.420 --> 00:20:01.580 And God's steadfast love 00:20:01.580 --> 00:20:03.940 is what God cares about. 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:05.080 He wants to show that 00:20:05.080 --> 00:20:06.420 to sinners. 00:20:06.580 --> 00:20:07.180 And he's saying 00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.560 that, like, 00:20:07.600 --> 00:20:08.100 your attitude 00:20:08.100 --> 00:20:09.320 is different than God's. 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:11.100 God desires 00:20:11.100 --> 00:20:13.620 and seeks sinners. 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.300 That kind of leads 00:20:15.300 --> 00:20:16.140 to this other thing, 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:16.400 right? 00:20:17.259 --> 00:20:18.019 If you notice 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:18.820 in the story, 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:20.040 what Jesus is trying 00:20:20.040 --> 00:20:20.680 to tell them is 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.620 God is the one 00:20:21.620 --> 00:20:22.840 who initiates. 00:20:22.940 --> 00:20:23.460 He is the one 00:20:23.460 --> 00:20:24.160 who seeks. 00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:25.480 He is the one 00:20:25.480 --> 00:20:27.080 who finds. 00:20:27.079 --> 00:20:28.639 It's not, 00:20:28.720 --> 00:20:29.159 it's not, 00:20:29.279 --> 00:20:31.519 it's not that God 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:32.099 is just kind of 00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:32.699 hanging out 00:20:32.699 --> 00:20:33.519 and we have to work 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:35.099 our way toward Him 00:20:35.099 --> 00:20:36.720 to reach a level 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:38.199 of favor with Him. 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:40.480 He actually comes out 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:41.460 and gets us. 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:43.500 That's awesome news. 00:20:44.659 --> 00:20:46.480 God hunts us down. 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:47.299 And you won't find 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:48.279 anybody in the Bible 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.819 that was just kind of, 00:20:49.899 --> 00:20:51.579 you know, 00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:53.480 not found by God. 00:20:53.579 --> 00:20:54.899 God found them. 00:20:54.900 --> 00:20:58.240 And He pursued them. 00:20:58.840 --> 00:20:59.560 It's not within 00:20:59.560 --> 00:21:01.320 the nature of fallen man 00:21:01.320 --> 00:21:02.500 to desire God. 00:21:03.380 --> 00:21:04.740 We don't seek after God. 00:21:04.860 --> 00:21:05.860 That's Romans 3, 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.060 right? 00:21:07.340 --> 00:21:08.480 There are none righteous, 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.480 no, not one. 00:21:10.300 --> 00:21:11.460 No one understands 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:12.720 and no one seeks 00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.660 for God. 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:16.060 We all have turned aside 00:21:16.060 --> 00:21:17.360 and together 00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:18.800 have become worthless, 00:21:19.560 --> 00:21:20.160 right? 00:21:20.160 --> 00:21:22.380 And that idea 00:21:22.380 --> 00:21:23.380 of Isaiah 00:21:23.380 --> 00:21:24.279 connecting to 00:21:24.279 --> 00:21:25.180 the sheep. 00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:25.840 We all, 00:21:26.060 --> 00:21:26.460 like sheep, 00:21:26.540 --> 00:21:27.580 have gone astray, 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:29.019 each to 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:30.420 his own way. 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:31.840 So, 00:21:32.120 --> 00:21:33.300 God is the one 00:21:33.300 --> 00:21:34.340 who takes the initiative 00:21:34.340 --> 00:21:35.540 and He pursues 00:21:35.540 --> 00:21:37.500 the lost center. 00:21:38.540 --> 00:21:39.300 He is viewed 00:21:39.300 --> 00:21:39.960 in Scripture 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:41.220 as a shepherd, 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:42.519 right? 