My friends and I were out to get iced coffee and for some reason we stopped at the church my dad is pastor at (wasn't even Sunday????) and we stopped in time to hear his sermon and all he said was "Gay rights." I never heard cheering so loud.
In the parable of the Lost Sheep, Jesus conveys a deep message about the relentless pursuit of redemption and the boundless grace of God. Let us delve into this timeless story and explore its significance in our lives today.
A certain shepherd had a hundred sheep, yet one of them strayed from the fold. Undeterred by the ninety-nine, the shepherd embarked on a relentless search for the lost sheep. He scoured the hills and valleys until, at last, he found the wayward sheep, weary and alone.
Filled with compassion, the shepherd tenderly lifted the sheep onto his shoulders and rejoiced, calling together his friends and neighbors to celebrate the sheep's return. In the same way, Jesus explains, there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance (Luke 15:3-7).
This parable reminds us of the depth of God's love and his unwavering commitment to seek out and restore the lost. Just as the shepherd pursued the lost sheep, so too does our Heavenly Father pursue each one of us with relentless love and compassion.
No matter how far we may have strayed, God's arms are always open wide, ready to welcome us back into His embrace. His grace knows no bounds, and His forgiveness is freely offered to all who humble themselves and turn back to Him.
The parable of the Lost Sheep challenges us to reflect on our own lives and consider those areas where we may have wandered away from God's path. It beckons us to return to the fold, to repent of our sins, and to experience the joy of reconciliation with our Heavenly Father.
Just as the shepherd rejoiced over the lost sheep's return, so too does God rejoice over each one of us when we turn back to Him. Our repentance brings joy to heaven, and our restored relationship with God brings fulfillment and purpose to our lives.
Broader context:
Parable of the Lost Sheep (Luke 15:3-7):
This is the main passage where the parable is found.
God's Pursuit of the Lost:
Ezekiel 34:16 - God seeks out the lost and brings them back to safety.
Isaiah 53:6 - We all, like sheep, have gone astray, but the Lord laid on Jesus the iniquity of us all.
Matthew 18:12-14 - Jesus' teaching about the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to seek the one lost sheep.
Psalm 119:176 - Like a lost sheep, seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
God's Rejoicing over Repentance:
Luke 15:10 - There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.
Luke 15:32 - It was fitting to celebrate and be glad, for your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.
Acts 3:19 - Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.
God's Unfailing Love and Faithfulness:
Psalm 23:1-3 - The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.
Psalm 36:5 - Your steadfast love, O Lord, extends to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds.
Psalm 136:1 - Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.
Lamentations 3:22-23 - The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
The Shepherd's Role as a Metaphor for Jesus:
John 10:11 - I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Hebrews 13:20 - Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant.
Call to Repentance and Restoration:
Joel 2:12-13 - "Yet even now," declares the Lord, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments."
Revelation 3:20 - Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.
The Joy of Salvation:
Romans 15:13 - May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Psalm 51:12 - Restore to me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Questions:
Have I strayed from God's path, and if so, am I willing to humble myself and turn back to Him?
Do I fully grasp the depth of God's love and His relentless pursuit of me, even in my moments of wandering?
How can I share the message of God's grace and redemption with others who may feel lost or disconnected from Him?
What steps can I take to deepen my relationship with God and experience the fullness of His joy and restoration in my life?
Let us pray:
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your unwavering love and grace, demonstrated to us through the parable of the Lost Sheep. Give us the courage to humble ourselves, repent of our sins, and return to you with open hearts. May we never forget the depth of your love for us and the joy that comes from being reconciled to you. In Jesus' name, amen.
John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
Psalm 29:11 The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.
2 Thessalonians 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.
keep your mind on Christ and his promises
Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Remember Peter
Matthew 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.14:30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.14:31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
If you get stressed for any reason
1 Peter 5:7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.
Troubled with burdens or oppressed
Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.11:29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.11:30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Philippians 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Isaiah 26:12 LORD, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us.
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JOKE-OGRAPHY:
Jesus tells His disciples not to swear. He means that they should always be honest -- that their yes should mean yes and their no should mean no without the need for fancy oaths. Peter however, takes it to mean Jesus doesn't want them saying bad words ("swear" can mean either "take an oath" or "utter a profanity"). This might be true, but it's not what He was saying here. Also, "butt" isn't a swear anyway, except maybe in the absolute most prudish of households. Peter was just being way too cautious.
[Heard a sermon from a creaky pulpit. With no one in the nave. I paid a visit to the synagogue. And I left there feeling blame. No one could tell me what to do. No one had the capacity to answer me.]
Today we bring to you a parable that Jesus shared with his disciples—a story of profound spiritual insight that speaks to the very foundation of our faith. It is the parable of the House Built on a Strong Foundation.
