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One In Ninety-nine |
Dear Brethren,
Some things hurt more than
others. I saw some folks after they lost their home in a
tornado, and they were just happy to be alive. It hurts to lose
your home and property, but that is nothing in comparison to
losing a loved one – because they can never be replaced. Jesus
wants us to realize that our brethren in the Church are our
loved ones.
Jesus gave a parable about leaving the ninety-nine sheep, and going after the one
lost sheep. Someone accused me of doing just the
opposite – leaving the "one" for safety and security of the
ninety-nine. I do not know how to defend myself, because I have
not stopped seeking the lost ones. It is like a game the kids
used to like to play. They would say, "You love me the most out
of all the kids, don't you?" And we'd play along and say. "Yes
I do!" And we would say it to each and every one of the
children.
God loves us all – we know
that – at least we’ve been told that – and we should know it.
Who is the "one" in the parable of the lost sheep? Who are the
ninety-nine? The accusation made against me included the claim
of having a double standard—one standard for brethren in the
Church, and a different standard toward the billions of people
who have not yet been called by God to be His children in the
Church of God. We need to understand what God’s intent is in
this parable?
God has a standard for
recovering the lost sheep – what is it? “What
man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he loses one of them,
doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go
after that which is lost, until he finds it? And when he hath
found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he
cometh home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying
unto them, rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep that was
lost. 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.” (Luke
15:4-7)
This parable speaks of the
ninety-nine who have no need of repentance - they are doing just
fine. They are converted and living righteous lives. The lost
sheep is a sinner who is in need of repentance. He was
in the sheepfold – and now is lost
(John 10:1). Jesus wants us to recover such a one. This
parable is not referring to someone in the world who has never
been a part of the Church. God, Himself, must call those when
He is ready for them (John 8:44,65). There is a witness and a
warning to the world – but within the Church, we are our
brother's keeper, and we must go after the lost sheep (Matthew
24:14).
What are the reasons and
importance of saving the "one?" Why is the sheep lost? Did it
leave of its own accord? Was it stolen? Was it hurt? Was it
confused? Did it fall in to a trap? How it was carried away is
not the important thing – what is important is that it is lost
and its life is in danger – that is the point. Jesus equates
the lost sheep with a sinner – who when he repents, "is
found." This is not referring to those sinners of the
world who have never repented and been baptized.
When a little child goes
running toward the street filled with traffic, or falls into the
deep end of the swimming pool, a parent will instantly risk his
life to bring the child to safety. For true Christians, it is
exactly the same. We gladly lay our life down to recover or
save a loved one. We cannot of our own will convert someone in
the world.
Where are the people today
who will leave the ninety-nine for the one? Jesus did it – He
left the ninety-nine for the one - giving us the example that we
must do the same. What we need to understand from the
Scriptures about this parable is this – it certainly is not
optional. It is a salvational issue. We must do the same as
Jesus did. “For I have given you an example, that ye should
do as I have done to you.” (John 13:15)
There are large Churches
of God which have made it their policy, not to go after the lost
sheep – even the ones they are responsible for scattering.
Their official policy is that the sheep must find their own way
back. Yes, it is a matter of pride. "For whosoever exalts
himself shall be abased; and he that humbles himself shall be
exalted." (Luke 14:11) This is a serious issue.
Why can it cost one his
salvation? The answer is because it is against God's will.
(Matthew 18:14) This parable is not about sheep or children or
people in the world – it is about us - it is about sinners.
“All we like sheep have gone, we have turned every one to his
own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.”
(Isaiah 57:1)
“As it is written,
there is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that
understands, there is none that seeks after God. They are all
gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable;
there is none that does good, no, not one.” (Romans 3:10-12)
Who is the Good
Shepherd? "I am the Good Shepherd: the good
shepherd giveth his life for the sheep... I am the Good
Shepherd: and know my sheep, and am known of mine." (John
10:11,14) Who is the Chief Shepherd? "When
the Chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of
glory that fadeth not away." (1Peter 5:4) Who is the
Great Shepherd? "Now the God of peace,
that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that Great
Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant." (Hebrews 13:20)
"How think ye? If a man
have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he
not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the
mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if
so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoices more
of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not
astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which
is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish."
(Matthew 18:12-14)
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Sermon: "One In Ninety-nine"
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