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1 or 99
Searching for the 1 or the 99?
In Luke chapter 15, Jesus relates a parable which has been called the Parable of the Lost Sheep. In it he spoke about a man who had a hundred sheep, but that one of them had been lost. Such was his concern for it that he left the ninety-nine to go and look for it. On finding it, he places it on his shoulders and, rejoicing, brings it back home. He then gathers his friends and neighbours to join in his celebration
This is, of course, a parable illustrating how important each individual is to God and how He doesn’t want anyone to be lost. Jesus goes on to say that there is rejoicing in heaven over every sinner who turns to Him for salvation
This parable got me wondering about those who are lost in and around Great Yarmouth. It would seem to me that the reality around here is that for every one person who is saved there are ninety-nine who are not. Thinking about the need here, if I were to speak a similar parable, it would more likely be about leaving the one in order to search out the ninety-nine. There is no doubt that Jesus loves every individual in this Borough, but there are so many who don’t know Christ as the Lord and Saviour and it is not His desire that any should perish.(2 Peter 3:9)
I came across this challenging quote from revivalist Vance Havner recently which I have copied out and am presently using as a bookmark in my Bible; he says “The tragedy today is that the situation is desperate but the saints are not”. Come on saints, let’s get out there and search for the many who are lost, and when they are found we can rejoice along with the whole of heaven
Dave Weeks
Pastor, Hope Church (retired)
image courtesy of pixabay.com
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mike clarke (Guest) |
14/08/2023 07:35 |
will there be churches ready for the lost sheep when they are looking for salvation
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