Imagine a wise builder who set out to construct a house. He carefully selected a site and began laying the foundation, digging deep into the bedrock and ensuring its stability. With meticulous care, he built upon this foundation, layer by layer, crafting a sturdy and enduring structure.
Now, picture another builder who, in contrast, was hasty and careless in his construction. He chose a site without considering its stability and began building without laying a firm foundation. Instead, he built upon the shifting sands, neglecting to secure his structure against the elements.
As time passed, storms arose, lashing against both houses with fierce winds and torrents of rain. The house built on the strong foundation stood firm, its walls unshaken and its roof unyielding. But the house built on the shifting sands could not withstand the onslaught; it crumbled and fell, its ruins scattered by the tempest.
What does this parable teach us, dear friends? It is a metaphor for the life of faith. The wise builder represents those who hear the words of Jesus and put them into practice, building their lives upon the solid foundation of his teachings (Matthew 7:24-25). They anchor their faith in the unchanging truth of God's Word, rooted deeply in Christ.
On the other hand, the foolish builder symbolizes those who hear the words of Jesus but do not act upon them. They build their lives upon the shifting sands of worldly pursuits and fleeting pleasures, lacking the firm foundation of faith (Matthew 7:26-27). When trials come, their faith is tested, and they find themselves without the strength to withstand the storms of life.
Let us heed the wisdom of this parable and examine the foundation upon which we are building our lives. Are we anchored in Christ, standing firm upon the rock of salvation (Psalm 18:2)? Or are we building upon the shifting sands of worldly wisdom and human strength?
As followers of Christ, let us strive to be like the wise builder, diligently laying a strong foundation of faith and obedience to God's Word. Let us build our lives upon the firm foundation of Jesus Christ, our Rock and Redeemer (1 Corinthians 3:11). And when the storms of life rage against us, we can rest assured that our house will stand, for it is built upon the unshakable truth of God's promises (Psalm 46:1-3).
May this parable inspire us to build our lives upon the strong foundation of faith in Christ, that we may withstand the trials of this world and inherit the eternal blessings of God's kingdom. Amen.
Broader Context:
Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (Luke 6:46-49):
This parable directly correlates with the concept of building upon a strong foundation.
Foundation of Christ (1 Corinthians 3:11):
"For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ."
Building on Solid Rock (Matthew 7:24-27):
Jesus teaches about the importance of building one's life on a solid foundation, likening it to a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Christ as the Chief Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22):
"So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit."
Stability in God's Word (Psalm 18:2):
"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."
The Foundation of Faith and Obedience (Hebrews 11:6):
"And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
The Firm Foundation of God's Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17):
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
Rooted and Built Up in Christ (Colossians 2:6-7):
"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness."
The Cornerstone Rejected by the Builders (Psalm 118:22):
"The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone."
The Importance of Spiritual Growth (2 Peter 1:5-8):
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Questions:
What aspects of my life am I currently building upon? Are they rooted in the solid foundation of faith and obedience to God's Word, or are they founded on the shifting sands of worldly pursuits and human wisdom?
How can I ensure that my spiritual foundation remains strong and unwavering amidst the storms of life? What practices, disciplines, or habits can I cultivate to deepen my relationship with Christ and strengthen my faith?
In what areas of my life do I see evidence of a weak or unstable foundation? What steps can I take to address these areas and rebuild upon the firm foundation of God's truth and promises?
Am I actively seeking wisdom and guidance from God's Word as I navigate the decisions and challenges of life? How can I align my thoughts, actions, and priorities with the principles of God's Kingdom, ensuring that I am building a life that honors and glorifies Him?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
We come before you with hearts full of gratitude for the wisdom and guidance you offer us through your Word. Thank you for teaching us the importance of building our lives upon the strong foundation of faith in Christ.
Lord, we acknowledge that we often stray from this firm foundation, seeking security and fulfillment in the fleeting pleasures of this world. Forgive us, O God, for the times when we have neglected to anchor our lives in your truth and grace.
As we reflect on the parable of the house built on a strong foundation, we are reminded of your steadfast love and faithfulness. Help us, Lord, to continually seek your wisdom and guidance, that we may build our lives upon the unshakable rock of your salvation.
Grant us the strength and courage to withstand the storms of life, knowing that you are our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). May our faith remain unwavering, our hope secure, and our love steadfast, grounded in the unchanging truth of your Word.
As we go forth from this moment, empower us to be faithful builders, constructing our lives in accordance with your will and purpose. May our actions and attitudes reflect the firm foundation of our faith in Christ, shining as beacons of your love and grace in a world in need of your redeeming light.