00:21:43.300 --> 00:21:44.019 So, 00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:45.400 Ezekiel 34, 00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.259 verse 15, 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:47.259 this is God talking, 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:48.539 I myself 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.359 will be the shepherd 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:50.379 of my sheep 00:21:50.379 --> 00:21:52.059 and I myself 00:21:52.059 --> 00:21:52.759 will make them 00:21:52.759 --> 00:21:53.480 lie down, 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:55.400 declares the Lord God. 00:21:56.119 --> 00:21:57.000 I will seek 00:21:57.000 --> 00:21:57.839 the lost 00:21:57.839 --> 00:21:59.339 and I will bring 00:21:59.339 --> 00:22:00.440 back the stray 00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:02.079 and I will bind 00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:02.900 up the injured 00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:03.879 and I will strengthen 00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.619 the weak. 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:05.940 That's God's 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:06.460 attitude 00:22:06.460 --> 00:22:07.559 towards 00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:08.539 lost 00:22:08.539 --> 00:22:09.099 sinners. 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:10.740 And one of my 00:22:10.740 --> 00:22:11.619 favorite passages 00:22:11.619 --> 00:22:13.700 in the New Testament, 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.500 Romans 5, 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:15.319 is to explain 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:15.819 the gospel. 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:16.939 It said, 00:22:17.059 --> 00:22:17.379 God, 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:18.779 while we were 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.500 still helpless, 00:22:20.559 --> 00:22:21.319 while we were 00:22:21.319 --> 00:22:23.039 weak, 00:22:24.039 --> 00:22:24.899 nothing we could 00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:25.779 do on our own. 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:26.099 It says, 00:22:26.179 --> 00:22:27.039 God demonstrated 00:22:27.039 --> 00:22:28.179 His great love 00:22:28.179 --> 00:22:29.359 towards us 00:22:29.359 --> 00:22:30.859 by sending 00:22:30.859 --> 00:22:31.839 Christ. 00:22:32.859 --> 00:22:33.220 So, 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:34.279 that's our condition, 00:22:34.419 --> 00:22:34.919 but God 00:22:34.919 --> 00:22:35.799 sought us 00:22:35.799 --> 00:22:36.339 and so that's 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:37.339 the image of Him 00:22:37.339 --> 00:22:38.139 in these parables. 00:22:38.899 --> 00:22:39.419 But also, 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.619 the joy of heaven 00:22:40.619 --> 00:22:42.000 is contrasted 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:42.879 with like the grumbling 00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:43.720 of the Pharisees. 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.339 He's telling them 00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:45.079 like there is 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:45.759 serious, 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:46.880 holy, 00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:47.920 pure joy 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.700 that erupts 00:22:48.700 --> 00:22:49.200 in heaven 00:22:49.200 --> 00:22:49.960 when a sinner 00:22:49.960 --> 00:22:51.380 comes to 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:52.480 saving faith. 00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:54.100 And He says 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:54.319 that. 00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:55.500 I'm telling you, 00:22:55.539 --> 00:22:55.779 there will be 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.819 more joy in heaven 00:22:56.819 --> 00:22:57.940 over one sinner 00:22:57.940 --> 00:22:58.759 who repents 00:22:58.759 --> 00:23:00.079 than other 00:23:00.079 --> 00:23:00.819 99 00:23:00.819 --> 00:23:02.620 righteous persons 00:23:02.620 --> 00:23:03.240 who need 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:03.819 no repentance. 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:05.740 About that last part, 00:23:05.819 --> 00:23:06.380 that doesn't mean 00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:07.059 there actually are 00:23:07.059 --> 00:23:07.700 people who don't 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:08.279 need to repent. 00:23:08.480 --> 00:23:09.059 It just means 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:10.720 that they're not 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.539 aware of their 00:23:11.539 --> 00:23:12.460 need to repent. 