The Parable of the Lost Sheep

Steve Cannizzaro, July 5, 2020
Luke 15:1-7 (main text), Ezekiel 34:11-16

SERMON OUTLINE & QUESTIONS

Opening thoughts—

Do you know Jesus? Are you feeling far from Jesus? Well, consider what he might be saying to you through this parable today.

Background—

This passage is the first of three successive parables (Luke 15) on God’s pursuit of his people and the Kingdom of God.

Jesus tells this parable while on his way to Jerusalem. “He set his face to Jerusalem...” (Luke 9:51). Jesus knew what was going to happen to him in Jerusalem (i.e., cross).

On this journey, Jesus’ teaching becomes very clear and pointed. (E.g., “Bear good fruit”; “Store up treasures in heaven”; “Bear your cross.”)

Jesus’ listeners are the Jewish leaders (Scribes and Pharisees)—they are learned, devout, and self-righteous. They are specific in their obedience to the law, yet their hearts are far from God. (Consider the “woe” passages in Matthew 23.)

The Scribes and Pharisees see others as outcasts and less-than. They would not even associate with tax collectors and “sinners.”

Surface-level problem: They’re upset that Jesus welcomes tax collectors and sinners and eats and drinks with them.

Heart-level problem: They don’t know God’s love or mercy. They don’t see their own unrighteousness. They don’t know that they’re lost. They don’t recognize that God is in their midst.

How does Jesus respond? He tells them the story of the lost sheep.

Have you ever reflected on your own thoughts, motives, and actions and discovered you’re acting with the heart of a “Pharisee”? In what areas of life are you tempted to act in this way?

Sermon Focus | Why does Jesus tell the story of the lost sheep? 3 reasons.

(1) To know something about the character of God

How might we describe the shepherd in the story? He is caring, responsible, proactive, and he finishes things. He is strong, compassionate, relational, and remarkably invitational.

What else do you observe about the shepherd in this passage? Take a few minutes to read the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32). What qualities do you see in the father in this passage?

This man is a picture of God—the good shepherd. The image of God as the good shepherd is used throughout the Bible “(Ezekiel 34:11-16).

We see these characteristics most clearly in the person of Jesus.

“The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep” (John 10:11-18).

What was Jesus’ motivation? God’s love for his people.

What did Jesus do? He pursues us. (Consider the song Reckless Love by Cory Asbury.)

“He became sin who knew no sin” (2 Cor. 5:21).

“Just as the shepherd did not sit by idly when his sheep was lost so our Lord did not sit in heaven...but he left the glory of heaven and came down into he world and saved which was lost, never resting until he made atonement and provided eternal redemption to all who are willing...this is the character of God.” —JC Ryle (first Anglican bishop of Liverpool)

What do we love about stories of daring rescue? Consider Les Mis, Lion King, or Saving Private Ryan (“earn this”). These stories are shadows of the ultimate daring rescue—Jesus’ work on the cross (“receive this”).

Modern stories (movies, novels) can work like parables in that they “slip past our mental defenses” to relay important truth to our hearts. What are some of your favorite stories of daring rescue? Have you ever seen these in a Gospel-light?

Jesus’ pursuit of us is a concrete truth. And it simply requires that we put our faith in God, that we might receive the abundant life Jesus offers.

God is the good shepherd who finds us and restores us.