Title: The One Sheep
- Is Christ active or passive in the entire process of our salvation?
(Read verse 12)
Now, I will admit, this may be a bit of an “alternative” take on verse 12, and it may even seem that I’m weaving my personal conviction and spin into this verse the way I’m about to explain it, but I want to tell you: It’s actually just the opposite.
When I read verse 12 a question comes to my mind that needs an answer:
What is Jesus saying about how salvation, particularly the sustaining of our “saved” status, works?
Let’s think about this for a moment.
- These sheep already belong to Him. They are already in the pen.
- Jesus refers to himself as “the good shepherd” who “Lays down His life for the sheep.” His sheep “know his voice, and I know them” (John 10)
- When one goes astray, Jesus DOES NOT simply wait at the gate with the door open for the sheep to return.
- He leaves the pen, and ACTIVELY seeks out the lost sheep, in order to bring them home to safety and fellowship.
My Point: He who is the author, is also the finisher (sustainer) of our faith. (Heb. 12:2)
Friends, that is an active God. That is not a God who presents the truth to all by opening the gate, and then waits for the sheep to wander in of their own accord.
- Does God love the morons more than the faithful?
Please notice this says “morons” not “Mormons.” That is an entirely different sermon, but, to be honest, there is some overlap in the ideas I’m about to share.
It seems that Jesus is teaching that he loves the wayward sheep more than the faithful sheep that remain in the pen.
Packer: The concern for the one is not at the expense of the ninety-none, but indicates God’s commitment for each disciple, and His special concern for one straying of in danger. God elects, seeks out, and preserves not only His church as a whole, but each individual within the Church.
Edwards: Note, God is graciously concerned, not only for his flock in general, but for every lamb, or sheep, that belongs to it. Though they are many, yet out of those many he can easily miss one, for he is a great Shepherd, but not so easily lose it, for he is a good Shepherd, and takes a more particular cognizance of his flock than ever any did; for he calls his own sheep by name…
Roby: We, at some point in our lives, have all been that “one sheep.” Thank God that He actively returns us to the fold of the Church. The elevated rejoicing is because a repenting sinner brings great glory to God.
Consider what Jesus says in Luke 15:7 I say unto you that likewise more joy shall be in Heaven over one sinner that repenteth, than over ninety and nine just persons who need no repentance.
III. Verse 14 Explained
v 14 “Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.”
3 options
- All children are saved, because it is God’s will.
- It is God’s desire that all children be saved, but not necessarily his sovereign will. (Compare to 2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”)
- “One of these little ones” (v. 14, v 10) IS “One of these little ones who believe in Me” (v. 6)
Close:
Friends, we must be good stewards of the Bible. We must read it well, thoroughly, in context, with conviction.
Just this past week I came across a letter from years ago from a couple that used to attend Heritage and had moved out of the area and the frustration that they shared about the toil of finding a church was heartbreaking.
They have found a church that has great fellowship, good people, the right understanding of Scripture, good Sunday School, good small groups, and yet, they feel let down Sunday after Sunday with the teaching from the pulpit.
May you never tolerate that from me, from this church, or from any church you join fellowship with.
We have one job here. One.
Everything else we do is an extension of that one job.
We are to teach and apply this sacred text to our lives.
All of it, not just the parts that are easy to understand. Not just the parts that we like. Let’s pray that the Holy Spirit would guide us in this effort.