1 00:00:00,240 --> 00:00:04,980 If you have a Bible, we're going to be in the 15th chapter of the book of Luke. 2 00:00:08,640 --> 00:00:13,500 And coming off of last week, it's pretty weighty. 3 00:00:15,460 --> 00:00:17,740 The Lord's called a discipleship. 4 00:00:19,020 --> 00:00:23,080 There doesn't leave a lot of room for opinion. 5 00:00:25,580 --> 00:00:29,980 It doesn't leave a lot of room for your life or mine if we're truly going to be a 6 00:00:30,000 --> 00:00:31,680 of the Lord Jesus. 7 00:00:32,890 --> 00:00:42,660 And so he continues on giving some parables here in Luke 15 that are dear to my heart 8 00:00:42,780 --> 00:00:50,460 simply because I resemble all three of them, a time of my life when I was lost. 9 00:00:53,270 --> 00:00:55,000 And didn't know what to do. 10 00:00:55,780 --> 00:00:57,000 Well, maybe I did. 11 00:00:58,360 --> 00:01:03,200 Many of us, we know what to do, but we're not willing to do it. 12 00:01:03,320 --> 00:01:04,420 That's the problem. 13 00:01:06,520 --> 00:01:13,600 So we're going to read the first 10 verses of the 15th chapter of the Gospel of Luke. 14 00:01:13,720 --> 00:01:15,660 I'll invite you to read along with me. 15 00:01:16,980 --> 00:01:21,860 It says, then all the tax collectors and the sinners they drew near to him to hear him. 16 00:01:23,300 --> 00:01:25,400 And the Pharisees and scribes complained saying, 17 00:01:25,520 --> 00:01:27,800 this man receives sinners and eats with them. 18 00:01:28,440 --> 00:01:30,700 And so he spoke this parable to them saying, 19 00:01:31,600 --> 00:01:34,880 What man of you having a hundred sheep if he loses one of them 20 00:01:35,260 --> 00:01:38,200 does not leave the 99 in the wilderness 21 00:01:38,500 --> 00:01:41,400 and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 22 00:01:42,320 --> 00:01:46,840 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing. 23 00:01:47,340 --> 00:01:50,420 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors 24 00:01:50,940 --> 00:01:54,560 saying to them, rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. 25 00:01:55,400 --> 00:02:02,080 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99, 26 00:02:02,760 --> 00:02:05,160 just persons who need no repentance. 27 00:02:06,660 --> 00:02:11,100 Or what woman having ten silver coins, if she loses one of the coins, 28 00:02:11,820 --> 00:02:16,480 does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 29 00:02:17,420 --> 00:02:21,340 And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together saying, 30 00:02:21,400 --> 00:02:28,740 rejoice with me for I have found the peace which I lost. Likewise I say to you there is joy in the 31 00:02:29,060 --> 00:02:37,180 presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents. Shall we pray? Father, thank you for your word. 32 00:02:37,980 --> 00:02:47,060 Lord, that it's alive and it's true and it can't be broken. So Lord, as we look at these words 33 00:02:48,140 --> 00:02:51,300 in this chapter in the gospel of Luke, I pray. 34 00:02:51,340 --> 00:02:59,300 that we would be changed. Lord, that you by your spirit would move on our hearts, Lord, 35 00:03:00,020 --> 00:03:06,740 to not just be those who aren't lost, but to reach out to those who are. And so, Lord, we're the 36 00:03:06,780 --> 00:03:12,540 ones who lost, we're lost. We need to turn to you. And Lord, may we find you as we seek you with all 37 00:03:12,600 --> 00:03:20,380 of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. In Jesus' name, amen. So it starts right off. 38 00:03:21,580 --> 00:03:27,360 where it says that then all the tax collectors and sinners drew near to hear him. 39 00:03:28,000 --> 00:03:31,600 This fascinates me because of what we had read last week. 40 00:03:32,160 --> 00:03:36,120 It's fascinating that people would, you're really going to follow Jesus? 41 00:03:36,960 --> 00:03:40,500 Don't you realize you got to hate father, mother, son, daughter? 42 00:03:41,680 --> 00:03:44,320 Hate your own life also if you're going to follow him? 43 00:03:45,220 --> 00:03:46,300 You're willing to do that? 44 00:03:46,880 --> 00:03:54,100 These tax collectors and these sinners, they were somehow drawn to the way Jesus presented this. 45 00:03:54,920 --> 00:03:56,960 Because obviously, it's not easy. 46 00:03:58,240 --> 00:04:07,560 It's not simple to put him in that rightful place because there are so many rivals in our hearts. 47 00:04:09,140 --> 00:04:16,160 Now, Jeff is wearing a sweatshirt today that says he has no rivals, and that should be correct. 48 00:04:17,000 --> 00:04:18,019 but it's not 49 00:04:21,200 --> 00:04:22,079 it's correct 50 00:04:22,079 --> 00:04:24,240 and that no one can rival God 51 00:04:24,360 --> 00:04:25,420 let's just put it that way 52 00:04:25,920 --> 00:04:27,960 but it does in our hearts does it not 53 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:30,540 we've got all kinds of things pulling at us 54 00:04:30,960 --> 00:04:31,540 relationships 55 00:04:32,540 --> 00:04:33,060 possessions 56 00:04:36,520 --> 00:04:37,080 position 57 00:04:37,920 --> 00:04:39,240 we got all kinds of things 58 00:04:39,380 --> 00:04:40,200 pulling at us 59 00:04:40,840 --> 00:04:44,080 trying to take that preeminent place 60 00:04:44,160 --> 00:04:46,180 that only really should be 61 00:04:46,280 --> 00:04:56,860 reserved for none other than Jesus himself. But for some reason, these sinners wanted to hear what Jesus 62 00:04:57,060 --> 00:05:04,640 had to say. Do you? Do you want to hear what Jesus has to say? You don't have to answer that. 63 00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:09,840 Just let me be with you every day and see how many times you open the book and read it. 64 00:05:11,860 --> 00:05:15,100 That's going to tell the story right there. And you know the answer. 65 00:05:17,940 --> 00:05:34,740 because I know for my own life, for a long time, I was very deficient in that area, reading the word, consistently over and over again, putting it in there because I forget from day to day and month to month and year to year. 66 00:05:34,900 --> 00:05:40,400 I forget the truth of God's word and I need to eat it every day. 67 00:05:41,040 --> 00:05:45,280 It so resembles what the children of Israel did in the wilderness with manna. 