Lost and Found, Part 1
Text: Luke chapter 15: 1-24.
In this Gospel of Luke chapter 15, our Lord Jesus Christ gave three parables. It is said that a parable is an earthly story with a heavenly meaning or a Photograph of a real person or thing, in that one can picture how the real person or think will look. From these three parables we can see in type the three persons of the Godhead or the Triune God and our relationship.
Parable No.1 The Lost Sheep being found by one who went after it. Type of Christ coming into this sinful world and died that we being lost in sin might be found.
Parable No 2. The Lost coin being found by one who lighted a candle, Type of the Holy Spirit who illuminate our minds and understanding, that we may know of the suffering, death, burial and resurrection of Christ for our salvation.
Parable No 3 The Lost Son having gone astray, but who by his return, received an eagerly and warm welcome by his father. Type of God the father who is with outstretched arm awaits a wandering sinner to come to Him. Is that you? I was but now I have been found. Praise God.
In this study we will like to consider Parable Number 1. The Lost Sheep
1- The Preciousness of the sheep to the man Vs. 4, though he had 99 yet this one was precious to him. The sheep was not aware as to how precious it was to the man, but to the man it was.
2- The Persuance after the sheep by the man. Vs 4. He went after that sheep to where it was in spite of the cost. "Although the road be rough and steep, I'll go to the desert to find my sheep".
3- The Protection of the sheep by the man. Vs 5 He layeth it on his shoulders, a place of security, both shoulders, it may not fall off.
4- The Pleasure with the sheep Vs.6. He calleth together his friends and neighbors saying rejoice with me, I have found my sheep that was lost.
These thoughts will lead us to consider:
The Preciousness of each one of us to God. It was because we are so precious to God that Christ left heaven's glory and came into the world to die for all of us sinners. For all have sinned. Romans 3.23.
The Pursuance or going all the way for us., even to the cross of Calvary. Our finite minds cannot fully comprehend the total price paid by our Lord Jesus Christ, that we who have gone astray might be found, but we can say "All the way to Calvary he went for me" .
The Protection we have in Christ Jesus. This is known as the eternal security of the child of God. John 5.24, 1st. Peter 1.5. Jude vs.1.John 10:27-28.
The Pleasure and joy in heaven for us.. As we acknowledge the fact that we are sinners, but Christ died for us. As we by faith receive Him as our Saviour and Lord, there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. Luke 15.7. "When a sinner come as a sinner may there is joy, there is joy".