THE LOST SHEEP
Luke 15:3-7

Introduction:     Luke 15 is God's Lost and Found Department. This chapter contains three parables which illustrate God's love and concern for the lost. Today I want us to look at the first of these parables. Though the story is familiar I believe we can learn some valuable lessons from it. Notice first that the parable teaches us about.....

I.          THE CONDITION OF THE SINNER
The shepherd had 100 sheep but one of them was lost. The parable teaches that you and I are like that lost sheep. For God's word says..."All we like have gone astray". (Isa. 53:6)

"For ye were as sheep going astray, but are now returned to the Shepherd and the bishop of your souls". (I Pet. 2:25) A person who does not know Jesus could not be more accurately portrayed than in the picture of the lost sheep. For example:

A.        Sheep Are Considered To Be Dense.

Men are able to train all kinds of animals but you will never see a trained sheep. Spiritually the lost man is dense. He may be intelligent in many areas. He may have many degrees. He may be able to speak in several languages and converse about science and foreign policy, but when it comes to spiritual things the lost individual is spiritually illiterate. Paul said that, "... the natural man received not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned". (I Cor. 2:14) Paul also said that in the last days men would be, "Ever learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (II Tim. 3:7)

B.         A Sheep Has No Sense Of Direction.

They don't mean to get lost...they wander away from the safety of the fold and out of the shepherds care. That is a picture of those that are lost. People don't want to be lost…but they are because they are naturally drawn to taste of the devils grass. And without any sense of spiritual direction they wander into more and more sin.

C.        A Sheep Is Also Defenseless.

Other animals have some means of defense. A dog can bite. A rabbit can run. A cat can scratch and claw, but a sheep is helpless against its enemies. Lost individuals have no defense against the devil. He constantly is on the prowl looking to destroy his prey. The only hope a sheep has is the shepherd. So the lost sheep helps to understand the condition of the sinner.

II.         THE COMPASSION OF THE SHEPHERD (VV.4-7)
The shepherd in this story of course is Jesus. David said, "The Lord is my Shepherd". (Ps. 23:1) Jesus said, "I am the good Shepherd, the good Shepherd giveth his life for the sheep" (Jn. 10:11 ). In this parable we see what Jesus did in order to find the lost sheep.

A.        The Shepherd Loving (v.4)

Do you see the picture? The shepherd begins to count his sheep and one is missing. He should have had 100 but he had only 99. So what's the big deal? Why is the shepherd so concerned? It is not because the sheep is so valuable because even if the shepherd found it, it possibly would be torn by animals or beaten down by the elements. The Shepherd is concerned because he loves the sheep. Two thousand years ago when Jesus left heaven and came to this earth to die on Calvary , he did not come because we were so valuable.  No he came because he loved us. And by the way...notice that the shepherd's main concern is for the one, not the 99. We are usually just the opposite. If I had been the only lost person in the world, Jesus would have left heaven and came just for me.

B.         The Shepherd Looking (v.4)

Verse 4 gives us a picture of a searching shepherd. Remember Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. Jesus went after...Nicodemus, Zacchaeus, and the woman at the well. We too must go after those around us who are lost. What if no one had ever cared about you?

C.        Salvation’s Celebration (vv.5-7)

Nothing will keep the church rejoicing like seeing people come to know the Savior. Let's do our part to see the celebration continues over and over again.

Conclusion:       Perhaps today you are a lost sheep and you realize that you need Jesus to be your shepherd.  Then trust Him as your Savior right now.  Don't delay.