68 00:05:46,720 --> 00:05:46,860 Right? 69 00:05:46,920 --> 00:05:49,980 They would have to take, go out daily and get the manna. 70 00:05:50,280 --> 00:05:52,140 You couldn't store up any for tomorrow. 71 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:55,200 It's like the people that tell me, oh, I read the Bible. 72 00:05:56,140 --> 00:05:56,340 Really? 73 00:05:56,480 --> 00:05:57,060 What does it say? 74 00:05:57,420 --> 00:05:58,000 Well, I forgot. 75 00:05:58,200 --> 00:05:59,020 It's been a long time. 76 00:06:02,400 --> 00:06:04,260 No, the manna was daily, right? 77 00:06:04,780 --> 00:06:07,980 And if you stored up something for tomorrow, the worms would come and eat it. 78 00:06:08,260 --> 00:06:09,020 It would rot. 79 00:06:11,560 --> 00:06:12,420 and that's just it 80 00:06:13,160 --> 00:06:16,740 the residual manner that some people have in their heart of the word of God 81 00:06:17,140 --> 00:06:19,160 it just makes them rotten more rotten 82 00:06:20,260 --> 00:06:22,900 because all they do is use it to browbeat others 83 00:06:24,160 --> 00:06:26,160 they don't let it ruminate 84 00:06:26,800 --> 00:06:30,820 and influence their own hearts in their own lives 85 00:06:31,400 --> 00:06:32,560 because it's not consistent 86 00:06:33,540 --> 00:06:36,580 I'm just talking to a guy this week about it 87 00:06:37,920 --> 00:06:39,080 struggling with it. 88 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:41,140 Read it every day. 89 00:06:43,880 --> 00:06:47,260 Because when you don't, you ascend to the throne 90 00:06:48,340 --> 00:06:51,200 and you have just taken away the preeminent place 91 00:06:51,740 --> 00:06:53,640 where Jesus needs to reside in your life. 92 00:06:54,140 --> 00:06:55,540 And that's just the way it is, folks. 93 00:06:58,640 --> 00:07:02,020 It is a battle this Christian life. 94 00:07:03,760 --> 00:07:06,560 And it seems to be getting more and more so 95 00:07:06,580 --> 00:07:10,720 As time goes on, as the Lord's getting closer and closer to returning, 96 00:07:11,420 --> 00:07:13,980 the enemy is pulling out all the stops. 97 00:07:14,100 --> 00:07:15,420 The distractions are more. 98 00:07:15,560 --> 00:07:16,240 They're constant. 99 00:07:16,500 --> 00:07:21,160 They're multiplying daily to pull us away. 100 00:07:23,420 --> 00:07:25,880 Just talking to a brother right before service, and he said, 101 00:07:26,420 --> 00:07:30,180 man, if I could go back and be in Bible times, 102 00:07:30,660 --> 00:07:35,160 when they just had an oil lamp and no telephone and no internet, 103 00:07:36,420 --> 00:07:37,800 And they just had an oil lamp. 104 00:07:39,720 --> 00:07:42,000 And they had a scroll that they could read. 105 00:07:43,120 --> 00:07:44,220 And they're not distracted. 106 00:07:45,560 --> 00:07:46,520 No, but they're still wicked. 107 00:07:50,220 --> 00:07:53,060 We find things to distract us. 108 00:07:53,400 --> 00:07:56,640 We invest in things actually that distract us. 109 00:07:57,360 --> 00:08:00,060 But these tax collectors, they're drawn to Jesus. 110 00:08:00,220 --> 00:08:01,600 They want to hear him. 111 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:06,240 His call to discipleship was wild talking about hating relatives. 112 00:08:06,260 --> 00:08:07,640 and dying to self. 113 00:08:09,320 --> 00:08:11,300 These kinds of people were known, 114 00:08:11,640 --> 00:08:13,340 these publicans and sinners, 115 00:08:13,500 --> 00:08:15,460 they were known as people of the land. 116 00:08:16,600 --> 00:08:18,120 People, I kind of like that, 117 00:08:18,420 --> 00:08:19,180 people of the land. 118 00:08:20,160 --> 00:08:20,900 I like land. 119 00:08:21,820 --> 00:08:22,400 I like dirt. 120 00:08:22,580 --> 00:08:24,660 I love the dirt under my fingernails. 121 00:08:26,160 --> 00:08:27,000 I just like it. 122 00:08:28,440 --> 00:08:30,040 Maybe because that's what I'm made of. 123 00:08:31,479 --> 00:08:33,580 But the saddesties and Pharisees, 124 00:08:33,580 --> 00:08:36,219 they had a hard time than all the things. 125 00:08:36,240 --> 00:08:40,940 tax collectors and sinners drew near to him to hear him, and the Pharisees and scribes complained, 126 00:08:41,719 --> 00:08:44,460 saying this man receives sinners and eats with them. 127 00:08:47,160 --> 00:08:52,300 They were complaining. They were disgusted by these people of the land. 128 00:08:54,140 --> 00:08:56,900 Because the Pharisees called themselves the people of the law. 129 00:08:59,220 --> 00:09:03,620 Now, obviously, they believed they were a little bit better than the people of the land. 130 00:09:05,700 --> 00:09:07,040 Are you better than someone else? 131 00:09:08,400 --> 00:09:08,900 Are you better? 132 00:09:10,080 --> 00:09:12,800 Now, I got to tell you, we are not better. 133 00:09:13,200 --> 00:09:14,660 No one is better than anyone else. 134 00:09:14,840 --> 00:09:18,140 It's just kind of the, we're just like the sea, right? 135 00:09:21,279 --> 00:09:22,960 We're at the same level. 136 00:09:24,680 --> 00:09:28,760 If you know Jesus, let me tell you, you are better off than if you don't. 137 00:09:30,320 --> 00:09:33,380 That's the only better there is when it comes to humans. 138 00:09:35,840 --> 00:09:49,900 and so these people are begin to complain and be disgusted that Jesus would actually let sinful hands touch him 139 00:09:51,040 --> 00:09:56,140 or that he would actually reach out and touch a leper or an adulterous woman 140 00:09:58,120 --> 00:10:02,480 the the people of the law had this saying check this out. 141 00:10:03,860 --> 00:10:13,040 it says there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who is obliterated before God that's what that that was their 142 00:10:14,220 --> 00:10:24,420 their ploy but wouldn't we all fall under that category right but in verses 7 and 10 we read them right 143 00:10:24,820 --> 00:10:30,320 there's more joy and it's just the opposite there's more in joy in heaven over one sinner who repents 144 00:10:30,940 --> 00:10:32,100 do you need to repent today? 