00:23:12.460 --> 00:23:14.180 It doesn't mean 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.019 that they're sinless, 00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:15.620 but rather, 00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:18.200 they've wrongly 00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:19.259 deceived themselves 00:23:19.259 --> 00:23:19.940 into thinking 00:23:19.940 --> 00:23:20.660 that they are 00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:21.140 righteous, 00:23:21.880 --> 00:23:22.819 thus not feeling 00:23:22.819 --> 00:23:23.340 the need 00:23:23.340 --> 00:23:24.720 for repentance. 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:26.000 While you're in Luke, 00:23:26.100 --> 00:23:26.960 go to Luke 5 00:23:26.960 --> 00:23:27.559 really quickly. 00:23:30.039 --> 00:23:31.019 Let's rewind. 00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:31.740 Luke 5, 00:23:31.799 --> 00:23:32.440 verse 30. 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:33.380 So, 00:23:33.440 --> 00:23:34.100 this isn't the first 00:23:34.100 --> 00:23:34.640 time this has 00:23:34.640 --> 00:23:35.240 kind of happened. 00:23:38.360 --> 00:23:39.220 Luke 5, 00:23:39.259 --> 00:23:39.819 verse 30. 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:41.279 It says, 00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:42.139 the Pharisees 00:23:42.139 --> 00:23:43.460 and their scribes 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.099 grumbled at 00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:44.839 his disciples 00:23:44.839 --> 00:23:45.319 saying, 00:23:45.779 --> 00:23:46.879 why do you eat 00:23:46.879 --> 00:23:47.779 and drink 00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.859 with tax collectors 00:23:48.859 --> 00:23:49.539 and sinners? 00:23:50.399 --> 00:23:51.019 And Jesus 00:23:51.019 --> 00:23:52.059 answered them, 00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:54.119 those who are well 00:23:54.119 --> 00:23:55.700 have no need 00:23:55.700 --> 00:23:56.419 of a physician, 00:23:56.659 --> 00:23:58.000 but those who are sick. 00:23:58.759 --> 00:23:59.740 I have not come 00:23:59.740 --> 00:24:00.500 to call the righteous, 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.240 but sinners 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:02.679 to repentance. 00:24:03.679 --> 00:24:04.099 And so, 00:24:04.319 --> 00:24:05.480 listen to this. 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:07.319 you cannot hear 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:07.960 Jesus 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:10.240 unless you know 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:11.160 that you need him. 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:14.140 If God is stirring 00:24:14.140 --> 00:24:14.720 in your heart 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.220 and your soul 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:16.240 and making you aware 00:24:16.240 --> 00:24:18.559 of your sin 00:24:18.559 --> 00:24:19.799 and the weight of it 00:24:19.799 --> 00:24:20.640 and the guilt of it, 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:23.259 and he is making you aware 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:24.319 that you are sick 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:26.220 and that you need him, 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:27.860 the great physician. 00:24:28.940 --> 00:24:29.380 So, 00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.620 if you're aware 00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:31.180 you're sick, 00:24:31.360 --> 00:24:32.200 aware of your sin, 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.140 you're aware 00:24:33.140 --> 00:24:33.779 of your need 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:35.000 for deliverance, 00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:35.839 right? 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:36.619 So, 00:24:36.660 --> 00:24:37.019 he's saying 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:38.539 there is great joy 00:24:38.539 --> 00:24:39.200 in heaven 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:40.220 that takes place. 00:24:40.859 --> 00:24:42.240 Great celebration. 00:24:43.299 --> 00:24:43.740 And so, 00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:45.200 some closing thoughts 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:46.480 on this. 00:24:46.539 --> 00:24:46.940 We all need 00:24:46.940 --> 00:24:50.619 a very clear warning. 00:24:51.680 --> 00:24:52.879 Beware of being 00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:54.539 like the Pharisees 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:56.859 and the scribes 00:24:56.859 --> 00:24:58.019 who do not rejoice 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.940 over finding 00:24:58.940 --> 00:24:59.799 what is lost, 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:01.759 who consider themselves 00:25:01.759 --> 00:25:02.339 holier, 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:03.399 better, 00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.639 cleaner, 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:05.700 set apart, 00:25:06.399 --> 00:25:08.099 and so that we are 00:25:08.099 --> 00:25:09.460 quick to look upon others 00:25:09.460 --> 00:25:09.779 and say, 00:25:09.859 --> 00:25:10.500 not that guy, 00:25:11.200 --> 00:25:12.660 not that girl. 