Come Home (Part Two)

Hello friends!! Today's post is Part Two of the series "Come Home" which is based off a sermon I did at my church. Here is the link to read part one, if you missed it: https://livinginthesonrise.blogspot.com/2023/05/come-home-part-one.html

From Part One: "After the Pharisees started complaining about Jesus’ company, Jesus dealt with the matter as He often did: by telling parables. These parables show us the answers to our other statements!"

So, the first parable is found in Luke 15:4-7.

"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? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 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. 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."

In the book Christ's Object Lessons, written by one of my favorite authors, Ellen White, it says this: “In the parable the shepherd goes out to search for one sheep—the very least that can be numbered. So if there had been but one lost soul, Christ would have died for that one. The sheep that has strayed from the fold is the most helpless of all creatures. It must be sought for by the shepherd, for it cannot find its way back. So with the soul that has wandered away from God; he is as helpless as the lost sheep, and unless divine love had come to his rescue he could never find his way to God. The shepherd who discovers that one of his sheep is missing does not look carelessly upon the flock that is safely housed, and say, “I have ninety and nine, and it will cost me too much trouble to go in search of the straying one. Let him come back, and I will open the door of the sheepfold, and let him in.” No; no sooner does the sheep go astray than the shepherd is filled with grief and anxiety. He counts and recounts the flock. When he is sure that one sheep is lost, he slumbers not. He leaves the ninety and nine within the fold, and goes in search of the straying sheep. The darker and more tempestuous the night and the more perilous the way, the greater is the shepherd's anxiety and the more earnest his search. He makes every effort to find that one lost sheep. With what relief he hears in the distance its first faint cry. Following the sound, he climbs the steepest heights, he goes to the very edge of the precipice, at the risk of his own life. Thus he searches, while the cry, growing fainter, tells him that his sheep is ready to die. At last his effort is rewarded; the lost is found. Then he does not scold it because it has caused him so much trouble. He does not drive it with a whip. He does not even try to lead it home. In his joy he takes the trembling creature upon his shoulders; if it is bruised and wounded, he gathers it in his arms, pressing it close to his bosom, that the warmth of his own heart may give it life. With gratitude that his search has not been in vain, he bears it back to the fold.” How beautiful is this picture, friends!? One sheep out of 99 might not seem very significant to us. Why bother with one when there are still ninety-nine left?

I used to wonder how God could love every single one of us equally. I mean, with over 8 billion people on planet earth, if some were lost, He would still have others, right? But then I realized that parents who have a bunch of children love every single one of them equally, and it would absolutely break their heart to lose even just one. And it’s the same with God: He may have billions of children, but to lose even just one breaks His heart. He made that one, fashioned them individually, cared for that one all their life- so when that one child wanders from home, He goes after it with all His heart.

When we’re on the loose, wandering around in circles, afraid and unsure of where to go next, perhaps wanting to go home but not sure how, God is there with us, without a shadow of a doubt- He is right next to us, whispering, “I will bring you home, child- will you come with Me?” He will never force us to come home, but if we let Him, He will gather us up in His arms, lay us gently on His shoulders, and eagerly bring us back, His heart of love bursting with joy. And all heaven rejoices that His precious child is safe.

With Him, in His arms, we are safe. Not condemned or scolded. Safe.

The Jews fell into the lie that we have to repent before God can love us. They thought that God would permit no one to approach Him except those who had repented. But in the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus clearly revealed the truth that salvation does not come through our seeking after God but through God's seeking after us. “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way.” Romans 3:11,12. "We do not repent in order that God may love us, but He reveals to us His love in order that we may repent."* Maybe you are wondering if God can really love you. Maybe you don’t know if He will forgive you. Listen to these next words: “Desponding soul, take courage, even though you have done wickedly. Do not think that perhaps God will pardon your transgressions and permit you to come into His presence. God has made the first advance. While you were in rebellion against Him, He went forth to seek you. With the tender heart of the shepherd He left the ninety and nine and went out into the wilderness to find that which was lost. The soul, bruised and wounded and ready to perish, He encircles in His arms of love and joyfully bears it to the fold of safety.” Friend, you are never too far gone for God to love you. He promised that His love for you is everlasting and free. Jeremiah 31:3 says, “The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.” And Hosea 14:4 says, “I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely: for mine anger is turned away from him.” So, the second statement “I’m too far gone for God to love me”, is an absolute lie. Through this beautiful parable, God is telling you that He is not mad at you. He loves you infinitely more than you can imagine. Like the shepherd who seeks the wandering sheep, He is seeking you, longing to be reunited with you, to gather you up in His arms, all your mistakes forgiven, and bring you home. The next parable in Luke 15 is....

Well, maybe you'll just have to wait until next time to find out! :)

God bless you! Remember, God will ALWAYS love you!!! 

Hope

*I have included many quotes in this sermon that are from one of my favorite authors, Ellen White, and this is one of them. :)