145 00:10:32,580 --> 00:10:32,980 I do. 146 00:10:34,960 --> 00:10:36,060 I need to repent today. 147 00:10:37,560 --> 00:10:41,560 Because there's obviously things I could have done that I didn't do that was sin. 148 00:10:42,460 --> 00:10:43,400 Oh, Lord, forgive me. 149 00:10:44,560 --> 00:10:49,220 God, you got to keep lifting my head because I keep looking at me way too much 150 00:10:50,100 --> 00:10:54,780 when I need to be looking at you and truly give you that place in my life. 151 00:10:56,460 --> 00:11:00,260 So Jesus was receiving the people of the land and spending. 152 00:11:00,340 --> 00:11:01,180 time with them. 153 00:11:02,420 --> 00:11:03,780 Spending time with Jesus is 154 00:11:04,540 --> 00:11:06,260 pretty sweet. The older 155 00:11:06,280 --> 00:11:07,780 I get, the sweeter it is. 156 00:11:10,420 --> 00:11:12,000 Because he just has a way 157 00:11:12,960 --> 00:11:14,040 like these sinners and these 158 00:11:14,920 --> 00:11:16,540 publicans. I was going to say Republicans, 159 00:11:16,820 --> 00:11:18,560 which, sorry, 160 00:11:19,340 --> 00:11:20,120 got a little tongue-tied. 161 00:11:20,980 --> 00:11:21,760 Yeah, the Republicans, 162 00:11:22,220 --> 00:11:25,280 they need Jesus. 163 00:11:28,680 --> 00:11:29,260 And he 164 00:11:29,540 --> 00:11:30,280 he spent time 165 00:11:30,300 --> 00:11:39,060 with them. Now, now you got to realize people try to use that, this passage of scripture, 166 00:11:39,260 --> 00:11:43,940 Jesus talking about Jesus hanging out with publicans and sinners and tax collectors is like, 167 00:11:44,120 --> 00:11:50,440 hey, I can go to the bar and hang out with those bad people. Really? Yeah, I can go to the bar 168 00:11:50,520 --> 00:11:56,040 and hang out with those. Jesus did. Yeah, but Jesus did not partake with them. Okay, 169 00:11:56,160 --> 00:12:00,260 there is a big difference. Some people think that, oh, no, that's, Jesus is a small. 170 00:12:00,280 --> 00:12:01,760 cool, he's into the party scene. 171 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:05,920 No, that's not the way it works. 172 00:12:06,580 --> 00:12:07,840 Because there's a big difference 173 00:12:08,640 --> 00:12:10,360 from being around people who are doing 174 00:12:10,560 --> 00:12:12,300 sinful things and doing it with them. 175 00:12:13,220 --> 00:12:14,660 The people were coming to Jesus, 176 00:12:14,860 --> 00:12:17,020 he was not necessarily going to them. 177 00:12:18,760 --> 00:12:20,100 And then when they would come to him, 178 00:12:20,180 --> 00:12:21,060 he would welcome them. 179 00:12:21,800 --> 00:12:24,120 And he would converse with them. 180 00:12:24,780 --> 00:12:28,440 And he had his way of just putting his finger 181 00:12:28,580 --> 00:12:30,240 right on the things. 182 00:12:30,260 --> 00:12:33,400 things that they were dealing with in their life. You guys remember the woman at the well? 183 00:12:35,040 --> 00:12:43,040 Jesus, he asked her that question. It's smart when you talk to people who don't know the 184 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:51,740 Lord to ask them questions. Let them condemn themselves, right? She did. He said, hey, go get your 185 00:12:52,550 --> 00:12:57,680 husband. Your man should be here in this conversation. Well, I don't have a husband. 186 00:12:59,520 --> 00:13:01,040 You rightly say you don't have a husband. 187 00:13:01,140 --> 00:13:02,040 You've had five of them. 188 00:13:02,500 --> 00:13:04,520 The dude you shacked up with now, it's not your husband. 189 00:13:06,100 --> 00:13:06,260 Right? 190 00:13:07,200 --> 00:13:07,480 Caching. 191 00:13:09,380 --> 00:13:10,800 I perceive that you're a prophet. 192 00:13:17,120 --> 00:13:17,440 Busted. 193 00:13:18,020 --> 00:13:19,440 You ever been busted by the Lord? 194 00:13:20,000 --> 00:13:20,880 He just busts you. 195 00:13:21,080 --> 00:13:22,140 He's just so good at it. 196 00:13:25,119 --> 00:13:25,920 And so... 197 00:13:28,600 --> 00:13:29,160 And so... 198 00:13:29,520 --> 00:13:34,760 we have these these these parables in this so we're just going to look at the two of them this morning 199 00:13:35,500 --> 00:13:44,060 but um in these parables there's four phases that we see in these three parables the lost sheep the lost 200 00:13:44,340 --> 00:13:51,960 coin and the lost sun there's a loss the four phases the first one is there's a loss there's a search 201 00:13:52,640 --> 00:13:59,140 there's a recovery and there's a celebration and so let's look at 202 00:13:59,160 --> 00:14:02,280 at the first parable here in verse four it says, 203 00:14:02,860 --> 00:14:05,300 and what man of you having a hundred sheep, 204 00:14:05,520 --> 00:14:07,380 if he loses one of them, 205 00:14:07,500 --> 00:14:11,200 does not leave the 99 in the wilderness 206 00:14:11,320 --> 00:14:14,240 and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? 207 00:14:15,160 --> 00:14:19,360 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders rejoicing. 208 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:22,900 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends 209 00:14:22,970 --> 00:14:25,680 and neighbors saying to them, rejoice with me, 210 00:14:25,860 --> 00:14:28,440 for I have found my sheep, which was lost. 211 00:14:28,820 --> 00:14:34,280 I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents 212 00:14:34,980 --> 00:14:38,640 than over 99 just persons who need no repentance. 213 00:14:40,480 --> 00:14:43,860 And so he loses a sheep. 214 00:14:44,060 --> 00:14:45,840 This shepherd loses the sheep. 215 00:14:46,980 --> 00:14:50,100 Now one out of 99, well that's not bad, right? 216 00:14:52,120 --> 00:14:56,640 But the passage doesn't tell us how he lost this sheep. 217 00:14:57,700 --> 00:15:02,380 But the Matthew passage does tell us how this sheep was lost. 218 00:15:03,460 --> 00:15:05,760 He tells us in Matthew 1812, what do you think? 219 00:15:06,120 --> 00:15:10,120 If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, 220 00:15:10,680 --> 00:15:15,440 does he not leave the 90 and 9 and go to the mountains and seek the one who is straying? 221 00:15:15,940 --> 00:15:16,519 Went astray. 