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:14.700 And you can, 00:25:14.879 --> 00:25:15.579 the attitude of like, 00:25:15.619 --> 00:25:15.720 hey, 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.619 if you can clean up, 00:25:17.539 --> 00:25:18.559 you can get yourself together, 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:20.559 you can come to our thing. 00:25:20.779 --> 00:25:21.180 But, 00:25:21.740 --> 00:25:22.899 you don't look like us, 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.639 so beat it. 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.660 And, 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:26.720 that is not the approach 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:28.920 that Jesus exercised. 00:25:29.639 --> 00:25:30.299 And there are many 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:30.899 in the church 00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:32.220 who are like that. 00:25:33.660 --> 00:25:34.700 One of my mom's 00:25:34.700 --> 00:25:35.540 best friends 00:25:35.540 --> 00:25:37.660 was very much like that. 00:25:37.780 --> 00:25:39.280 And a part of her testimony now 00:25:39.280 --> 00:25:39.960 is she actually, 00:25:40.360 --> 00:25:41.080 she shares, 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:41.300 like, 00:25:41.360 --> 00:25:42.560 I was the older brother. 00:25:42.720 --> 00:25:43.759 I was the one who thought 00:25:43.759 --> 00:25:44.780 I was better 00:25:44.780 --> 00:25:45.960 than everybody else. 00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:46.400 And, 00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:48.280 until God made me realize 00:25:48.280 --> 00:25:49.120 that my righteousness 00:25:49.120 --> 00:25:50.740 was filthy before him. 00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.059 And so, 00:25:52.200 --> 00:25:53.880 beware of thinking 00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:54.819 in that way 00:25:54.819 --> 00:25:56.640 and that people 00:25:56.640 --> 00:25:57.519 are going to be excluded 00:25:57.519 --> 00:25:58.440 from God's kingdom 00:25:58.440 --> 00:25:59.480 just because they don't 00:25:59.480 --> 00:26:01.200 act and look like you. 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:04.720 Here's one that is sad, 00:26:04.799 --> 00:26:05.980 but you got to say it today. 00:26:07.000 --> 00:26:08.180 Beware of wrongly 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:10.079 motivated evangelism. 00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.839 Some of you are thinking like, 00:26:11.900 --> 00:26:12.120 hmm, 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:13.720 tax collectors and sinners, 00:26:14.220 --> 00:26:15.039 that's kind of the crowd 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:16.160 I like to hang out with. 00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:16.480 So, 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:18.640 I'll just kind of covertly 00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:19.880 go in under the name of 00:26:19.880 --> 00:26:21.140 I'm going to like do ministry 00:26:21.140 --> 00:26:21.640 in there. 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.440 But, 00:26:22.540 --> 00:26:23.060 deep down, 00:26:23.160 --> 00:26:24.040 you actually are 00:26:24.040 --> 00:26:25.340 just worshiping the idols 00:26:25.340 --> 00:26:26.700 of social acceptance, 00:26:27.500 --> 00:26:28.900 of partying, 00:26:29.340 --> 00:26:31.260 and you just want to blend in. 00:26:31.880 --> 00:26:32.360 And, 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.340 it's really not about Jesus. 00:26:33.520 --> 00:26:34.040 It's about you. 00:26:34.100 --> 00:26:34.160 And, 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:34.700 it's about you 00:26:34.700 --> 00:26:36.120 worshiping your idols. 00:26:37.220 --> 00:26:37.700 So, 00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:38.940 beware of like, 00:26:39.300 --> 00:26:40.820 hiding under that guise. 00:26:40.900 --> 00:26:41.040 Like, 00:26:41.080 --> 00:26:41.200 yeah, 00:26:41.260 --> 00:26:42.500 that's my crowd. 00:26:43.020 --> 00:26:44.480 I'd rather spend time with anyway. 00:26:44.620 --> 00:26:45.020 I'll just say 00:26:45.020 --> 00:26:46.380 I'm just doing some evangelism 00:26:46.380 --> 00:26:46.980 while I'm there. 