Luke 15
4-7 If any of you has a hundred sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won’t you leave the ninety-nine in the field and go look for the lost sheep until you find it. And when you find it, you will be so glad that you will put it on your shoulder and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbors and say, “Let’s celebrate! I’ve found my lost sheep.” Jesus said, “In the same way there is more happiness in heaven because of one sinner who turns to God than over ninety-nine good people who don’t need to.”

Observation: Restoring sheep (people) is biblical. It is a mandate from Jesus that he cares about the lost. The lost often do not know it but rejoice when they return. Our culture has many who have never been found and need to experience the power and love of God.

Application: In the ministry it is hard going after lost sheep (people) because they not do affirm us. They are not easy found by not returning phone calls or emails. When something is lost, it is not easily found. That means you have to put forth an effort to search diligently and not be in a hurry. This is challenging because it is the toughest thing to do in ministry.

Prayer: May I have a heart for the lost who need to be restored or have never met Jesus.

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