222 00:15:17,720 --> 00:15:19,560 Wasn't the shepherd who lost this sheep. 223 00:15:19,920 --> 00:15:23,220 It was this sheep who was obstinate and did his own thing. 224 00:15:24,160 --> 00:15:26,620 You ever noticed sheep out in the wilderness? 225 00:15:28,320 --> 00:15:32,820 Oh boy, it's a humbling thing for the Lord to call us sheep. 226 00:15:38,100 --> 00:15:40,400 Sheep are just, they lack a lot. 227 00:15:42,030 --> 00:15:43,160 Do you know that about yourself? 228 00:15:43,800 --> 00:15:44,580 You lack a lot? 229 00:15:45,210 --> 00:15:46,160 I lack a lot. 230 00:15:47,180 --> 00:15:47,720 A lot. 231 00:15:47,970 --> 00:15:51,060 I really, I really, honestly, I need a shepherd. 232 00:15:52,560 --> 00:15:56,260 And this sheep has gone away. 233 00:15:56,780 --> 00:15:59,320 and the shepherd is serious about seeking the sheep, 234 00:16:00,280 --> 00:16:05,200 even knowing that it was by his own volition and his own will that he went astray. 235 00:16:05,800 --> 00:16:06,720 You know people like that? 236 00:16:07,740 --> 00:16:08,740 They know what's right. 237 00:16:09,400 --> 00:16:10,440 They know the truth. 238 00:16:11,040 --> 00:16:14,300 And they still choose to run amok and go astray. 239 00:16:14,960 --> 00:16:15,900 Why do we do that? 240 00:16:16,860 --> 00:16:18,340 Because we're stupid. 241 00:16:29,600 --> 00:16:39,140 But, but praise God, the shepherd does not take the business man type of attitude as a profit and loss with this one sheep. 242 00:16:39,800 --> 00:16:42,600 I mean, he could easily say, hey, I got 99. 243 00:16:43,160 --> 00:16:45,360 One percent ain't bad, right? 244 00:16:46,700 --> 00:16:48,220 That's not a bad death loss. 245 00:16:49,540 --> 00:16:50,620 because the sheep out there very, 246 00:16:50,880 --> 00:16:53,280 he doesn't stay out there very long before he dies 247 00:16:53,780 --> 00:16:54,680 or something eats him. 248 00:16:57,760 --> 00:16:58,980 Just wandering around. 249 00:16:59,580 --> 00:17:04,480 We went up, we were scouting for elk one fall 250 00:17:04,530 --> 00:17:06,920 and went up and found this poor little sheep. 251 00:17:09,040 --> 00:17:09,720 I heard it. 252 00:17:09,860 --> 00:17:10,839 It was laying down. 253 00:17:11,120 --> 00:17:11,900 It couldn't get up. 254 00:17:12,130 --> 00:17:13,100 It had a broken leg. 255 00:17:13,900 --> 00:17:14,839 And it had a bell on. 256 00:17:16,220 --> 00:17:16,720 Had a bell on. 257 00:17:17,079 --> 00:17:18,180 So we walked up to it. 258 00:17:18,240 --> 00:17:20,120 And I'm just thinking, wonder how long this thing's been out. 259 00:17:20,560 --> 00:17:24,819 And where we parked our truck and took off on our horses, there was a sheep camp there. 260 00:17:25,900 --> 00:17:28,700 And we ended up putting the sheep down because of the broken leg. 261 00:17:29,260 --> 00:17:33,640 And I took the collar in the bell and I put it, the sheep purter wasn't there. 262 00:17:33,760 --> 00:17:34,540 So I put it on his. 263 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:39,440 But that was the demise of this poor sheep. 264 00:17:39,800 --> 00:17:44,300 Whether it was there because it was injured or whether it had wandered astray, I don't know. 265 00:17:46,570 --> 00:17:47,840 But it was helpless. 266 00:17:48,720 --> 00:17:51,140 It was hopeless. I couldn't believe it hadn't been eaten. 267 00:17:53,180 --> 00:17:55,460 And obviously afterwards, somebody probably 268 00:17:55,580 --> 00:17:59,960 have a pretty tasty meal. But instead, 269 00:18:00,220 --> 00:18:04,560 the shepherd, he has this unconditional love for this sheep 270 00:18:05,200 --> 00:18:08,600 that has gone astray. Obviously, this parable is 271 00:18:08,820 --> 00:18:14,000 illustrating God's searching you and me out. Can you look back in your life 272 00:18:14,350 --> 00:18:17,820 and see how the Lord was kind of orchestrating your 273 00:18:18,140 --> 00:18:21,460 your whatever it took to bring you to him. 274 00:18:22,280 --> 00:18:24,700 Maybe it was just to come to the end of yourself. 275 00:18:25,800 --> 00:18:32,420 Maybe it was some kind of out of a tragedy that you had to go through to lift your head. 276 00:18:36,020 --> 00:18:39,780 But just know that he loves you. 277 00:18:41,060 --> 00:18:42,380 And he loves to seek you out. 278 00:18:49,520 --> 00:18:50,400 I hear people say, 279 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:53,760 I just need to find God and what is true. 280 00:18:53,780 --> 00:18:57,060 I mean, how can you sift through all that and really know what is true? 281 00:18:57,840 --> 00:19:00,420 Well, God's not lost, you are. 282 00:19:01,220 --> 00:19:06,800 And, and if you are having that thought, 283 00:19:07,360 --> 00:19:10,560 that is the Lord prompting you to turn to him. 284 00:19:12,160 --> 00:19:19,360 it really is it's the lord he's he's sovereign in your life he he knows which little which little diversion 285 00:19:19,400 --> 00:19:25,920 to put into your life to turn you to him but sometimes we even ignore those things 286 00:19:28,420 --> 00:19:35,400 we need jesus like a like a sheep needs a shepherd sheep have no natural defenses 287 00:19:36,460 --> 00:19:40,560 have you seen sheep they're just a kind of an odd creature 288 00:19:40,580 --> 00:19:48,940 They're not fast, right? They can't outrun anything that's chasing them. They don't have big 289 00:19:49,140 --> 00:19:56,120 strong legs where they can kick or stomp an attacker. They don't have a big old canine teeth 290 00:19:56,120 --> 00:20:07,760 where they can turn around and bite back. They're just pathetic. They're just, they're just 291 00:20:08,920 --> 00:20:15,020 an ox before the slaughter. They're just a chicken before a coyote. Years ago up Fall Creek, 292 00:20:16,020 --> 00:20:22,200 there was a wolf attack on a sheep herd. They killed, I think almost 70. I think there was almost 293 00:20:22,450 --> 00:20:30,020 70 sheep killed. But they said the wolves only killed between 15 and 20. The sheep in their panic 294 00:20:30,880 --> 00:20:35,460 were so afraid they started jumping on top of each other. And they piled up and it suffocated like 295 00:20:35,840 --> 00:20:37,420 45 sheep or 50 sheep. 