| LEAVING THE NINETY AND NINE |
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18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. 18:12 How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? 18:13 And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that [sheep], than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.
THE SAFTEY OF THE NINETY-NINE IS UNTOUCHABLE CONCERNING SALVATION, PRAISE GOD! GREAT REFUGE AND SUSTENANCE IS FOUND IN A LOCAL CHURCH HOME. YET IT IS VERY NECCESSARY TO GO INTO THE "MOUNTAINS" IN SEARCH OF LOST SOULS. WE DO THIS BECAUSE JESUS FIRST LEFT THE SPLENDORS OF HEAVEN TO SAVE LOST FOLKS. WHILE OUR CUTS, BRUISES, AND THORNS ARE IMPORTANT IN THE SEARCH, THEY'LL NEVER HAVE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BRUISES, THORNS, AND PIERCING OF JESUS. HE IS THE GREAT SHEPHERD UNRIVALED! WE LEAVE THE NINETY-NINE TO SEEK THE LOST. WE LEAVE THEM TEMPORARILY (LUKE 15:6). WE GLADLY PLAN TO RETURN TO CHURCH THE VERY NEXT SERVICE.
IT'S EASY TO IMAGINE A MAN YEARS AGO LEAVING HIS FAMILY TO GO HUNTING FOR GAME. HE MAY HAVE EVEN ENJOYED THE TRIP, BUT STRONGLY WANTED TO RETURN TO HIS FAMILY SOON WITH FOOD TO PUT ON THE TABLE. HIS FAMILY WOULD BE WELL SATISFIED AND REJOICING. WE LEAVE THE NINETY-NINE FOR REJOICING (VERSE 13). THERE IS MUCH REJOICING WHEN WE CAN WIN A SOUL TO CHRIST. TODAY WE LEAVE OUR FAMILY TO GO TO WORK SO PROVISION AND REJOICING ARE IN OUR HOME. THE LORD DID NOT LEAVE IN ABANDONMENT. BY GOD'S DESIGN, WE WILL NOT ABANDON OUR FAMILY OR OUR CHURCH FAMILY,BUT ONLY GO IN SCRIPTURAL WAYS. WE ARE SO BLESSED TO SEEK WITH JESUS AND AT TIMES WITH SOME OF THE NINETY-NINE RIGHT BY OUR SIDE.
BY PASTOR REX SAVAGE, EASTSIDE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, MARSHALL, AR. |
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