Application:
God wants those who sin to be saved and have their sins forgiven.
Text:
Matthew 18:10-14.
God Cares:
When Jesus was teaching, He often spent time with people who did not know God
and didn't do what was right. He taught them what they needed to do
and change for God to accept them. However, the Pharisees and
teachers of the law Jews were unhappy that Jesus spent time with these
sinners.
They complained, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So
Jesus answered their disapproval with this parable which showed how much God
cares for lost sinners, and how He wants them to be saved and have their sins
forgiven.
The Lost Sheep:
"What person," asked Jesus, "Who owns one hundred sheep, and having lost one of
them, does not leave the other ninety nine sheep safely in the pastures, and
go looking in the mountains for the one that was lost until he finds it?
And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it over his shoulder and goes
home. He then calls his friends and neighbours together, saying,
"Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!"
Jesus said, "In the same way, there will be joy in Heaven over one sinner who
repents, more than over ninety and nine righteous persons who need no
repentance." God sees each one of us as a very special person, who He
loves very dearly, just as that shepherd cared for his one lost sheep.
In 2 Peter 3:9, the Apostle Peter wrote:
"The Lord ... is patient with us, and is not willing that any should perish,
but that all should come to repentance.
A Changed Life:
To "repent" means that you turn away from doing sin and wrong things, and
decide that you never want to do them again, and then ask Jesus to forgive
you. If you really mean it, Jesus will forgive you and wash you clean
inside from all your sins with His precious blood.
And then you need to ask Jesus to come into your heart as your Best Friend,
Lord and Saviour. You will become one of God's children and you will
now have everlasting life in Heaven when you die. Jesus will change
you so that you will want to serve and please God in all you do and say
And then there will be great rejoicing in Heaven for you by the angels!
God bless.