00:26:47.060 --> 00:26:47.200 But, 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:47.640 deep down, 00:26:47.740 --> 00:26:49.860 I'm really just pursuing 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:50.959 sin. 00:26:51.059 --> 00:26:51.159 So, 00:26:51.199 --> 00:26:52.659 don't see that as an excuse 00:26:52.659 --> 00:26:55.259 to go and be in those places 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:56.379 necessarily. 00:26:57.199 --> 00:26:58.219 Beware of that. 00:26:58.919 --> 00:26:59.459 Ask yourself, 00:26:59.599 --> 00:27:00.379 why are you there? 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.979 To influence others for Christ 00:27:02.979 --> 00:27:03.879 and to look like you're 00:27:03.879 --> 00:27:04.939 doing something there 00:27:04.939 --> 00:27:06.679 or just secretly 00:27:06.679 --> 00:27:08.240 worshiping your idols? 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:10.879 Who is influencing who? 00:27:11.959 --> 00:27:12.639 Why are you there? 00:27:13.779 --> 00:27:14.139 And, 00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:16.179 two more thoughts, 00:27:16.259 --> 00:27:16.599 we're done. 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:19.259 God is seeking you. 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:20.559 No matter where you are, 00:27:21.319 --> 00:27:22.679 if you're aware of your sin, 00:27:23.299 --> 00:27:24.519 aware of who you are, 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:26.859 and aware of what you deserve, 00:27:27.699 --> 00:27:30.619 know that God stands ready 00:27:30.619 --> 00:27:31.579 with open arms 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:33.240 to receive you. 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:33.839 Does that like, 00:27:33.899 --> 00:27:35.119 do your heart good 00:27:35.119 --> 00:27:36.919 to know that God is welcoming, 00:27:37.240 --> 00:27:38.299 that His arms are open, 00:27:38.419 --> 00:27:39.039 that He's not, 00:27:39.039 --> 00:27:39.879 you know, 00:27:40.019 --> 00:27:41.240 snarling down at you 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:42.619 and despising you? 00:27:42.619 --> 00:27:44.239 But He is ready 00:27:44.239 --> 00:27:46.119 to display His lavish love 00:27:46.119 --> 00:27:47.619 upon repentant sinners. 00:27:49.699 --> 00:27:51.319 1 Timothy 1, 00:27:51.419 --> 00:27:52.259 verse 15, 00:27:52.459 --> 00:27:53.459 Paul says this, 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:55.259 has a hope of enticing 00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:56.759 or showing people 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:58.319 the great mercy of God. 00:27:59.239 --> 00:27:59.779 He says, 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:01.219 this is a trustworthy saying, 00:28:01.319 --> 00:28:03.159 deserving of full acceptance. 00:28:04.159 --> 00:28:06.279 Christ Jesus came into the world 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.619 to save sinners, 00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:10.279 of whom I am the foremost. 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:12.160 But I receive mercy 00:28:12.160 --> 00:28:13.039 for this reason, 00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.839 that in me, 00:28:14.960 --> 00:28:15.920 as the foremost, 00:28:16.879 --> 00:28:18.740 Jesus Christ might display 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:21.000 His perfect patience 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:23.240 as example to those 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:24.279 who are to believe in Him 00:28:24.279 --> 00:28:25.240 for eternal life, 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:27.240 to the King of ages, 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:27.819 immortal, 00:28:28.180 --> 00:28:28.619 invisible, 00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:30.539 the only God, 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:32.039 the honor and glory 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:33.759 forever and ever. 00:28:34.980 --> 00:28:35.539 So, 00:28:35.879 --> 00:28:38.160 God is seeking you. 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:39.980 And for many of us, 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:41.080 we have been found. 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:42.360 We don't need to forget 00:28:42.360 --> 00:28:43.360 where we were 00:28:43.360 --> 00:28:44.540 before we were found. 00:28:45.860 --> 00:28:46.180 And, 00:28:46.279 --> 00:28:47.960 if you wish to partake 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:48.860 in the joy in heaven, 00:28:48.960 --> 00:28:49.640 like what believer 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:50.560 doesn't want to do that? 00:28:50.620 --> 00:28:52.500 Do you wish to partake 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:53.560 of the joy of heaven? 