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or, The Sheep out of the Fold

This week we have been looking at two stories from Jesus. The first is the story of the shepherd who leaves the 99 safe sheep to seek for the one that is lost. The Second is the story of the prodigal son, but we focused on the response and failure of the older son who represents the failure of God's people to show Godly grace.

These messages are particularly appropriate at this time of year. First, many believers have opportunities around religious holidays to talk about their faith. Christmas is a great time to talk to close friends and realities about Christ! Second, starting in January, there are many people who look at the new year as an opportunity to make a new start. Let's help some or our friends find their faith in Christ again and gain a new start with God.

Matthew 18:12-1412
“What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.

The Relationship of the Sheep
The relationship of the sheep to the shepherd is central to this story. God created every person to have a relationship with him. Many people have taken initial steps to gain that relationship with God. However, multitudes have only heard the message, made and initial response to God and then turned back away from him again. Many who start out with the Lord do not finish with the Lord.
1. The sheep is a sheep, not a goat.
2. The sheep is outside the flock.
3. The shepherd loves the sheep.
4. The shepherd brings them back.
5. The shepherd rejoices over his sheep.

Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
What are you doing on a regular basis to maintain a relationship with God?
Since God has promised to keep believers secure, how can Jesus tell a story about a sheep leaving his place of protection and blessing?
Do you believe that a relationship with God must be maintained through Jesus Christ or are there other ways to God? What Scriptures support your answer?

The Reality of our Situation
1. We have all gone astray (1 Peter 2:25).
2. Jesus found us (Luke 19:10).
3. God used other people (James 5:19-20).

Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
Since we have all sinned and failed, shouldn't we be gracious to others who have failed?
How can we practically show a "lost sheep" the grace of God?

The Responsibility of the Saints
1. Of the Wise (Proverbs 11:30 and Daniel 12:3).
2. Of the Daring (Jude 23).
3. Of the Willing (1 Cor. 9:22).
4. Of the Observant (John 4:35).
5. Of the Blessed (Acts 4:20).
6. Of the Motivated (1 Cor. 9:16).

Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
Who do you know that you can pray for and share Jesus Christ with this Christmas holiday?
Do you believe that if you pray and talk to them about Christ that they will respond?
Do you believe that the Holy Spirit will go with you and be present with you to minister to your friend or family member?
Pray: God I am not sure what might happen when I bring up this topic, but help my unbelief and help me plant a seed and see the fruit that the seed will produce.

When we freely admit our failures to God he will freely admit us to his blessing and grace!

Your Friend,

Pastor Paul

Through the vomit

Read Jonah 1:17

There are only a few places in teh Bible where the Scripture talks about vomit. Jonah did not obey the Lord and so he found himself in the stomach of a fish. What is in the belly of a fish? VOMIT! Jonah said in his prayer that, seaweed wraped around his head. Being in the belly of a fish is messy stuff.

What might the vomit be for you? Attacks from the Devil. Problems of our own making. Attacks from people. Whatever the difficulty and whatever the cause, God has a way to bring you through the vomit of life.

God brought Jonah through the vomit. There ae three things that Jonah found on the other side of the vomit.

--Jonah found his God (2:7-10).
Through a painful situation God shook Jonah's life so that he would see God in a new way.
Pain made Jonah remember the Lord
Pain made Jonah repent to the Lord
Pain made Johan right with the Lord

Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
What is God trying to teach you in the pain that you are experiencing?

--Jonah found his calling (3:1-4).
Amazingly, God not only saved Jonah out of the storm, the sea and the fish, God called him again to work.
A Second Chance (3:1)
A Sacred Charge (3:2)
A Super Challenge (3:3-4) Later we learn that there were over 120,000 people to minister to in Niniveh!

Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
Is there a call from God or direction that he has given you that you think can never be realized? Does it seem too big? Do you feel to inadaquate?

--Jonah found his spiritual awakening (3:5-10).
A Revival for Everyone (3:5-6)
A Revival of Humility (3:6-8)
A Revival of Prayer (3:8)
A Revival of Repentance (3:8)
A Revival of Blessings (3:10)

Questions for Discussion and Reflection:
Do we really care about blessing others, or are we only concerned for ourselves? Later we find that Jonah did not want God to be compassionate to Nineveh (4:2). Are we looking for a spiritual experience that is marked by humility, prayer and turning from evil things, or one that is marked by our own desires and whims or an emotional thrill?

Often times we pass through very difficult things to reach where we are going. The key to making it through the vomit is having faith in the bad times. While still in the belly of the fish Jonah thanked God for saving him (2:9). Begin to look at your problems with faith in God and his Son Jesus Christ. Ask for his help and believe that he will help you whithout doubting him, then you will receive what you ask for in prayer.

Your Friend,

Pastor Paul