‎Text: Luke 15:1–10

‎Beloved, today’s Gospel reminds us that though men may despise sinners, God seeks them out in love.

‎The Pharisees grumbled: “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them” (Luke 15:2). But Jesus embraced this because it is the very reason He came.

‎Jeremiah laments: “My people are foolish; they do not know me” (Jer. 4:22). The Psalmist declares: “There is none who does good, not even one” (Ps. 14:3). Paul testifies: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst” (1 Tim. 1:15).

‎The parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin reveal God’s persistence in searching for the lost until they are found.

‎1. The Lost Sheep (Luke 15:4–7)

‎•The shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to pursue one stray sheep.

‎•It seems unreasonable to men, but it reveals the value of one soul to God.

‎2. The Lost Coin (Luke 15:8–10)

‎•A woman loses one coin out of ten, lights a lamp, and searches carefully until she finds it.

‎•God does not give up on anyone. Every life is precious.

‎3. The Joy of Recovery (Luke 15:7, 10)

‎•The parables end in joy and celebration.

‎•Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents.

‎When I was a child, I once offended my father. He asked me to carry a bag of cement from school for our building project. At school, some friends deceived me to spend a little from the money, telling me I could pretend the cement seller would overlook it. But when I tried, each seller turned me away, calling me names. My friends disappeared, and I was left alone, ashamed, afraid, and unwilling to face my father.

‎I wandered around the community, hiding as if my father was pursuing me. But when he heard of it, he kept searching for me. When he finally saw me, he called out: “Son, come to me! You mean so much more than a bag of cement. Please come home. Don’t go astray into the wrong hands. You are my son, and whatever I am building is for you.”

‎I returned, remorseful and expecting punishment. But instead, he forgave me. That midnight, he woke me gently and used the Word of God to teach me the consequences of my action.

‎Beloved, that is how God deals with us. We run from Him in shame, thinking He will punish us. But He calls us, not with condemnation, but with love: “Come home, you mean more to Me than what you lost.”

‎1. Personally

‎•Like the lost sheep, like the child who wanders, we must admit our lostness and return.

‎•Don’t hide in fear; God calls you back with love.

‎2. Spiritually

‎•Some are like the coin, lost in the house. You may be in church yet spiritually distant. Let God’s Word shine into your hidden places.

‎•Repentance is not shame but restoration.

‎3. Missionally

‎•The Church must reflect God’s heart. Too often we condemn the sinner instead of seeking them.

‎•We must be the shepherd searching, the woman sweeping, the father calling: “Come home.”

‎Conclusion

‎Paul confessed: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am the worst” (1 Tim. 1:15). If God could forgive Paul, if my father could forgive me, then surely God can forgive anyone.

‎Beloved, the Shepherd is still searching, the Spirit is still sweeping, and the Father is still calling. Today, heaven is ready to rejoice over your return.

‎“There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents” (Luke 15:10).

‎✍🏽 Very Rev. Enenche G. O (Apostle of Grace) is Head, Media & Communications, Methodist Church Nigeria. He can be reached on +234 703 889 6439.

‎Note Please: Sunday Sermon is a new introduction on the staple of DECENCY GLOBAL NEWS. Interested Pastors, General Overseers, and Ministries/ Churches should contact the Managing Editor on +234 8052903275 or on email: babalolatunde2002@gmail.com; decencyglobalnews2020@gmail.com

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