296 00:20:44,240 --> 00:20:45,400 Sheep weren't very smart. 297 00:20:49,060 --> 00:20:49,740 And the Lord 298 00:20:50,840 --> 00:20:52,960 calls us his sheep. 299 00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:02,100 Have you learned to laugh at yourself 300 00:21:02,580 --> 00:21:03,800 because of your sheepishness? 301 00:21:05,600 --> 00:21:05,760 Right? 302 00:21:06,540 --> 00:21:07,420 It's quite common. 303 00:21:07,440 --> 00:21:19,500 comical this whole sheep thing. I have some chicken that I heard, one chicken. His name's Rooster 304 00:21:19,600 --> 00:21:27,240 Cogburn. It's my wife's chicken and I cared for Rooster Cogburn this winter. I had to 305 00:21:27,660 --> 00:21:34,240 lance his feet. He had these big old nodule cyst things on his feet. I had to take them all 306 00:21:34,300 --> 00:21:40,020 and I doctored rooster cogburn, and then we tried to integrate rooster cogburn back into the, 307 00:21:40,340 --> 00:21:46,920 with all the hens. But we got three or four other roosters, and they pummel poor rooster 308 00:21:47,060 --> 00:21:52,720 cogburn. And he's in this place where he's scared all the time. And so we got this little roost 309 00:21:52,880 --> 00:21:57,660 where we put him at night. And we'll let him out during the day, and he kind of looks out and he looks 310 00:21:57,670 --> 00:22:01,440 out and he looks this way and that way, and then he just high-tails it to the barn. He's got a little cubby 311 00:22:01,540 --> 00:22:03,040 that he kind of hangs out in in the barn, 312 00:22:03,120 --> 00:22:06,140 that he can get in where the other roosters can't beat him up. 313 00:22:06,960 --> 00:22:09,200 But I'm out there and I'm herding, Rooster Cogburn. 314 00:22:09,680 --> 00:22:11,140 Hey, Rooster, you get him you go this way. 315 00:22:11,640 --> 00:22:12,400 He don't want to go that way. 316 00:22:13,820 --> 00:22:17,280 Me and Rooster, we're kind of jumping back and forth. 317 00:22:18,940 --> 00:22:23,060 And Rooster is getting to where he lets me direct him. 318 00:22:24,320 --> 00:22:25,800 Back into a safe place. 319 00:22:28,340 --> 00:22:30,180 Roster cog, pray for Rooster Cogburn. 320 00:22:36,660 --> 00:22:37,920 he might be going away soon 321 00:22:39,940 --> 00:22:42,320 and then I got these ducks that I have to herd in 322 00:22:42,360 --> 00:22:44,800 we put them up at night so that's why I heard them 323 00:22:45,360 --> 00:22:47,520 I go get my horse I saddle up and I go get her 324 00:22:47,640 --> 00:22:51,860 no I'm just kidding but these ducks 325 00:22:53,120 --> 00:22:55,220 they're the running ducks have you seen the running ducks 326 00:22:55,420 --> 00:22:59,600 they run like this I mean and they're fast 327 00:23:00,840 --> 00:23:01,460 they're fast 328 00:23:02,640 --> 00:23:02,740 but 329 00:23:03,640 --> 00:23:05,180 they have come to know 330 00:23:05,580 --> 00:23:06,680 that when we go out 331 00:23:06,780 --> 00:23:08,200 and it's starting to get dark 332 00:23:08,520 --> 00:23:09,800 and we start getting around them 333 00:23:10,300 --> 00:23:11,320 they kind of heard up 334 00:23:11,480 --> 00:23:11,600 and 335 00:23:13,980 --> 00:23:14,640 and here they go 336 00:23:15,140 --> 00:23:16,980 and they go get in their safe place 337 00:23:18,340 --> 00:23:19,460 they let us 338 00:23:20,180 --> 00:23:21,620 rooster cogburn in the ducks 339 00:23:22,200 --> 00:23:23,580 they let us shepherd them 340 00:23:25,980 --> 00:23:27,240 how many people I know 341 00:23:27,380 --> 00:23:28,840 they won't let God shepherd them 342 00:23:29,640 --> 00:23:32,180 I mean, the Lord will get them right up to the door 343 00:23:32,220 --> 00:23:33,300 and then they take off running. 344 00:23:33,840 --> 00:23:35,020 It's like a stinking herd of cows. 345 00:23:35,080 --> 00:23:36,200 You talk about making mad. 346 00:23:40,040 --> 00:23:40,660 They don't listen. 347 00:23:42,060 --> 00:23:42,960 They don't respond. 348 00:23:46,060 --> 00:23:52,300 And that the shepherd has our best interest at heart. 349 00:23:57,080 --> 00:23:58,800 Isaiah talks about sheep. 350 00:23:59,400 --> 00:24:01,280 where he says in Isaiah 53 6, 351 00:24:01,800 --> 00:24:04,240 all we like sheep have gone astray. 352 00:24:04,760 --> 00:24:06,680 We have turned everyone to his own way. 353 00:24:07,140 --> 00:24:10,740 And the Lord has laid on him, that is Jesus, the iniquity of us all. 354 00:24:14,240 --> 00:24:15,760 Are you going astray? 355 00:24:17,180 --> 00:24:17,920 Are you floundering? 356 00:24:19,340 --> 00:24:22,800 Or are you kind of just spinning in a circle, suffocating, 357 00:24:23,220 --> 00:24:24,400 not knowing which way to go? 358 00:24:26,700 --> 00:24:27,760 The Lord will tell you, 359 00:24:27,860 --> 00:24:29,460 the Lord will direct you. 360 00:24:30,080 --> 00:24:31,680 1 Peter 2.25, it says, 361 00:24:31,840 --> 00:24:33,920 for you are like sheep going astray, 362 00:24:34,340 --> 00:24:36,280 but have now returned to the shepherd 363 00:24:36,720 --> 00:24:39,360 and overseer of your souls. 364 00:24:40,920 --> 00:24:42,680 It reminds me of that hymn, 365 00:24:43,700 --> 00:24:44,680 come now found, right? 366 00:24:46,500 --> 00:24:47,280 Prone to wander, 367 00:24:48,360 --> 00:24:49,160 Lord, I feel it. 368 00:24:49,760 --> 00:24:51,280 Prone to leave the God I love. 369 00:24:52,060 --> 00:24:52,940 We're prone to that. 370 00:24:53,660 --> 00:24:54,800 You have to be aware of that 371 00:24:55,700 --> 00:24:57,740 and be desperate for your shepherd. 372 00:24:58,400 --> 00:25:00,120 because he's desperate for you. 373 00:25:00,520 --> 00:25:05,240 Ezekiel 34 says this as the Lord seeks after Israel. 374 00:25:05,310 --> 00:25:10,960 It says, for thus says the Lord God, indeed, I myself were searched for my sheep and seek 375 00:25:11,100 --> 00:25:17,080 them out as a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep. 376 00:25:17,440 --> 00:25:23,380 So will I seek out my sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered 377 00:25:23,450 --> 00:25:27,720 on a cloudy and dark day and will bring them out from the peoples and gather them. 378 00:25:28,120 --> 00:25:33,200 from the countries and will bring them to their own land. