The Gospel of the One

"What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance" - Luke 15:4-7 Context: This passage is part of Jesus's response to the Pharisees and scribes criticizing Him for associating with sinners (Luke 15:1-2). God's relentless love: Jesus tells the parable of the lost sheep to illustrate God's relentless love and willingness to pursue one lost soul rather than be content with the ninety-nine who are safe. Cultural Background: In ancient Israel, shepherds were deeply responsible for their flocks. A lost sheep is helpless, vulnerable, and unable to find its way back. Shepherds would risk their safety to rescue a lost sheep, symbolizing God's sacrificial love. Our World: In a performance-driven world, leaving the majority for one seems counterproductive. But God's kingdom does not measure success by numbers - it values every individual soul. 1. The Value of One Over the Crowd Jesus prioritizes the one over the ninety-nine. In ministry, we should not only focus on numbers but also on individual discipleship and transformation. 2. Rejoicing Over Restoration, Not Performance The shepherd does not scold the lost sheep-he celebrates its return (Prodigal). Today, churches should cultivate a culture of repentance and restoration. People should feel welcomed back into the fold rather than judged for straying. 3. Bringing Heaven's Joy to Earth Heaven rejoices over one sinner who repents - do we? In our personal and church life, we should celebrate redemption and transformation, not just numerical growth. Challenge Application: Jesus doesn't measure success the way we do. In a world that glorifies numbers, He prioritizes redemption and transformation. Receive: The Kingdom is not earned - it is received. Step Into It: We don't bring the Kingdom by our work - it is already here; step into it. Challenge Question: Would you say it's easy or difficult to shift from a performance mindset to a presence mindset? What's the biggest challenge in practicing the Kingdom Mindset?