A Vision For Growth

A Vision for Growth (Lost and Found), Sunday 07-29-2007

Reverend Otis Stanley

Text: Matt 18:12-14

1. “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the 99 and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?
2. And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the 99 that did not go astray.
3. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

This parable unveils the inner-most heart of God

1. Everybody has a peculiar joy over lost things found. They may not be as valuable as things that are not lost. Still there is keener joy in recovery than unbroken possession of the 90 and 9.
2. God cares for the wanderer (the lost) ~ Read v.11
3. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

The Lost ~ v. 12

“What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the 99 and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying?

1. What do you think? (Attention getter)
2. 100 ~ Sheep (mankind)
   99 ~ Christian (the righteous)
   1 ~ errant (the unsaved)
3. 99 left not to stray, but on the mountains He leaves them
   1. Where they can find pasture
   2. Where they are safe
   3. Ps 147:8 ~
      Who covers the heavens with clouds,
      Who prepares rain for the earth,
      Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
4. Shepherd leaves and searches for the lost
   1. The lost sheep would not return by itself
   2. The Holy Spirit seeks out (actively)
   3. He allows distress, discomfort, sorrow and unhappiness so they may be drawn to Him.
   4. An under~shepherd’s responsibility is to be a part of this process.

The Found ~ v. 13

And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the 99 that did not go astray.

1. “ If ” means if a person will not open their heart, they will not be found and brought home. God forces no one against their will.
2. He rejoices more over the one that is found…than those that are with him. Jealousy should not be on our part. Joy should be over someone found.
   Prodigal son illustration.

God’s will is whosoever ~ v. 14

Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

1. It is God’s will for all to repent and be found by Christ.
2. This passage is opposed to the irrespective predestination or God wills some to be saved and others to be lost.
3. Those who injure the sheep are a special object of His displeasure.
4. Woe be to any of us who drive any of His sheep away from the fold.

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