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel 379 00:25:33,580 --> 00:25:39,520 in the valleys and in the inhabited places of the country. I will feed them in good pasture and 380 00:25:40,160 --> 00:25:46,280 their fold shall be on the high mountains of Israel. This is God's heart. He wants to bless us, 381 00:25:46,780 --> 00:25:53,860 but we won't let him. We won't let him bless us. We won't let him lead us. Oh, sometimes. 382 00:25:57,580 --> 00:26:01,120 You ever talk to them people that are just, they're just fair weather believers? 383 00:26:01,500 --> 00:26:03,480 Oh yeah, the Lord's so good. He's really blessed me. 384 00:26:04,440 --> 00:26:06,680 But then all hell breaks loose in their life and they run. 385 00:26:10,820 --> 00:26:12,400 Run to the shepherd. 386 00:26:14,720 --> 00:26:22,020 Because the rejoicing is that person who turns to him and repents. 387 00:26:24,279 --> 00:26:27,060 It's fascinating that verse there. 388 00:26:27,560 --> 00:26:30,200 it always gets me when I read it, 389 00:26:31,340 --> 00:26:36,100 not about the joy in heaven over one or one sinner who repents, 390 00:26:36,200 --> 00:26:40,380 but over the 99 persons who need no repentance. 391 00:26:41,140 --> 00:26:42,160 Is there such a thing? 392 00:26:42,780 --> 00:26:44,380 I don't believe there's such a thing. 393 00:26:48,780 --> 00:26:51,600 I think it was last week just talking about repentance. 394 00:26:51,960 --> 00:26:52,740 It's a lifestyle. 395 00:26:54,100 --> 00:26:55,720 Oh, Lord, show me where I've messed up today. 396 00:26:56,520 --> 00:26:57,820 I don't want to keep doing this. 397 00:26:57,820 --> 00:27:00,760 I don't want to have this habitual sin. 398 00:27:01,220 --> 00:27:05,420 Not that we don't stumble and make mistakes, 399 00:27:06,190 --> 00:27:08,520 but habitually I don't want to be that anymore. 400 00:27:09,160 --> 00:27:10,380 I was that long enough. 401 00:27:12,320 --> 00:27:14,420 The Lord desires the best thing for you and me. 402 00:27:14,600 --> 00:27:15,520 Paul tells us, 403 00:27:16,520 --> 00:27:18,540 tells the people in Colossians chapter 1, 404 00:27:18,760 --> 00:27:21,060 after he hears their desire to walk with the Lord 405 00:27:21,680 --> 00:27:24,880 and just let me encourage you who are walking with the Lord 406 00:27:25,120 --> 00:27:28,040 in Colossians 1, verses 9 through 14, it says, 407 00:27:28,060 --> 00:27:31,520 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, 408 00:27:31,620 --> 00:27:33,900 do not cease to pray for you 409 00:27:33,900 --> 00:27:36,000 and to ask that you may be filled 410 00:27:36,320 --> 00:27:37,940 with the knowledge of his will 411 00:27:38,160 --> 00:27:40,320 in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, 412 00:27:41,220 --> 00:27:43,420 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, 413 00:27:43,740 --> 00:27:44,860 fully pleasing him, 414 00:27:45,280 --> 00:27:47,860 being fruitful in every good work 415 00:27:47,980 --> 00:27:49,920 and in increasing in the knowledge of God, 416 00:27:50,600 --> 00:27:52,040 strengthened with all might 417 00:27:52,280 --> 00:27:53,680 according to the glorious power 418 00:27:54,020 --> 00:27:54,840 for all patience, 419 00:27:54,880 --> 00:28:01,520 and long-suffering with joy, giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers 420 00:28:01,610 --> 00:28:07,260 of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness 421 00:28:07,290 --> 00:28:14,360 and conveyed us into the kingdom of the son of his love, in whom we have redemption through his 422 00:28:14,580 --> 00:28:24,840 blood and forgiveness of sins. I love that. That's powerful stuff that Paul's prayer for the believers 423 00:28:25,120 --> 00:28:26,000 No, you need to grow. 424 00:28:27,100 --> 00:28:27,800 You've got to grow. 425 00:28:28,960 --> 00:28:30,380 If you're not growing, you're withering. 426 00:28:31,560 --> 00:28:33,680 If you're not moving forward, you're moving back. 427 00:28:39,720 --> 00:28:45,500 Weirsby says the story of the lost sheep would touch the hearts of the men and boys in the crowd. 428 00:28:46,260 --> 00:28:46,780 Why is that? 429 00:28:48,200 --> 00:28:51,300 Because so many of them dealt with sheep. 430 00:28:52,820 --> 00:28:54,820 I got friends that worked the lamb and sheep. 431 00:28:54,880 --> 00:29:01,020 sheds when we were in high school. Some of their stories. They, I mean, they, they talk about it and just 432 00:29:01,100 --> 00:29:09,160 get frustrated, right? Working with sheep. And then no doubt the conviction that that's what God's 433 00:29:09,220 --> 00:29:15,660 calling us. We know how stupid these things are. We've been working with them for years. And so it 434 00:29:15,780 --> 00:29:21,120 would have connected. The next parable would have connected with the women and girls. They would 435 00:29:21,200 --> 00:29:24,800 appreciate the story about the coin that was lost from the 436 00:29:24,860 --> 00:29:25,840 the wedding necklace. 437 00:29:27,120 --> 00:29:28,800 Jesus sought to reach everybody. 438 00:29:29,640 --> 00:29:32,060 I don't know if any of this is connecting with you or not, 439 00:29:32,520 --> 00:29:34,240 if you've wondered about or not. 440 00:29:36,700 --> 00:29:38,600 Maybe you're just in a tough place right now. 441 00:29:41,040 --> 00:29:41,680 You got a shepherd. 442 00:29:42,860 --> 00:29:44,200 He'll put you in the right spot. 443 00:29:45,320 --> 00:29:47,980 He'll put the right nutrients before you 444 00:29:49,520 --> 00:29:50,720 if you'll come to him. 445 00:29:51,940 --> 00:29:54,740 Versus eight through ten and we'll wrap it up. 446 00:29:54,780 --> 00:29:56,860 here. I says, or what woman having 447 00:29:57,500 --> 00:29:58,720 10 silver coins, 448 00:29:58,880 --> 00:30:01,020 if she loses one coin, does not 449 00:30:01,340 --> 00:30:02,800 light a lamp and sweep the house 450 00:30:02,940 --> 00:30:04,920 and search carefully until she finds 451 00:30:05,040 --> 00:30:07,000 it. And when she has found it, she calls 452 00:30:07,060 --> 00:30:08,840 her friends and neighbors together 453 00:30:09,080 --> 00:30:10,240 saying, rejoice with me. 454 00:30:10,700 --> 00:30:12,540 For I have found the peace which I lost. 455 00:30:12,640 --> 00:30:14,820 Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the 456 00:30:15,080 --> 00:30:16,380 presence of the angels of God 457 00:30:16,720 --> 00:30:18,500 over one sinner who repents. 