00:28:54.840 --> 00:28:56.380 Then you must seek 00:28:56.380 --> 00:28:57.060 lost sinners. 00:28:58.360 --> 00:28:59.980 There's no other way around it. 00:29:00.019 --> 00:29:01.440 This is a big deal 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.620 in heaven. 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.019 So, 00:29:03.160 --> 00:29:04.500 if God has sought us, 00:29:04.660 --> 00:29:06.580 we must be willing 00:29:06.579 --> 00:29:08.279 and desirous to seek others 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.259 that are outside 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:10.879 the fold of God 00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:12.439 and to bring them in. 00:29:13.539 --> 00:29:13.759 And, 00:29:13.919 --> 00:29:14.359 again, 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:15.799 they don't always look like us, 00:29:15.879 --> 00:29:16.599 talk like us, 00:29:16.659 --> 00:29:17.539 have their stuff together, 00:29:17.639 --> 00:29:18.679 and that's all right. 00:29:19.299 --> 00:29:20.899 One of the guys 00:29:20.899 --> 00:29:23.679 in my earlier Christian life 00:29:23.679 --> 00:29:25.819 that the Lord 00:29:25.819 --> 00:29:28.079 humbly used me 00:29:28.079 --> 00:29:29.679 and a couple others 00:29:29.679 --> 00:29:30.619 to bring him to faith, 00:29:30.679 --> 00:29:32.460 his name was Joe. 00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:33.319 And Joe was like 00:29:33.319 --> 00:29:34.299 a heavy metal dude. 00:29:34.299 --> 00:29:35.019 He was like, 00:29:35.659 --> 00:29:36.799 he had like long hair, 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.659 big stout guy, 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.519 and he played the drums 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.759 and where the hair, 00:29:39.899 --> 00:29:40.079 you know, 00:29:40.119 --> 00:29:40.379 going, 00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.079 like that's, 00:29:41.659 --> 00:29:42.240 that was him. 00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:43.139 And he was like into, 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:43.480 you know, 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:44.180 Pearl Jam, 00:29:44.299 --> 00:29:45.139 Smashing Pumpkins, 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:45.879 like those old 00:29:45.879 --> 00:29:47.599 90s rock groups. 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:49.899 And he was 00:29:49.899 --> 00:29:51.559 mind blown 00:29:51.559 --> 00:29:52.759 that Christ 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:53.919 would care for him. 00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.339 Mind blown. 00:29:56.359 --> 00:29:57.460 And he was, 00:29:57.859 --> 00:29:59.960 he looked very different, 00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:00.359 obviously, 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:00.940 than a lot of people 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:02.319 that we were hanging out with 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:03.379 in that church setting. 00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:04.980 But I just love 00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:06.040 to see the old ladies 00:30:06.040 --> 00:30:06.560 at our church 00:30:06.560 --> 00:30:07.060 would just come up 00:30:07.060 --> 00:30:08.320 and just give this guy a hug 00:30:08.320 --> 00:30:08.760 and just say, 00:30:08.820 --> 00:30:09.380 we love you. 00:30:09.440 --> 00:30:09.960 We're glad 00:30:09.960 --> 00:30:11.620 that you're here. 00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:12.940 But Joe 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:14.060 cannot believe 00:30:14.060 --> 00:30:15.540 that God cared for him. 00:30:15.600 --> 00:30:16.100 It was just like, 00:30:16.120 --> 00:30:16.920 he just kind of got stuck 00:30:16.920 --> 00:30:17.600 on that one point. 00:30:17.700 --> 00:30:19.420 God cares for me 00:30:19.420 --> 00:30:21.860 and the Lord 00:30:21.860 --> 00:30:22.640 saved him. 00:30:23.460 --> 00:30:23.900 And so, 00:30:24.140 --> 00:30:25.600 go and seek the lost. 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.180 It's the most 00:30:26.180 --> 00:30:27.840 beautiful mysteries 00:30:27.840 --> 00:30:28.300 of scripture 00:30:28.300 --> 00:30:29.420 that a holy God 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:31.280 would have the desire 00:30:31.279 --> 00:30:32.079 to draw near 00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:32.879 to individuals 00:30:32.879 --> 00:30:33.660 like you 00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.700 and me 00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:35.920 and to not 00:30:35.920 --> 00:30:36.819 despise them. 00:30:37.680 --> 00:30:38.039 So, 00:30:38.680 --> 00:30:40.420 let's pray together.