458 00:30:20,320 --> 00:30:20,940 The rejoicing, 459 00:30:21,160 --> 00:30:22,860 the party that you 460 00:30:22,960 --> 00:30:24,720 and I can cause in heaven. 461 00:30:29,300 --> 00:30:33,500 when we simply humble ourselves before the Lord. 462 00:30:35,740 --> 00:30:37,000 You don't think they take note? 463 00:30:37,440 --> 00:30:38,360 Have you read the book of Daniel? 464 00:30:39,720 --> 00:30:40,320 The watchers? 465 00:30:40,880 --> 00:30:41,940 They're watching everything. 466 00:30:43,379 --> 00:30:49,340 Nabikanezer and Belchizer and the witness of the angels against them, 467 00:30:49,660 --> 00:30:50,420 what they were doing. 468 00:30:51,600 --> 00:30:54,720 Or the watchers in the book of, 469 00:30:54,740 --> 00:30:57,660 of Genesis with lot and they come down and go, 470 00:30:59,530 --> 00:31:02,280 what does your life provoke from the angels? 471 00:31:05,400 --> 00:31:09,680 Do they desire to look into it or they're like, yuck? 472 00:31:14,960 --> 00:31:15,480 Rejoicing. 473 00:31:16,760 --> 00:31:20,660 Rejoicing in heaven, the fact that we could take part in that is powerful. 474 00:31:21,200 --> 00:31:24,400 Now this necklace, when a Jewish girl married, 475 00:31:24,640 --> 00:31:31,100 she began to wear a headband of 10 silver coins to signify that she was now a wife. 476 00:31:31,840 --> 00:31:35,840 It was the Jewish version of our modern wedding ring, 477 00:31:36,680 --> 00:31:41,060 and it would be considered a calamity for her to lose one of those coins. 478 00:31:41,860 --> 00:31:48,280 Palestinian houses were dark, and so she had to light a lamp and search until she found the lost coin, 479 00:31:48,820 --> 00:31:51,220 and we can imagine her joy at finding it. 480 00:31:54,140 --> 00:32:01,360 we he goes on here this is warren weirsby also he says we must not press parabolic images too far 481 00:32:01,900 --> 00:32:06,580 notice what he says here though it's pretty interesting but it is worth noting that the coin 482 00:32:07,420 --> 00:32:14,220 would have on it the image of the ruler you guys remember that parable with or that story with 483 00:32:14,360 --> 00:32:20,720 Jesus he said hey should we pay taxes I don't know whose images on the coin well Caesar 484 00:32:21,100 --> 00:32:26,160 He says, well, then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and give to God the things that are as God's. 485 00:32:26,220 --> 00:32:28,240 Well, whose image is on you? 486 00:32:30,580 --> 00:32:32,140 Here we are back at discipleship, right? 487 00:32:32,700 --> 00:32:34,160 God's image is on you and me. 488 00:32:34,620 --> 00:32:36,400 Then give to God's what is God's? 489 00:32:40,960 --> 00:32:46,720 The lost sinner bears the image of God, even though that image has been marred by sin. 490 00:32:46,880 --> 00:32:50,700 When a lost sinner is found, God begins to rejoice that divine. 491 00:32:50,720 --> 00:32:57,800 image through the power of the spirit and and one day the believer will be like Jesus Christ. 492 00:33:00,000 --> 00:33:07,720 The ultimate image bearer. He came in the likeness of sinful flesh, but he was not only the 493 00:33:07,980 --> 00:33:20,440 image, but he was the invisible God. And so he wants you and I to be new, to be restored. 494 00:33:20,780 --> 00:33:24,240 to be found and not be lost. 495 00:33:26,320 --> 00:33:28,720 If you're lost today, call out. 496 00:33:29,200 --> 00:33:30,680 Call out to the name of Jesus. 497 00:33:32,679 --> 00:33:35,920 Because he's able to make us new. 498 00:33:36,560 --> 00:33:40,120 Colossians 310 and have put on the new man 499 00:33:40,560 --> 00:33:44,160 who was renewed in knowledge according to the image of him who created him. 500 00:33:44,940 --> 00:33:45,560 There it is. 501 00:33:47,400 --> 00:33:53,620 that we're to put off this, this God error, if you will, 502 00:33:54,280 --> 00:33:56,760 as we walk humbly through this life, 503 00:33:56,880 --> 00:34:04,400 that there's something that is attractive to even the worst of sinners. 504 00:34:06,640 --> 00:34:08,540 As these people were drawn to Jesus, 505 00:34:09,580 --> 00:34:12,800 even after what he had told them, what he required. 506 00:34:14,179 --> 00:34:16,840 1 John 3 1 and 2. 507 00:34:17,120 --> 00:34:20,419 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us. 508 00:34:20,860 --> 00:34:22,879 We should be called the children of God. 509 00:34:23,200 --> 00:34:26,560 Therefore, the world does not know us because it did not know him. 510 00:34:26,960 --> 00:34:29,000 Beloved, now we are children of God. 511 00:34:29,440 --> 00:34:32,460 And it has not been yet revealed what we shall be, 512 00:34:32,879 --> 00:34:36,520 but we know that when he is revealed, we shall be like him. 513 00:34:37,500 --> 00:34:39,179 For we shall see him as he is. 514 00:34:40,040 --> 00:34:41,240 Do you looking forward to that day? 515 00:34:42,540 --> 00:34:46,419 Looking forward when you see Jesus face to face. 516 00:34:49,840 --> 00:34:51,159 I don't shudder in fear. 517 00:34:52,300 --> 00:34:58,560 I fear now that I would do something that would forfeit me that right to stand before him. 518 00:34:58,620 --> 00:34:59,340 I fear that. 519 00:35:00,720 --> 00:35:01,440 And so should you. 520 00:35:05,840 --> 00:35:07,220 We have to let Jesus find us. 521 00:35:08,700 --> 00:35:12,420 When the Lord knocks on the door your heart, please answer. 522 00:35:12,460 --> 00:35:25,300 answer. Say yes, Lord. Yes, Lord, I'm right here. Remember the garden. Adam, where are you? Maybe the 523 00:35:25,340 --> 00:35:32,500 Lord's been saying that to you. Hey, where are you? What are you doing? Where you been? Haven't 524 00:35:32,580 --> 00:35:42,420 heard from you in a while. Don't try to hide. Quit wandering. Quit trying to do. Quit 525 00:35:42,440 --> 00:35:49,060 it yourself. I can't do that. The older I get, the more helpless I am in more ways than one. 526 00:35:53,040 --> 00:35:56,840 Right? Working at the building, sometimes I go to pick something up and I don't know, not today. 527 00:35:57,880 --> 00:36:12,120 Not today. I'll pull something loose. But don't wander. Just come to him. You might need to come to him today. 528 00:36:13,460 --> 00:36:14,600 I've asked the prayer team 529 00:36:14,600 --> 00:36:15,520 They don't even know this yet 530 00:36:15,760 --> 00:36:17,560 But there is a little cubby hole back there 531 00:36:17,640 --> 00:36:18,500 By that exit door 532 00:36:18,940 --> 00:36:19,960 And I'm going to have the prayer team 533 00:36:20,480 --> 00:36:21,720 Go over there in just a minute 534 00:36:22,400 --> 00:36:23,120 And you can come 535 00:36:23,500 --> 00:36:24,040 Come pray 536 00:36:26,200 --> 00:36:26,980 Pray for yourself 537 00:36:28,040 --> 00:36:28,340 You might 538 00:36:29,760 --> 00:36:29,920 Well 539 00:36:31,080 --> 00:36:32,380 I don't know people think I'm weak 540 00:36:32,560 --> 00:36:33,200 Or something like that 541 00:36:33,320 --> 00:36:35,240 No okay then go pray for your spouse 542 00:36:37,980 --> 00:36:39,340 Guys listen I promise you 543 00:36:39,420 --> 00:36:40,660 Your wife needs your prayers 544 00:36:43,460 --> 00:36:46,420 women your husband needs your prayers 545 00:36:48,980 --> 00:36:49,960 well we're good 546 00:36:50,620 --> 00:36:52,340 we're good me and her we're good 547 00:36:53,980 --> 00:36:55,880 how about a child maybe a parent 548 00:36:56,280 --> 00:36:58,180 maybe a friend I just got news 549 00:36:59,180 --> 00:37:01,840 for a friend of mine that I've been going to see for the last few months 550 00:37:01,960 --> 00:37:03,940 they're giving him till the first week of July 551 00:37:04,560 --> 00:37:06,080 well actually they said you have an appointment 552 00:37:06,700 --> 00:37:08,660 he says I have an appointment the 6th of July 553 00:37:08,980 --> 00:37:10,060 doctor said you won't make it 554 00:37:11,360 --> 00:37:17,980 you're not making it to that appointment you're going to die you know somebody like that 555 00:37:19,540 --> 00:37:26,980 go stand in for him pray for him a friend a co-worker a lost tribe in Africa I don't know 556 00:37:29,840 --> 00:37:38,100 but come and pray PDAs towards the Lord are allowed you want me say that again 557 00:37:39,660 --> 00:37:43,840 PDAs towards the Lord are allowed, right? 558 00:37:45,360 --> 00:37:48,760 And some people will, no, they're ashamed. 559 00:37:49,660 --> 00:37:50,380 Don't be ashamed. 560 00:37:51,440 --> 00:37:52,600 Don't be ashamed with your God. 561 00:37:52,700 --> 00:37:59,080 Don't be ashamed to go and be willing to humble yourself and let somebody pray with you. 562 00:38:01,760 --> 00:38:02,540 That's a good thing. 563 00:38:03,620 --> 00:38:05,320 That's where the Lord can lift you up. 564 00:38:06,600 --> 00:38:09,660 That's where your shepherd can feed you those good things. 565 00:38:10,680 --> 00:38:12,180 And that's where we're going to close today. 566 00:38:13,580 --> 00:38:14,200 That shepherd. 567 00:38:14,620 --> 00:38:15,460 Would you all stand with me? 568 00:38:15,540 --> 00:38:19,300 If you have a Bible, turn to Psalm 23, that's how we're going to end this. 569 00:38:27,240 --> 00:38:32,380 I pray that these words would sink down deep into your soul. 570 00:38:33,740 --> 00:38:34,880 And it would stir you up. 571 00:38:36,100 --> 00:38:40,680 and when you start looking at all the things that are in this passage of scripture it's only 572 00:38:41,180 --> 00:38:46,160 it's only six verses when you look at it it it's full of life 573 00:38:47,720 --> 00:38:52,720 king david in one of his bright moments wrote this say it along with me if you like 574 00:38:53,160 --> 00:38:58,860 if you have different virgins that's okay just mumble through it the lord is my shepherd 575 00:38:59,520 --> 00:39:04,920 i shall not want he makes me to lie down in green pastures he leads me 576 00:39:05,000 --> 00:39:10,980 beside the still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in the paths of righteousness for his 577 00:39:11,840 --> 00:39:17,660 namesake. Ye, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. 578 00:39:18,160 --> 00:39:23,900 Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 579 00:39:24,540 --> 00:39:30,720 You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me 580 00:39:31,080 --> 00:39:34,800 all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord. 581 00:39:34,920 --> 00:39:43,640 forever. When you have a relationship with the shepherd like that, you can't lose. Amen? Let's pray. 582 00:39:44,760 --> 00:39:51,680 Father, thank you. Thank you for your word. Thank you that you find us. Lord, you seek us out. 583 00:39:52,300 --> 00:39:59,680 Even if we're in a corner licking our wounds, Lord, you're calling us. You're calling us to yourself. 584 00:39:59,840 --> 00:40:04,740 You're calling us to take your yoke upon ourselves and to learn, 585 00:40:04,800 --> 00:40:10,080 of you. And Lord, we just ask that by your spirit, you would move on all of our hearts. 586 00:40:11,260 --> 00:40:18,140 In these times that we live, Lord, may we seek you more and more. May our prayer life increase. 587 00:40:18,280 --> 00:40:26,220 May our Bible reading increase. May our love for the lost world increase. Lord, you want us to be 588 00:40:26,960 --> 00:40:34,060 like you. Give us a shepherd's heart, we pray. And we pray that you would bless those who need to 589 00:40:34,320 --> 00:40:41,860 to come today and to be prayed for. Maybe some just need to come and surrender to you and realize, 590 00:40:42,040 --> 00:40:48,260 Lord, that you have a future and a hope and you have green pastures and still waters for those who are 591 00:40:48,420 --> 00:40:54,180 willing to humble themselves and come to the good shepherd today. And we pray it in Jesus' mighty name. 592 00:40:55,060 --> 00:41:00,160 Amen. Amen. During the song, hey, the prayer team's going to be back in that cubby hole. So if you need 593 00:41:00,320 --> 00:41:03,440 prayer, please go back. God bless you guys. Have a great week in Jesus.